--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Growing up in this post-apartheid era…" description: "\"Growing up in this post-apartheid era, the first generation of teens in South Africa living in this new democracy, I often found myself feeling differe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/adhir-kalyan-40468_accent_growing-up-in-this-post-apartheid-era-th_102369.jpg" --- # Growing up in this post-apartheid era, the first… ![“Growing up in this post-apartheid era, the first generation of teens in South Africa living in this new democracy, I often found myself feeling different. I was often the only person of color in an otherwise all-white school. And within the Indian community, because of my training with an English…” quote by Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/adhir-kalyan-40468_accent_growing-up-in-this-post-apartheid-era-th_102369.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/adhir-kalyan-40468_accent_growing-up-in-this-post-apartheid-era-th_102369.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/adhir-kalyan-40468_accent_growing-up-in-this-post-apartheid-era-th_102369.jpg) > “Growing up in this post-apartheid era, the first generation of teens in South Africa living in this new democracy, I often found myself feeling different. I was often the only person of color in an otherwise all-white school. And within the Indian community, because of my training with an English acting teacher, my accent was very different.” [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes feeling out of place as a person of color in a predominantly white school and as an Indian with a distinct accent, highlighting the complexities of identity in post‑apartheid South Africa. **In simple terms:** Being different in a new democracy can feel isolating. Key Takeaway Identity can be multifaceted and context‑dependent. Themes cultural identity post‑apartheid society racial dynamics language and accent Mood reflective somber Type personal narrative social commentary When to use this quote - first‑generation immigrants in schools - minority students in elite institutions - multilingual families navigating cultural expectations Key Concepts intersectionality social belonging Practical Applications - Create mentorship programs for minority students - Encourage inclusive curricula that reflect diverse backgrounds Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape one's sense of belonging? - What policies can reduce feelings of isolation for minority students? A Different Perspective Personal anecdotes may not capture systemic issues affecting all minority groups. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [Era](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/era/) [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Indian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indian/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [South africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/south-africa/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teens/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [I was the first real generation to have their teens on the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ek/i-was-the-first-real-generation-to-have-their-teens-on-the-internet/) [Daniel Ek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ek/) > [I thought that, post-apartheid, there would be absolutely no interest in South Africa. That has been both true and untrue. The major writers like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cartwright/i-thought-that-post-apartheid-there-would-be-absolutely-no-interest/) [Justin Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cartwright/) > ['Sizwe' is the beginning of protest theatre; 'Nothing But The Truth' is post-apartheid South Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/sizwe-is-the-beginning-of-protest-theatre-nothing-but-the-truth-is/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [A voice and an accent are two very different things. The voice of a man is how he speaks from his heart, right in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-purefoy/a-voice-and-an-accent-are-two-very-different-things-the-voice-of-a/) [James Purefoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-purefoy/) > [When you say, 'Southern,' or you speak about a southern accent, there's always that drawl, and usually from white people. 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So we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-stone/by-county-there-s-like-14-different-accents-in-mississippi-alone-and/) [Emma Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-stone/) > [I'm not saying that it's wrong to make huge Hollywood films but it's just a different kind of feeling, a different sort of pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-michell/i-m-not-saying-that-it-s-wrong-to-make-huge-hollywood-films-but-it-s/) [Roger Michell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-michell/) > [If you play in the Champions League, it's a very special feeling, there's a different atmosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-ribery/if-you-play-in-the-champions-league-it-s-a-very-special-feeling-there/) [Franck Ribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-ribery/) > [“Early in my childhood, when I was about six or seven, I began to get the feeling that there was something different about me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/early-in-my-childhood-when-i-was-about-six-or-seven-i-began-to-get/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [“The hearts of everyone, the feeling is different Everyone in this world, the behavior is different The eyes are all the same.. But everyone's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachin-sawariya/the-hearts-of-everyone-the-feeling-is-different-everyone-in-this/) [Sachin sawariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachin-sawariya/) > [Don't let that nagging fear - that feeling that being different automatically qualifies you as