Just something I wanted to share...

[Meggers]

I know the air in this forum is light and happy (at least for me) and I love that about this place. I just wanted to share an article that I read awhile ago that still brings tears to my eyes about the importance of heritage and how the loss of your heritage connection creates a major identity struggle.

I bring this up and this meant so much to be because I can relate to it 100% being a Scot-Irish American Muslim. It wasn't until recently that I was able to fall back in love with my heritage because I am the ONLY Scot-Irish American Muslim that I know (I know other Euro-American Muslims but they dont share my heritage.) At Islamic events, Im the only one not wearing traditional Arab or Pakistani clothing. At school, im still holding on while my other white friends who have converted have so sadly let go of the religion entirely because they aren't able to find their heritage through such an overpoweringly Arab/Desi presence in the religious circle. It's terribly sad that the community of a religion could push someone away without even knowing it.

The main reason why I am so excited to buy my tartan in a skirt and sash is to I can proudly represent MY people in MY religion. It would be nice to say I had the support of the Muslim community or the American community to do this but, sadly, both parties are oblivious to the fact that outcasting someone for either being white or being muslim creates a major identity struggle in the convert. Too many converts let go of their white heritage in order to assimilate themselves into a dominant Muslim culture in order to feel like they can fit in somewhere since their American brethren has now labeled them as something "different" that is a "threat" to American society.

Anyway, read the article and see what it means for you, as it meant so much for me. It's a gift to know where you come from and it's a treasure to be able to be an American-Scot and wear your kilt in your tartan and represent something so old to you and something so precious. Not everyone has that luxury and I can't imagine wanting to know where my roots are but falling short at the slave trade and not being able to go back any further.

Who I Am and How Did I Get Here?

note: I mainly shared this article to see what it means to each of us. The top part was just me sharing MY particular story. My intention of starting this thread was not to create a pity party and certainly not to turn this all about me. I want to hear how others feel about identifying as one thing and also something else. Do you feel like you can't represent both the USA and Scotland? Do you feel like others judge you for identifying as something that doesn't come from these shores? If you are unable to trace your roots back to Scotland or Ireland, how does that make you feel when trying to research tartans or kilts? Do you feel judged when you dont have Scot/Irish heritage yet you wear the kilt?

Just curious if others can relate to this gentleman. I shared my story and Id love to hear from others.