If you're surrounded by people all from the same culture and you're the only one from a different background, you might very well feel like you're out of place. You may be in this situation because you live abroad, so you are immersed in a culture entirely new to you or your family has moved to a new city or you have been adopted by relatives. whose origin is different from yours. Not finding someone like you can be very confusing and you might even feel like no one can understand you. However, you need to take heart knowing that you are not the only one in this situation and that many people are going through the same thing as you. In addition, there are a number of things you can do to make yourself more comfortable.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Confront negative experiences
Step 1. Cure Impostor Syndrome
Someone with impostor syndrome thinks that their skills are not on par with those around them. You might imagine that you got a scholarship or found a job because of your ethnic culture, which somehow implies that you are less qualified than others. You would therefore be tempted to do too much to overcome this discomfort that you feel, the feeling of guilt or the impression that you are not good enough in your field of study or your sector of activity. You might even dread the day when the so-called truth will be revealed and everyone will think you are a usurper. It is important that you recognize that you are valuable because of your skills and successes.
- Be aware of the onset of impostor syndrome. You have to make and understand the difference between what is real and how you feel. When that kind of thought pops up, tell yourself Just because I feel like I don't deserve this doesn't mean it really does.
- If you feel like an impostor, know that you are not the only one. Even those who have accomplished very great things suffer from this syndrome.
- Remember that you are working hard and deserve what you have been able to achieve.
Step 2. Keep in mind that racist comments are not about you individually
You should remember that any racist comments point to a problem with the beliefs of the person making them and are not related to you in any way. Just because you are being discriminated against or harmed does not automatically imply that you are less valuable or that there is something wrong with you. It's important that you feel good about yourself because of who you are, instead of seeing yourself as inferior to others.
If you genuinely face prejudice or experience any form of discrimination, take it very seriously. Report the harm done to you to someone who will be able to help you. Bullies in your school, for example, may prevent you from joining a social group, all because of your origin, or they may give you insulting nicknames. Both of these attitudes are reprehensible, and you should speak to a counselor, teacher, your parents, or other authority figure. You absolutely don't deserve to be treated this way, and you don't have to put up with it
Step 3. Release the stress of being an ambassador for your culture
If you represent a minority in a group of people whose ethnicity is different from your own, try not to feel like you are the ambassador of your ethnic group. You might feel that other people have a bad opinion of people in your culture, which makes you want to prove them wrong. You must remember, however, that you cannot change what people think no matter how hard you try to do it. There is certainly a great diversity of people within your ethnic group and you cannot represent everyone on your own.
Don't let others see you as an ambassador for your culture, either. Remind them that although stereotypes may exist, every human being is unique and therefore should not be judging an entire group of people based on one person
Step 4. Educate yourself
When you experience discriminatory comments, you need to be prepared to fight back. Having an appropriate response and using the information as strength can strengthen you. When you receive non-sensitive or racist comments, be prepared to respond with statistics, events or facts that will help you educate people who may not be familiar with the scope of this type of message and the how they can affect those who are targeted.
- When you come across people who clearly seem like they don't know much about an ethnic group, you can help them get to know it better. A simple comment like Putting the Chinese down, you perpetuate the mentality that they are worth less than you can be very helpful.
- You could also say When you say that black people are better at sports, or that they have "more rhythm" in music, you are giving an essentialist conception of a whole group of people, which is far from being just.
- You can also use the power of facts. If, for example, someone makes a remark about how immigrants harm the community, you can respond by saying that immigrants often have small shops and contribute to the local economy. If you are dealing with another individual who claims immigrants are criminals, you might argue that in fact immigrants are less likely than natives to commit an offense.
Step 5. Use humor
If you are under stress because of racial discrimination issues, cheer yourself up so you don't get confused. While some would try to reply, you could gain height by bringing a bit of humor. Especially when you are with a group of friends and someone makes an offensive comment, you can respond in a detached and funny way, while pointing out what was wrong.
- Using humor can give you the perfect transition from tackling less pleasant topics in a more approachable way.
