Growing up, I can’t remember a single book written by an Asian American in my school’s required readings. The lack of Asian representation in our K-12 education system is astounding, knowing that over 20 million Asians live in the U.S and thousands of books are written by Asian Americans. I would read books like Harry…
I never thought that as a Pilipina-American, my Pilipina identity would feel foreign to me. I grew up at a small American Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan and was encased in an American bubble. My mom did not speak a Pilipino dialect, so I grew up in an English-speaking household and did not understand when…
In four short weeks, America has undergone a drastic change. To some, these four weeks have been an overwhelming wakeup call and to others, just a numb notice of what they already knew was going to happen. Either way, the majority of Americans are now taking part in what I’m calling the “Cheeto Nazi Resistance”. For…
Dear My Immigrant Parents, I want to start by asking you both a question. What was it like moving to a country where you would start off with a clean slate, from your social circles to your education, and even the way that you would assimilate into society as individuals? I ask because I cannot…
You learned to refuse gifts until the the 3rd time before you finally allowed yourself to accept them. Your household had a collection of complimentary hotel soaps, shower caps, conditioners and shampoos. 3. When you were growing up the kids at school thought you had a disease because of your mehndi but now it’s…
Just as not all Muslims speak Arabic, not all those who speak Arabic are Muslim.