On Being Different, Belonging, and Keeping an Open Mind

Having lived in countries as different as Senegal, Canada, Türkiye, and the Netherlands, I've had the opportunity to experience societies with different cultures, traditions, religions, and attitudes towards life.

One thing I've noticed is how much where you live, and even when you live there, can influence what is considered normal or acceptable.

Something that people openly discuss in one country might still be considered uncomfortable or controversial somewhere else. And even within the same country, attitudes can vary depending on the city, generation, family, or social environment.

I find that quite interesting, but it also makes me think about how much our surroundings influence the way we see ourselves and others.

People Are More Than Their Labels

I don't think someone's religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background tells you whether they're a good person.

You can be religious, atheist, agnostic, gay, straight, or come from any cultural or ethnic background and still be a kind, understanding, and respectful person.

And equally, people from any of these backgrounds can be prejudiced, intolerant, or unkind.

For me, what matters much more is how someone treats other people.

Are they respectful? Can they listen to someone whose experiences are different from theirs? Are they willing to question their own assumptions?

I think those questions tell us much more about a person than the labels we use to describe them.

The Importance of Time and Place

Living in different countries has also made me more aware of how social expectations change depending on where you are.

Canada, Senegal, Türkiye, and the Netherlands have very different histories and social environments. But I wouldn't want to reduce any of them to a single attitude or stereotype.

Within every society, there are people with different opinions, experiences, and levels of acceptance.

I also think time matters. Societies change, sometimes slowly and sometimes surprisingly quickly. Things that were difficult to discuss openly a generation ago may be much more accepted today, although progress isn't always straightforward.

It's made me appreciate the importance of having the freedom to live your life without feeling that you constantly have to meet other people's expectations.

Finding Your People

I think most of us want to feel that we belong somewhere.

But belonging doesn't necessarily mean fitting into every social environment or being accepted by everyone.

Sometimes it means finding people with whom you can be yourself, without having to explain or justify every part of who you are.

That might be through friendships, family, university, work, or communities built around shared interests and experiences.

I've been fortunate to meet people from many different backgrounds throughout my life, and some of my closest friendships have come from those experiences.

I also think it's important to remember that not everyone has the same opportunities or freedom to express themselves. Social pressure can be very real, and the environment around us can make a significant difference.

That's one reason why understanding and respecting people whose lives are different from our own matters so much to me.

Keeping an Open Mind

I don't think being open-minded means agreeing with everyone or accepting every opinion without question.

You can respect someone as a person while disagreeing with their beliefs or actions.

For me, an important distinction is between having different opinions and treating other people as though they deserve fewer rights or less dignity.

I believe people should be free to live according to their own beliefs and identities, provided they respect the rights and freedoms of others.

And I think we can all become better at understanding people, even if it takes effort.

The more people I've met and the more places I've lived, the more I've realized that no single background or identity tells the whole story of who someone is.

A Few Final Thoughts

I don't expect everyone to think the same way, and I don't think a world where everyone agrees on everything would be particularly interesting.

But I do hope we can create societies where people feel less pressure to hide who they are, where differences aren't automatically seen as threats, and where kindness and respect matter more than stereotypes.

At the end of the day, I think most of us want fairly similar things: to feel safe, to be respected, to have meaningful relationships, and to find people with whom we feel comfortable.

And sometimes finding those people can make all the difference.