"What does the Asian pride movement mean to you?"
Asian-American Youth Spotlight:"Asian-American Youth Spotlight" is the Editor's Choice declaration submitted by a young activist every week.
June 22nd, 2020 ｜Laurie Chan, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
To be “Asian American” is to float around an endless abyss, with different shaped boxes populating the space, tempting us to fit into them. To win a space in one of these shapes is to give up a part of ourselves.
Through the years, I have thrown away pieces of myself in order to fit into particular boxes. I would feel comfortable for a while, only to feel out of place, and proceed to leave the box to allow myself to breathe. Floating, again.I spent my childhood in a typical midwestern suburban town. Needless to say, there was a lack of diversity. In elementary school, I answered obediently to “Where are you from?” giving them the response I knew they wanted to hear, refused to speak Mandarin to my grandparents, and belittled myself to put others at ease. If you look at my old group pictures, whether that be a birthday party or summer camp, you’d see just one Asian face. Me. Back then, it wasn’t that apparent to me. One day at dinner, when I was about 9 years old, my parents looked at each other and asked my brother and I if we’d ever felt uncomfortable for being Asian. It felt like a slap in the face. I didn’t see myself fitting into the “Asian” box (whatever that meant), so how could I feel uncomfortable for an identity I didn’t own? These were conversations I was not yet ready to have. Looking back, these are my “innocent days.” Ignorant bliss. To be Asian American (or any person of color) is to not have the option of being ignorant.* As I’d come to learn, it seems it doesn’t matter what we, Asian Americans, think about ourselves or where we fit. In many ways, that’s already been decided for us. This was what my parents already knew. It was only a matter of time before I, too, would need to know. Perhaps, I should even be thankful for this early exposure that would later fuel my existential crises. I went through a phase of fear. I became acutely aware of my Asian-ness. It felt like I was being stripped of something rightfully mine --my identity that had been framed through stereotypes -- and was exposed to the world. I was always me, of course. I looked the same, talked the same, still liked the same things, but I was suddenly conscious to a part of myself I’d always shunned. I’d never really be the same again. Instead of the childlike innocence of carving out my own identity, I’d been introduced to a mould that I would now need to fight to get out of. It made me ashamed. I was reluctant even to go out to dinner with my family, for fear of being racially profiled or treated differently for how I looked. I felt wrong for going out. I didn’t want to be seen. I wanted to hide/bury/dig a deep, deep hole, throw my Asian-ness in and never look back. I wished dearly not to be Asian. I wished to change my eye shape, nose shape, hair color. A few times, I even tried to lighten my hair with lemon juice (didn’t work) and use ‘black eyeliner’ (it was not meant for eyes). I just wanted to be seen as “American.” Was that too much to ask? In middle school, despite having moved to a town with a much larger Asian American community, I mostly hung around white people. I laughed along to their Asian jokes, thinking this is how I can ‘fit in.’ It’s better than floating around… right. I definitely didn’t want to be identified as ‘just another Asian kid’ and be added to the monolithic lump that has been carved out for Asian Americans. I didn’t want to be boxed, again. On a particular family trip, I wanted to bury it further. It was a big group of us: my parents and brother, my grandparents, two uncles, an aunt and a baby cousin. The adults all spoke primarily in Mandarin and Taiwanese throughout the trip -- in restaurants, stores, on hiking paths. Once again, I felt exposed. I was afraid others would hear us and categorize us into one of the boxes, and that included myself. I wanted to disconnect from my family. I wanted to show the other people that we were English speaking, ‘normal’ Americans. I would speak English loudly to my mom and dad, while the adults continued speaking as before. I was conscious of myself, with my head swerving around looking for prying, judging eyes, ready to prove them wrong with my perfect English. I wanted to be different (than the ‘typical’ Asian, whatever that meant). In doing so, I perpetuated these oppressive views put upon the Asian American community. Perhaps it was because of my fear of being judged, of being boxed away, that made me want to distinguish myself from other Asian Americans.