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You Hurt My Feelings

Grades 9-12

Extension Activity “Comin’ From Where I’m From”

Students will analyze how their identities and cultural expressions are shaped by their local communities.

Students will need access to a device, such as a computer or tablet, that can display images and/or stream or play songs.

1. Write: Have students write a list of bullet points responding to the following prompt(s): “I feel most like myself when…” and/or “I feel most at home when…” The point of the exercise is for students to begin to think about how they view themselves, the values that are important to them, and the cultural expressions with which they connect.



2. Research: Next, have students consider how their local community impacts or shapes their identity, how they see themselves, their personal style, and the community members with whom they identify most. They will then research and curate a collection of images and/or music that represent local cultural expressions that are important to them.

   Example: As a proud Marylander who loves music, I might create a collection that includes a Baltimore club song, an image of steamed crabs, an image of the local record store where I found the first LP that I ever purchased, a sound bite of a conversation of Baltimoreans which highlights our unique accent, etc.

3. Share: Have students share their curated collections with the class (5-10 minutes) and provide brief highlights of the materials they selected and how they affect how students view themselves.


4. Reflect on the activity. Have students think about the following questions as they reflect on the activities:
   • How do the objects that you selected reflect your cultural background or identity?
   • Which of the images, songs, items, or locations that you identified are most important to your self-identity? Why?
   • How do you think people who do not know you might interpret what you selected? Do you think their backgrounds might affect how they perceive your curated collection?
   • Have you ever faced challenges or difficulties because of one of the aspects of your identity that you shared? How did you address the situation?