Who I am, Who I hope to be by Yael

Who I am, Who I hope to be by Yael - June 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name, Yael, means “Mountain Goat” in Hebrew. A biblical name belonging to a female Jewish hero. I have no Jewish ancestry. My father, born and raised in France, lived in Martinique for a few years. My mother was born in Ivory Coast, and raised in France. I was also born in France, relocated to Canada, where my family and I moved four times. When I turned 11, my family and I packed up once again to live in the United States where we moved three times more. These moves have not been easy, however, they have provided me with a diverse background unique to me.

When I arrived in America, a whole new culture awaited me. I quickly realized that, despite being black, not all African Americans would readily embrace me. I had trouble connecting with some of my black peers because I had not grown up like them, and found myself faced with many cultural differences when interacting with them. I was like a black duck in a river of swans. Everyone knew I was different, and I became ashamed. Eventually, I realized that my multi-cultural heritage was a valuable asset and contributed to who I am today. My mother’s African culture exposed me to a variety of values and teachings that I still carry with me today, such as family-orientedness, respect and resilience in the face of adversity. I have learned that compassion and understanding can soothe any broken bond, the importance of supporting and encouraging others regardless of differences.

Similarly, my Martinican ancestry has greatly influenced who I am today. I was inspired to pursue art because of my grandmother, also an artist, who was born and raised in Martinique. Her unique perspective enabled her to create abstract paintings with various objects found around her house. For example, she would use combs to create intriguing circles. Frequently, she made artistic choices as she painted, adopting an intuitive approach rather than following a meticulously crafted plan. My grandmother’s love of the arts opened my eyes to a whole new world, and her painting style has had a big influence on my own work. My grandmother gave me the freedom to paint without overthinking and has taught me that it's best to handle problems head on and without stress. Her easy-going nature inspires me, and I find myself trying to emulate her in that regard. The rich colors and textures of Martinique's traditional gowns and headwraps have a profound impact on me. My grandmother embodies Martinique’s rich culture, my love for the arts is nourished and inspired by the the boldness of her culture.

Yael, the hero, helped Israel defeat its enemy. Rather than standing idly by during times of war, as was expected of women, she participated as a warrior and fearlessly confronted cultural expectations. In doing so, she revealed herself as a clever, strategic and courageous woman. Her story reminds me that, while I am the product of my culture, I have the possibility to transcend it and the choice to define who I want to become. Without my diverse cultural background, I would not have been able to discover my great passion for animation. Now, at 17 years old, I struggle to imagine my life devoid of art, and I am eternally grateful to have such a diverse background. Everywhere I go, I hope to forge my own path and use my passion for animation to create stories that help others find value in their own cultural background.