When growing up we are taught to mine or imitate to learn lessons. Although I don’t remember this Im sure that one of the first things I was taught was to say “Ma ma or Da da” with my parents looking at me and repeating the phrase over and over again till I got it right. It was through imitating them that I gain the ability to speak and share ideas. As a child I was also taught to do stuff that I didn’t agree with. One example would be the fact of me being born a twin. My parents would always dress me and my brother up the same…this would go on till the first grade when my parents finally agreed that this might not be the best way to promote ourselves and show our individuality. This week in my English 1A class I watch a TED talk video entitled “Who am I? Think Again” by Hetain Patel. The video talked about identity and the assumptions people make of you. Growing up with a Mexican side people who speak Spanish have always assumed I knew Spanish and then when I break the news that I was never taught it growing up They get upset at me. One time well at work I was asked something in Spanish by a costume and had to inform him I didn’t know what he was talking about he became outrage at me and said I was letting down my culture. I told him that growing up I never had the need for Spanish since in America English is the official language of the country so my parents decided that it was best to focus on that as my primary language. Hetain Patel also talks about the idea of challenging people to look deeper then someone’s gender, race, or class to decide what kind of person they are. I think around a certain age you start noticing the different assumption people make of you. Buying your daughter an easy bake oven could be innocent but also enforce the idea of a woman’s place is in the kitchen; this also goes to the idea of men being into automobiles. I myself know nothing about cars or ever had a passion for learning the mechanics of them. But I have had many people talk to me about them and I have to inform them I have no Idea what they are talking about. But I know I’m not the only innocent one here. I too as a flawed person make my assumptions. One year for Christmas I got my niece a Barbie doll with a matching play house set. I seen the look on her face as confuse because not only did she not like the toy but also had no idea who she was. I asked my aunt what her interest were and she told me that she is really into “Dora the Explorer” and likes to pretend she is going on adventures seeking treasure and what not. I have learn from this mistake and try everyday not to assume anything by anyone’s gender, race, or class.