Our Library of Lived Experiences
metamorphosis
Growing up in Chinatown, Dawn assumed being Asian was the norm, yet she often felt disconnected from the cultural expectations tied to her ethnicity. Now, she’s learning to embrace her identity and prioritize balance.
Where Roads of Identities Clash
As a high schooler, it’s common to feel like a fish out of water. For Connie, this often feels like a fight between her Vietnamese and American identities. In this narrative, she begins to deconstruct what it means to live the many identities that make who she is and how to reclaim cultural pride.
Interview with Dr. Carolee Tran, Author of The Gifts of Adversity (Part 1)
Dr. Carolee GiaoUyen Tran is a refugee and the first Vietnamese woman to earn a PhD in clinical psychology in America. Carina speaks to her mother in this special Part 1 of 2 interview.
An Introduction to My Own Educational Journey
Katie explores her journey as a student to REALSOUL founder, challenging the pedagogy and educational values that made up her childhoood.
Ethnic Studies and Identity Crisis
Jewel reflects on her own experiences in education, the need for ethnic studies, and how interpersonal and institutional interactions have influenced her academic life. This blog was written as part of the Youth in Power Internship program.
Activist Interview: Niko Lee
Niko Lee is on a journey where there are no blueprints to follow. YIP intern, Luna, joins him in a moment where they explore his impact and where he's aiming to go.
It’s All Relative
Luna grapples with the differing degrees of “Asianness” she holds in the worlds of public, parochial, and independent schools, and what constantly navigating those worlds has taught her about her own identity and the broader Asian American community. This blog was written as part of the Youth in Power Internship program.
The Blemishes of Internalized Colorism
Wendy, looks back at the internalized colorism she was forced to swallow and how it contaminated the way she perceived her own sense of beauty throughout her entire childhood. This blog was written as part of the Youth in Power Internship program.
Adult Doesn’t Equal Effortless
Emily Chen shares her experiences as someone diagnosed with ADHD and simply trying to make it as an “adult.” What does a typical day look like? Let her tell you!
On Grief (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of writer and artist, Melissa Chen's “On Grief” reflection where she talks about some of her personal encounters with grief and how she both sits with it and eventually learns to let things go.