If you were asked to describe me, there would probably be some adjectives that would keep coming up in conversation - sarcastic, optimistic, talkative, passionate. Depending on who you spoke with, you might also hear descriptors like gay, activist, advocate, or fundraiser. In the right crowds, I might be described as funny, witty, or opinionated. Still other crowds might describe me as fat or femme. None of those would be wrong, and yet all of those still wouldn't paint a full picture of who I am.
I have found in my life that some of those labels are easier to wear than others. Likewise, I have found that my relationship with various identities have changed over time. What in youth may seem like a weakness can actually prove to be a superpower later in life. Things we once felt the need to hide or shy away from we may learn to embrace and celebrate.
One identity that I have often struggled with is my identity as an Asian American. My paternal Grandfather was Japanese. I grew up in a family that embraced and educated us on our culture and heritage, but I also never felt like it was fully mine. My Grandfather was interned in the Japanese Internment Camps during World War II - and I felt like he spent a lifetime trying to prove just how American he really was.
I have come to realize that my heritage is as much a part of me as anything else, and it deserves to be celebrated. I am proud of my ancestry. I am proud of my last name, and I am very proud to say that I am a Japanese American. While my heritage doesn't define me, it is an integral building block in who I am. I literally wouldn't exist without it.
In my role with the Atlanta Pride Committee, as the Director of Equity and Engagement, I have often said that my goal is to platform other people and their voices. I want to make sure that everyone in our wildly diverse community feels seen and heard. I know the importance of visibility and representation, because I haven't always felt like there were other people like me. So, in this Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, I wanted to speak to one of the many facets that make me who I am. I hope that others will see and hear my story and that someone may feel a little more visible and a lot less alone.
"The only way to survive is by taking care of one another." - Grace Lee Boggs