Becoming THAT Girl

Eyerusalem. That is my name. But it is not just my 'name'. It is a sacred stamp imprinted on me. It encompasses all the intricate layers of my identity deeply rooted in my womanhood and my ancient Ethiopian culture.

Put some respect on my name because Eyerusalem means princess of Jerusalem and vision of peace in Amharic

'So bow down bitches'
—Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter.

I want to invite you to my story.

I’m an Ethiopian woman who was born in Ethiopia and adopted at one and half years old. I’ve grown up in Australia for twenty-two years of my twenty-four years of life. To say my name on this platform with so much pride is a significantly powerful moment for me.

As you could imagine my journey and life living here in Australia has been layered with intricate complexity. I was adopted into an all-white family, grew up in a white church, white school and had all white neighbourhoods.

Growing up, the only people I could slightly relate to in Australian media were Jessica Mauboy and Faustina Agolley (Fuzzy). We were sisters in melanin periodt.!.

Consequently, not seeing enough accurate representation of myself resulted in a tireless lifelong navigation of

Who am I?

What is my identity?

I felt as if my soul was numb and ravaged; hopeless of seeing myself celebrated. I felt trapped in the box that Western society had placed me in. I developed a lot of animosity and internalized racism towards myself, heartbreakingly so I would even try to lighten my skin with lemon juice.

Something had to drastically change, so I mustered up all the courage I had within me and went to see a therapist who specialises in the areas of trauma I experienced. I’ve been working through these things for five years and the positive impact is lifelong. I slowly unpacked all the lies, false narratives and bondages people and the media held over me.

I had God, and therapy as my weapon and committed to my self-discovery journey and slowly became THAT girl: Eyerusalem in her truest, authentic, intricately beautifully layered self. I deeply fell in love with who I am and my cultural identity.

In photos: Eyerus Hasen. Photographer: JM Tubera

The first image is a depiction of me in my traditional Ethiopian dress (Habesha Kemis) draped in my scarf and traditional orthodox cross – feeling so regal and connected to my roots. The second image is a juxtaposition of myself in the present day.

Today, I am fiercely passionate about educating developing youth/young adults to do internal healing work and discovering their authentic identity early on. I invest into this by my involvement with We Are The Movement (a BIPOC not-for-profit organization) as Chief Youth Educational Officer, serving as a youth leader for my local church for many years and past line of work as a peer mentor/educator in high schools.

I often reflect and ruminate on the thought of

'Would things have been different if I grew up with positive images, narratives and celebrations of what it means to be a Black East African woman?'

A great example is Jasmine Lee Jones’ play seven methods of killing kylie jenner. I remember watching the show in 2021 at the Eternity Playhouse and the actresses expressing all the anecdotes, stories and jokes me and other Black girls attach and connect to when portrayed unashamedly black!

I was struck as to how much of an impact seven methods of killing kylie jenner had on my younger self. I couldn’t help but have such conflicting emotions of joy and sadness during this mass moment. Little Eyerusalem finally saw herself represented, heard and visually seen on the soil she grew up on.

But I also had to allow my younger self to mourn that this didn’t happen fifteen years ago.

I have no doubt that seeing myself this way earlier on would have nurtured my development and allowed me to live in the truth of who I am – not what the world declared I was.

Those times of the past are so starkly different to now. I as an adult see myself accurately and positively within a plethora of different areas and spaces of life all by people who look like me and share similar stories.

African/Black women in Australia are changing the landscape and paving ways for others in so many areas of society – globally and locally. They consciously built their own seats at their own damn tables with no permission needed! Shouting out:

• We are the Movement – Social Enterprise founded by Boss girl Edem Dokli
• Chika Ikogwe: Nigerian actress/writer
• Countless Black women killing it in the music and arts scene
• Bendere Oboya: Ethiopian Olympic 400/800 meter runner
• We now even have an East African yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins

These are just some of the women I dreamt of seeing portrayed to my younger self; however i'm equally filled with deep joy as my future children and their children now have the representation I deeply longed for.

We as a collective African community are tired of being tired and have taken back our control of who the world says we are and our narratives. It’s EXHILARATING to watch it all unfold globally within the diaspora.

I came from ancient beautiful strong roots. My relationship with God, Christ and my bloodline of ancestors who live inside of me and have also endured countless hardships give me eternal strength and are the embodiment of my layered intricate authentic identity.

I am a constantly evolving, healing, growing and so proud of who I am and what I have overcome. My hope is that my story has resonated and encouraged you to share your wonderful one also.

Love Eyerus

Eyerus Hasen is a 24 year old fashion stylist and youth educational facilitator. Her background of studies are Bachelor of Arts/Social Sciences. She is currently the Chief Youth Educational Officer for We Are The Movement, a social enterprise that enables and improves access to social services for BIPOC communities.