I felt inspired to write a poem I’ve titled “Where Are You From?” 🇲🇺🌍
One of my greatest privileges is the diversity woven into my family’s story. Like many Mauritians, our history transcends tick boxes and borders.
Yet today, in the name of progress, I’ve found myself forced into boxes by those who don’t understand my history. Ironically, I’ve faced more racism than ever in my life—more division and demand of me to "pick a side".
But my history has gifted me a unique perspective. Growing up in such a diverse family taught me to see beyond skin colour, beyond labels. Instead I have been taught to stand for those who are least privileged—because these people, no matter where they come from or their skin colour, are my people. 🖤
Also, as a British Mauritius, I find that my history is often overlooked—a country that doesn’t fit neatly into anyone’s story, so it slipped through the cracks.
For me, this is my time to put Mauritius back on the map, beyond the gimmick of a holiday destination. It’s time to represent its people and share its story 🇲🇺🌎
Where are you from?
Is it really diversity when you’ve made it very clear there’s a black and a white?More division crafted to prove your virtue, while silencing our voices. You erase our history, our stories, just to fit the one you’ve made up.
But what if I don’t fit your box?
In fact, let me take a moment to help you think outside of it.
What if I told you I was Indian, until my family was taken from their land, herded onto boats bound for Caribbean plantations?
But first—a stop.
On Africa’s east coast, where lineages were torn apart.Mine one that left there—on a small island, Mauritius. So now, I am African.
Generations passed, the soil of plantations depleted, along with our opportunities.
We were called to the UK.
“For cleaners, carers, nurses”
So now, I are British.
We integrated.
We learned the ways of this land and worked to protect it.
We created a new world in itself.
One that crossed country borders.
The entrepreneurs of the next generation.
We reconnected with brothers and sisters who stayed on the ships to the Caribbean. We saw just how much our histories converged, how they evolved in similar ways, even on opposite sides of the world.
Our patois flourished, our dances kept us grounded, our foods and music allowed us to speak the same language.
So now, my culture resembles the Caribbean.
So the next time you ask, “Where are you from?”or try to force me into your little tickbox.
Remember it isn’t all black and white.
Be ready for a story that is too vast to fit any narrow mind.
Yorumlar