Blog written by Faieaz Taseen, Youth Community Animator – TERT, BCS.
In a world that celebrates uniqueness, I found myself in a paradox. We are taught about individuality, yet society often does not embrace it. This struggle was particularly poignant during my adolescence, where my desire to belong led to the loss of my identity.
The cost of ‘fitting in’ was high, often involving the acceptance of stereotypes related to race, religion, and sexuality. This led to feelings of shame and alienation, as my personal identity was met with negative assumptions. The impact was profound, fostering self-hatred and resentment towards those who shared similar identities.
Society’s expectations were harsh. My refusal to accept derogatory jokes labelled me as ‘too soft,’ while expressing distress invited calls to ‘man up.’ Discrimination was blatant, such as being the last pick for a sports team due to my skin colour, or subtle, like being labelled a ‘terrorist’ due to the actions of a few.
This narrative is not unique to me, but shared by millions of kids, particularly those from South Asian backgrounds aspiring for greatness in foreign lands. The journey was fraught with challenges, but it is our uniqueness that makes us special. Perhaps, being the ‘odd ones out’ is not so odd.
If you have any feedback about this blog or would like to contact the TERT campaign, please email us at YouthResilient@bangladeshi.ca. Thank you!
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