El Principio

Whether I immediately realize it or not, every chance that I have had to travel overseas has given me a new and unexpected outlook on life, myself, and my sense of identity. For much of my life, my ideas about culture, faith and religion, heritage, and identity have been challenged and reconfigured, most likely as a result of my being wrong. I grew up with a sense of awareness of my faith and identity as an American Muslim, but that sense of security was disputed immensely the moment I began my life in the Middle East, and yet again when I re-started my life as an American living in the United States 3 years ago.

We all walk this Earth, in whatever social circle, socioeconomic class, or community, thinking that we have ideas and opinions on life-and of course-we are always right. I've realized many times that the best way to humble yourself is to be wrong, and to recognize that perhaps your ideas and opinions on any given subject are lacking understanding, insight, and context. Over the years I've felt a growing desire to discuss and fully understand many aspects of the African diaspora and all that it entails, specifically outside of my own experience as an African American. I have much to say and feel about the American experience, yet I have very little insight into the experiences and outlooks of those who may share a common origin, but an entirely different modern day experience and sense of identity.

I've been blessed to have the opportunity to spend the next 4 months in northern Venezuela, in the middle of a significant Afro-Venezuelan population. While I have nothing to predict or expect at this point, I hope that I can look back on my preconceived notions of race, identity, and culture and realize that I was wrong. I hope that this endeavor will give me yet another opportunity to disillusion myself and come into a different and unexpected understanding. I consider this experience, among others, the act of disenchanting because only when you allow yourself the chance to exist outside of what you know and free yourself from illusion can you make room for reality.