Skye Smith

Allan Axibal-Cordero
SPCH 001
06/29/2021

Culture Speech Outline

Introduction
I. Attention Device: “I feel that we have the same rights as any of them, because in
that constitution, it said that everybody has equal rights and justice. You’ve got to
make that come about. They are not going to give it to you.” - Larry Itliong, 1976
II. Background: What complicates the already convoluted web of cultures is the
intersectionality of co-cultures. (expand.)
III. Topic Reveal: Today I will share my intersectional identity.
IV. Preview: First, by explaining the co-cultures that form my cultural identity, next,
through the disadvantages I face as a member of these subcultures, and finally, by
speaking on the privileges I have been afforded from my identity.

Body
I. Identify Your Co-Cultures
A. Transition Statement: My experiences are rooted in my identity.
B. I am a lower middle-class, queer (in gender and sexuality), jewish, disabled
filipino creative and activist..
II. Disadvantages
A. Transition Statement: This is a segue way into your second main point
B. Because I was raised speaking a non-english language for the first five years of
my life, I was often teased or isolated due to the pronunciation and language that
was, to me, normal.
C. As a female-presenting individual, I experience fear and harassment on a daily
basis. I have had to carry self-defense mechanisms for as long as I can remember,
I have had my life threatened multiple times at work, I have had non-consensual
photos taken of me and shared when I was as young as 12, and I have to pre-dial
911 when I am walking to my car after dark.
D. Being hapa (mixed race) has its advantages, as noted above, but I also find myself
feeling out of place with the cultures I'm "supposed" to fit into. I stood out when
we lived in the Philippines, and nearly everyone is surprised to hear me speak
Tagalog, even though it was my first language, but I am "exotic" (not the
compliment everyone seems to think it is) in America, and my English "sounds
funny" unless I am ultra-conscious of my pronunciation. My values and actions
are Americanized and improper for my Filipino family, but my cultural traditions
and rules are weird for my American friends.
III. Advantages
A. Transition Statement: This is a segue way into your third main point
B. As someone whose disability is not physically obvious, I have the privilege of
being able to decide if and when I want to disclose my personal health
Skye Smith
Allan Axibal-Cordero
SPCH 001
06/29/2021

C. information. For someone who deals with a disability that is more physically
affected, they have to deal with other's judgments and don't have the option to
share or not share that information.
D. As an individual born in the United States, I don't have to do anything to claim my
citizenship. My family immigrated before I was born, but I personally was simply
born into my citizenship through no effort of my own. Because of my citizenship
status, I have an easier experience with job hunting, housing, education, and
access to many other benefits..
E. As someone who is mixed race, I experience less racism (especially in terms of
microaggressions and being offered opportunities) than my own families members
who have darker skin. I also have the advantage of being multilingual, which
allows me job opportunities that others don't receive.

Conclusion
I. Review: I explained the co-cultures that form my cultural identity, and then,
expanded on the disadvantages I face as a member of these subcultures, and finally,
spoke on the privileges I have been afforded from my identity
II. Lasting Thought: No matter the good experiences or the bad experiences that results
from my identity, it is my identity all the same, and I find pride in it. As stated by
Darren Criss on twitter in 2018:“One of my favorite things about myself is that I’m
half filipino. Period.”