Key Points
- Melburnian Katie Archer spent her childhood facing ridicule for her skin colour and heritage, leading her to hide her Filipino roots and struggle with her identity.
- Only when she became an adult, Katie found the strength to reclaim and embrace the very parts of herself she once felt forced to conceal.
- Now a confident music and dance teacher, Katie proudly celebrates her Filipino background—transforming her personal journey into an inspiring message about embracing one’s true self.
Shaped by experiences of racial discrimination and the constant pressure to hide her being Filipino, Katie Archer slowly learned to feel ashamed of her appearance. But over the years, Katie found the courage to embrace the very identity the world once pushed her to reject.
I used to come home crying all the time. Kids at my preschool would tease me because they said my name sounded Asian. Even my dark hair became something I was ashamed of. I remember being in Grade 4, coming home in tears and telling my mum how much I hated my hair for being so dark—and she said, ‘Let’s bleach it.’ So we did. I was so young, and I felt so different… almost like I didn’t belong. I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I so dark?’ when all my friends around me were blonde and white. I tried so hard to be someone I wasn’t. Back then, I had no confidence at all.Kaitren Archer, music and dance teacher
📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
🔊 On Air – Tune in to SBS Filipino on radio stations across Australia and website live stream, and TV Channel 302 from 10 AM to 11 AM AEST daily.
📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit sbs.com.au/filipino or stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube Podcasts, and SBS Audio app.
