The one universal need we all share in common with is the need to feel grounded and anchored in something. The sense of grounding indicates that no matter how strong the storm comes, we cannot be swayed. We all are looking around for this sense of purpose. Like the deep roots of the trees, we want to have a sense of rootedness and a place in this world. It's easy to ignore this need. Sometimes this need manifests and even disguises itself as something else. And then we forget about it because this manifestation of this need has been fulfilled by something else. And the deeper roots remain unnourished and unattended.
This is difficult to write, but it's definitely an important one amidst all the conversations we've been having lately. Growing up being brown/Malay wasn't easy, especially when it became ingrained in me that having a darker skin tone by default, is less desired than fairer skin tones. In childhood, I couldn't recall having to endure comments about my skin colour. Thankfully amongst children, these values ascribed to lightness and darkness didn't yet come to the fore. This consciousness became more obvious since secondary school. And it was tough and painful. I've been in a sports CCA since secondary school and I couldn't really avoid not becoming tanned. What hurts the most was even my peers at that time would make comments about my skin colour without even realising the damage caused from these words. These comments I recall, were sometimes made under the guise of humour. I was called 'budak hitam' (literally means 'black child') and even ...
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