4/22 Storytelling Night: Identity

Regardless of their family’s country of origin, many first-generation Americans live through common experiences:

Being asked “where are you really from?” when meeting someone new
Not knowing which option to bubble when asked for race/ethnicity on standardized tests
Being teased at school for the packed lunches you brought from home

Navigating a multicultural identity can be complicated because children have to reconcile two worlds: the culture we’re taught at home, and the culture we learn outside of our households. Searching for a sense of belonging within different communities while developing a strong sense of identity can feel like being pulled in opposite directions, but leads to a uniquely rewarding perspective for children of immigrants.

Questions to consider as you identify a story you’d like to share:
What do you remember about the differences between your family’s culture and American culture during your childhood?
What pressures do you feel to choose one identity over another?
How have you felt supported while developing a sense of self (your personal interests, hobbies, aspirations, career, lifestyle)
What narratives has the world told you about who you are, vs. who you are supposed to be?