Don't Ask Where I'm From, Ask Where I'm a Local - Taiye Selasi TED Talk

Introduction

• Speaker: Taiye Selasi
• Event: TEDGlobal 2014
• Date: October 2014
• Main Idea: Instead of asking "Where are you from?", we should ask "Where are you a local?". This reflects the idea of "multi-local" identities instead of country-based national identities.

Key Points

Issues with "Where are you from?"

• Many people struggle to answer this question as it implies a single origin.
• The concept of a country being a source of identity is limiting and abstract.
• Selasi questions the notion of being "from" a concept, like a country.

Multi-local Identity

• Definition: Feeling at home in multiple places due to personal experiences and connections.
• People can feel like locals in various places where significant life events occur or where they have meaningful interactions.

Conceptual Framework

• Human Identity: Not tied to a nation-state.
• Experiential Locality: People's identity is formed by where they have lived and what they have experienced, not just by their nationality.

Themes

• Culture: The impact of cultural experiences on identity.
• Self: Understanding one's own identity beyond national boundaries.
• Humanity: Exploring the commonality of human experiences across different locales.
• Identity: The fluidity and complexity of personal identity.

Conclusion

• Selasi encourages redefining identity through locality and experiences rather than traditional national boundaries.
• This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of personal identity that aligns with contemporary global experiences.

About Taiye Selasi

• Profession: Author
• Focus: Exploration of multiple identities and human connections.

Related TED Talks

• "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• "Who am I? Think again" by Hetain Patel
• "Where is home?" by Pico Iyer

Additional Resources

• Topics related to culture, self, humanity, and identity can be explored further on TED's platform.