As a child with a mixed cultural background, I learned from a very young age that people are often reduced to, and judged on, one specific part of their identity. I became sensitive to the way we categorise and judge people, not based on who they are, but on preconceived perceptions of what certain groups of people are like.

Fighting injustice became my way of making the world — which seemed to work for a limited group of people — work a little more for everyone else. Although I was aware that our society did not benefit everyone from an early age, I was not conscious of the broken structure in which we live. This system is based on our colonial heritage and maintains structural and institutional injustice.

To survive in this world as a woman of colour with a fluid sexual orientation, I naturally developed a powerful tool to protect myself: my voice.

Having to continuously prove myself, I taught myself to always come prepared, to bring something exciting to the table and ensure that my arguments were well-developed and grounded in facts.

Today, I am more trusting of my intuition, and as a result, I am producing some of my best work to date. I'm still fighting injustice, but I've become equipped to not let my past experiences stand in my way. I've learnt to utilise it productively, connecting rather than opposing.

To say the world is not in the best place right now is an understatement. But the growing collective tiredness of this system is promising, and the sustainable and equitable initiatives that are being developed as a result are truly inspiring.