start with why

More than a few weekends ago, I received an email from a reader: "I want to say thank you for being such an inspiration and role model not to just young women but to the Hispanic community as well." She went on to be so genuine and appreciative, I was nearly brought to tears. This is what makes blogging worth it, I thought to myself. And I was especially touched at her highlighting my role in the Hispanic community. We must both have checked that little box on standardized tests and administration forms...

I haven't disregarded my heritage (Mexican, Colombian, Irish, Scottish) here, but I also haven't broadcasted it. In so many ways, this part of my identity has caused me anguish throughout the years. Americans are proud of our "melting pot" yet don't welcome all people and cultures with the same enthusiasm. Multiple admissions essays, as a result, have illuminated how 'dirty Mexicans' have driven me to learn, experience, and connect at every opportunity. It's why I was so provoked to discover Irish prejudices. It's also why I'm so concerned about stereotypes. I know words are powerful, understanding is imperative, communication matters.

Sometimes, I get a little intense on here. It may keep some readers quiet. A few might prefer I focus on photographic stories about food and travel without the societal critique entirely. "Hey, Danielle, why so serious?" And here's the thing, to an extent, I'd rather not be. Beneath my analytical exterior, I'm just a fun-loving 25-y/o aware of how lucky she is (and how hard she's worked) to be living in Paris. I have so few things "figured out", it's completely humorous. So, in an attempt to sleep sounder, I strive to be light-hearted like my little bro. Then again, I can't imagine only sharing that feel-good fluff. This other "stuff" is too important to me.

I recall a weekend brunch, many Sundays in New York ago, when I revealed to Anna how nervous I was about being accepted into a masters program. Although it might be less conventional than most, your resume still seems to have intentionally directed you towards a degree like this, she told me. And she was/is right. That Anna is a wise one, in addition to being a wonderful friend. Months later, as I discussed my thesis with multiple accomplished men and women at the Media Evolution Conference, I kept returning to these concepts. Countless conversational 'a-ha' moments took place, even without having a specific topic in mind.

And suddenly, there it was, my thesis topic--at the culmination of personal experience and seasoned passion. I cannot express to you how excited I am to dedicate six months of research to it. It makes so such sense, I don't know how I didn't realize it sooner; especially as I finally had the chance to read Simon Sinek's Start with Why this past summer. Though I must admit the book was a bit repetitive, the takeaway is worth repeating daily: inspire people to do the things that inspire them. I'd recommend his TED talk, too. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

I was recently interviewed for an NPR article on how I wasn't raised speaking Spanish. In a self-inflicted sense, this one linguistic factor has made my role in the Hispanic community (whatever that really means) confusing. I've more so embraced global citizenship, as a result. And it's with all this that I intend to study the communicative relationship between diversity issues and 'ethnic' food scenes in notably international cities: New York, London, Paris. You won't mind joining me as I explore, will you?

Photos from the Square des Batignolle