identity Archives - Queen's Journal

Not a girl: Exploring my gender identity

Written on October 22, 2021. Posted in Lifestyle, Postscript.

Back in twelfth grade, I wrote a panicked journal entry beginning with the line, “I don’t think I’m a girl.” It’s difficult to question something you’ve accepted as a straightforward truth all your life. It wasn’t like I was deeply unhappy being perceived as a girl—it was just something I grew up...

Understanding conflicting identities as a queer student of colour

Written on April 2, 2021. Posted in Features.

This piece uses “Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)” to refer to the experiences of racialized students. We acknowledge this term is not universal. For queer students of colour at Queen’s, understanding one’s identity is a lifelong process. It’s one that’s complicated by cultural expectations,...

Being Black, queer, and hopeful for our future

Written on February 14, 2019. Posted in Lifestyle, Postscript.

I found it difficult to connect with other men during high school because I didn’t feel masculine enough to fit in, even when we shared similar interests. Nonetheless, I was still able to make some male friends and I’d like to imagine we had fairly decent relationships. But I faced a significant issue...

Finding the strength in an allegedly weak name

Written on May 28, 2018. Posted in Lifestyle.

Our parents’ names for us can be reminders of what they hope we become. My family gave me various nicknames but the weakness associated with my birth name hung over me until I learned to understand its true meaning. To my grandfather I was Assal (honey); to my mother I was Sumaya (highest point) and...

Letter to the Editor

Written on February 11, 2015. Posted in Opinions.

Re: The Effects of Inter-Cultural Experiences on Mental Health and Personal Identity Dear Editors: During the first few years of moving to a new country, many experience depression and high anxiety. My father came to North America alone at a young age with no money and experienced many hardships along...

Your story

Written on January 21, 2014. Posted in Editorials.

When I was 11 years old, my dance teacher asked my class to write 100 words about ourselves. Here’s how far I got: “Emily is in grade six, and loves to dance. She also plays the piano.” The brevity of my autobiography seemed accurate. I did love to dance, and I spent every hour outside of school at...

Mixed messages

Written on October 22, 2013. Posted in Editorials.

Many mixed race people, myself included, have trouble defining our ethnic identity. As a child, I’d put on my mother’s makeup and be confused as to why her dark brown foundation didn’t blend with my pale skin. A family reunion with my dad’s side felt strange as I looked nothing like the blonde hair,...

Tag: identity

Not a girl: Exploring my gender identity

Understanding conflicting identities as a queer student of colour

Being Black, queer, and hopeful for our future

Finding the strength in an allegedly weak name

Letter to the Editor

Your story

Mixed messages

The Journal, Queen's University - Since 1873

Arts

Sports

Lifestyle

News

Features

Other Topics

Special Projects

About

About (cont'd)

Get the App

Get the App