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Claire Wu Anderson
class year: 2022 | major/minor: peace studies major, communications and media minor
I am both everything I want to be and the very specific person who my ancestors made me. Everything I do with my art is both a conscious choice but also feels like something I was guided to do, that is why I listen so carefully.
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, but I always feel like I have to preface that with I've moved around so much growing up I don't fully feel like a North Carolinian. Because of my dad's schooling and job, I have lived in Vietnam, Syndey Australia, Beijing China, Washington DC, and Taipei Taiwan. I currently live in Baltimore, Maryland.
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
I grew up with a mom who was constantly missing home and wanting to be back in Taiwan, so we would take day trips an hour away in Cary, North Carolina and go to an Asian grocery store named "Grand Asia." We would do this around once a month, sometimes two if I didn't have sports games and my mom was more homesick. These were the best dinners, the days I saw my mom being a little more excited about getting up in the morning. That grocery store, the sounds, and the smells, the people all working together to make me feel so safe and like I could just disappear into that. My favorite Taiwanese foods are stinky tofu, oyster pancakes, grass jelly (which is basically impossible to get in the US), and Taiwanese pork belly buns. My dad grew up in Sweden for part of his life, and my grandma on his side is fully Swedish, so my Chritsmases were very influenced by that part of my heritage. We would celebrate Saint Lucia the day after my birthday (St. Lucia is 12/13) and I would help my Farmor (grandma in Swedish) make REAL Swedish cinnamon buns, pepparkakor, and cabbage stew. In the summer we would make flower crowns and dance around the hard for the Summer Solstice. My grandma and my mom connect deeply on being the only ones in their families living in the US, and support each other in still practicing their motherland's culture in a foreign land.
How do you connect with your family?
I have a Line Groupchat with my very big Taiwanese (Line is an app that isn't block by international internet laws) and my mom religiously checks it at 8pm and 8am, when she knows our family is awake or is about to go to bed. We send pictures of our dinners, of any big things happening to us, and react to and congratulate each other on our wins. I remember growing up with my mom buying timed international call cards at Grand Asia and once a month calling her brother and talking to him for an hour at costed us around $30. Then when Skype came out, it was cheaper but still had to be cut short or else both sides would be dishing out money neither could afford. Line is magic to my mom, and I'm so grateful for it. I don't really connect with my Swedish side much, but I hope to in the future.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
I fully learned and internalized my Asian-ness in 6th grade, when I went to Taipei to live for a year and I felt the eyes of everyone I came across on the street trying to figure out why I looked both to similar to them and so different at the same time. Once I got back, I went through a time I didn't want to be perceived as Asian, but strangely that flipped when I went to a predominantly white boarding school in Connecticut. I felt myself gravitating toward to Asian international students, I started our first Asian Affinity group on campus, and I constantly referred to 1st and 6th grade, both years I lived abroad in Asia.
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
My upbringing made me very aware of how different people treat people with accents, and anyone who doesn't look like them. I was very aware of bias, even before I knew the vocabulary to explain it. I am incredibly passionate about helping those who speak a language that is different than the primary one spoken in the country they live in, as well as supporting them emotionally and mentally with existing in a space that they have no other people they grew up with. And, because of my family, I am also aware of creating art and using art that can be understood without words, but fully with images and colors. Most of my old Taiwanese family members cannot read, can't write, and speak a language that is dying out. I want everyone to feel heard, to be seen, and to be celebrated.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
I got a lot of financial aid, and would be graduating with no debt haha.
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I am! I went to an ASU meeting my first week at Goucher as. freshman and I cocreated AIA my sophomore year. I've tried to stay involved in anything Asian affinity groups do on campus.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
When COVID-19 started affecting the US, I would hear about Asian students on surrounding campuses being targeted and asked to be tested regardless of if they recently traveled abroad or not. Microaggressions against Asians are very common as cheap jokes thrown around that I no longer can conjure up examples, I just know they happen.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
It is pretty normal for me to sit in a classroom and be the only Asian student because I did go to that predominantly white boarding school. I try to use that to teach my peers and bring up a perspective you most likely don't think about a lot. I also try hard to bring up the immigrant experience in class discussions.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
Hanging out with my friends on Friday night we don't have any class the next day so we just put off all the work we must do. Sitting outside of the Dining Hall in the spring for lunch between classes. Late nights in the library once your brain is so tired everything is funny.
