She is Me
Why people of color should connect digitally
By: Chandra Baviera
During exam day, two hours to look forward to getting over with, a high school girl checks a box on her standardized exam, labeling herself as a minority. Minorities seem to have little voice even in a community as small as their education system. So one day this girl who checked herself off as a person of color will look in the mirror after seeing a crowd of those who don’t identify with her national background. In the mirror, she’s asking, “Is there someone in the world who is like me?”
It’s incredible how we no longer need to feel like the isolated minority. Connecting through social media has greatly enriched the BIPOC community. Back in the day, there were magazines reaching out to international pen-pals, foreign language classes taught on the chalkboard, and elementary school presentations focused on culture. When I was in grade school I was the girl in geography class who felt like more than just the one doing the project; in fact, I was the project. To be able to understand and interpret both worlds which divided my identities: American by birth and Asian by blood, looking foreign but really the same as the classmates, peers, and colleagues around me.
Identifying those who feel like the “only ones” is more important than one might suspect. By offering positive reinforcement, spreading the appreciation for cultures on social media is one step toward spreading the idea that the BIPOC community is more than a new generation, it’s our generation of beautiful, talented, well-versed people! Moving forward into the results of efficient technology, gadgets, and media, communication has become as simple as the click of a button, and a voice can be heard through posts on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. But it’s not just any voice that can create change. In a space where there seems to be only one of you, and everyone else is the same, your voice can be the empowering change of a minority.
Seeing positive influencers of color who exercise, dance, cook, and sing on the internet, and minorities getting real jobs done, is absolutely inspiring. Connecting further to social media, the work of diverse groups of ethnic backgrounds matters for future generations to follow the good example they can see. One of my favorite inspirational YouTubers, Casey, creates videos on fitness. Not only does she inspire body positivity, but she spreads the idea that it’s YOU regardless of your color, religion, creed, or any association who has the power to get up and MOVE! Focusing on more creative content, Kryst creates videos on food, along with the essentials of living a healthy lifestyle. Her videos teach others the reason why we have to maintain our one and only body. There are many challenges in our lives, but we can start to overcome them by starting with our food choices.
About the girl written earlier who has to choose a nationality on her standardized exam: She can teach children the value of identity. Her ideas can be read in books intended to show the value of diversity. Her courage and confidence are not missing, just unseen. She shouldn’t be ashamed of who she is on the outside. The beauty of her is what makes her unique. She is Asian and American. She is me.
You can take a stand for the BIPOC community on social media. Like, follow, and share the beauty of diversity. No matter who you are, your identity matters, and appreciate your differences because they are what makes you unique.