Chrystal McDonald On Viewing The World Through A Different Lens
Living in one country where things go a certain way and transitioning to a place where things go a different way is always a difficult thing to do.
Life changes entirely and for some, that can be a hard adversity to face. For Crystal McDonald, it was meat with open arms and encouragement.
DIVERSE ANCESTRY
Originally born in Trinidad and Tobago, McDonald has a very diverse ancestral background. Her mother’s side of the family is mixed between African, Spanish (Venezuelan) and East Indian. Her father’s side is mixed between African, Scottish, Chinese and Caribbean.
Having a very diverse ancestral background has led Chrystal McDonald to be classified as biracial, bicultural and cross-cultural. Not to mention as a Third Culture Adult.
McDonald, however, would classify herself as “50 percent uniqueness, 50 percent love and 100 percent awesomeness.”
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO VERSUS ENGLAND
“In Trinidad and Tobago, the lifestyle is noticeably much more laid back than that of London,” she says. “It’s only something you notice when you’ve lived in London for a while.
“It was about two or three years after moving to London that I went back to Trini and upon touching down on the tarmac and stepping out of the plane you immediately feel it,” she continues. “Yes, the scorching sun too, but [also] the great big sense of calm.”
Seeing the world through the lens of many different backgrounds and living in different places around the world can give someone a very different insight on life and people. McDonald grew up living this way, but she never let her different cultures change her.
MCDONALD ON EMBRACING DIFFERENCES
“We’ve embraced and celebrated all cultures and learned to be tolerable and love people for who they are on the inside rather than what they look like on the outside. It’s made me a very tolerable, fair and open-minded person filled with love and acceptance,” McDonald says.
McDonald speaks highly of acceptance and believes that all people are equal and share equal values. This she learned from her mother, and she takes her mother’s teachings with her wherever she goes.
We’ve embraced and celebrated all cultures and learned to be tolerable and love people for who they are on the inside rather than what they look like on the outside.
Crystal McDonald is an extraordinary woman who has lived an extraordinary life. With her diverse background and life experiences, she has held her values close to her and it has led her far in life and in overcoming the challenge of moving halfway across the world.