Katie M. Kanagawa, PhD
December 8, 2023.
THREE WORDS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN THINKING OF BELONGING:
Acceptance. Safety. Freedom.
MY NAME IS INTERESTING BECAUSE:
Kanagawa is a prefecture of Japan and my family always told me it translates to "golden river." Though I am only a quarter Japanese, I have always strongly identified with my surname, so much so I decided to keep it after marrying in 2010 & passed it on to my two sons (who both have two last names).
TELL US ABOUT A TIME YOU FELT A SENSE OF BELONGING IN OUR DEPARTMENT:
I recently attended the DoM's Celebrating First Gen Day Staff Panel. Though I am myself a first-gen college graduate, I had never really considered how being first-gen has shaped my experiences of school, work, & relationships OR how that experience connects me with a larger community of first-gen professionals & allies. I am so grateful to be a part of an academic community that creates spaces like this panel, aimed at celebrating diversity & enhancing our understanding of ourselves.
WHY DO YOU THINK BELONGING IS IMPORTANT?
At the individual level, I think of belonging as an essential human need (like air, shelter, safety). In order to thrive, all human beings need to feel we are full members of a larger social community that values and respects us for who we really are, and for the unique gifts and perspectives we bring to the collective table. Without a sense of belonging to social communities, we, as individuals, are more likely to feel isolated, alone, depressed, and aimless.
At the collective level, I think communities also have a basic need for dedicated members with different perspectives and experiences. The more diverse the experiences and backgrounds of the members of the community, the more likely the community will be able to thrive and adapt in the face of life’s many challenges. In short, belonging is essential to the survival of individuals and communities the world over.
WHAT INCLUSION-BASED THEME WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE DEPARTMENT EMBRACE IN 2024? WHY?
Intersectionality. This is an important concept for people committed to celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion to understand, but it can also be really difficult for people to understand how it relates to them and the people around them. I think DoM programming and communications around this concept could potentially help make intersectionality seem less abstract and more concrete, especially if we raise the voices of folks from across the department with diverse experiences and backgrounds.