Why should I identify as Somali?

[Aaliyahh]

So I was born and raised in Canada, and I identify as 100% Canadian. Never been to Somalia and I don't speak Somali so why would I call myself Somali? If I went to Somalia I'm pretty sure I'd be seen as an outsider. So I embrace where I'm truly from, which is Canada. When people ask me where I'm from I say Toronto. Why do Somali people have such a problem with this though? I've been called a self hater, whitewashed etc etc the insults are endless. But I'm just keeping it real. How can I claim to be Somali when I have never stepped foot there, that would just be fraud in my opinion.

[Strategic]

you are right,you are black canadian,it is better to keep that way.

[Raganimo]

You're ethnically Somali whether you like it or not. Just like a white Canadian is ethnically British/Scottish/French/Italian/etc.

You're a Canadian national. Ethnically you're somali. I don't know enough about you to judge whether you suffer from self-hate or not but going by your post, you do seem to be confused about your identity.

Also, why do you think people ask you where you're from in the first place? Do you think they would do that if you were white? Being African, you're always going to appear foreign.

[Raganimo]

I have people in my family who's parents were raised outside of Somalia as were they, yet they are never in doubt about who they are. Some of them have never been back home. Heck, there are entire somali tribes who have been living in the middle East for hundreds of years, yet they're still aware of their heritage and claim their Somalinimo!

Not to mention the Somalis who settled in the UK in the 1800's.

Being born in Canada is not that big of a deal and it does not magically erase your Somaliness.

[Advo]

So I was born and raised in Canada, and I identify as 100% Canadian. Never been to Somalia and I don't speak Somali so why would I call myself Somali? If I went to Somalia I'm pretty sure I'd be seen as an outsider. So I embrace where I'm truly from, which is Canada. When people ask me where I'm from I say Toronto. Why do Somali people have such a problem with this though? I've been called a self hater, whitewashed etc etc the insults are endless. But I'm just keeping it real. How can I claim to be Somali when I have never stepped foot there, that would just be fraud in my opinion.

I agree with u 100%, There's nothing Somali about u and I wouldn't consider u one of my own. It doesn't matter where u were born or raised. Being Somali is a state of mind in the west. I just wish u didn't waste so much energy and time signing up on this forum to post this.

[original dervish]

You should self identify with whatever makes you comfortable.
If you feel Canadian that's fine......just don't be conflicted about it.

[balwarama]

Daimond again as Aaliyah! I knew it!

[LeJusticier]

Daimond again as Aaliyah! I knew it!

You're right

[MayDay777]

Be Canadian not Somali

[DiamondSky]

You got a point. If white people who have Greek/Ukrainian/whatever European country parents can call themselves Canadian so can you. Identify with what feels comfortable with you and f the haters

[DiamondSky]

Daimond again as Aaliyah! I knew it!

I'm not the only Canadian person on this forum bro

[Raganimo]

You got a point. If white people who have Greek/Ukrainian/whatever European country parents can call themselves Canadian so can you. Identify with what feels comfortable with you and f the haters

They still claim their European heritage...

[sav12600]

So I was born and raised in Canada, and I identify as 100% Canadian. Never been to Somalia and I don't speak Somali so why would I call myself Somali? If I went to Somalia I'm pretty sure I'd be seen as an outsider. So I embrace where I'm truly from, which is Canada. When people ask me where I'm from I say Toronto. Why do Somali people have such a problem with this though? I've been called a self hater, whitewashed etc etc the insults are endless. But I'm just keeping it real. How can I claim to be Somali when I have never stepped foot there, that would just be fraud in my opinion.

you can claim canadian as much as u like but ur foreheads say otherwise

[MayDay777]

You are a Canadian so why tf are you in our forum?

[TheMightyNomad]

So I was born and raised in Canada, and I identify as 100% Canadian. Never been to Somalia and I don't speak Somali so why would I call myself Somali? If I went to Somalia I'm pretty sure I'd be seen as an outsider. So I embrace where I'm truly from, which is Canada. When people ask me where I'm from I say Toronto. Why do Somali people have such a problem with this though? I've been called a self hater, whitewashed etc etc the insults are endless. But I'm just keeping it real. How can I claim to be Somali when I have never stepped foot there, that would just be fraud in my opinion.

I hope you are not a troll, if not i can tell you are somewhat suffering from an identity crisis. Nothing self hating about it it is normal for diasporians raised abroad.

Nonetheless i will answer your question. Race, ethnicity, and nationality are three considerations operating on identity. Race is the largest group, which hugs both ethnicity, and supersedes nationality. Nationalities are just the color of someone's passport, or the territories people pledge allegiance to.

Somali is your race because it hugs both ethnictiy and supersedes nationality. Whereas Canadian is only the color of your passport and or your citizenry.

However, The following question is posed: what about Somalis who are 100% Canadian or American in culture and are even incapable of speaking Af Soomaali ? It is undeniable that they are practitioners of western culture but it does not make them American or Canadian but merely Somalis who have embraced Western/European culture.

Just like the other thousands of Somalis across the globe who speak European languages, eat European food, behave like Europeans, engage in Eurocentric understandings of religion are no closer to actually being European.

They still are physically Somali who are European in mentality and attitudes.
The cultures of Somali people extend beyond their physical geography and are informed not only by geography but also by physical ethnic traits.

For me i tend to look at it this way. I have a Somali identity , European nationality and culturally i am a hybrid of the two.