Possible Research Topic

American Studies is such a broad subject, it is difficult to decide on one research topic. It took me several days to think about what I would be truly interested in. Since we have the freedom to choose our own path with this assignment I wanted to focus on an aspect that I am actually passionate towards.

I decided to look, as an American Studies major, at my own view points, issues, and annoyances in life. It finally hit me in class one day as I learned about the term intersectionality, which is the thought that every individual is comprised of several different cultures. Soon after that I learned about the term 'covering', which signifies hiding one or several characteristics.

In the past, I have thought of myself as a girl with one background and one culture. I am after all white, middleclass, and able bodied. I have no prominent uniqueness; however, when I thought more deeply about the subject I realized that I am an athlete, a redhead, a child of divorced parents and an only child who lost her sibling. I am an extremely goofy person, who enjoys many different kinds of personalities. Each one of these characteristics carries its own culture. I am made up of several different cultures; it is the combination of these characteristics that creates who I am.

I then realized that I attempt to hide certain aspects of my life in order to be perceived in a certain way. For example, I do not like to let people know that I have lost my sister. Not only am I worried about making the other party uncomfortable but I feel as though it makes me appear vulnerable. I 'cover' in order to avoid certain situations and emotions.

For my research topic I would like to delve into the matters of intersectionality and covering. I would like to observe the ways in which people 'cover' certain cultures but also how people emphasize certain cultures. Another aspect I would like to look into is why people cover. Is it fear? Insecurity? If people were to realize that almost everyone is covering in some way maybe it would relieve tensions, including my own.