I knew from an early age that people didn't see the different sides of me. I formulated a kind of bi-cultural identity quite early, and I was always very comfortable with it, but I knew people didn't quite see that.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In the past, I've tried to show the human side of people involved in stigmatised or misunderstood lifestyles. I've tried to resist easy judgments and not pander to prejudices.
I always knew I was different and that people had opinions about me. I guess I learned as best as I can to shield out a lot and live my life from within.
At times, I might have been too young; I might have been too naive at times and didn't understand who I really was to a whole culture.
I've always been very curious about fringe cultures where people temporarily adopt a different social model or way of presenting themselves.
I think in the past I think I probably was a little too diverse, probably went from one spectrum to the complete opposite and confusing people.
As I grow older, the idea takes increasing hold in me that we've misunderstood our own delicacy and diversity as human beings.
The experience of being a mixed person is all over the place - one of my best friends is Chinese and Italian; my other best friend is Lebanese and Trinidadian. The mix of heritage, culture or identity is something that our country is built on.
I grew up in a small town where everyone wanted to be the same or look the same and was afraid to be different.
People have always made assumptions about me. I become very territorial about my identity because it's been hijacked by so many people with their own projections.
From a young age, I was rubbing elbows with a very different kind of person and social class, and I felt a lot of tension and conflict in my identity because of that.