** In high school, I felt myself gravitating towards other Asian Americans. It felt like I was discovering a new world that had felt inaccessible before. In reality, I had created that barrier for myself. Now, I’m embracing the floating. It’s not always easy, but it is so freeing. I’m now more ready for those conversations. Conversations with my parents have reached a new level. We spend many evenings munching on popcorn at our dining table, where we engage in fruitful discussions on social issues, what this means for us and personal stories from their past. I have cried a few times. Turns out, I’m not the only one in a dilemma. Our conversations are starting to sound like, “Do I want to be associated with America?” Amidst the past few years, and especially during the disheartening reactions towards Covid-19, a little voice in the back of my mind is worming its way through to make me feel ashamed to be American. I had a full-on breakdown in front of my parents one night, feeling genuinely scared for what my future as an Asian American will look like in this country. It’s strange to think that my thoughts have reversed. I flash back to those times in elementary school, where we’d declare the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before class (shamed if we didn’t stand, with a hand over heart) and, during school performances, perform songs with the resonating lyrics: “I’m proud to be an American…” Back then, perhaps subconsciously, I’d wanted to fit into the mould of the ‘ideal American,’ in order to feel like singing those lyrics were ‘allowed.’ The lyrics feel quite ironic to me now, amidst the injustices that are affecting people of color. Why did my Asian side get questioned so much? Now it’s my American part that’s getting a second look. I find myself more gravitated towards the Asian part of myself, while at the same time, wondering whether I am “allowed” to, as I was neither born or have lived in Asia. My main exposure to my Asian side is through close family, bits of stories, fragments of language and of course, delicious food. A part of me sometimes wishes I’d been born in Asia, never to be exposed to the dilemma of “Asian-American.” Never to be questioned whether I belong to the only place I’ve known and lived in. But, I understand that comes with its own problems. Perhaps, I need to embrace the abyss. The endless possibilities, the power to mould my own story, eventually carving out a box for myself that feels comfortable, authentic, and has room for me to grow. For so long, I’ve believed it’s between Choice A and B: Asian or American? It doesn’t have to be that way. Perhaps, that’s a privilege. The raw power of being able to grab the reins and take control over my own story, obstacles and all. *This is not to say that I am completely knowledgeable about all things, but i am striving to learn and understand my place (e.g. in relation to other racial groups and why things are the way they are) in society because i believe it is vital for our very existence. ** Ah yes, the result of the recurring perception of Asian Americans as ‘perpetual foreigners.’ [Submit your own declaration today by sending us an email at contact.declarasian@gmail.com or clicking the button at the top of the page.] |
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DeclarASIAN is a by teens, for teens, grassroots movement. Read below declarations from the young activists around the world who form our foundation.
Jasunn Yu, Washington, U.S.A.
- "Well, before Covid-19 really became an epidemic, I was racially discriminated against for being Asian..." Read Jasunn's full declaration here:
"Well, before Covid-19 really became an epidemic, I was racially discriminated against for being Asian. My mom and I once went to our local grocery store in order to get some ingredients for food. She asked me to go grab some tomatoes and of course I went. However, as I was getting tomatoes, this elderly Caucasian lady came up to me and questioned, “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you have a mask on or be in quarantine?” In the very next few seconds, I came up with the response “No, I’m feeling quite alright and healthy. *cough*” and she walked away. I’ve never seen someone so ignorant to the point where she would walk up to a random stranger, a teenager at that, and ask why am I not in quarantine." |
Stephanie Wang, Hawaii, U.S.A.
