On the first day of high school I was waiting by myself for the lunchline. By chance, I started talking to the kid in front of me who was also a freshman. One of the first things that he said to me was, “oh so you must be really smart because you're Asian, right?” I was taken aback by the comment. We’d never met each other before, he had no clue what classes I was taking, and I didn’t even know this kid's name (I still don’t). But what he could see was that I am Asian.
This interaction in many ways framed the rest of my high school experience. I was part of the 5% non-white people living in my town, and was one of 10 Asian kids in my grade of 320. No matter what, just being Asian was always a part of how my peers perceived me.
I found myself constantly at tension with the stereotypes my peers assigned me, and my personal self-image. I personally knew that I worked hard for my academic success, but many times it felt like it got written off as me being Asian. I knew that I really enjoyed playing tennis and being in the orchestra, but obviously these are just activities that my Asian parents thought would look good for college, and I’m forced to do them.
Me Freshman year, playing tennis for my high school team
As I branched out and explored my interests in high school, a large driving force behind trying new things was to break away and do things that were not perceived as stereotypically Asian. I joined theater, a cappella groups, and mock trial partially out of self-interest, and partially out of spite.
I don’t regret branching out, I loved the activities I did in high school and they shaped the person I am today. And as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realize that being Asian is a part of my identity that I am immensely proud of, and that other people’s perceptions of Asian stereotypes do not define my own identity as an Asian American.
Me Sophomore year (left) with cast-mates after performing Chicago The Musical
Me Junior year (left) with mock trial teammates
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