“Who” is a coded piece of poetry meant to document Lee’s struggles as she reconciles with different parts of her identity as a female Asian American and serves as an outlet for girls like her.
Story
Lauren Lee
(she/her) Mentee
Lauren Lee is a high school junior in Manhattan, New York. Based in Brooklyn, she is a writer who loves experimenting with new styles and genres; especially poetry and essay writing. She enjoys incorporating her own personal history and highlighting the experiences of other Asian Americans in her stories. Her pieces have been published in the Girls Write Now Anthology and the Stuyvesant Spectator. She has received Honorable Mention for poetry in 2021 in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. In her free time, she loves playing tennis, debating and baking.
Artist‘s Statement
I am Lauren Lee, a writing-based in Brooklyn. My work this year has been primarily autobiographical and biographical, drawing from my and those around me’s experiences of being Asian American. My writing this year has ranged from straight argumentative writing to semi-autobiographical short stories and autobiographical coded poetry. Through all of the pieces, my goal is always to tell the struggles of Asian American women which has helped me understand my own identity as well.
Story
Library Conversations
It’s been years since the last time I saw Jack. I’d never thought that I would ever hear his voice on the radio. I guess his dream came true.
Story
Butterfly 蝴蝶
“Butterfly 蝴蝶” is an ode to my great-grandmother, who passed away a few years ago. On occasion, the butterfly of her spirit still flies by.
Story
Faces
“Faces” is about the way young women view themselves in a world that presents a single standard of beauty. These lyrics push back against those barriers and question the value systems from which they originate.