What do we have in common?

Humans have so much in common with each other.

This week, I joined Thu Nguyen, Director of Programs at 80|20 Foundation, for a fireside chat at San Antonio Startup Week. We talked about my career experiences and how my upbringing affects me today. About how I reflect before I respond. About how I don’t think we should equate being vocal with being sharp.

After the event, a man in his 60s came up to me. He was raised in Texas. He said he grew up the same way. You didn’t speak unless you were spoken to, and when you were spoken to, it was to say yes sir or yes ma’am. He thanked me for sharing my story and said it brought back memories for him.

Two days later, I was at an event for Hispanic Heritage Month. One of the panelists brought up a phrase: “Soy ni de aquí, ni de allá.” “I’m from neither here, nor there.” That resonated with me. The universal struggle of immigrant children —never fully fitting in anywhere.

We have so much in common. Even with people who don’t look like us.

Katrina