Identity

Everyone needs an identity.  We all have a name and that forms the basis of our identity, but identity goes so much deeper.

We have the right to an identity.  The right to feel comfortable within our own skin and the right to feel proud of who we are.

Our nationality comes into play with our identity too.  I mean, how many people were proud to be Welsh this past Saturday, as Wales defeated England in the rugby and won the championship? 

Children who spend their young lives growing up in an orphanage or institution tend to lose all sight of their identity.  They become a statistic and lose all individuality.  Some characters shine through, while others are forgotten in the background.  It's a cruel place, where children forget who they really are and become 'institutionalised'.

You see their eyes glaze over.  They fail to regulate their emotions.  So when something good is happening, they may become hyper alert or suddenly lose control of their emotions, coming across in either a positive or negative way.

Families help us gain our identity as an individual.

As a person within our own right, in a family where we belong, is where we thrive.  It's where we become the person we are meant to be.

Lutaaya was once one of the statistics.  Given a chance to have her own identity and become the wonderful girl she is, through the gift of adoption.  A time to thrive within her own family - a family in which she belongs, where she is loved.

To allow Lutaaya to explore her identity means a balance of her Ugandan roots and her Welsh family heritage.  Lutaaya is Ugandan born, growing up in a Welsh culture.

We try and eat Luganan cuisine when we fancy it, so the culinary delights of Uganda remain fresh in her mind.  We have Ugandan art in our home.  We celebrate St David's Day and we shout as loud as possible at the TV when Wales play rugby.

Identity is much more than just a culture though.  Identity is knowing who we are, where we've come from and ultimately where we belong. 

Identity is acceptance.

Identity is pride.

Identity is belonging.

When Lutaaya first came home, she had lots of dolls.  It was important at that early stage that her dolls were balanced, some white, some black.  She needed to know that even though she was black, growing up in a white family, that her identity was as precious as anyone elses.  She loved seeing dolls that resembled her.  Yet they are difficult to source.

Birthdays are always another opportunity to not discourage her identity.  We are primarily a white society, and so our communities cater for the needs of white people.  Birthday cards represent this in a very visual way.  Take a look in your local card shop and see how many black, chinese, or any other minority race are represented in their stock.  I guarantee you there aren't many.  I always try and avoid the typical white child graphic cards and choose a neutral card with teddies, etc on them for Lutaaya to have.  There are multicultural cards out there, but they are again difficult to find.

Uncle Dan managed to track a good card down for Lutaaya's birthday

The collection is found at Harrod's

To celebrate identity and diversity, it would be wonderful to see more images like this in our shops.  To see African and Asian dolls more readily available for children to have the opportunity to explore different cultures and to find their own identity. 

We say we are a multicultural nation, but are we really?