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I grew up with a unique perspective on the challenges of growing up with ADHD while navigating cultural and racial differences.
I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where my family was the only African family in our village. This made me and my family stand out in a predominantly white community. This led me to feel isolated and alienated from my peers and the community. The lack of diversity posed its own set of challenges. Growing up as an African but not identifying as “black” can be a complex and nuanced experience. It’s important to understand that race and identity are social constructs, and people’s perceptions of their own identity can vary significantly. This identity crisis made me look outside of my safe space for guidance.
.There was an incident that occurred when I was younger which involved the experience of being stoned in an elevator due to my cultural and religious identity. I felt targeted and excluded in a setting that should ideally be inclusive.
The stoning incident was an obvious manifestation of a cultural/religious clash between me being African and Muslim identities. The incident caused significant emotional distress, leading to feelings of isolation and insecurity. My self-identity was tested and reshaped because of this incident, leading to deeper introspection about my cultural identity. This underscores the importance of promoting cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in multicultural settings.
The incident had a profound impact on my well-being, emphasising the need for better understanding, tolerance, and dialogue among diverse communities. This serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering respect and tolerance in diverse, multicultural town.
Conversations around identity are essential for understanding the diversity of human experiences and respecting the complex ways people perceive themselves. This experience highlights the importance of acknowledging the individuality of identity and the need for open and respectful discussions on disability, race, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds.
In addition to my unique cultural and racial background, I also had to manage the complexities of living with ADHD. ADHD can affect various aspects of a person’s life, particularly in an educational setting. It can lead to difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, which made my school experiences more challenging. This has impacted my academic performance and social interactions. It was not tilI understood myself that I managed to graduate with a BA Hons degree in Criminology.
I was placed in isolation at school due to my condition, isolation had a negative impact on my self-esteem and social development. It has intensified my feelings of being different or alienated from my peers, further complicating my school life and social life as isolation had a lot of influence on my life.
I could have easily led to a life of crime however, I was able to get myself out of it.
My unique cultural and racial background and my ADHD created a complex set of challenges. Being the only African family in my village, I felt the weight of being different from my peers, leading to feelings of exclusion. These feelings of being different were made worse by my struggles with ADHD and my experiences in school. Look at me now!
My journey is also a testament to my resilience and the importance of a supportive network. My lived experience is important because it offers a unique and genuine perspective that can positively impact the younger generation. My ability to connect, inspire, and provide practical guidance can help them navigate their own journeys with greater confidence and resilience, ultimately contributing to personal growth and community well-being.
Overcoming ADHD, racism, and cultural clash is a remarkable achievement. Starting your own company to support like-minded individuals is a great way to make a positive impact. My personal experiences and testimonies can be a powerful source of strength and inspiration for others. I’m sure I’ll make a significant difference in the lives of those who need support. If you have any questions or need advice on your journey, feel free to contact Bedfordshire community mediation service.
In this episode of Youth Voices, we will discuss hate crimes and what hate crime services there are in Bedfordshire. Between March 2022 and March 2023, 145,214 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales. This is a 5% decrease from the previous year being the first annual fall since the Home Office began collecting comparable data in the year ending March 2013! Due to the fact that some people may choose not to report the incident to the police, this does not represent all the hate crimes that occurred in the past year.
In this episode of Youth Voices, we will discuss hate crimes and what hate crime services there are in Bedfordshire. Between March 2022 and March 2023, 145,214 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales. This is a 5% decrease from the previous year being the first annual fall since the Home Office began collecting comparable data in the year ending March 2013! Due to the fact that some people may choose not to report the incident to the police, this does not represent all the hate crimes that occurred in the past year.
Our mission at is to help individuals so they are able to achieve their goals. And we strive to ensure that people in our local community are safe and have access to the correct support when needed.
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