- You can say for example Well my girlfriend is of Indian descent and so far I have not noticed this kind of behavior in her. Should we call him to verify this? You also have the option to say She's pretty much your joke. Wait, can you tell it to my Nigerian friend? Do you think he'll find it funny?
Step 6. Find common ground between you and those around you
You may find it very easy to identify the differences between you and those around you, but you should challenge yourself to find similarities with these people as well. Remember that beyond all physical and cultural differences, we as human beings have more in common than in dissimilarities.
- Since we are all human beings, we experience nervousness, fear, pain, joy, love, sadness and betrayal. Even when you feel different, you should remember that despite all the cultural differences, we experience the same things because we are human.
- Seek out activities that you enjoy and do them in groups. You could join a sports team, take sewing lessons, or take part in any type of activity that you can do in a group.
Method 2 of 2: Manage the feeling of being different
Step 1. Have a good support network
You are not the only one who feels that you are different. Find other people who are going through the same thing as you and get comfort from them. Just knowing that others are going through the same things as you can help you feel less alone.
People don't feel different just because of where they come from. Sometimes people feel different because they look different, have a mental or physical disability, or have been through things that make them feel like they are excluded. Integrate these people into your support network and provide comfort to those who are marginalized
Step 2. Maintain a positive cultural identity
Celebrate your cultural heritage by knowing your country's history and cultural practices well and by interacting with people from your racial group. Having positive interactions with your cultural group can strengthen your pride in belonging to that culture.
- Create or join a cultural organization at your school.
- Research some of your cultural traditions and get family members to apply them.
- Find personalities with the same background as you or with your culture who are role models you can be inspired by.
- Take pride in being different from others and being able to share your own story with them. It's so exciting to have something new to share with others!
Step 3. Increase your self-confidence
Having a positive cultural and racial identity is essential if you want to be confident in yourself. Learn to feel good about who you are and to take pride in your abilities. What are your specific traits that make you stand out from the crowd? When you come to realize how exceptional and talented you are in your own way, you will begin to see that you can be identified in many ways and not just by where you are from.
Find activities you enjoy doing and identify your hobbies. Learn to dance, swim or draw
Step 4. Counter your negative thoughts
Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. If you find yourself thinking I don't deserve to have this or I'm too different to fit in with this group, try looking at it another way. Replace these thoughts with others like I've worked hard and deserve to be fulfilled and happy or Although I feel different from them, we can learn from each other.
Assert yourself to increase your self-confidence. Choose meaningful affirmations that you will write or say each day. You could use for example I have merit, I love people and I am loved in return, or I am talented. This kind of affirmation is beneficial because it changes the idea we might have of ourselves and causes us to see ourselves in a positive way
Step 5. Join a diverse organization
It is crucial that you feel accepted for who you are and joining an organization or group that celebrates diversity, while respecting individual identity, can help you feel connected with others. people. By joining with individuals who have had similar experiences to yours, but in different contexts, you will be able to feel in harmony with more and more people, which will allow you to have a group identity.
Join a student organization. If there isn't one at your school or university, consider starting one
Step 6. Take a social action
If you have been harmed or been the victim of discrimination or racism, gather evidence and refer the case to an authority figure (a police officer or a teacher, for example). You shouldn't minimize this stuff because it's not normal for a human being to treat you like this.
- Create an organization in your school to support people who are prejudiced because of their ethnicity.
- If you want things to change in your school or in your community, find other people who support the same cause and make a request to your school, government agencies or your municipality. Remember, you have the power to make the world a better place!
Step 7. Remember you are not alone
Even if you are the only representative of a given origin in your community, you should realize that there are many people around the world who live and feel the same as you. You are not the only one who perceives the difference from those around you. There are many who live in given environments from a different origin. So you share this experience with people of your ethnic origin, but also with those who feel different from those around them for various other reasons.
Advice
- Be proud of your personality and where you come from.
- Remember that we are all born equal and that every human being is unique.