“My Relationship To Inequality Has Been Conflicting To Say The Least.”

"It always feels strange writing letters to a younger Flex because I’m only 25 and still identify so closely with the person I 'used to be'.

My relationship to inequality has been conflicting to say the least. Although I grew up in a working class, single immigrant parent home, I rarely felt lacking. I was born in Australia, we lived in an affluent area, wore 'nice' clothes and were personable which gave us a pass to occupy spaces. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realised these spaces I comfortably waltzed in and out of weren’t always going to feel this way.

It was in adulthood that the concept of inequality was pushed on to me. Saying that I was simply 'made aware of it' feels like a gross understatement. A narrative that I wasn’t equal to others because of my gender, race, upbringing and culture became so commonplace, that it warped my sense of identity. Were they right? And if so, why hadn’t I seen it?

It took me a little while to realise that there was obviously a systemic imbalance and that just by being born as me, I was occupying a marginalised body. But in the same vein, I had to quickly learn not to build an identity out of oppression. It’s a line, not as fine as I thought, and I’m still learning."