Short Essay #1

Thank you for sharing! Although I don't identify with the LGBTQ community, I could relate a lot to your story. Being raised by Nigerian parents who are extremely religious and against the community, I also had a hard time being able to express my vulnerabilities with them and carried a burden because I know they were raised with a rigid and strict mentality. That sense of isolation can make you feel so alone and hide the truest parts of yourself just to make peace. That was something that I had to unlearn as I got older. Recognizing that your parents' strictness is a byproduct of your upbringing, but still choosing to embrace who you are is something you should be very proud of! You are breaking a cycle for future generations.