being wrong - eat away at you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-minshew/don-t-let-that-nagging-fear-that-feeling-that-being-different/) [Kathryn Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-minshew/) > [“The childish emotion in feeling different for someone in a special way is something which can always be cherished and can bring a smile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-basu/the-childish-emotion-in-feeling-different-for-someone-in-a-special/) [Ayaan Basu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-basu/) > [Hate not knowing when things are going to happen feeling different every single day. It is called LIFE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-valdovinos/hate-not-knowing-when-things-are-going-to-happen-feeling-different/) Stephanie Valdovinos ## More by Adhir Kalyan > [By the time I auditioned for 'Aliens in America,' the July 7 bombing had happened in London. So I'd had those experiences where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/by-the-time-i-auditioned-for-aliens-in-america-the-july-7-bombing-had/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [I usually just go on Google and spend my hours just Googling Jennifer Beals. I think it's possible that I have a slightly unordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/i-usually-just-go-on-google-and-spend-my-hours-just-googling-jennifer/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [Perhaps because my background is theatrical, I have a great affinity with the classics. Hamlet has always been a character of great interest to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/perhaps-because-my-background-is-theatrical-i-have-a-great-affinity/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [What I try to do with the accent of any character I play is not necessarily to do something that's generic - an Indian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/what-i-try-to-do-with-the-accent-of-any-character-i-play-is-not/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [All of the actors that have served to me as inspiration over the years have been those more associated with dramatic work who have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/all-of-the-actors-that-have-served-to-me-as-inspiration-over-the/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [I create a playlist for each and every character that I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/i-create-a-playlist-for-each-and-every-character-that-i-play/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [If I hadn't left South Africa, I felt I was at risk of being pigeonholed. I looked around and saw actors who, 10 to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/if-i-hadn-t-left-south-africa-i-felt-i-was-at-risk-of-being/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [The opportunity to completely become someone else and inhabit them is something that has always fascinated me greatly as an actor. With a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/the-opportunity-to-completely-become-someone-else-and-inhabit-them-is/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [I was raised in a spirit of the importance of service to your fellow man. My mom is a senator back home in South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/i-was-raised-in-a-spirit-of-the-importance-of-service-to-your-fellow/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) > [I'm not auditioning to play convenience-store clerks. I don't see any benefit in that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adhir-kalyan/i-m-not-auditioning-to-play-convenience-store-clerks-i-don-t-see-any/) [Adhir Kalyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) [Explore all 11 Adhir Kalyan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adhir-kalyan/) ## More Accent quotes > [“It's not my accent, but my brevity makes me stylish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-s-not-my-accent-but-my-brevity-makes-me-stylish/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Stop it,” Adrian ordered, his strange accent thicker with his vehemence. “I promise, I’m not going to hurt you!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/stop-it-adrian-ordered-his-strange-accent-thicker-with-his-vehemence/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [At first I thought I would have to put on an English accent and try a sort of affected Shakespeare thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/at-first-i-thought-i-would-have-to-put-on-an-english-accent-and-try-a/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [“If you are an alien, how come you sound like you're from the north?' 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But there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steph-mcgovern/i-had-people-who-said-i-was-a-brilliant-producer-but-i-wouldn-t-get/) [Steph McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steph-mcgovern/) > [I'm a big fan of the Irish accent. After a couple of drinks, I start to get a bit of an Irish lilt, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-ratajkowski/i-m-a-big-fan-of-the-irish-accent-after-a-couple-of-drinks-i-start-to/) [Emily Ratajkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-ratajkowski/) > [“The accent of one's birthplace persists in the mind and heart as much as in speech.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-rouchefoucauld/the-accent-of-one-s-birthplace-persists-in-the-mind-and-heart-as-much/) La Rouchefoucauld > [Years later, when I was working as a trolley wally in a supermarket, I tackled the boredom by talking to the customers in as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romesh-ranganathan/years-later-when-i-was-working-as-a-trolley-wally-in-a-supermarket-i/) [Romesh Ranganathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romesh-ranganathan/) > [Hey, I saw this old British movie, all the people spoke so different, you could hardly understand them. 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