Meera's Blog

 Neurodiversity refers to the idea that neurological differences like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others are normal variations of the human brain, not deficits. A disability is a physical, cognitive, or emotional condition that can limit a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Discrimination against neurodiverse individuals and people with disabilities is built into societal systems through inaccessible environments, rigid educational and employment structures, and pervasive stereotypes—similar to how systemic racism operates by embedding inequities into policies, norms, and institutions. The social model of disability shifts the focus from "fixing" individuals to changing society to remove barriers, contrasting with the medical model , which treats disability as a personal flaw needing cure. Intersectionality reveals that neurodiverse and disabled individuals who are also part of other minoritized groups (such as Black, Indigenous, or LGBTQ+ communities) often face com...

 Throughout learning about Asian, Black, Native American, and Latinx individuals and families, I’ve noticed both important similarities and meaningful differences among these minoritized groups. One major similarity is the strong emphasis on family, community, and cultural pride, even in the face of systemic racism and discrimination. Each group has endured unique forms of historical oppression, but all have shown resilience through preserving traditions, maintaining close family bonds, and fostering strong cultural identities. However, their histories differ in significant ways. Native American families, for example, are Indigenous to the land and were subjected to forced assimilation and cultural erasure through policies like boarding schools. Black families have endured the legacy of slavery and ongoing systemic racism rooted in that history. In contrast, many Asian and Latinx families often face the immigrant experience, which comes with challenges such as language barriers, cu...

 Transracial adoptees are individuals adopted by parents of a different race or ethnic background than their own. These adoptees must live with growing up in a family and possibly a community where their racial identity is not fully understood. This dynamic can cause them to feel “othered” both within their adoptive family and in their racial or ethnic community. Within their family, physical differences often make their adoptive status visible to outsiders, and without intentional conversations about race, adoptees may feel isolated, misunderstood, or disconnected from their cultural roots. At the same time, they may struggle to fully integrate into their racial or ethnic communities, especially if they lack cultural knowledge, shared experiences, or if others question their authenticity. This dual sense of otherness can significantly impact their self-esteem, identity development, and overall sense of belonging. In families with a transracial adoptee, it is essential that racial ...

I think it's important to have these centers on campus because it allows everyone to have somewhere to go. Often, those from marginalized communities struggle to connect with others, due to their being a huge difference in upbringing and lived experiences. CAPS may be a resources available for all students, but students from marginalized communities find it difficult to relate to the person trying to help them. A white person can't possibly understand someone who is black just they have two very different lived experiences. We have to consider intersectionality and that culturally, black Americans and white Americans have very very different lived experiences. Putting aside racism and classism and sexism, they have two very very different cultures, and someone who is white may not know how to be supportive while also supporting their culture. Not just that but black Americans face problems that white Americans cannot even begin to understand. By having a black cultural center, ...