The diversity we carry within us | Aryu Yoshihara | TEDxUniversity of Manchester

Diversity begins within each individual, long before entering a multicultural room. The speaker reflects on leaving Japan for university, feeling two versions of herself: a protected child and an emerging woman. In her first tutorial, she experienced internal conflict between being silent and engaging, realizing this internal division is her own diversity. Her life journey, from Indonesia to Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan, and now the UK, reveals a unique mix of identities. She was a shy dancer in Indonesia, a ballet student in Hong Kong, cherished New Zealand, and discovered acting in Japan, gaining confidence by stepping out of her comfort zone. Now in the UK, she's pursuing independence and bold dreams. Her journey wasn't linear; every past version of herself still exists. These contradictions coexist, forming a "constellation of stories." She faced challenges when her complex story didn't fit others' expectations, often asked about her origins and accent. This led her to the concept of "identity lag," where external growth outpaces self-perception, with older selves pulling at her sleeve. During a workshop, when encouraged to share more than just her current identity, she revealed her life across multiple countries and the confusion of carrying diverse identities. This honesty resonated with others who also felt "between worlds" or adjusted their personalities based on their environment. She realized complexity is a gift, not a burden. Embracing internal diversity allows us to embrace diversity in others, diminishing the fear of difference. Diversity then becomes a chance for common ground and collective strength. Her suitcase, initially a symbol of uncertainty, now represents every contradiction and version of herself that shapes who she is. Everyone carries such a "suitcase," a mosaic of identities. Diversity starts by acknowledging our internal selves and strengthens when we acknowledge others'.