- "I think this is a really positive message that needs more attention..." Read Stephanie's Full declaration here:
"I would love to become an ambassador for Asian pride to help spread word about this message. I believe this is really important and that isn't because I'm Asian myself. I really hope to see if I can, in any way, contribute! I think this is a really positive message that needs more attention!" |
Rutuja Kulkarni, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "It’s really important to be able to openly talk about the experiences people of color have faced, especially when they’re our age." Read Rutuja's full declaration here:
"It’s really important to be able to openly talk about the experiences people of color have faced, especially when they’re our age. We need to be the generation that doesn’t back down from talking about bad things in order to be the generation of change. I know personally some of my experiences with racism has been when I was talking on the phone with my grandmother in Marathi and the woman standing behind me in line openly told me to talk in English. Other small things like always being the one to be “randomly” pat down when entering an amusement park with my Caucasian friends or my brown family getting dirty looks at the airport when we speak in our native language have always been prevalent." |
Jia Chen Xu, New York, U.S.A.
- "I had discovered DeclarASIAN by chance, when I was scrolling around on Instagram (as one does) looking for more Asian activist pages to follow..." Read jia chen's full declaration here:
"I had discovered DeclarASIAN by chance, when I was scrolling around on Instagram (as one does) looking for more Asian activist pages to follow. After reading some of the blog posts and stories on the website I knew immediately that this was an organization and cause that I wanted/needed to join. I am a Chinese-American, daughter of immigrants, and first generation citizen living in the United States and I am so grateful to be living in such a diverse country with so many opportunities. However, there are still many problems regarding the prevalence and ignorance of Asian racism that I have yet had the opportunity or space to address. Honestly, it infuriates me knowing that Asians face problems in America that are being overlooked by so many people, especially because Asian racism and stereotypes has been integrated into American culture as the "butt of a many jokes” or even as facts. Going to a pre-dominantly caucasian private school in New York City where I am the only Chinese girl in my grade has been very rough on my image of myself as well as my pride in my culture. I have grown up always unconfident in my appearance, the food I eat, and the differences in culture I have with my friends. It wasn’t until last summer when I went back to China and Taiwan to visit family where I actually realized how beautiful and rich my culture was. I left that trip proud of who I am and it has led to my current Asian activism values. One topic I have recently become very passionate about is Asian representation in media, especially in Hollywood. As an Asian interested in film and media arts, it breaks my heart to see talented Asian-american actors and artists to be constantly ignored and replaced entirely based on their looks or even an "Asian-sounding" last name! And even with “representation” in TV shows or films, Asian actors are only included to perpetuate an existing stereotype of their culture. For example, Ki Hong Lee as “Dong Nguyen” in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt where he played a smart, Vietnamese, food-delivery guy with a thick accent. (I may have ranted about this character for days to my friends when I saw this show.) So at my school I tried to spread awareness, where last year I created a project addressing the "whitewashing" phenomenon of Hollywood. And it was one of my major accomplishments of that year. I want to join Declarasian as a proud ambassador because not only am I passionate about empowering all Asian cultures, whether it’s East, South, Southeast or Central Asian, I also will dedicate myself to educating my peers and other people. Joining Declarasian would allow me a platform where I can share my own experiences as well as learn about other Asian-Americans’ stories. Together, I believe we can bring about change and promote our cultural celebration." -Jia Chen Xu, NY"It’s really important to be able to openly talk about the experiences people of color have faced, especially when they’re our age. We need to be the generation that doesn’t back down from talking about bad things in order to be the generation of change. I know personally some of my experiences with racism has been when I was talking on the phone with my grandmother in Marathi and the woman standing behind me in line openly told me to talk in English. Other small things like always being the one to be “randomly” pat down when entering an amusement park with my Caucasian friends or my brown family getting dirty looks at the airport when we speak in our native language have always been prevalent." |
Isabell James, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "It’s usually the little things about being Asian..." Read isabell's full declaration here:
"It’s usually the little things about being Asian in a community that is mainly white. I would get called pretty but for an Indian girl. It was a backhanded compliment and it was offensive. It’s also just annoying when there are so many stereotypes surrounding your “race” (races technically don’t exist). People just assume things about me just because I am Indian and they won’t know anything about me." |
Shalom Fadullon, Maryland, U.S.A.
