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Personal Essay - Reda Driss Ounejjar M'zali

The author reflects on a personal challenge faced due to prejudice against their Amazighi background during a competitive school game, where their success was undermined by stereotypes. This experience highlighted the systemic discrimination that Amazigh individuals encounter and inspired the author to pursue social change through education and inclusive banking. They aim to honor their grandfather's legacy by advocating for policies that promote equality and empower marginalized communities.

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39 views2 pages

Personal Essay - Reda Driss Ounejjar M'zali

The author reflects on a personal challenge faced due to prejudice against their Amazighi background during a competitive school game, where their success was undermined by stereotypes. This experience highlighted the systemic discrimination that Amazigh individuals encounter and inspired the author to pursue social change through education and inclusive banking. They aim to honor their grandfather's legacy by advocating for policies that promote equality and empower marginalized communities.

Uploaded by

rdounejjar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tell us about a time you faced a challenge or a setback.

What did you learn from this experience


and how has it affected the way you view future obstacles?

Who am I, really? If judged by my Amazighi roots, I might be dismissed as just another greedy, selfish,
and primitive individual. This is the reality for my people, and I assure you, I’m not just speculating
here—this is something I’ve already faced.

Take my school for example. It’s a competitive environment where many students come from powerful
families and often embrace a Machiavellian mindset that the end justifies the means. Friendships can be
sacrificed in the pursuit of being the most powerful in the room. One day, in my Business and
Management classroom, we played a Monopoly-style game. This was so much more, though. It was an
intricate simulation of my school’s culture, where alliances were made and broken in the blink of an eye.
Therefore, I was careful not to trust the alliances forming around me, instead purchasing as many
properties as possible and, slowly but surely, building wealth. I’d played this game a lot growing up, and
soon, I was clearly winning. I felt proud of how I’d applied lessons on asset management, drawn from
conversations with my father during a summer at his bank, to a practical scenario. But that sense of
victory didn’t last long.

One of my friends stood up and said, “Of course it's the Amazigh that wins; what, are you going to chase
me after school for your money if I don’t pay you now?” His words hurt—tremendously. Yelled in Arabic
in front of the entire class, they left me embarrassed and exposed. It was a painful realization, that
prejudice could undermine my achievements, despite my sincere efforts to earn my keep. Yet, more than
anything, they reminded me of a harsh truth: an Amazighi’s success is rarely credited to their individual
merit. Instead, it’s often diminished by discriminatory stereotypes.

This reality is deeply ingrained. Suppose an Amazighi wanted to achieve something great—how quickly
would they be dismissed, judged not for their ability, but for their background? It’s a reality my
grandfather faced many years ago. Despite the odds, he persisted, building the foundation for my family
to eventually own a bank. His grit inspires me daily. But I also think of those who, today, are starting from
scratch—those who don’t yet have the opportunities my grandfather fought so hard for.

While I’m not yet of legal age to have formal involvement in the bank, I’ve accompanied my father to
shareholder meetings, where I’ve offered insights on one topic close to my heart: integrating rural
communities into the banking system. This represents a chance for Amazighs to break through both
financial and social barriers. You see, my family’s bank has long been known for facilitating social
mobility through inclusive financing options. I want to expand on this legacy. By opening channels for
Amazigh people to access top-tier education, we can demystify our culture and dismantle these
stereotypes for good. Education, I believe, is a fundamental base upon which we can build lasting
economic and social empowerment in societies across the world, and fostering this across underprivileged
Amazighi tribes is paramount to my vision.

To achieve my vision, I’m building a strong foundation in business through rigorous Business and
Economics classes while refining my understanding of policymaking through MUN. But I know this issue
won’t be resolved by one bank alone—it requires systemic change. It demands a government willing to
act in favor of marginalized groups. My vision begins with leveraging the resources I’m fortunate to have
and my aptitude for business as tools for social change. In the future, I will complement these efforts with
political reform, creating policies that promote equality and ensure every Amazighi has a fair shot at
upward social mobility.

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