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
I think alot of the support I feel is from my peers. The administration doesn't do anything to stop Asian students from celebtrating their culutres, yet they don't seem to seek out or think about us unless we demand to be seen and considered.
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
Hiring more Asian faculty, looking into our holidays and celebrating them, looking around a meeting and if you don't see an Asian person in the room ask one to join. Think of us as important and vital.
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Ava Jiaying Kemp
class year: 2022 | major/minor: arts and material culture
A mover and expressionist. I was classically trained in ballet for about 10 years now and have fallen in love with the way I can express myself through my movement. There is something so timeless about ballet though I tend to use a lot of contemporary movement in my pieces.
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born in Guixi, China but was adopted when I was one and brought to the states. I now live in Florida though am attending Goucher College in Baltimore.
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
Since I grew up in Florida, all I knew for most of my life was southern culture. I am a huge seafood lover, growing up near the ocean and will never pass down some coconut fried shrimp. That being said my family was good about connecting me to my Chinese heritage. So, I also grew up celebrating Chinese New Year, Autumn Moon Festival and would love cooking Chinese food with my mom.
How do you connect with your family?
I connect with them through my love of cooking and baking. While we may not be super affectionate, we show our love in other ways.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
Being one of few Asian people in my community I often felt out of touch with my Chinese heritage for most of my life. Not until coming to Goucher did I begin to feel proud of my heritage.
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
I grew up with a super supportive family, and coincidently many of their values are common within Asian culture. I had many friends in high school often tell me how they “forgot” I was Asian because I acted “so white.” But I knew nothing else, that was my reality.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
I decided to come to Goucher because I needed a change. I think my small town was holding me back and I was ready to try something new. I wanted to challenge myself and push myself out of my comfort zone.
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I was my first year though the meetings were inconsistent so I ended up always having other things planned. I hope to join back again.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
Not directly. I have many Asian friends on campus so not that I could see. One time right as COVID-19 was starting I had gone to the club and some guy had come up to me to talk about COVID but he did not go to Goucher. I was slightly offended that he came up to the only Asian and the room to try to “talk” to me about COVID while I was there to have fun not get in a discussion about COVID.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
It’s been fine. I took disease + discrimination last fall and I realized that that was the first time I had a module on Asian Americans in all of my schooling. It was an incredible moment for me to understand that I had gone through 18 years of school and never had learned about people who look like me.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
My favorite memories are the ones that were unexpected – trips to DC, late nights in the ath, sitting out on the great lawn. It makes me sad that I can’t be there right now, as being at home is the reality of my college experience. Yet, it has brought me closer to my family and allowed me to create some unpredicted zoom friendships.
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
I do not think so, though I do not know a single school that does. I think the curriculum could try to include Asians more often. And I know very few professors or admin who are Asian. (I can only think of 2 off the top of my head)
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
I think that Goucher could build a stronger Asian student union – I am not sure if that is a funding problem or an organization issue though. I would also love to see Asian American history added to the curriculum in some capacity.