- "I'm Filipino American, but no one would ever guess it..." Read Shalom's full declaration here:
"I'm Filipino American, but no one would ever guess it. In fact, when I go with my dad places, people assume I'm adopted (LOL). I moved from orange county, CA to rural Maryland, a place where being Asian is really something unusual. This, coupled with the fact that college application season is here all fuels my passion for this cause. Reverse discrimination is real and can be so misleading. I love the fact that people are doing something about a topic that often gets overlooked. Thanks so much :) " |
Jon Serrano, Nova Scotia, Canada
- "Of course, I don’t condone any racism. My friends only do it because I know they’re just kidding..." Read Jon's full declaration here:
"Of course, I don’t condone any racism. My friends only do it because I know they’re just kidding. If they weren’t, I would’ve dropped them. I don’t like it when people I don’t know act up with racist terms/actions. There was this game that my whole school was involved in called clothespin survival. Basically you draw a clothespin and whoever’s name is in your drawn clothespin, you chase after them and get their clothespin. On their clothespin, there’s another name, and the cycle repeats. I was running away from someone chasing me, and a teacher stopped me while I took a breath. I got sent to the office because I was “being rough, hurting and pushing people.” The hallway was empty and there was two white girls he passed that were punching each other on the floor, because of the same game I was playing. The man looked at me from head to toe and just walked out of the office. Why was I the one that got in trouble? I get that suspicious look from a lot of people now that there’s a coronavirus spreading. I’m sure the part that I’m Asian plays a huge part. I’d really like to live in a place where I’m not judged because of my 'race,' but because of who I am." |
Dalyah Mouallem, Canada
- "This movement is so important. As a Canadian-Muslim, I experience the effects of misrepresentation/lack of representation directly..." Read Daylyah's full declaration here:
"This movement is so important. As a Canadian-Muslim, I experience the effects of misrepresentation/lack of representation directly. Many people still view Muslims as barbaric and violent, whereas the reality is anything but. It is really hard to live freely and express your views when people can't see past stereotypes. It is also very hard to feel equal to others when marginalized groups are widely depicted in a negative light. For example, Mr. Yunioshi from "Breakfast at Tiffany's". He is played by a white man, wearing prosthetic teeth, squinting his eyes, and speaking in a fake accent. I was caught extremely off guard my first time watching this movie because Mr. Yunioshi was portrayed so negatively: uptight, obnoxious and rude. Similarly, in "Back To the Future", a truck full of Arabs comes rushing into a parking lot, screaming in Arabic, wearing traditional garb, and shooting guns. This is so wrong and inaccurate, it actually pained me to watch the rest. If we keep turning a blind eye to this kind of blatant and calculated misrepresentation, then will anyone truly think otherwise? For this reason, I truly wish for DeclarASIAN to go far. The world needs this." |
Chris Poon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "So when COVID-19 first became a major problem I progressively got some little comments, but like it wasn’t as bad as it is now..." Read Chris's full declaration here:
"So when COVID-19 first became a major “problem” or like “the thing” I progressively got some little comments, but like it wasn’t as bad as it is now. I remember one time in February, I went to Whole Foods and was in the fresh produce section and I had a tiny cough because something got stuck in my throat and then this Caucasian man comes up to me and says “Hey, I don’t think you should be touching any of those apples, go to the hospital and get tested for coronavirus.” I got very upset, but there was nothing I could do at that time. Then as the virus spread into the US, there were comments not just in public but at school at our own school yes CB East. Lots of Caucasian kids were constantly making remarks like “look what your kind has done now. This is all your fault.” “Go fix this whole thing.” “Go back to your country go to Wuhan and get the virus.” “Chinese eat everything—they’re aliens—no wonder all these diseases come from that land.” 
Ava Krensky, Maryland, U.S.A.
- "The many stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans don't often receive the same publicity or awareness that other minority groups get..." Read Ava's full declaration here:
"The many stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans don't often receive the same publicity or awareness that other minority groups get, because people see their generalizations as positive. People need to start realizing that any stereotyping has harmful effects for the target party, and Asian Americans are no exception." |
Andy Ren, New Jersey, U.S.A.
