A moment that changed me: I went on holiday
Leicester, where I grew up, was a ‘super diverse’ city. But when I went on a short trip with a friend, it gave me a glimpse of another world
TL;DR
- The author visited Valentia Island, Ireland, at age 24, expecting diversity similar to their hometown of Leicester.
- During the trip, they realized they had not seen any people of color and felt like an outsider for the first time.
- This experience prompted reflection on the immigrant experience of their family members who arrived in England in the 1950s and 60s.
- The author conceptualized the sense of self as a balloon that can expand or contract depending on circumstances and location.
- Moving to university in Hertfordshire and then London exposed them to greater diversity and a feeling of existing comfortably in the middle.
- Recent events like riots and rallies made the author recognize the fear of losing one's place, which they equate to the fear felt by immigrants.
- The author concludes that a meaningful life requires both the strength gained from a diverse upbringing and the humility gained from experiencing insignificance.