The significance of identity is not really something I considered up until a few years ago. Moreover, throughout majority of my childhood, I repressed a certain aspect of myself that I very strongly identify with today. Much of who I think I am today has a lot to do with education and culture playing a part in shaping who I am and what I consider myself, which is a Bengali woman. Not a Bengali-American, which is what most people perceive me as, but just Bengali. The progression of me becoming comfortable with my identity has been gradual, and, as I have mentioned before, education and culture has played a big role in constructing my identity today. However, with that said, there is a lot of work left in coming to terms with other parts of my race and identity that I struggle with every day.

I came to America at…