Jasmeet Dhillon Week 5 art project

This is my self-portrait. I am one hundred percent Punjabi. I am not mixed race but I can still relate to how mixed race individuals feel. It is hard for any race to feel fully accepted. Being mixed or any race other than “white” can be challenging. Even though I am not mixed, I can still relate to the feeling of having an identity crisis or having to verbally explain to others what race I am. I am full Punjabi, Indian, but from my looks, I tend to get many other races other than Indian. People usually think that I am Mexican, Persian, or Egyptian. I have had Spanish-speaking individuals come up to me and start talking to me in their language. I think it is funny, because they simply assume I am Spanish or Mexican from my looks. Ever since I was little, I always had to correct and explain to others about my race. Growing up in Wisconsin, and being the only Indian student at my school was hard. I always felt different. But now, as I grow older, I am proud to be the race that I am.

I wanted to represent my self-portrait in a cartoon-like fashion because I think it speaks for my personality. Many people describe my personality as a cartoon because I am very animated, extra, super bubbly, and a jokester. I think the fun aspect of changing the picture to look more cartoon-like fits perfectly for me. I wanted all aspects of myself to be portrayed in my picture.

What would your self-portrait look like?