-
Period: to
My Religion vs Society
Over the years, I've grappled with the challenges of embracing my cultural differences and finding my place in society. However, as time has passed, I've come to appreciate and even cherish these distinctions, thanks to the enriching experiences of connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds. -
Me vs The Internet
When I was six years old, I used to watch Full House and couldn't help but wonder why the characters on the show didn't have a special shrine in their house to remember their late mother, similar to the way we honored our grandparents who had passed away. -
Me vs Friends
During my time in elementary school, I found myself as the only Asian student in my class. I adapted to the situation by making friends, but there was an incident when I got reported for using an inappropriate word. Little did I know, the question directed at me was, "What's your dad's name?" I innocently provided an answer, not realizing that my father's name was associated with a negative word. -
Me vs Differences
During my elementary years, I was placed in an additional English learning course. The teacher decided to put me in this class after hearing me speak my first language. I was already familiar with English, so I was quite perplexed as to why I was constantly being taken away from my classmates during recess for this extra class. -
Me vs School
In the fourth grade, I started bringing my own lunch to school. My dad would wake up an hour early to prepare lunches for my sister and me. When I brought my homemade lunch to school, my classmates would often stare at it and ask me questions. I felt self-conscious about the attention, so I began concealing my lunch by keeping it hidden inside my lunchbox. -
Me vs Middle School
When I transitioned to middle school and we moved to a rural area, I began requesting my dad's permission to make my own lunches. Instead of packing a full meal, I would mainly include snacks that I could share with my peers in an attempt to make friends. I frequently grappled with a sense of not belonging in the new school and wished for the chance to fit in. -
Me vs My Body
It wasn't until high school that I truly began to struggle with body image issues. I faced hurtful stereotypes, with people telling me that "Asians should be skinny and smart." I didn't fit the stereotype of being exceptionally intelligent, and I also felt inadequate in terms of my body. I grew to despise myself because I believed I didn't meet societal expectations and even felt like I didn't belong within my own racial community. -
Me and the Military
By the end of my senior year, I made the decision to join the Navy. In boot camp, I was surrounded by individuals from diverse backgrounds, yet we all shared a common trait: the unwavering determination to make it through together, regardless of injuries or exhaustion. Our collective goal was to ensure that every person, regardless of their background, made it out of boot camp successfully. This sense of unity and shared purpose gave me a deep and meaningful sense of belonging.