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.
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.
Mixed Race Often Implies Whiteness
- Sina realized that media representation often defines mixed race as part white, making her feel invalid despite having two brown parents.
- This lack of representation deepened her loneliness and confusion about her mixed heritage identity.