Since the inception of Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces (S.U.R.E.) Diversity, its members have often been asked about the limited notion of what diversity means, with the conversation frequently focusing only on racial identity. In response, founding member Martha Curry created a world map for a S.U.R.E. Diversity event, inviting attendees to place a pin marking where their ancestors came from. Within a short time, more than 60 countries were represented.
Swampscott is a multicultural community with a rich tapestry of backgrounds and experiences. To highlight some of those stories, the Swampscott Tides has partnered with S.U.R.E. Diversity on its “Tell Us Your Story” project, inviting individuals to share where their ancestors came from, why they came, and what their heritage means to them.
These vignettes will be featured in the Swampscott Tides every other week and are also archived at the Swampscott Public Library.
If you would like to be included in the series, please send your 200-word story and photos to info@surediversity.org.
This week’s Tell Us Your Story is by Cenna Khatib.
I have spent my whole life in this lovely small town of Swampscott but my roots are well traveled. My mother, Keli (Webb) Khatib was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. Her ancestors are from England and Ireland but both sides of her family have lived in the United States for many generations.
My father, Osama (Sam) Khatib, on the other hand, was born and raised in Damascus, Syria with a lineage that dates back over 1,500 years and ancestors who participated in the ancient spice trade. He was always proud to pull out the copy of his family tree to show us.
At age 18, my father went on a plane for the very first time, knowing no English and came to America for a new start and education. He learned English and attended college at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, where he met and married my mother. They lived in North Carolina and Maryland before finally making their way to Swampscott.
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a place where family parties always consisted of celebrating all the various cultures and backgrounds of our friends and family.
