MIND newsletter: Assimilation, segregation or integration?
Happy Saturday everyone! What was your costume for this year’s Halloween? How did you feel trying out that new identity?
1. M (Challenge your mindset)
When you go to a gathering (networking event, family union, work meeting…), what is the part of your identity that you normally show, keep or abandon?
Working with immigrants and with people going through transition means I have a chance to see how people shape or rebuild their identity to adapt to a new environment. It could be a new country, new working culture, new boss.
Take the definition from the book Making sense of immigrant work integration (Nardon, L., & Hari, A, 2022) as an example:
"assimilation refers to immigrants and their children becoming similar to the receiving society by abandoning their culture, while segregation implies that immigrants remain separate from the receiving society. In Canada, for example, integration of immigrants is defined as a gradual two-way process. It requires newcomers to tap into available supports, connect with their communities, as well as learn about and adhere to Canadian laws”.
You don’t have to be an immigrant to reflect on your sense of identity. Just imagine when you are in an environment that feels foreign, what is your strategy? Abandon your identity, separate from the environment, or a two-way process where you learn to integrate gradually?
2. I (I’m my own coach)
Below is something called purpose statement, but it also can tell part of who you are. Try to fill it out and see if it’s a simple task for you:
“I want to use my strengths for ______, and present interests in ______, to create an impact on_____ because I value ______. This will help me to _________.”
3. N (The power of Now)
What do people who love and care about you say who you are?
4. D (Do)
What is one thing you could do to stay truer to yourself?
P/s: In case you missed our previous newsletters, here is the link to the archive.
