Identity

Identity

a think piece by Eva, Peterborough Youth MP and member of the Jumped Up Theatre Sound Board

If our identities were houses, each aspect of us would be a room: we should never be forced to keep any door locked. 

Politicians and public figures are supposed to be accountable and transparent: since I became Youth MP for Peterborough, I’ve stood up for this over all else.

But the word ‘transparency’ scares me.

If our identities were houses, we’d show everyone around us the immaculately manicured front room only, terrified that anyone might see inside the rooms we keep locked. The aspects of us that just don’t fit with the image we want to portray.

READ MORE…

Identity Content List

Column One

I am a Bird (Poem)

Being Black is something we should show pride Poem (Video)

KittyCorn- Colourful hello my name is stickers 6 in one image (Drawing)

Morning Nature (Poem)

Jumping into cold water story (Audio)

Mistletoe Poem (GIF)

Art Booklet (Video)

Column Two

Urban Cut Out (Poem)

I am Nigeria (Poem)

I am a Fierce Netball Player (Poem)

Dance Power (Video)

My Gold Earring (Poem)

Yes- Hello my name is stickers 6 in one image (Drawing)

Transcripts

Audio file: Jack Grealish Audio

Transcript

00:00:00 Speaker 1

Hello, my name is Alishbah and I'm going to be sharing who I look up to and why. I look up to Jack Grealish. You might be thinking why he's just a footballer, but to me he's more than that. When I am sad, scared and lonely all I think about is him. He has helped me in ways I can't express. When I think about him, I feel happy. I've always felt like a piece of me was missing and after discovering him, I feel safe. The reason I look up to Jack Grealish is he has gone through so many similar things to me. He lost his brother at the age of four and I lost my auntie at the age of 6. His journey as a footballer is amazing. I was bullied in school for the last two years. Whenever I think about him, I get this warm feeling inside. I feel like I can express myself in ways I couldn't before. That missing piece of me that I could have felt I finally did. When I lost my auntie, it was like a piece of me died inside, I felt hopeless. I felt like I couldn't go on in life without her, but when I found my love for Man City and especially Jack Grealish, I didn't feel sad anymore. I felt safe and comfortable in life. This is why I think Jack Grealish is my inspiration.

00:01:06 Speaker 1 “singing”

I love the way that he smiles, his tiny superstitions that he's had for a while. His tiny socks and his long locks. He is number 10, and he represents.

I love the way that he smiles. How I get the feeling that I haven't had in a while. My blood has been rushing round for a while.

As a fan, he makes me smile. I love the way how he looks on TV, how he's always running at full speed. His pace is like 83. He is number 10, and he represents.

I love the way how he messes with his hair. That big fluff ball oh what a mess. Will I meet him, maybe yes, he is number 10 and he represents.

My heart is beating 123, for a guy who's only in my dreams. He keeps me up most nights actually, will I meet him, um maybe.

Audio file: Jumping Into Cold Water

00:00:00 Speaker 1

Translated from Ukranian

One day I was walking with my friends along the bank of a small river, we were going up and down the hill, we were playing next to the water, throwing sticks. One stick fell into the water and the stream took it away from us. I tried to reach it but slipped on the moss and fell into the water, ice cold water, maybe -3 degrees below zero. I went down under the water, I thought it lasted 5 minutes, but, in fact, it was just 3 seconds as my friends said. I came out all wet, but my top was not wet even though it was on me. My shoes were a little bit wet, but I said to my parents that I just wanted to dive into the water a little bit and it made me happy.

Right Here Right Now is supported by Arts Council England and Think Communities