"Sally's story" by Sally Morgan: Impact of family and community on one's identity

Another family member that tends to have a little bit bigger impact on Sally’s identity is her mum. Sally’s mum was the one who tends to take care the most about her throughout the story. Also she is the one that told Sally about their family’s heritage at last. Sally’s mum is partly aboriginal but inherited a lot of aboriginal cultures and thinking from Nan. She is afraid of people in high position as much as Nan does and that reflects through Sally’s identity as she goes against the university’s officer about her scholarship. Although a part of Sally is aboriginal but she was not raised knowing that she is one. Hence, Sally’s identity is contradicting in itself. She can be careless at times, but also caring to her family members. She did not know the reason why other people treated her differently, but she has to get through it which makes her becomes strong and tough.

Lastly, Nan is one of the most influential family members in Sally’s life. Sally did not know why her dad dislike Nan at first but it all becomes clear at the end when she knows that Nan is aboriginal. Nan has a habit that Sally dislike, being afraid of people in power. Due to that, Sally became strong and independent when it comes to dealing with people with power as shown through in chapter 18 as she was suspected guilty for receiving an aboriginal scholarship but not actually one. The fact that Nan and mum mentioned about being ‘black’ is a bad thing and being ‘white’ is everything encourages Sally to stand up and proof that being aboriginal is not something to be ashamed of, she is proud to be one because that’s what makes her who she is.