Taiye Selasi: Don't Ask Where I'm From, Ask Where I'm a Local

Overview

• Speaker: Taiye Selasi
• Event: TEDGlobal 2014
• Topic: Identity and the concept of being "multi-local"
• Key Question: How can a human being come from a concept like a country?

Key Concepts

Multi-Local Identity

• People often struggle with the question "Where are you from?"
• For "multi-local" individuals, home is multiple places:
  • The town where they grew up
  • The city they currently reside in
  • Other places they might have connections with

Rethinking "Origin"

• Challenges the traditional notion of "origin" tied to a single nation or culture.
• Encourages thinking in terms of multiple locations where significant personal experiences have occurred.

Identity and Belonging

• Identity is not solely defined by nationality or ethnicity.
• Belonging can be tied to various locales where significant relationships and life events occur.

Related Topics

• Culture: Understanding the cultural dimensions of identity.
• Self: The exploration of self-identity beyond geographical boundaries.
• Humanity: Recognizing the shared human experience beyond national lines.
• Identity: The fluidity and complexity of personal identity.

Additional Considerations

• The talk invites reflection on personal identity and encourages embracing a fluid sense of belonging.
• Challenges the audience to reconsider how they view and describe their own identities and origins.