In the world around us there are different levels of witch we make use of to teach us certain aspects. We all come from different backgrounds and have different systems of up bringing.

Two believe systems that I feel is encouraged by my ethnic group is: black and white people can’t get along or be civil with each other and people need degrees to acquire successful jobs.

I come from a farm community where black people mostly only work for the farmers, work as cashiers or work in the municipality. This all adds up to how white and black people interact with each other in my community. They rarely get along and when some people do they are outcasted by the community until the problem is resolved. This has led me to also believe that a good relationship/friendship with black people are not possible. But since arriving at university my believes have started to change. I am opening my eyes to new possibilities and also testing the water for new friendships across the border.

Secondly, I was thought by my high school that the only way for a person to be successful is to obtain a degree, doctors or masters certificate. But, after school I realized that there are many different ways people can make a future for themselves without some fancy degree. The world has made different opportunities available for those who do not have the financial capacity or enough marks to get in. It all depends on the willingness of a person and how much they want to succeed in life.

My inner circles.

I am the in the center of my own life, but around me there are many networks full of people who play an important role in my life. The first layer would be the people I trust most and have a strong relationship with, like both my parents, my boyfriend, my dog, my aunt and uncle. The second layer are the people who have an important part but in a different way. They are mostly people who I do fun activities with, go to parties or just unload with, like my new friends here, my friends at my hometown, my niece, my grandparents, and a few teachers at my high school. T he last layer are just people in my life that fill a small void, like the church people, some distant family members, classmates at university and people at the day house. Each layer of trust differs from the other. Those closets to me I trust the most. Each also has different role to play. Layer one being their for support, help with problems, give love and to ensure that I am happy and healthy. Layer two is their for fun activities, unpacking problems we share on the same level, help you grow as a person and develop the relationship you have into something better. Layer three is to mainly fill in the void and to know that if all else fails there is still a last resort. These circle all work together like a well oiled machine.

But each level also has a different type of trust when it comes to certain things. For instance, the exchanging of gifts. Layer one I would put effort in to find them a sentiment gift that I know they will not only use but appreciate also. Layer two would receive a gift of the same value that they have given me or if nothing was given just something as small as a chocolate and card. Layer three is most likely not to receive anything from me, nor will they send me something.

Each layer also has a role they play in my life. Layer one is mostly caretakers and providers. Layer two is sort of like a type of good sibling relationship. Layer three is more like a ghost fulling the room.

Layer one would have a sense of genitive way when exchanging gifts. Layers two would have a balanced way when it comes to exchanging gifts. Layer three would have a balanced or negative way when it comes to exchanging gifts.

My observation

I was so excited the hole day. Last night we were going to our clubhouse party. I arrived at my friend's house before hand, because we were going together. Once I climbed out of my car I could smell the gasses from another car. It burned my nose. It reminded me each time I was near someone who is smoking, and it floats my way. As we and the other first years arrived at the club, I could hear the music playing loudly inside. The place smelled unfamiliar. My friends and I bought our drinks and went to sit on the hard bench. We enjoyed each other’s company. I felt a sense of warmth, not because of the temperature but because of having the privilege to know these good people. As we were seated, I started to spot different social groups. We as the one group was separated by the other one. We on the relaxed side of the party. Talking with each other and dancing a little bit in between. The other group were mostly made out of the older students and extroverts. Dancing a lot, talking to different people and not staying put in one place. At the end of the night the club was also smelling like a dumpster cite. The different smells of sweat, hormones, alcohol and vomit contributed to the association. In my mind I could remember each time when driving back into my hometown from the East, I also smelted that smell, because of the dumpster cite and sewage farm near the entrance. In the end I left with my friends, knowing that I am with the right type of people/community.

To believe or not to believe.

Stereotypes are something that has been with us since we first started preschool and developed as we got older. The word stereotype is a widely used term by people of all over the world. As described in the Cambridge dictionary (Stereotype English meaning, 2024) it means “A set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong”. An example of a stereotype that I have heard a lot in my hometown was that men can do any line of work they set their heart on, but women are only good for taking care of children or teaching. This shown a negative light on women who wanted to become more than was expected of them. Stereotypes normally only have a negative side, as opposed to essentialism that has a positive as well as a negative side (Loock, 2024). Normally the start of a stereotype begins with a single story, written or unwritten. The power a story holds is something we do not think about every day. The writer tells his perspective of the events from his or her side, and although it may be well researched or observed it still only tells one side f the story. When writing a story, one must be as neutral and analytical correct as possible in order to cover all the bases. This is well explained in the YouTube video “The danger of a single story” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, 2009). In conclusion, the world is full of different stereotypes and stories. It is our responsibility a reader or listener to make sure we know the full extent of the truth before we start believing the story.