LibraryScenariosHow to respond when people question your belonging
Scenario

How to respond when people question your belonging

I have been in this country for twelve years and I still freeze when people ask me where I am really from because no matter what I say the follow-up questions make it clear I will never just be from here.

Rabia
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The exhaustion of constantly having to justify your place in a community that treats your presence as provisional.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Belonging for immigrants and refugees?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.