There's something different about growing up black and Muslim

In the journey of life, the intersection of identity, culture, and belief creates a powerful and complex sense of self. SZA, in her reflective words, captures this experience when she says, "There's something different about growing up black and Muslim, especially in New Jersey. It's like when I left the mosque and I left my dad, I felt unprotected, but I also felt a weird sense of pride, like I was involved in this other way of living that was cool to me." Her words speak to the paradoxical experience of being shaped by two identities—one that connects her to a deeply rooted cultural heritage and another that exposes her to the world beyond. This tension between belonging and isolation, protection and pride, lies at the heart of SZA's journey and speaks to the universal experience of embracing an identity that is often at odds with mainstream society.

In the ancient world, identity was a battleground between the individual and society. The Greeks, with their emphasis on the self, spoke of arete, the pursuit of excellence, which often meant standing apart from the crowd, following one’s own path, and embracing the qualities that made one unique. The great philosophers, such as Socrates, were often at odds with societal expectations, choosing instead to question the norms of the world in order to seek truth. In much the same way, SZA’s experience of feeling both unprotected and proud is the tension of standing at the crossroads of multiple identities—where one’s own path may diverge from the norms, but where a deep sense of personal pride emerges from walking that unique path with strength and clarity.

The story of Mahatma Gandhi offers an ancient example of this duality of identity. As a young man in South Africa, Gandhi experienced the sting of racial discrimination, a sharp reminder that he did not belong to the dominant culture. However, rather than shrink in the face of adversity, Gandhi embraced his Indian heritage, his faith in Hinduism, and the lessons of ahimsa—non-violence. This embracing of identity was not without its struggles, as he often felt isolated in the midst of a foreign and unsympathetic society. Yet, this same pride in his identity fueled his revolutionary movements, teaching the world that strength is not in conformity but in the embrace of one’s true self, even when that self stands apart from the crowd.

In SZA’s words, there is a deep recognition of the protection that comes from the community of faith. The mosque, with its grounding rituals and family ties, provides a safe space where one’s identity is supported and nurtured. But stepping away from that world, leaving the familiar and the protective, is an act of courage—one that many in the face of societal pressures are often forced to undertake. Her feeling of pride, then, becomes a testament to the strength of her Muslim faith and Black identity, which, although at times leaving her feeling exposed, also empowers her to move through the world with an understanding of who she is, separate from what the world expects her to be.

Consider the story of Zora Neale Hurston, the renowned African American writer and anthropologist, who embraced her Southern Black roots with a deep sense of pride and identity, even when the world around her demanded that she conform to its expectations. Hurston often found herself at odds with the broader society, especially as she navigated both the academic world and the realities of racial segregation. Yet, it was through her pride in her cultural identity and her faith in her own voice that she carved out a place for herself, allowing her to write with the fearlessness that would eventually make her one of the most celebrated writers of the Harlem Renaissance. Hurston’s life was one of embracing difference, not in defiance, but in the strength of knowing who she was—an identity deeply rooted in her heritage.

The lesson from SZA’s words, and from these ancient examples, is that embracing one’s complex identity is a source of both strength and vulnerability. To be unprotected is to stand at the edges of societal norms, to walk a path that might lead through loneliness or struggle. Yet, it is in this very vulnerability that true strength lies. When we embrace our authentic selves, even if it means stepping away from the familiar and stepping into the unknown, we unlock the potential for growth and pride that cannot be found by simply conforming to the world’s expectations. The tension between feeling unprotected and holding onto pride is the crucible in which our greatest selves are forged.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: how can we embrace the pride in our identity—whether it is tied to culture, faith, or values—while navigating the complexities of the world around us? The answer lies in accepting the tension of belonging and individuality, knowing that our strength comes not from fitting into predefined boxes, but from living authentically. Let us walk with pride, like SZA, like Gandhi, like Hurston, and recognize that true strength is found in embracing our unique identities, even when that path feels lonely or unprotected. In the end, it is the courage to stand firm in our truth that leads us to greater clarity and empowerment in this world.