Jenna Washuleski
Diversity in Counseling
Cultural Identity
Our culture identity has an impact on how we behave, think, feel, and see not only
ourselves but how we see others and the world around us. What makes up one’s cultural
identity? I based mine of the diversity wheel and my own personal values. Ethnicity, traditions,
religion, age, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, and family all have an effect on a
person’s identity in their culture. Knowing my cultural identity starts with “Who am I?”
I am a Caucasian born in Appleton, Wisconsin on October 18, 1990. My full name is
Jenna Ann Washuleski. My middle name is in honor of my mother’s step-mom, Ann. I am
heterosexual female, and have been in a serious relationship for two years. At the age of 6 my
family moved to a small town named Brandon. I grew up there and didn’t leave until I began
college.
Growing up in Brandon has had a huge influence on me. Until I was older, I never
thought about diversity or culture. I grew up in a town where everyone was like me. If they
weren’t, the entire town knew about it. I know now that I was very sheltered growing up and
that my community was overall closed minded. Knowing this now, I want to raise my children
differently. I hope I can expose them to things I was completely unaware of until I was in my
20’s.
My family consists of my mother, my two sisters, their children, and my two halfbrothers. When I was one, my father left our family and moved away. Therefore, I have never
had a close relationship with him. Because my brothers are my father’s sons, I did not see much
of them growing up. That is, until I was 17. My brother Brad reached out to me about having a
relationship, and the five of us children have been close ever since. Having a relationship with
my brothers has been beneficial for many reasons. One of those reasons is that I got to learn
more about my dad’s side of the family.
My ancestors from my father’s side came to America from Prussia. My family settled in
Marinette, Wisconsin. Over the course of the years, my great, great grandpa Frank had to
change our last name. Jenna Wachulefsky. That is what my name should be. Frank Wachulefsky
was unable to cash his paychecks because they misspelled his name as Frank Washuleski. He
changed our name in order to cash his checks.
My ancestors from my mother’s side are primarily German. Therefore, I say I am
Prussian and German. I did not know much about my heritage before this class. I am going to
continue to educate myself on my heritage and culture. Especially so I can pass the knowledge
down to my children. The most interesting fact I found through research was that decorating
the Christmas tree and hiding Easter eggs originated in Germany (GNTB, 2014)
My family celebrates Christmas, New Years, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and days
of honor and recognition, such as birthdays, Mother’s day, Valentine’s day, and the Fourth of
July. As you can see, my most of my traditions are reflected from being Christian. When I was
younger, my family went to church every Sunday. Over the years, we gradually stopped going. I
spent much time thinking about religion. I think religion is good because it sets moral
guidelines. It gives people hope and something to believe in.
In my 20’s I decided that I do not believe in Christianity. I still celebrate the holidays
because to me, the holidays in my household did not have to do with religion. My family
gathers on Christmas to have a meal, give gifts, and spend time with one another. We do not
talk about religion, as well as at Easter.
“A new study by Lifeway Research reveals that 9 in 10 Americans (91 %) personally
celebrate Christmas... A majority of agnostics or claiming no preference (89%),
individuals claiming other religions (62%), and even atheists (55%) celebrate Christmas
along with 97% of Christians. 81% of those Christians admit that admit that they put
family first at Christmas, agreeing, strongly or somewhat, with the statement, ‘Family
traditions are the most important part of Christmas to me.’” (Lowery, 2010)
Christian based holidays are something that I have done every year for my entire. They are a
part of my traditions regardless of my religion.
I took a Buddhism class in college. I really like the concept, and think it is a beautiful
religion. I connect more with its meaning and history than I ever had with Christianity. Although
I converted my religion, it isn’t something I openly talk about. I have always believed that
people shouldn’t talk about religion and politics. I do know I will be comfortable confronting
religion in the recovery process as an AODA counselor because I believe it sets moral guidelines.
It gives people hope and something to believe in. Knowing what you believe is a part of
knowing who you are as a person.
I know that my sisters have had a huge impact on my cultural identity. They have
influenced my entire outlook on life. If it wasn’t for their drug addictions, I wouldn’t be the
person I am today. I probably would have pursued a degree in marketing or business instead of
AODA counseling. Because of them, helping others battle against addiction is a strong
motivation in life.
Not only my sisters, but my entire family, the people I have met throughout my life, and
life events have also shaped who I am as a person. I have developed many values such as:
family, friendship, faith, peace, and happiness. I value education, love, trust, respect, and
health. Through experiences, I value resilience, courage, selflessness, achievements, and being
able to make a difference. Knowing what you value in life, determines how you act, what you
do, and what you appreciate.
The perfect example is I appreciate education. Without education, I don’t know where I
would be not only physically or mentally but emotionally, too. Through this diversity in
counseling class I have gained more knowledge about who I am as a person. This affects my
entire outlook life. It questions how I have viewed major life events or day to day events.
Because I am more education on the importance of cultural identity, I know who I am as
a person. This allows me to better understand others and their own cultural identity. If I meet
people throughout my life that are not familiar with their own identity, I know how to help
them achieve that knowledge. I know that one day when I have children I will raise them with
the tools they need to develop their own cultural identities.
I am grateful for going through this class because I learned a lot about myself. I learned
and still am learning what it means to be a young, white, heterosexual, fully able female in this
country. I have learned what it means to be an “American” in this country; whereas, because I
am white, I have never thought about it before. Knowing this changes my views on other races
and how I see them in this country.
I never used to think about my identity, and now, I embrace it. I have realized, how can I
understand others, if I do not understand who I am? I know I will continue to learn more about
my identity, as well as other cultural identities. I will do this by research, talking to family, and
talking to others with similar views to my own.
Sources:
1. Lowery, B. (2010, December 10). Research: Americans Celebrate Christmas, Yet Many
Stray from Religious Meaning. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from
http://www.lifeway.com/Article/LifeWay-Research-finds-Americans-celebrateChristmas-yet-many-stray-from religious-meaning
2. GNTB. (2014, January 1). German Traditions | germany.travel/GermanOriginality.
Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://www.germany.travel/en/ms/germanoriginality/heritage/german-traditions/german-traditions.html
I didn’t use four sources in this reflection paper because I wrote of my own knowledge and the
four step reflection process.