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JeeHong Smolko
class year: 2023 | major/minor:
Photography is my life, the life I live and life itself. My work is how I see the world, how I understand it, and how I wish to remember it. I capture moments; passing, fleeting moments. Ones that catch my eye. Ones that I find meaningful. Ones that I wish to relive. This series embodies the comfort of my Goucher experience. Moments filled with friends and companions. Moments full with color and attraction. Moments that are, to me, Goucher Joy
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born somewhere in South Korea and I currently live in Catonsville, Maryland.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
I am a transracial adoptee with a White family and upbringing. Cultural isolation and White normativity has been my relationship. I have never felt connected to my Korean identity and culture and for a long time, I held shame around who I am and where I come from. This past year, I have begun to explore my ethnic identity and it has been incredibly heartbreaking yet enriching. I have come to understand, as most BIPOC folx, that my resentment towards myself has been cultivated by Whiteness and the messages of inferiority that I have received since I can remember. While I still do not feel connected to my Korean identity, I have come to love this part of me so deeply. I yearn for belonging as I learn to embrace myself in new and holistic ways.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
Unfortunately and unsurprisingly yes. While I cannot speak for the experiences of my Asian peers, I can for my own. During the first few weeks of my first semester, other first-years would mistake me for other East Asian students, students who I do not believe look like me. During my first year, I dated someone who sexualizes and fetishizes East Asian women, which, among other things, I willfully ignored. In my classes, I have been used as an example for Asian stereotypes and asked to speak for the Asian experience. Outside of my classes, I have been called Asian slurs by my fellow classmates and had the trauma of the AAPI community questioned and invalidated.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
There are so many, I cannot name enough of them. So many moments with friends, peers, faculty, and staff that I cherish and reminisce in. I miss early mornings, drinking tea and doing work at Alice’s before walking to my 8 or 9 AMs. I miss the dining hall and sharing meals with my friends, especially weekend brunches. I miss walking the loop and laying in the hammocks. I miss late night movies, conversations, and last minute homework. I miss the sunsets and fog and all the natural beauty of campus. I miss the Goucher experience and so many of the people that I am beyond grateful to have met and know.
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
Quite honestly, no. I think that Goucher means to or somewhat attempts to support its Asian students but really lacks in continual and authentic effort. I feel strongly that this is the reality for all of our students of color. It is not lost on me that the diversity, equity, and inclusion aspects of our institution largely falls onto the students, faculty, and staff of marginalized identities. Work that should not be our burden, especially the students, but work that we do because we understand the value and need for community.
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
By doing the work themselves instead of asking its students for free emotional labor. There is quite a lack of visibility and representation for our Asian community at Goucher. We need more spaces and events for Asian students. We need spaces and events about Asian issues and cultures for all members of the community. We need spaces and events for White students, faculty, and staff to better understand their privilege and power, as well as to discuss dismantling White supremacy to cultivate a more equitable Goucher experience. These conversations need to be happening more openly and more often, especially by now
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Wynn Aung Myint
class year: 2021 | major/minor: international relations & french
This idea of “belonging,” of whether or not I could “pass” into France was something I had thought about in the preceding months before my arrival. It wasn’t a fear of prejudice, nor was it something I was trying to change anything about myself to prepare for. But I knew that France, just as any other country, would most likely have a different conception of race, ethnicity, and nationality/citizenship than what I was used to in the United States. And as a brown person entering Europe, there was a lot on my mind in terms of how I would be navigating my surroundings.
Even at home in the United States, I consider my identity along the racial/ethnic/national lines to be complex, even if it is my own doing: I am an American citizen, born to two immigrant parents from Myanmar (Burma) who are naturalized American citizens. I check “Asian American” as my race on papers, I identify with various ethnic/racial monikers (Burmese, Burmese American, Southeast Asian, and Brown as the most common), and in my “ethnic ambiguity” I have learned to joke about being mistaken for every single race on the US Census by other Americans.
In France, after I indicated that I was certainly not a native French speaker by my confusion, French people often switched to English, and many of these conversations inevitably came back toward my being American. In this sense, “American” became a monolithic term, as anyone could be American, but I had never really considered myself solely American, given that I have familial and cultural ties to another place.
These conversations never took on a negative tone, nor did I ever have a problem with this – but it was a difference in how I was identified versus how I identify, and I did give some thought as to what it meant to exist in that difference while in France. Luckily, Paris is an immensely diverse city, and I never felt out of place or that I was treading into an overtly unsafe space. There were always other people who looked like me, my assumption is that I “passed” as French until I opened my mouth.