- "I would like to become an ambassador because growing up I've been looked down upon because of my race..." Read Andy's full declaration here:
"I would like to become an ambassador because growing up I've been looked down upon because of my race. In gym class or even at recess I've been picked after someone clearly not as athletic as me, even by my friends, just because I was Asian, and they thought that I wouldn't be good. Still now I face stereotypes of being too smart, or being not athletic. In becoming an ambassador I hope to be able to help others facing similar problems or in a similar position to overcome these stereotypes and feel comfortable in the world they live in." 
Amy Guo, Washington, U.S.A. - "I go to a fine arts camp every year. Because of the stigma of 'Asians don't go into art'..." Read Amy's full declaration here:
"I go to a fine arts camp every year. Because of the stigma of 'Asians don't go into art', in part from other Asians, there are very few Asians at the camp, and I'm the only Chinese person. I'm the only one in musical theater, and there are only two others that I know of. In the theater, whether that be onstage or on screen, there's a huge lack of Asian roles. I think that part of it is a cycle- there are no roles, so no Asians go into theater, so no roles are created. Thank you for making this site. I think that this kind of activism is something that a lot of us feel is lacking." |
Samantha Powell, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I never really faced discrimination as an Asian-American, but..." Read sam's full declaration here:
"I never really faced discrimination as an Asian American, but as I’m adopted, I have always been extremely transparent about it. I have presented on it multiple times, and I am proud of my heritage and background. When I was growing up, there were about three Asians I was friends with. I was the only adopted one I knew about for about 7 years. It was different. When I got to middle school, everything changed. Suddenly my friend group expanded, and the majority of them were Asian. And I wasn’t the only one that was adopted anymore. I realized it wasn’t that unusual, that in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t very surprising. I felt way more at ease knowing that I wasn’t the only one who had gone through the process. If anything, all the Asians I’m friends with make jokes about being Asian with each other, like asking for an “Asian” picture at homecoming. I am proud to be Asian American, and my adoption group is the only bit of heritage I have...we are the only connection we have to our background. I am very lucky to have them. " |
Gabriella Lee, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "America has given Asians so much opportunity..." Read GAbriella's full declaration here:
"America has given Asians so much opportunity. However, there is also a price to living in such a culturally different society. My family and I sometimes don't get the recognition we deserve. As Asians who work hard to make this country, I believe we should stop hiding in the background and rise up to be leaders who can reap what we've earned." |
Daisy Zhou, New York, U.S.A.
- "I'm pretty young, so it's hard to tell what exactly it is that's preventing me from moving as quickly as I should..." Read daisy's full declaration here:
"I'm pretty young, so it's hard to tell what exactly it is that's preventing me from moving as quickly as I should. And truthfully, I'm happy to be where I am. I think as a POC and woman, it's difficult to be in a position where you're always "different" or the outlier. There are many projects that probably don't want “different.” Part of this process is to be okay with that. The answer maybe isn't with them but with what YOU can bring to the table. I give myself responsibility to do that." |
Dana Zhang, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - "Living in a predominantly white community made it hard for me.." Read Dana's full declaration here:
"Living in a predominantly white community made it hard for me to find common ground with others. DeclarASIAN is an amazing way to unite voices of the Asian community. We have to speak up for ourselves!!" |
Joshua Yeoum, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I want to be a living representation of Asian pride like the outstanding young people on this page..." Read Joshua's full declaration here:
"I want to be a living representation of Asian pride like the outstanding young people on this page. I've also had my share of troubles dealing with my ethnicity and appearances. I've also been personally affected by matters concerning my abilities and even my physical appearance. Now, although still young and learning, I want to be part of a community that shares the same love as I do and provides support for Asians everywhere who are facing segregation and demoralization. It's similar to what our parents and grandparents do when they share their experiences to help us learn from their mistakes and hardships. I wish to do the same for others." |
Akiko Iwata, California, U.S.A.
