I’m always going through a “who am I?” Too many experiences often leave me feeling wondering I’m not Haitian enough or Black enough. Speaking the language feels like one of the things I desperately hold on too because I know it helps me feel closest to the culture. I’m hoping to teach my son Creole too.
It's an unsolvable problem! I've generally found that when someone is trying to discount my Vietnamese identity, they're usually struggling with their own connection to the culture.
It's never a bad idea to pass on a second language to your child, but I'd challenge you to consider what components make someone "Black" or "Haitian." Is it language spoken? The foods eaten? Something else or all of the above? (I know my answer, but I'd be curious to hear what you come up with.)
Loved this read and the unique perspective you offer. I love how you can change the narrative and build your unique identity as a superpower.
We all get put into tiny little boxes according to what we *may* indenting as and often times it’s incorrect. Identity is so hard to explore in safe ways. Without fear of judgement or criticism.
You may not remember, but the idea for this essay originated from one of our text chains! So thank YOU for accepting all of my identities and for listening without judgment or criticism 🥰
Great piece, thank you for sharing, Sophia! I am right there with you. I lived in Korea for a year in my 20s and people would often ask if I was Korean or American. I thought it was a weird question. I'd always respond with, "Both." I see my identity as what I appear to be physically/ethnically, where I was raised, and my roles in life—daughter, friend, writer, dog-owner.
It's totally a weird question! I don't think people mean any harm in asking, but the frame of the question definitely assumes a black-and-white view on identity and doesn't account for complexities of immigration. Glad we can both celebrate the multi-faceted aspects of ourselves :)
I agree, it's like, how can your identity be so binary. But for folks like us, we are often caught in this strange middle area, especially when we visit our home country. Vietnam sounds awesome BTW, my sister has been there twice and loves it so much. It's on my list for sure!
I’m always going through a “who am I?” Too many experiences often leave me feeling wondering I’m not Haitian enough or Black enough. Speaking the language feels like one of the things I desperately hold on too because I know it helps me feel closest to the culture. I’m hoping to teach my son Creole too.
It's an unsolvable problem! I've generally found that when someone is trying to discount my Vietnamese identity, they're usually struggling with their own connection to the culture.
It's never a bad idea to pass on a second language to your child, but I'd challenge you to consider what components make someone "Black" or "Haitian." Is it language spoken? The foods eaten? Something else or all of the above? (I know my answer, but I'd be curious to hear what you come up with.)
Loved this read and the unique perspective you offer. I love how you can change the narrative and build your unique identity as a superpower.
We all get put into tiny little boxes according to what we *may* indenting as and often times it’s incorrect. Identity is so hard to explore in safe ways. Without fear of judgement or criticism.
You may not remember, but the idea for this essay originated from one of our text chains! So thank YOU for accepting all of my identities and for listening without judgment or criticism 🥰
Great piece, thank you for sharing, Sophia! I am right there with you. I lived in Korea for a year in my 20s and people would often ask if I was Korean or American. I thought it was a weird question. I'd always respond with, "Both." I see my identity as what I appear to be physically/ethnically, where I was raised, and my roles in life—daughter, friend, writer, dog-owner.
It's totally a weird question! I don't think people mean any harm in asking, but the frame of the question definitely assumes a black-and-white view on identity and doesn't account for complexities of immigration. Glad we can both celebrate the multi-faceted aspects of ourselves :)
I agree, it's like, how can your identity be so binary. But for folks like us, we are often caught in this strange middle area, especially when we visit our home country. Vietnam sounds awesome BTW, my sister has been there twice and loves it so much. It's on my list for sure!