梅
class year: 2019 | major/minor: psychology major, history. minor
For this work, I did this project in my last semester at Goucher in the Photo Seminar with Laura Burns. Although it is not all photos that I have taken, I wanted to share my father's life through my eyes and his eyes. By me selectively choosing the photos and him envisioning what "we" should see, it creates a story of the man I grew up knowing. Alongside, you can see my mother, my sister, my uncles, aunts, and so many people that were and are a part of my life. This is the hardest and the most sentimental work of mine. So please treat it with care.
Artist statement cont.
My work explores my father as the main character and three distinct parts of my father’s life: Penang, Malaysia, America, and becoming a Dad. The book will not be in chronological order and is split up into three books for three different memories. The whole series name is 梅 which is my last name. The yellow book is 槟城 which means Penang. The dark blue book is 爸 which means Dad. Lastly, the black book is 美国 which means America. The colors are associated with emotions. All of these books are in Chinese to tie my ancestry, but it shows that my family are immigrants from China to Malaysia, then America.
I wanted to work with the idea of a traditional family album, but twist it and bring in the disciplines I study, psychology and history. With a family album, it brings in memories and historical parts that are related to my family and past generations. The narrative is missing and there is just an assembly of fragmented ideas and aspects. These ideas and aspects are sometimes fighting each other or complementing one another. Mainly, I wanted to play around between what I can get from a family album and put a modern narrative and my generational views into my books. The books are meant for the viewer to be able touch and flip through each and every page. It is personal for me and for my family to have someone to look into parts of their lives. As a first-generation immigrant, the struggles my father has been through is something I wish to show in another perspective.
Psychologically, people’s memories never happen chronologically and we all interpret everyone’s memories including the person themselves of what happened. Instead of making the book altogether, people get to choose which memory they want to see first and that is how someone’s narrative is shaped and perceived. We know that both the memory of facts and the memory of spatial and temporal relationships between those facts are involved. Time stamping and event recall are processes that can be separated. Although our hippocampus is in charge of creating new memories, the memories are not stored in the hippocampus. They are distributed through neural networks to other parts of the brain such as the temporal lobe and the cerebral cortex. Our memory is never exactly the same as we recall, we often recall the facts, sometimes in the incorrect order, and reconstruction sequences of events in a fictional narrative that can change from occasion to occasion. It is an experience for each individual and it is personal for the viewer.
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born in New York City and I currently live in New York.
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
I am a first generation Chinese- Malaysian. I grew up with a strong Chinese background where I grew up being bilingual in Cantonese and English. Although I never had the chance to be fluent in Malaysian, my parents have tried their best to immerse me into Malaysian culture with food. Of course, Confucianism is not a joke when it comes to Asian families and Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year is something that I can never miss at all.
How do you connect with your family?
I am very close with my parents and they are not your stereotypical Asian parents that you see through TV shows or even read about. I speak to them with respect and as individuals—as people who always want what's best for me and to hear how I experience life differently from theirs. Since I have graduated and I don't live with them anymore, the best way to connect with them is through dinner. We love sharing and cooking food together. The best way I would say to finish it off is sharing a couple of orange slices together and laugh about what my parents were like when they were in their 20s.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
I still struggle with my cultural identity. On the outside, I look very East-Asian/Chinese, but I do not have any relatives in China. The only part that makes me Chinese is that I can speak Chinese and eat Chinese food, but that's all. The other part of it is that I'm Malaysian, but I do not speak any Malaysian. Most of the time, I identify that I'm Chinese-Malaysian, but I still question what I am exactly? I’m not what I look like on the outside and people judge me for my skin colour. How many times do I need to fight for what and who I am?
