When I was a child, being Asian-American meant breaking wooden chopsticks over a noodle lunchbox, sunny yellow dresses to bring out the sunny yellow of my skin, and laughing with my colorful classmates because we didn’t know yet we were different.
When I grew older, being Asian-American meant seeing for the first time my father’s oil-stained hands from days of toil, and my mother’s quiet strength as she built a home in the middle of a strange language.
Now, as an adult, being Asian-American means learning to love both my cultures all over again, switching between languages like one would switch identities, and finding my common ground in two worlds as different as east and west.
Now, being Asian-American means simply to be me.
© Jade M. Wong
Written for a prompt on Instagram that asks “what does it mean to be Asian-American?”
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
This was so beautiful and heart-warming! Thank you so much for sharing :’)
Thank you for reading and commenting! I’m glad you enjoyed 🙂
Love your poem Jade.
Thank you Sadje! Hope you’re doing well ~
You’re welcome Jade. Yes, thanks.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Diana 🙂
Always a pleasure to do so!
Deeply enthralled 👏
Thank you!
Loved it
I felt this poem.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Lovely Jade…❤❤❤
Thank you, Mich 💜
[…] Jade […]
I enjoyed reading this very much.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed 🙂
I remember when one of my closest IRL Asian friends first encountered racism, and it was rough. But being American is really cool, in my opinion, and I think it’s great that we’re exposed to a lot of people and cultures.
I’m sorry your friend encountered racism. Unfortunately, there will always be people who choose to look and judge at our differences first, but the good news is, in my experience, I have found that there are far more people who embrace love, acceptance, and kindness. I also agree, I think it’s really cool we’re exposed to so much diversity 💜
there is so much power in yours words, dearie. this is heartfelt, and this line made me teary: “y mother’s quiet strength as she built a home in the middle of a strange language”
Thank you, dear Rosema. Growing up, we really see our parents’ sacrifices in a whole new way. I hope you and your family are well 💜.
i cannot agree more. yes. they are okay. i hope you and your loved ones are safe, too!