- "Growing up as an Asian American I foresaw a limited future for myself due to my race..." Read akiko's full declaration here:
"Growing up as an Asian American I foresaw a limited future for myself due to my race. DeclarASIAN provides an example for minorities that we are much more than what society has deemed us to. Minority children (and any children in general) should not grow up feeling inferior because of their race. I promise to educate my community; empower myself and others; and spread my support for a change. Minorities are tired of being under appreciated, unseen, and under estimated." |
Amy Sun, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I used to live in Singapore before my family moved back to the States..." Read Amy's full declaration here:
"I used to live in Singapore before my family moved back to the States, and I spent my childhood there. I didn't realize it at the time, but the Singaporean community was so diverse. I think growing up in such a diverse area among people from all over the world shaped me into the person I am today. It helped me keep my mind open and remember that the world is vastly diverse, even if your community isn't. If I get the chance, I'd love to visit Singapore again, and encourage everyone reading this to remember that the world is incredibly diverse! I really love how platforms like DeclarASIAN bring those people together when they feel the most alone." |
Christina Duan, New York, U.S.A.
- "I'm Asian and an activist ...¯\_(ツ)_/" Read Christina's full declaration here:
"I'm Asian and an activist .¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Very rarely do I ever see anything specifically focusing on Asian issues as I find them increasingly ignored. I have been thoroughly perplexed by the lack of Asian activists in recent history and so I am proud to be part of this new generation that is more vocal about our issues. Let's keep it up! Additionally, this recent presidency has only furthered our need for unity and a strong activist presence." |
Caroline Ho, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "If you asked me what it was like to be Chinese a few years ago, I would've told you that it was a burden..." Read caroline's full declaration here:
"If you asked me what it was like to be Chinese a few years ago, I would've told you that it was a burden- that I felt obligations to both amicably fit the mold but also to rebel against expectations and break down pre existing stereotypes. I felt pressured to represent the Asian community in the best possible light, yet a lot of the time, the "best light" was eerily similar to social standards set by Europe and America. I was at a crossroads between being a "good" example or an accurate example. The recent political climate as well as the growing wave of pro-Asian activism opened my eyes to how dangerously close I was to accepting traditionally white standards of good and bad, and thus assimilating into that culture. I want to be an ambassador because there are other Asian youths, acting on good intentions, who might believe that being a "role model" requires dampening their vibrant heritage. Empowerment should never include hiding parts of yourself to feel accepted- it should be a unashamed celebration of the truth." |
Sarah Rizwan, The United Kingdom
- "As a British Pakistani I am very blessed to live in a society which is forever painted with the vibrant colours of different cultures..." Read Sarah's full declaration here:
"As a British Pakistani I am very blessed to live in a society which is forever painted with the vibrant colours of different cultures and nationalities. With this being said, it is unfortunate that both in and out of school I have been discriminated against for my race. My case isn't unique and the fact that DeclarASIAN gives people like me the access to a community of wonderful people who can understand me AND unite to change perspectives makes me proud of what we have and even more insistent to change things." |
Mina Kwong, California, U.S.A.
- "I hate the phrase 'not Asian enough'..." Read mina's full declaration here:
"I hate the phrase 'not Asian enough.' I'm pretty Westernized, since I was raised here. I got blonde highlights. I can't speak Japanese, although I wish I could. My grades were okay. I'm still proud of my heritage; I just wish I wasn't shamed for not living up to others' expectations and stereotypes of what an Asian should be." |
Susan Liu, Maryland, U.S.A.
- "When your non-Asian friends compliment your math skills..." Read susan's full declaration here:
"When your non-Asian friends compliment your math skills and then add, 'Oh, it's because you're Asian,' make sure to clarify that you are good at math because you are hardworking and intelligent, not because of the color of your skin." |
Katie Wong, California, U.S.A.
