IDENTITY
Sharing the faces and voices of overlooked and misrepresented identities at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Photographs- Mukami Mboche
Creative Direction and interview- Mohammad Niazi
Alejandra Coronel-Zegarra
Miami, FL- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“I am not crazy, not a maid, not stealing anyone’s jobs, not illegal, not dumb, not a slut, not a thief, not a submissive, not a bad driver, and not going to let anyone stop me from speaking Spanish or expressing my culture.”
Kenijah Bivens
Columbus, Ohio- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“That black girl.”
I AM
"“I am a BLACK outgoing, crazy, expressive, complex, flagrant, sexy individual.”
Solara Prastalo
Miami, Florida- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“I am not just defined as a POC. I have depth, a story, and so much more to offer as a person.”
Trey Dixon
Atlanta, Georgia- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“I am not a thug.”
I AM
“I am a woman in STEM, a chemist, a tennis player, a Latina, a first generation American, a sister, a daughter, a loyal friend, a shoulder to cry on, and a badass bitch.”
Anna DuSaire
St. Louis Park, Minnesota-Class of ‘22I AM NOT'
“I am not weak, delicate, or incapable.”
Baylin Bell
Chicago, Illinois- Class of ‘25I AM NOT
“Ghetto, Ignorant, or intimidating.”
I AM
“Creative, intuitive, and giving.”
Emmanuella Akomeah-Sirleaf
Aurora, Colorado- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“I am not a sassy black woman. I am not angry. ghetto or ratchet.”
Ankita Patel
Delaware, Ohio- Class of ‘22I AM NOT
“There have been times when I would get told that because I am Indian, I am a genius and excel at just about everything I do-especially STEM subjects. The truth is I’m not a genius. I am smart, just not the typical stereotype given to Indians.”
I AM
“I am determined, dedicated, an athlete, and a producer.”
I AM
“I am someone who loves being around animals, being in nature, and playing the drums.”
I AM NOT
“I am not an “exotic” individual or an “alien'.” I am not a doormat and I will not be silenced.”
I AM NOT
“I am not unequal, nor am I lesser than.”
I AM
”I am a sister, friend and daughter. I am a soon to be doctor. I am a reader, runner, hiker, and traveller. I am Ghanaian, I am American, I am a black woman. I am Emmanuella Akomeah-Sirleaf.”
I AM NOT
“I am not a virus. I am not squint eyes. I am not intimidating. I am not only my skin color.”
I AM
“I am a laid back guy who takes things one day at a time. A student athlete that likes to chill.”
I AM
'“I am outgoing, honest, fun, responsible, and have a bubbly personality. I love to be out and about hanging out with my friends, and doing just about anything fun and exciting. I also like to dance and sing with my friends.”
Ava Klann
Daegu, South Korea & Dublin, Ohio- Class of ‘24I AM
“I am a Korean-American student athlete. I am a woman in STEM, and I am proud of what I have accomplished despite the adversities I have faced.”
Eisha Bukhari
Lahore, Pakistan- Class of ‘22 I AM
“I am a strong self-sufficient woman, attempting to carve a path for myself and other women back home.”
Katie Hee Jin Peterson
Evanston, Illinois- Class of ‘22I AM
“I am adopted. that for me changed a lot about how I identify. I am proud of my multicultural identity.”
I AM NOT
I am not a mat you can walk over. I am not your diversity quota. I refuse to be used as a marketing tool.”
Mohammad Niazi
Karachi, Pakistan- Class of ‘22I AM
“I am a human first, and everything else second. I am from Pakistan, and no one can take that part of my identity away.”
Tiyinoluwa Olushola-Alao
Lagos, Nigeria- Class of ‘23I AM NOT
“I am not a number or a monolith, and I refuse to be treated as such.”
I AM
““I walk the line between rigid and fluid in my various identities.”
