Identity

What makes us feel like we belong in one place or another? Is it language, beliefs, customs, traditions, or physical appearance? What makes us the same, and what sets us apart? And why do those differences enrich our lives and experiences? I find it very hard to imagine how someone could be marginalized because of their appearance or where they were born. The concept behind this mural revolves around the idea that, regardless of our origins, we can find common ground with other cultures, races, and ways of thinking that, at first glance, seem very different from what we know; and that, sometimes, giving ourselves the opportunity to listen to others’ stories and practice empathy enriches our personal world and makes us more aware of our surroundings. We look outward and praise the achievements and virtues of others, but at the same time we are very critical of their mistakes, as if we ourselves never made any. I’ve reflected much more on this idea since I left my home country; and, after many years in my host country, the distinction between whether I belong in one place or another is becoming increasingly blurred, which has led me, over time, to embrace both cultures without feeling the need to choose just one.