- "My grandmother grew up in a Japanese internment camp in the 1940s..." Read katie's full declaration here:
"My grandmother grew up in a Japanese internment camp in the 1940s. Injustice has its roots in America, and it will take a fight to fully eradicate it. I'm all for this movement. It's time Asians spoke up." |
Shichen Nie, China - "Moving to America from China in third grade was hard..." Read Shichen's full declaration here:
"Moving to America from China in third grade was hard. I barely spoke the language, and some of my classmates were less accepting than others. Regardless, I'm proud to have shared my culture here and will continue to proudly recognize my identity as an Asian-American and an immigrant." |
Steph Dylan, The United Kingdom
- "Hello! Love the concept, I've struggled with identity as a half English half Filipina..." Read steph's full declaration here:
"Hello! Love the concept, I've struggled with identity as a half English half Filipina, particularly when I was young - and as someone who devours pop culture, I think poor media representation has a big deal to do with that. Would love to learn more, and spread better messages, and if anything just be present and visible - Asians of all kinds are so invisible in Western media that any kind of public self-representation is helping the cause, I think! Just existing, loudly haha!" |
Izzy Wu, New York, U.S.A.
- "Being an Asian in America comes with stereotypes..." Read Izzy's full declaration here:
"Being an Asian in America comes with stereotypes. I'm expected to like science and math, but my true passion is dance. I've been dancing at a ballet academy all my life, and I'm proud to be breaking stereotypes. I'm especially lucky to have parents who support my decisions to pursue the things I love." |
Kayla Ji, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "Growing up, I've always felt like I've had to try harder to prove myself..." Read Kayla's full declaration here:
"Growing up, I've always felt like I've had to try harder to prove myself. In academics, I have to prove that I'm smart, like a real Asian. In swimming, I have to try harder to prove that yes, I am capable of being athletic. It shouldn't be this way." |
Mansi Patel, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I love being able to speak a second language that connects me to my heritage..." Read Mansi's full declaration here:
"I love being able to speak a second language that connects me to my heritage. It's almost like a secret code and it's really special when you meet someone who knows it too! So if you're cool and talented enough to share multiple cultures, don't be afraid to share it. Never be ashamed of who you are and where you come from." |
Sofie Gordon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I know I'm not Asian, but a lot of the most important people to me are..." Read sofie's full declaration here:
"I know I'm not Asian, but a lot of the most important people to me are. Spending time with them, I've been able to see their struggles and how different life in America is for POC. I'm joining DeclarASIAN because I want to understand and support the empowerment of my friends and loved ones." |
Linah Hatem, Egypt
- "Although I'm an Egyptian and living in Egypt..." Read Linah's full declaration here:
"Although I'm an Egyptian and living in Egypt, the three most important people in my world are all Asian. Nothing makes me happier than supporting them, their cultures and traditions, their dreams, goals and ambitions in life, and their right for a place in this world. All I want to accomplish as an activist is to do the exact same thing for other Asians out there." |
Cathy Duan, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - "I love math, but..." Read cathy's full declaration here:
"I love math, but I'm almost ashamed of saying it because I'm afraid I'll be accused of being a stereotype. Asians should be able to pursue their passions without judgment." |
Mihika Shah, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "Growing up in such a diverse place has made me who I am..." Read Mihika's full declaration here:
"Growing up in such a diverse place has made me who I am. I'm sort of like a coconut: brown on the outside and white on the inside, since I have embraced new cultures but don't fall far from the tree where I come from. It's important to accept all the different backgrounds that make you individual." |
Rachel Huang, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "I'm half-Chinese and half-white, so it's hard sometimes to find a place I belong..." Read rachel's full declaration here:
"I'm half-Chinese and half-white, so it's hard sometimes to find a place I belong. I also feel pressure to live up to Asian expectations of going to an Ivy League college, but that's not what I want. I love music, but sometimes I feel judged for not being Asian enough." |
Audrey Wu, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
- "For the longest time, I wasn't proud of being Asian..." Read Audrey's full declaration here:
""For the longest time, I wasn't proud of being Asian. As I get older, I'm owning it. And I love my culture." |
