LIFESTYLE

LIFESTYLE

From Resentment to Appreciation: How Being a Diaspora Child Shaped My Musical Identity

Many children of immigrants go through a similar journey, where the music of their heritage becomes more meaningful as they age. There’s something universally relatable about this experience, isn’t there? As children, we often push away the things that make us feel different because we want to fit in. But as we grow older, we start to appreciate the distinctiveness that comes with our backgrounds. We begin to see the value in where we come from or where our parents came from, and for many of us, music is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect. Today, I see music as a link. It’s a way to navigate the complexities of my identity as a diaspora child. When I hear Turkish music, it reminds me of home. Not just my physical home but the home my grandparents carried with them when they left everything behind and moved to a new country to give their children a better chance at life. It’s a way to stay connected to them.

Words: Ilayda / November 24th, 2024