Looking Both Ways: An Asian-American Heritage Collection
To be Asian and American is to travel between two different worlds, each with its own way of being. Some move fluidly between the two, owning both identities with ease, while others strive to forge a new self that contains the best of both.
In honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month we present, "Looking Both Ways" a collection of pieces that explores the complexity of being Asian-American in today's world.
“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.
A pair of poems inspired by the title “bloodline” and the poets’ own heritages and culture. How do our family and our history connect and define us to ourselves and to others?
The poem speaks to our shared history as Asian-American women, emphasizing a colonial past in China and India, our liberation, and the formation of new rituals between generations all through the lens of tea.
This poem explores the generational gap that is felt by first-generation Asian immigrant parents and their children. While communication may seem difficult at first, it is still possible to find hope and reconciliation.
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.
This is a video inspired by an excerpt from my memoir piece. I wanted to create it for the same reason anyone wants to be a writer—to tell a story. More specifically, I want to tell my story. But as the video blossoms into something magical, I realized that in telling my story, I am also telling the stories of many Asian-Americans. This is how to be Asian-American.