Almost 3 weeks since this award ceremony, and I am thinking about it EVERYDAY.
Why did this recognition by My East Coast Experience Media boost my morale so much?
I kept working on this question.
I came to conclusion that prior to this award, I have never been recognized in a positive way AS AN IMMIGRANT, someone not from here, in Canada .
Not even once.
I moved to Canada on Feb 25, 2022 – almost 22 years now. This is a long time.
This award hence completed something in my life, in how I experience life as an immigrant. Thanks you My East Coast Experience for this. It healed something.
It also made me more interested in lifting other under-served and under-appreciated folks.
Whether they are immigrants, refugees, folks affected by wars and conflicts, international students, elderly, homeless, sick, disadvantaged for any reason, individuals with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, or racialized people.
We must recognize everyone and everyone’s contributions, especially those who are disadvantaged. Despite everything many of them – many of us – do extraordinary things and put extraordinary efforts.
Respect, room, and appreciation for everyone.
We have to lift each other up.
Join me in this journey.
Sevtap Savas, Feb 22, 2024 St. John’s
