Physical safety is fundamental to feeling a sense of belonging.
War and threats based on one’s identity connected to historical disputes, sects, tribes, and religion are the primary reasons for inequalities.
Our sense of belonging is fundamentally driven by our psychological development.
If we have been marginalized or feel marginalized in our family, the first group where we should ideally feel we belong, our sensitivity to words, behaviors, and actions will be influenced by our past trauma.
If you are from a family where your requests and needs have been sensitively managed, moving to a community or group where individuals from disparate upbringings and sensitivities merge, you are likely to feel a lack of belonging.
Even a mismatch in your personality traits and the traits required to excel in a profession could also lead to a lack of psychological safety.
Many of the narratives I have worked with clients often involve dissecting such motivations and realizing that the person could be more impactful in another job function.
A large percentage of applicants with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, pigeonholed into quant roles, choose an MBA to move to Consulting.
Despite gun violence, there is a reason why ‘America’ is still the #1 destination for all immigrants. It is not just the earning potential or the dominance of the Technology, Consulting, and Finance industries alone.
On innovation ranking, the US is consistently in the top 5.
The ‘freedom of speech’ that is fundamental to American democracy allows progressive cultures to evolve on campuses.
This perspective needs to be validated and acknowledged before exploring gaps in the current culture.
An optimistic action plan on the progress achieved with current gaps reads well over a negative narrative.
Balance is the key.
But there are certain narratives on identity that are negative in general. There is no way to redeem the tone, as the marginalized are at inter-generational disadvantages that would take decades to mitigate.
You should empathize with 'belonging' in such marginalized groups before narrating a cause in your MBA essay.