Bista’s Inspiration: I was inspired by my own experience of feeling like I had to hide parts of who I am to fit in. Writing this helped me reflect on how proud I’ve become of my culture and how powerful it is to share it with others.

When I was little, I loved helping my big sister make a Nepali dish called chatpate. I’d chop the vegetables, prepare the spices, and boil the potatoes, excited for the smell of roasted cumin and mustard seeds filling the house. The best part was always eating it with my family, savoring the mix of spicy, sour, and crunchy flavors. One day, I decided to bring some to school to share with my classmates, thinking it would be a cool way to show them my culture.

But it didn’t go as I hoped. Some classmates made faces and laughed, saying, “Ew, what’s that?” and turning up their noses. I froze, feeling ashamed and confused. I didn’t know how to explain that this food, part of my identity, was something I cherished. Instead, I felt like something normal and comforting to me was suddenly strange to them. That moment stuck with me, making me feel like I had to hide the parts of myself that were different.

I started to believe that being different was something to hide. I asked my parents to pack me “normal” American food like Lunchables and PB&J sandwiches, hoping it would help me fit in. For years, I suppressed my pride in my culture, feeling like it didn’t belong in a place focused on being the same. I even questioned my heritage, thinking I had to erase parts of it to be accepted.

But as I got older, I realized how wrong I was. My culture, food, and background made me unique and strong. I didn’t want anyone to feel the way I did, ashamed of their heritage. Last year, during Asian History Month, I decided to turn that painful experience into something positive.

I organized a South Asian cultural food sale at my school. I encouraged my South Asian classmates to bring dishes from their countries so we could share and learn from each other. The cafeteria was filled with the rich smells of biryani, samosas, curries, and, of course, my favorite chatpate. It was amazing to see everyone lining up to try the food. Many had never tasted South Asian food before. I watched as they eagerly tried the dishes, smiled, and shared how much they enjoyed them.

That experience showed me how powerful it is to share our cultures and how small acts of kindness, like trying someone else’s food, can help us connect. I no longer felt the need to hide what made me different. In fact, I realized those differences were something to be proud of.

Looking back, I regret not standing up for my culture sooner, but I’m proud of the steps I’ve taken since. I plan to keep promoting cultural understanding through events like the food sale until I’m no longer student council president. I want to create spaces where everyone feels proud of their origins. When we embrace our differences, we all become stronger together.

Jashmina is empathetic, a good listener, and enjoys problem-solving. She also loves playing badminton, hanging out with friends, and watching crime documentaries. She is a member of a cultural dance team, Sakela, where she celebrates both her heritage and creativity.

Jashmina appreciates learning about the past and writing. She recently started writing vignettes in her writing class at Minds Matter. Jashmina wants to pursue a career in either forensic criminology or forensic psychology. She looks forward to traveling back to her home country, Nepal, and spending her free time writing.

FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest. Students created essays, poems, and songs reflecting on a quote from artist Marc Chagall.