On the struggle with moroccan identity in a globalized world

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Ever stop to think about who you really are? I mean, not just your name or where you’re from, but what makes you you in this crazy, ever-changing world? That’s something I’ve wrestled with a lot, especially being Moroccan in a world that’s more connected and digital than ever before.



Let’s start with the basics: What does it mean to be Moroccan today? Is it just about speaking the language, eating the food, and celebrating the holidays? Or is it something deeper, something that ties into how I see the world and how I interact with it? I’ve found myself asking these questions, especially as I dive deeper into technology, which sometimes feels so far removed from the traditions I grew up with.

Let me tell you, it's not just about speaking Darija or knowing how to make the perfect tagine. It's deeper than that. It's about how I see the world and how I fit into it, especially when I'm knee-deep in tech stuff that feels a million miles away from the traditions I grew up with.



But here’s the thing—being Moroccan isn’t just about holding onto the past. It’s also about adapting, evolving, and figuring out how to carry those traditions into a new world. And that’s where the struggle really comes in. How do you stay true to your roots when the world around you is pushing you to change?



I remember growing up and feeling this deep connection to my culture. The values, the customs—they were a big part of my life. But as I got older and more involved in technology, I started to see things differently. The global digital culture is all about speed, innovation, and being on the cutting edge. It’s easy to get caught up in that and lose sight of where you come from.



So, what’s the answer? Do you cling to your cultural identity and risk getting left behind, or do you fully embrace the new world and risk losing a part of yourself? That’s the question I keep coming back to.



One thing I’ve learned is that it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. It’s possible to blend the old with the new, to create a hybrid identity that draws from both worlds. But that’s easier said than done. It takes a lot of reflection, a lot of questioning, and sometimes it feels like there’s no clear path forward.



For example, when I think about how I interact with people online versus how I interact with people in my community, there’s a noticeable difference. Online, everything moves fast. You’re expected to be quick, witty, and always on. But in my Moroccan community, interactions are slower, more deliberate. There’s a respect for the process, for taking the time to really connect with someone. How do you reconcile those two ways of being?



I guess what I’m saying is that finding your identity in a globalized world is like trying to walk a tightrope. You have to balance, constantly adjusting to keep from falling. And sometimes, you have to make peace with the fact that you’re never going to be fully one thing or the other. You’re always going to be a mix, a blend of the old and the new, the local and the global.



But maybe that’s okay. Maybe that’s what it means to be human in the 21st century—being comfortable with the idea that identity isn’t fixed. It’s fluid, it changes as you change, as the world changes. And maybe, just maybe, that’s where the real strength lies.



So, when I look at myself, I see someone who’s Moroccan, but also a citizen of the world. Someone who values tradition, but isn’t afraid to step into the future. And that’s a pretty powerful place to be, even if it comes with its own set of challenges.



In the end, the struggle with identity isn’t about finding a final answer. It’s about embracing the journey, asking the tough questions, and being okay with the fact that those answers might change as you go along. That’s the lesson I’m learning, and it’s one that I think will keep evolving, just like I am.


Thanks to Reda, Alex, Mounir for reading drafts of this.

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