I fulfilled the Race and Power requirement in my Division II studies through a combination of coursework, teaching experience, and independent research. In Global Insecurity, I explored the role of Christian nationalism in the U.S. as a tool of racial and political control, examining how religious ideology has historically been used to justify policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. My research in this course built on my own experiences growing up in IHOPKC, a community where race, religion, and power were deeply intertwined. Through this class, I critically examined how white evangelical movements have shaped national policies, reinforcing racial hierarchies and exclusionary practices in both political and cultural spheres.

Additionally, my work as a teaching assistant for Speculative Nonfiction Writing allowed me to engage with Race and Power through writing and mentorship. Many of the students in the course explored themes of race, identity, and social justice in their nonfiction work, and I helped facilitate discussions on whose stories are centered, how narratives shape power dynamics, and the role of personal storytelling in challenging dominant historical narratives. Readings by James Baldwin and Alice Wong deepened my understanding of how race intersects with disability, personal history, and systemic oppression, and working with students on their essays reinforced my belief in the power of nonfiction to highlight underrepresented voices and challenge dominant cultural assumptions.

My Division III research on hospice workers and end-of-life rituals further ties into these themes by examining how race and cultural background influence grief practices and access to end-of-life care. Many mainstream bereavement models in psychology are based on Western, Eurocentric frameworks, which do not always reflect the experiences of racially and culturally diverse communities. By interviewing hospice workers, I aim to explore how different cultural traditions shape mourning, how institutional structures may fail to accommodate non-Western practices, and how caregivers navigate these disparities. My goal is to highlight the need for culturally inclusive bereavement support, ensuring that psychological research and hospice care reflect the diverse ways people process death, loss, and transition. Through this combination of coursework, teaching, and research, I have engaged deeply with the structural, historical, and methodological dimensions of Race and Power, critically reflecting on how my disciplines—psychology, cognitive science, and creative writing—perpetuate or challenge inequality.