In the second grade, when my family moved from Trinidad to St. Croix, I was told that I had a bad accent (theirs were worst than mine, actually), but it made me feel self conscious, so I started trying to speak without an accent--and at some point succeeded because I was later requested for a phone job because I "didn't have an accent." Of course, the accent returns when I am chatting with family, but I do get the feeling the need to blend in game.
I’m so sorry you went through that experience. It makes me so sad for the younger versions of ourselves who were just trying to navigate belonging and learned that we had to blend. You are amazing as you are and I hope you always know that 🩷🩷 thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with me 🩷
Hi Steph, I hear you, and I SO get it, and yet I confess I've walked my path between several prescribed cultural worlds, definitions and labels since I was a kid, for a whole host of reasons, events and 'disruptions' as Bruce Feiler calls them.
I didn't 'fit' or feel comfortable for a long time...until I did. I found my path and people. I've subscribed to your publication and hope you can subscribe back. I think we can exchange and explore more insights.
Thank you for taking the time to read my words and hear me 🫶 it’s incredibly healing to be held and supported. I feel more courageous knowing that I walk forward alongside amazing people like you!
You're amazing too! As Brené likes to say - courage stems from the word 'heart'. Keep loving yourself so you can walk forward with heart despite the fear. Sharing your truth & being you is what matters
Bravo, Steph, for reclaiming your racial identity and for your new-found courage to stand up for who you are and be proud of your heritage! I really resonate with your experience of blending in. Although I don't have a child, it was through connecting with my inner child that I came to accept and be proud of my cultural heritage. Your story is our collective story. Thank you for sharing it!
From one inner child to another, I’m so proud of you! Of us! We have so much depth and richness to offer. I believe the world is brighter with our authenticity in it 😘❤️😘❤️
Kudos to you Steph for writing about identify and "blending in" - gosh, shouldn't all of us be proud of our "standing out"?
I am sharing this with my son and his girlfriend—who were born here in the U.S. but their looks would always make them stand out—and my friends who have young children.
Right?! Every single human on this earth deserves to celebrate their uniqueness! There’s so much to be learned from one another and yet, society has conditioned us to desire a certain look, culture etc.
I’m grateful to you for sharing! I hope those who read it find comfort in knowing they’re not alone. 🫶🫶🫶
In the second grade, when my family moved from Trinidad to St. Croix, I was told that I had a bad accent (theirs were worst than mine, actually), but it made me feel self conscious, so I started trying to speak without an accent--and at some point succeeded because I was later requested for a phone job because I "didn't have an accent." Of course, the accent returns when I am chatting with family, but I do get the feeling the need to blend in game.
I’m so sorry you went through that experience. It makes me so sad for the younger versions of ourselves who were just trying to navigate belonging and learned that we had to blend. You are amazing as you are and I hope you always know that 🩷🩷 thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with me 🩷
Hi Steph, I hear you, and I SO get it, and yet I confess I've walked my path between several prescribed cultural worlds, definitions and labels since I was a kid, for a whole host of reasons, events and 'disruptions' as Bruce Feiler calls them.
I wrote this today in response to Emma's thread on Ageism, which shares some of my perspectives - https://substack.com/@carermentor/note/c-50097515?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=a9y7d)
I didn't 'fit' or feel comfortable for a long time...until I did. I found my path and people. I've subscribed to your publication and hope you can subscribe back. I think we can exchange and explore more insights.
Thank you for taking the time to read my words and hear me 🫶 it’s incredibly healing to be held and supported. I feel more courageous knowing that I walk forward alongside amazing people like you!
You're amazing too! As Brené likes to say - courage stems from the word 'heart'. Keep loving yourself so you can walk forward with heart despite the fear. Sharing your truth & being you is what matters
Bravo, Steph, for reclaiming your racial identity and for your new-found courage to stand up for who you are and be proud of your heritage! I really resonate with your experience of blending in. Although I don't have a child, it was through connecting with my inner child that I came to accept and be proud of my cultural heritage. Your story is our collective story. Thank you for sharing it!
From one inner child to another, I’m so proud of you! Of us! We have so much depth and richness to offer. I believe the world is brighter with our authenticity in it 😘❤️😘❤️
A big resounding "Yes!" 🙌
Kudos to you Steph for writing about identify and "blending in" - gosh, shouldn't all of us be proud of our "standing out"?
I am sharing this with my son and his girlfriend—who were born here in the U.S. but their looks would always make them stand out—and my friends who have young children.
Right?! Every single human on this earth deserves to celebrate their uniqueness! There’s so much to be learned from one another and yet, society has conditioned us to desire a certain look, culture etc.
I’m grateful to you for sharing! I hope those who read it find comfort in knowing they’re not alone. 🫶🫶🫶