Accepting My Heritage | Digging Deeper
When I grew up, I thought I was “white.” I had no idea that I was any different than every other kid in my all-Caucasian class, until the day when the racial slurs began. I don’t remember how old I was exactly, but I’m almost certain I was just in kindergarten, 5-6 years old. Then it continued everyday…
Every time I’d head down the halls I’d get a snide “Slant Eyes” comment. They’d start talking to me in “slang” Asian dialect through giggles. “Hey, Chinese!” “Where’s your chopsticks?” “Can you see like that?” “Yellow Skin!” “Go back overseas!” Trying to ignore the stares and the ugly comments, I didn’t realize then what damage those scars had on me.
I can recall so many days coming home and crying myself on my bed, begging God to make me quote-on-quote “white.” Moving to a high middle-class society area in Florida did not make my life any easier. Now in middle/high school when looks were a HUGE deal, I struggled with my self-esteem. By the time I reached college, I thought for sure that Asian = ugly. By the time I dated my Caucasian husband, he had a hard time convincing me I was beautiful and that he loved me BECAUSE I was Asian.
It took a long time to realize that God made me Asian for a reason. He beautifully made me this way, different from everyone else. I no longer hide behind dark sunglasses to cover my almond-shaped eyes.
Some things I learned recently:
Asian is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in America.
Asians are the highest amount of users of the internet.
I hope someone out there in the marketing world is looking at this post. I do have a voice. I can make a difference. My goal of this blog is not only to embrace my Asian heritage with open arms (it has taken me many years to get to this point), but to use my Asian heritage to make a difference…in my community, in my blogging world, in my world.
Accepting who I am as a beautiful Korean-American person has been a long journey. But I’m proud to say that all of those years of snide remarks have only fueled my soul so that I may now persevere to showcase Asian as beautiful, right here, right now. Accepting my heritage, digging deeper into self-love.
For those that have loved me, supported me and accepted me and my Asian heritage over the years, THANK YOU! And for those that haven’t met me yet (P&G, Neutrogena, Disney…), watch out! Asians are going to take the world by storm, and I’m going to be one of them! 🙂
Looking for more parenting tips? Here are some of our most popular posts:
KristinaK says
Well said! I can relate to you on so many levels with this one.
Elisebet F says
Thank you for posting this! My son is half-Filipino, and I don’t even realize he looks “different” than a Caucasian kid, until I see him standing next to one, because I’m his mom, and he just looks like Jeremiah to me. But he may very well face prejudice one day from ignorant people, and I need to keep that in mind to help support him and teach him how wonderful he is.
Melanie O says
Beautiful! You have always been beautiful today and when I first met you back in Middle School. Keep shining!
Nikki M says
This was beautifully written and I hope you do realize just how gorgeous you are! When I took your pictures,it was impossible to take a bad one because your flawless. And interestingly enough, when I was little, I wanted desperately to be Asian because I thought (and still kinda do) that Asian women were so beautiful!
Laura Keenan says
What a beautifully written post! And from such a beautiful women. Glad to hear you are now embracing your heritage. Hopefully this way of thinking will be contagious to those around you.
Debra Rutt says
We should always appreciate each others diversity, heritage and backgrounds – and not to make fun of or discriminate. That we’re all different is what makes each of us great!
Christie C says
Diversity is what makes the world go round. I try to teach my children everyday that the color of someone’s skin has nothing to do with what kind of person they are. Our heritage is a part of all of us, but it shouldn’t be a reason that someone else defines us,
cindy chan phillips says
Thank you for writing this powerful post. We all can identify with the personal challenge and Triumph.
Maureen Cadle says
Oh my goodness I love you!!! I’m 50-50 Korean Caucasian so I guess I’m a Whasian but my son who’s 25-75 and I were just talking about being Whasian today. Then I see you on Pinterest this evening! I too was teased for being different/Korean then moved to Hawaii (Army brat) and was teased for being a haole/white person. Anyway just wanted to say I love you! God has blessed us both with BEAUTIFUL Whasian kids! 😊
Maureen Cadle says
PS – I finally started embracing my Korean heritage when I was around 23!