Belonging and identity are shaped by personal, cultural, and historical factors over time. Each individual has a distinct sense of self, which we prioritize above conforming to an incompatible identity. To find our true place in the world, we are prepared to take risks and actively engage with society. As both educators and peers, it is an honor for me to address you today on the importance of belonging.
The concept of 'belonging' in my English studies has helped us understand acceptance and our identity. I will show the importance of belonging through an analysis of 'red tree' and 'who are my people'. Moreover, personal experiences also support the significance of belonging. Shaun Tan's 'red tree' exemplifies ideas about belonging and identity, especially with the image of a girl trapped in a bottle representin
...g her feeling misunderstood by others.
The main character in 'Nobody understands' believes that no one in her world has any concern for her; she doesn't feel any sense of connection. The predominant symbolic image is that of a girl confined within a bottle while wearing a helmet on her head. The bottle represents a self-imposed prison or barrier, and its dark shading and tone convey her emotions. However, the horizontal vector lines guide readers towards a deserted landscape adorned with a motif of red leaves, symbolizing hope. The protagonist's back is turned away from the red leaf, suggesting that all she needs to do is simply step out of her current situation.
Then she can find who is her belong to, still has some people care her. At the end of the text 'red tree', she get in her room, and she fined th
whole big 'red tree'. Now she understand where is her place, where is her belong to. She is no alone. Another significant text that helps impart knowledge about the importance of belonging is 'Who are my people' by Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni. In the poem 'Who are my people', the persona is looking for where is her belonging, who is her belonging.
Despite going to the church to worship God, she still did not feel a sense of connection. Returning to her place of birth also did not bring about any sense of belonging. The use of first-person narration in the poem makes it more personal, and the rhetorical question "my place?" invites the audience to contemplate the issue. Towards the end of the poem, she encounters an old man who spoke a different language, worshipped a different god, and expressed his apologies with a smile and the shelter of his broken umbrella. It is in this encounter that she finally discovers who her people are.
Moreover, my personal encounter with belonging has greatly enhanced my comprehension of its significance. Originating from a village in China, I possess an extraordinary family that I genuinely consider myself to be a part of. Throughout my upbringing, I faced the torment of an older brother who consistently bullied me and acted recklessly without concern for my welfare, resulting in numerous conflicts between us. During those moments, I frequently contemplated within myself, 'He will never belong among my people. I harbor disdain towards him.' However, now that I find myself in Australia feeling isolated and lacking motivation to learn, he remains a constant source of encouragement and inspiration for me.
Give me power.
And then clear my memory. He is my people, who has supported me when I was bullied, who has provided food for me when I was hungry, who has helped me with homework problems.
Now I understand it, home is not merely a house, but rather family, and I will always be a part of my brother's life, a part of my family.
In conclusion, I would like to share this famous quote: 'I celebrate myself and sing myself, and what I assume you shall assume, for every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.'
Thank you for listening to my speech.
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