"Where do you come from?" It’s a simple question—but the answer can carry generations of resilience, sacrifice, and pride. In this deeply personal and powerful talk, Susanna unpacks the weight of shame that too often clings to identity, language, and culture. From her mother’s decision to give her an English name to avoid the ridicule of mispronunciation, to the school lunches quietly swapped in hopes of blending in, Susanna reveals how the desire to protect can sometimes come at the cost of being seen. But everything shifts when her mother, inspired by online cooking videos, decides to share their traditional dishes with the world—only to be met with cruel comments and casual mockery. In that moment, Susanna finds her voice—not just in defense of her mother, but of every story that’s been silenced by shame. Through vulnerability and strength, Susanna invites us to reconsider what we call “normal” and reminds us that shame only thrives in silence. Her message is both a tribute and a call: Never be ashamed of where you come from. Susanna Noh is a 13-year-old student from Clinton Middle School who enjoys reading, doing sports, arts, and listening to music. As she grows older, she wishes to be a judge who will do great things and protect the law and people. She takes her education seriously and always tries her best to accomplish her goals. She has always been fond of science fairs and sports, seeing what people can come up with or informing other people about relevant knowledge or seeing people do incredible athletic moves. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx