Awards Dinner Essay

To tell the truth, I never really understood what being Asian meant.  As a little girl, I grew up in predominantly Caucasian neighborhoods.  In my elementary school there existed exactly two Asian faces – one was mine, the other my sister.  I loathed being the odd one out, so I tried to hide my features.  I spent hours in front of my mirror, pulling at my almond-shaped eyes in an attempt to widen them.  I pushed up at the tip of my nose, hoping to create the upturned effect I saw all around me.  It seems strange now, but all I wanted back then was to fit in.
 

It was a time when I had no idea of how powerful Asian Americans are.  Back then, Asian Americans were rarely portrayed in the media.  If I did happen to come across an Asian American woman on television or in a movie, she was most likely a delicate, demure lady submitting to all of her husband’s wishes.  If I saw an Asian American man, he was a martial arts expert – yes, like Jackie Chan.
 

Then came May 7, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, California – CelebrAsian 2004.  I was left speechless as I walked across the stage to be honored as a scholarship recipient.  Never had I imagined that Asian Americans could be so powerful in business; little did I know that a national organization to promote business among Asian American leaders existed.  It was an utter surprise, and a delightful one at that.  To be standing amongst these Asian American business people, Congressional representatives, and leaders; to see that others outside our race supported us left me with a feeling of calm and strength.  Now I know what being Asian means.