Christian R. Donahue

I'm an American, I always have been, but I wasn't born here. Shortly after my parents graduated college and got married, my dad - who had already spent time working in Saudi Arabia - was offered his second opportunity to pursue the American dream overseas, and just like that my father's budding family picked up their roots to replant them in Singapore. Both my sister and I were born in Singapore, and while I admittedly cant bring myself to recall many of the experiences from our infancy overseas, I've always seemed to find ways to intertwine aspects from my place of birth with my overall Identity as an American. My parents took on a lot of risk when they decided to move to Singapore, and in the face of adversity in an unfamiliar environment my parents managed to not only successfully construct the foundations of their careers, but also made life long friends hailing from diverse backgrounds, all while still finding time to start their family. I wasn't born in America, but the unique experiences my parents provided me with growing up taught me everything I needed to know about what it means to be a good American. Their sacrifice taught me bravery and the benefit of a good work-ethic. Their willingness to embrace the differences of their peers taught me the strength which comes with diversity. Their devotion to not only family, but perhaps more importantly to traditional family values, taught me the significance of an accurate moral compass. These are several aspects of my identity which i hold dear, and the aspects of my identity which will frequently appear as themes in my writing. If my writing can help influence America to become a bolder, more driven, more accepting, more virtuous, and better educated nation, then my purpose as a writer is complete.