吃飯 (HEK-FAN) New York is a series of video essays that follows the format of an abecedary, documenting personal stories of food and culture between a pair of friends.
Story
Sandy Tan
Mentee
Sandy Tan is a senior in high school with a strong interest in the intersection between creative writing and technology. She believes technology and writing are not only tools for self-expression but also mediums for change. She is involved in various all-womxn computer science communities, engaging in projects that address low voter turnout in the United States and the gender gap in STEM. Her goal is to inspire more young womxn to find their place in the world of technology. In her spare time, Sandy loves baking with her older sisters, reading and painting.
Artist‘s Statement
Growing up as a first-generation Asian American, I often struggled to understand and connect with my different identities. It’s easy for me to check a box and say I am Chinese American. However, in a society that defines this label for me, I find it difficult to fit into this mold. With the help of Girls Write Now and my mentor, Claudia, I have learned how to rewrite the definition of Asian American and accept myself for who I am.
Story
American Mothers
‘American Mothers’ is a graphic novel that explores the duality of our identities as hyphenated Americans through the stories of our mothers.
Story
The Believer Who Didn’t Believe
Macy is far from being the math whiz her parents want her to be. Will God be the one to change this?
Story
Becoming
In our modern world, where technology has transformed the way we do everything, stories are no longer only found in books. In the visual novel “Becoming,” the audience follows the story of a high school junior named Sonia Young. Sonia discovers a book that lets her revisit her past and gain the confidence to write her next chapter. This interactive story gives the user a little insight, and perhaps control, over the chaotic world of a teenage girl.
Story
Asian American
This poem is an exercise in claiming my place in history—as a member of a community but also as an individual. It explores some thoughts I frequently have about my Asian-American identity and living in New York.