Something In Between | 書媞 陸 | TEDxTCGS Youth

TL;DR

Maria struggles with dual identity growing up in Taiwan but embraces being a mix of Filipino and Taiwanese cultures.

Transcript

for most of us we're given one name a simple easy way to understand ourselves as for me well I've been given four Christal from my parents ate from my little sister shti from my third grade Home Room teacher and Maria from me I'm Filipino and was born and raised in Manila my entire family is Filipino so I've always been immersed in Filipino culture... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇲🇵 Moving to Taiwan challenged Maria's sense of identity.
• 😂 Maria felt torn between her Filipino and Taiwanese cultures.
• 🇲🇵 Maria found acceptance and embraced being a mix of both cultures.
• 🌍 Embracing diverse identities makes the world a more interesting place.
• ❓ Identity is not fixed but can be a blend of different cultural backgrounds.
• 🤳 Maria's struggle highlights the importance of self-acceptance.
• 🆘 Friends with similar experiences helped Maria accept her dual identity.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Maria's move to Taiwan impact her sense of identity?

Maria's move to Taiwan caused her to question her identity as she faced language barriers, cultural differences, and a struggle to fit in, making her feel disconnected from her Filipino roots.

Q: What realization did Maria come to after moving to an international school?

After moving to an international school, Maria realized that she didn't have to choose between being Filipino or Taiwanese. She embraced her dual cultural background and accepted both aspects of her identity.

Q: How did Maria's friends help her come to an important conclusion about her identity?

Maria's friends, who shared similar experiences of having multiple hometowns, helped her realize that she didn't have to conform to others' expectations of her identity. She learned to embrace her unique mix of cultures.

Q: What message does Maria convey about embracing diverse identities?

Maria encourages embracing diverse identities and challenging societal norms by accepting all aspects of oneself. She believes that by recognizing and celebrating our unique backgrounds, the world becomes a richer and more inclusive place.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Maria, born and raised in the Philippines, moves to Taiwan where she struggles with her identity due to language barriers and cultural differences.

• She tries to fit in but realizes she doesn't have to choose between being Filipino or Taiwanese.

• Maria embraces her dual cultural background, acknowledging the unique blend of both identities.