Embracing one’s Identity




Who am I? This is a serious question many individuals ask themselves especially when they travel to other countries where their ethnic group is the least dominant there. Where are you from? This is a question many natives from different countries ask when they meet you? But really, who are you and what have you embraced as your identity?

Growing up in rural Jamaica was quite an interesting and fulfilling experience. However, as children we were socialized to respect everyone but respect was interpreted from different angles. Based on observation, on the playground, children who were of a certain skin colour, with a certain hair texture and length were the first to be picked to play games among the other children who had a darker skin tone. Unfortunately, we also observed persons who had jobs working in the hotel industry given first preference over others for their selection of the best cut of meat at the butcher shop. Imagine that? Many of us might have had the opportunity to travel overseas, checked into a hotel or visited tourist destinations in Jamaica only to realize that you were not greeted with equal courtesy like the tourist. No one likes to feel they are not valued. In fact, we all want to feel special and recognized because we all have feelings.

Society has placed so much pressure on people that, some suppress their feelings, develop low self-esteem and allow so many great opportunities to miss them. Many of us were taught to read the Bible but how many individuals invested in a variety of educational books and toys to provide adequate exposure for your children? Such gifts would have allowed them to value themselves more and develop the appreciation for all types of people. In fact, how many persons have made the effort not to be enslaved by our historical past? Many people are trapped in their minds thinking they cannot achieve anything unless they steal someone's identity, or imitate everything they do without carefully considering the repercussions. As a nation, we need to move pass the limitations which have been placed on us and be empowered to eradicate our fears, hurts and frustrations.

Having travelled to over twelve countries, Bob Marley's music has been among the many conversations I have had with many persons. Although I am not a Rastafarian, I had to embrace my culture and display appreciation for reggae music all in the name of 'one love.' Bob's musical influence has impacted many lives across the world and it is difficult not to identify with his legacy. Therefore, as a race, what legacy are we leaving the future generation? How are we preparing our children to love and accept themselves? What best practices are we modeling so that we appreciate others, self-assess and move forward to actualize our life's purpose?

As a nation, we need to love each other and see the beauty in them beyond their skin tone, language, culture, religious and educational background. Many of the barriers we encounter as individuals are those our fore parents have established, but we need to remove these shackles from our feet in order to effect change in the world. Living in Japan for 5 years, there were times when students touched me to see if my skin colour would rub off while other Jamaican language exchange teachers had Japanese students taste their skin to see if it would taste like chocolate. On numerous occasions, I have seen Japanese who admired the Jamaican culture because it was unique. As a Jamaican, if we decide that bleaching is acceptable to experience a better quality of life, the how will people recognize our uniqueness? As a Jamaican living in a multicultural city in Vancouver, Canada for more than 2 years, I experienced discrimination on numerous occasions but that did not prevent me from changing my identity to be equated with the status quo. Furthermore, loving all types of people and learning to appreciate them enabled me to travel for nearly 2 hours on Sundays to worship with others from different ethnicity. When you know your identity, you do not need to feel oppressed at the embassy as you justify your purpose for traveling frequently nor do you have to become irate when you miss your flight because you have been singled out for inspection by airport officials as you were the only black passenger on board the flight. 

I value myself because my identity is in the Creator who predestined me to be in this world. Many of life's challenges help to transform us into the person we desire to become. By envisioning the world as a place with flaws, does not mean that as a people, we cannot achieve our dreams without living in the shadows of others. However, you were created, whatever your nationality, and however you were socialized will influence how you will live your story and tell your dreams. Be yourself, love yourself and be proud to embrace your race. One love!






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