This panel depicts the 18 year old version of myself.
Young, naïve, enthusiastic for what life would bring.
I grew up in South Africa.
I was exposed to racial discrimination as a political philosophy (Apartheid) and way of life.
I was taught by my society that I was not fully acceptable; my mixed heritage was a shame for which I would suffer certain disadvantages.
Apartheid has since been replaced by Democracy in South Africa.
I have since come to celebrate who I am.
Had migration never occurred, our world would be a different place.
We would be trapped in xenophobia; lacked the sharing of ideas and resulting innovations; suffered in our isolation....
I thank my ancestors for their migration from different parts of West, East and South Africa, Britain, The Netherlands and Ashkenazim for my genetic make up.
Without them, I could not exist.