I always recognized and observed how certain people change when they are around others. For example, we all know those girls that pull the 'giggly I have no idea what is going on' act to somehow try and impress guys, whereas some guys try to act all tough in front of their friends. All of this acting is all a facade, a far fetched illustration into who they actually are. I never though I would be one of those people, who changes as their environments do.

After some further reflection, I honestly had to laugh at myself, because in all honesty, I do that much more than I would even like to admit.

Throughout my childhood and my teenage years, I have always have had this dichotomy of conflicting cultures in my life. The complex combination of Eastern and Western values have a way of colliding with one another in more ways than I can even think of.

Sometimes, it feels like the tug of war of a lifetime. Half of me is turning into this ultra modern Americanized teenager, while the other half of me still finds truth and comfort in the traditional values of my Eastern heritage. And this is where the chameleon side of me comes in..

When I am surrounded by my white, American friends, I have no problems integrating myself into the conversations about their lives and popular culture. But in that same manner, when I talk to other Muslims or my Sudanese friends, all of a sudden I can relate to all of their problems and dilemmas that they face each day.

At first, I really questioned this aspect about myself. Does this make me unauthentic? Am I fake for behaving this way around others?

But along the way I realized, no it does not. Just because I can identify with one group of people does not mean that it should be the ONLY group I can identify and relate to. Our society is so caught up on the idea of labels and putting us into boxes that subconsciously we believe we should categorize ourselves in the same way.

All of a sudden it hit me; it is not abnormal to be this way, and of course I can relate to all of these different kinds of people. I was born and raised in America, I attended public school my whole life in the suburbs of Cincinnati, but I was also raised as a Muslim who attended my local mosque. I am blessed with the gift to be able to relate to so many different people, be able to understand what their lives are like, and to create connections with such a variety of people.

Because just as a chameleon changes colors depending on its environment, so do I.