We come from a background of fighting for what we believe in. Our legacies include education, rebuilding, and expression through art. We’ve accustomed our bodies to the desert heat, inherited our pride from our great ancestors, and traveled worlds to find stability. Our homes differ in sizes. They are divided by oceans, kings, and history. Many feelings come with being an Arab. About five years ago, I struggled with my identity as an Arab. I did not search for the beauty in my history. Instead, I formed an ideology about myself based on what foreign media was feeding me. I rebuked the essence of my identity, and I could not wait to start a life outside of the MEA.
Upon my arrival to the States, I learned that people clung to what made them different, whether it was their race, religion, or sexuality. Here I was, working hard to leave behind a huge part of me, while it was the very reason people started a conversation with me. Regardless of whether my initial interactions with people were good or bad, it woke something up inside of me.
When I decided to look for the core of my identity, and who I am, I became lost. Yes, I was Arab, but there were many thoughts, beliefs, and opinions I did not share. I realized that it was a generational issue when I spoke with Arabs my age. My generation shared the same feelings which caused them to struggle with their identity.
I think the reason for this common struggle is because this generation of Arabs is scattered all around the world. Upon my immigration to the United States, I struggled to find who I truly was without my family and how I wanted to represent myself to a people that may have preconceived ideas about me. This brings me to the concept of our second blog, which is titled, “Immigration: Where do I belong?” Don’t forget to connect with me through the contact section, Instagram, and Twitter! Introduce yourself, I’d love to know who you are and your experience with your own identity. Let me know if you have any topics you’d like to discuss further.
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