True Story London Podcast 24 - You Don't Deserve to be Called Sina w/Sina Leasuasu
Aug 20, 2024
Sina Leasuasu, a talented storyteller and member of the Mixed Rage collective, shares her journey of self-discovery shaped by a thoughtless comment about her mixed Samoan and Maori heritage. She discusses the complexities of cultural identity and the struggle for belonging. Sina reflects on how storytelling serves as a transformative tool for understanding oneself and emphasizes the importance of cultural representation. Her journey highlights personal growth and community connections, showcasing the power of narratives in navigating identity.
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Careless Comment Sparked Identity Crisis
- Sina shares a moment when a stranger told her, "You don't deserve to be called Sina," which sparked self-doubt and identity crisis.
- This incident led her to explore her mixed heritage and eventually find community and empowerment through art and connection.
How a Stranger's Harsh Words Sparked a Journey to Embrace Mixed Heritage
Sina Leasuasu shares a powerful story of identity crisis triggered by a casual but hurtful comment—"You don't deserve to be called Sina". This moment exposed her struggle with cultural belonging as someone of mixed Māori and Samoan heritage who couldn't speak either language.
Years later, Sina found community and validation through the collective Mixed Rage, helping her reclaim her identity and empower others. She emphasizes the importance of representation, sharing, and embracing complexity rather than feeling "not mixed enough".
Sina's journey shows the transformative power of storytelling and connection in overcoming imposter syndrome and affirming one's cultural roots.
School Exclusion Over Heritage
- At school, Sina was exposed negatively after wearing a traditional Māori greenstone, highlighting exclusion despite shared cultural groups.
- This experience emphasized the challenges of belonging within and between cultural identities during adolescence.