An Open Letter To My Asian Culture | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To My Asian Culture

It's not always about rice and math

13
An Open Letter To My Asian Culture
Becky Harris

Being half Korean is literally the greatest adventure, ever. It's taught me so much about a culture that is beyond the boundaries of Oklahoma. The Asian culture makes me understand that the world is painted in all different colors. Colors that inspire, grow and change you. It makes you learn about what equality is, and what it means to be brave. It teaches you what it means to be strong. It teaches you what it means to be you.

To my Asian culture,

There are a lot of things I want to say, but before I do, I need to confess something to you.

I was really embarrassed by you growing up.

I still remember cringing at my lunch box at school, because I didn’t know what Asian snacks had been put in the containers. I hated that I smelt like fish and rice everyday. I always dreaded the mornings that my mom would dress me because your style is different than mainstream America’s.

You were the reason I was the butt of so many jokes,

“How much dog did you eat last night?”

“You can use a fork? I thought Asians could only use chopsticks”

“You’re really not good at math? But you’re Asian!”

When people started writing “Have a good summer, chink” in my yearbook instead of the cliché “See u next school year” I knew I was fed up with you. When my name became “that Asian girl”, I knew I was really embarrassed by you.

So I decided to ignore you.

I ignored you because I didn’t know how to handle you. All your smells, and all your quirks, and all your foods just overwhelmed me.

You overwhelmed me.

I ignored you because you made me uncomfortable. You made me hate my yellow skin and my eyes. You made me hate that I wasn’t good at math, or that I didn’t want to be a doctor. I hated that people identified me as you.

But you see, I was wrong.

I was so mad because I wanted people to see that you and I were different. I wanted them to see that we were separate. What I didn’t realize was that we are the same. I didn’t realize that you and I made a whole. Your stitches are the make-up of who I am. To deny you is to deny me.

All of these things make me want to say I’m sorry.

I’m sorry that I denied you for so long. I’m sorry that I would try to force my eyes open in pictures so they would look bigger. I’m sorry that I hid the fact that I liked k-pop. I’m sorry that I didn’t want to learn the piano because I didn’t want to fit into the Asian stereotype. For so many years I wasn’t fighting you, I was fighting myself.

So thank you.

My almond shaped eyes allow me to see the world in a different perspective. You give me pride every time I go to a Chinese restaurant, and get to teach my friends how to use chopsticks. You teach me to see past the look of food and just enjoy it. The fabric of the Asian culture teaches me that I am smart enough to be anything I want to be. You give me a passion for equality because we are a culture that is forgotten. Because of you, I know how to jam out to a k-pop song, while also knowing how to rap Kendrick Lamar flawlessly. You teach me that I am not bound by any stigma; I am free to be me. If being Asian means that I can play a classical instrument, eat weird foods, and know the quality of good rice, then yeah, I am Asian.

But you better believe I’m proud of it.

So thank you for teaching me how to love myself.

Sincerely,

Me

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178233
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

5409
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451285
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22647
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments