Personal Narrative: I Am Janae Beasley

Who am I? I am a person that likes getting her job done. I am a teenager that is always there when a friend or a family needs an advice or any help on anything I am positive about many things I am a person that is calm relaxing and stay away from conflict who am I? I am Elizanne Barrios a person that will never give up in life until I accomplish my dreams because that’s why I came to America to succeed.

Personal Identity is something I have never sat down and specifically thought about. Lucky for me, I have seldom had an instance where I was disadvantaged because of my identity. I assume that everyone has parts of themselves that they dislike-it is human nature, but we are who we are and I believe that everyone needs to be proud of that. The person I identify with is diverse from anyone else but that what makes humans so incredible. The person I classify with is someone who I am satisfied with in both my personal and professional self.

There are many ways One’s identity can be defined. Only you can truly define who you are. You control what your experiences and influences make of you. When asked who am I, there could be millions of different answers depending on what you base your identity off of. To me, the question who am I, can only truly be answered in one way. So, who am I? For me, it’s an easy question. I’ve always known that I was the quiet girl In the back of the classroom by herself.

Starting high school can be a little scary, especially when you have no guidance from siblings, like me, being the first one from my family to have an education. But that did not stop me from succeeding, I?ve always been confident and determined. I?m an enthusiastic when it comes to trying new things. Who would have thought I was going to be a good athlete plus a book geek, when in my past years I was just a regular kid. I was pretty excited about joining a club that had a connection with high school, that way I didn?t have to start from zero, I always want to be a step ahead. Fortunately, in summer, a high school coach was recruiting freshmen for running either cross country or track, they both involve running, so I considered it like the same sport with different timing. And this is when it all started. Running

Twenty years ago today, God gave me my second child. She has come to have many nicknames from my gift from God, my Angel of Jesus, to my Princess. Lauren Bailey, you have developed into a beautiful young lady, who is head strong and always knows what she wants. Even as a baby you knew what you wanted and how you were going to do things. When the doctors told me that they needed to take you away as soon as I had you, I lost a piece of me, because I did not know what to expect especially after your first surgery at five days old, but you showed your dad and I that you were strong and willing to live. You have shown so much courage, even at 9 years old, when you had your open heart surgery and you told me “Mom if God wants me to be with him, I

Hey I am Carly Beth Horne. I usually go by Carly or Carly Beth; however, my friends refer to me as Carl, C.B., Carly B., or my least favorite, Carls. I never know what I will be called when I am with all of my pals; it is always a surprise.

I’m Hannah Lu, I was born in March 25, 1996 in China. I moved to U.S six years ago. I’m currently study at Sacramento State University. I am a serious and responsible person.

I’m Juma Bonneface, I was born in a refugee camp called Nyarugusu, it’s located in Kigoma, Tanzania. The camp was opened in 1996. In the camp, everything were gratis such as education, food and medical treatment. I spent 16 years of my life at the camp. On the camp, I lived with fear and doubt surrounding me because the camp was not my native country, however, I was satisfied because I was alive and I had hope that someday everything would get better. In the camp, I thought to myself, the pain that I’m feeling will come to an end, the tastelessness of love will disappear one day, the feelings of bad dreams will no longer be in my head and the thirst for freedom will be filled with smiles of joy.

Growing up in a very traditional Asian household, I was pushed every day to achieve any goal I sought out to accomplish. Whether it was playing piano, practicing the viola, or studying for school, my parents were always supportive with any goal I had in mind. One of the main reasons why I am who I am today is because where my parents originated from and their desire to follow the American Dream for not just them but my sister and I.

One aspect of my identity that has shaped my life experience and the way I see the world is my race. I am an African- American who has Nigerian descent from both parents. Growing up African American is hard for many of us, but we always come together to help each other out. We get judged for our skin color, religion, sexuality, and economic status. When I was younger, I always thought about what other people would say about me and how I looked. Even though it was hard seeing how other races portrayed my race, I have learned to embrace my skin color and not let anybody judge me. The society believes that African Americans are lazy, uneducated, and violent. Things people say about me and my race only make me want to prove myself to them that I am proud of my race and would never change myself for anybody.

The way I am today directly reflects the way in which I was raised. The teachings of being smart with money, always using your manners, and always doing the right thing have helped to build my character as I have grown up. The community I lived in was very enjoyable where everyone was respected and friendly toward each other. The implemented rules and things we did as a family have stuck with me and helped shape the way I am today.

In the last couple years, I have seen the world in a way I never thought was possible and it would not have happened without the Jaycees. In my Jaycee career, I met some amazing people, have had a huge helping hand in the community, and learned some amazing new perspectives in life. In my personal life, I believe what has helped me the most in my time in the Jaycees has been my role in the organization. I am a General Member and just having that role alone has given me tremendous confidence and self esteem which I did not have a lot of prior to joining the Jaycees. My level of comfort was always sitting on the sidelines and waiting for my presence to be acknowledged. I have went so far out of my comfort zone from being able to professionally

All things considered, I do consider myself today, to have a strong sense of self, and understanding of my own personal identity. The phases and circumstances of my adolescent years shaped me to be the strong independent woman I am today, but withstanding this journey, there were some aspects of my identity that I had considerable struggles with. As stated in earlier passages, my internal struggle with my intellectual self was a difficult and long battle, and although today I sit here writing a paper for a graduate school course (something 6 years ago was not an option) I still struggle with the drive to make right my academic failure of my past. Like my academic struggles, another internal identity conflict I tussled with for a very long was my racial and ethnic identity.

Yes, you are right. It really kicked in as of this year. This is the first year that I've kind of gone to another level. I'm the guy in town who did a lot of indie stuff. I'm very well-known in the independent film circuit 'cause I have this different way of being who I am. I started out on something huge. I did a couple of small things, and then I landed a role in I Spy with Eddie Murphy. My part was a supporting lead part in the movie. I worked with him for four months. To get that size of part, he had to approve my audition. And the first thing Eddie said to me when he met me was, "You real funny, man." And I was like, "Well, I can die now," 'cause I literally got what I wanted. It was the craziest thing in the world. It was great just

Life has been an uphill battle since I could remember. I was always seen as the outcast, the girl with a crazy mind. I am the girl with a crazy mind. I think, act, and speak differently from other people in my school. I am very hyper with lots of energy while everyone is calm and relaxed. I am able to comprehend things much faster than my peers and even my teachers. I don’t need to sit down and wait for someone to explain something to me I just speed right through it. I have been a fast learner all my life and I have been ahead of everyone from day one. I am thirteen years old and I have already graduated from high school. I could have graduated two years ago but being that I am so hyper my teachers didn’t think I was mature enough to graduate.