British | Nicaraguan
I have danced the streets of Rio at carnival as a Brazilian, I have explored much of South East Asia as a local from India to the Philippines. I have been labelled Greek, South African, Italian, Turkish, Scandinavian (which I always found quite funny), Jamaican, Mexican, Brazilian and Thai to name a few. Many people have wanted to put me in a box, which is ironic as I always select ‘mixed other’ on any official form. My otherness has become a strength. I do have a deep innate sense of ritual. I have learnt some from my Mum and have picked up some along the way from different cultures and traditions. I think that’s what’s great about being mixed, there is a curiosity about what others do.
I think there is a loneliness that comes from feeling like you do not have your place. And traversing that is unique for each and everyone. I have realised that home truly is inside of me, and reminding myself that I can provide a sense of belonging to myself when I show up in a self-loving way.
I think we can find belonging when we truly accept ourselves in our uniqueness. We are always going to be slightly different and that is okay. When we can own that difference, with give others permission to do the same.
Embrace your heritage, learn as much as you can. Travel to those lands, put your feet in the soil, pray to your ancestors, access the gifts they wish to give you, and live from that rich place. I do admire Brazilian culture as it is a melting pot of races. Although I realise racism is still very much a problem out there, when you walk through cities like Rio it’s so liberating to feel like everyone else is just like you.
Often, I have been proud to say I am ‘future race’ which is what a friend coined a few years back to describe all of the individuals who can’t be placed or named. In a way we all belong to one another.
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