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
Although my parents aren't the "stereotypical tiger parents", some parts of Confucianism and my parents' parenting has influenced me on how I should treat people. I always have to be respectful to another person. You should treat people the way you want to be treated. However, because my parents were immigrants from Malaysia and my father grew up in New York during the 80s—he taught me that I should never trust people at all. My father and mother were here during possibly the roughest times in New York like the recession, 9/11/terrorist threats, AIDS epidemic, and now COVID and Asian hate crimes. New York has never been safe when they arrived and it was and will be dangerous. Because of what they’ve seen, it has made me more careful about my surroundings and who I encounter.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
My parents were never able to attend college and were not able to support me to go to college. Goucher was the only school that provided me with a substantial amount of financial aid and scholarship. I came to Goucher because my parents would not be burdened by loans.
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
Yes, I was a part of Asian Student Union.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
Sadly, I experienced a lot of it during my first two years at Goucher to the point where it made me want to transfer. I felt like I was being looked at differently. People would ask if I knew how to speak English and if I was an international student. I felt uncomfortable living next to someone because she told me I had a "Chinese accent" and I wasn't from New York. I had the worst experience in an education seminar because I told a professor that I felt uncomfortable talking about race with a class filled with Caucasians and recommended me to come into the next class because there were Black and Asian students. It still bothers me that I never spoke up or stood up for myself when this happened.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
If I was lucky, there would be another person of colour in the room. That was always what I thought of whenever I would look through Canvas. I just couldn't help but think that way after my experiences in my first and second year. After those years, my Junior and Senior year were a blessing. I loved my professors and I loved my peers. I think because I was so deep into my major and minor, I knew I was surrounded by people who had the same curiosity I had and the types of classes I was taking.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
Tokyo, Taiwan, and all of Europe. Goucher gave me experiences to study abroad and I was given the chance to explore more diverse perspectives that I wanted. I can't forget how much I love my professors. If it wasn't for them, I don't think I would be pursuing my dreams right now. They have always been so supportive even after I left Goucher. As well, to the friends that I have met at the very end. Thank you Goucher for making college difficult in the beginning and yet, giving me the most important people that I have in my life to this day.
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
No, I do not think Goucher supports its Asian students. I will clarify why for each point. Administratively, I don't feel like I existed for the most part and I was simply just another student. Curriculum-wise, once the LERs were removed, I felt like students were not exposed to more cultural sociology, anthropology, or history. Just in general, I don' think students were a good foundation of everything overall. My favourite part of Goucher was seeing such a diverse amount of students in the Survey: Becoming East Asia, but once they changed it to something else, I felt like my peers were not able to learn outside of their major and to think critically from another point of history or from a different perspective. As well, one major issue in higher education/college is that we learn from texts surrounding a white voice on a specific topic (that being for me, in Japanese history and psychology). And then, Goucher offers only Romance languages. On top of learning very White languages, we are fluent in English (which is also white); it limits our resources by primarily surrounding ourselves in a White perspective. I am speaking on this matter because in order to support students of colour in general, it starts with exposing ourselves to voices of people of colour in an academic context. It exposes non-POC students to these perspectives. If we are talking about racism and discrimination, why are we predominantly reading White voices in our classes? That is one thing that I believe curriculum-wise Goucher could be better at. Lastly, socially, my peers have made me feel that I am not a person of colour. The "model minority" myth has become more prominent as I was attending Goucher. My peers subconsciously placed Asian stereotypes on me such as asking me for help when it came to mathematics. I wasn't appreciated when I shared my Asian-American perspective and the response wasn't great so I stopped sharing. Overall, no, I do not think Asian students are supported because Goucher does not reflect support within their system of education. This also applies to other students of colour and it needs to be addressed.
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
I believe that one, let's switch the question to, "How could Goucher better support its students of colour?". I understand all people of colour have different situations and go through different types of discrimination, but Goucher NEEDS TO SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS OF COLOUR. One population should not get the full attention, every student of colour is going through something and deserves to be heard. I think I stated what Goucher could do better above. Another way Goucher can amplify voices of colour is having POCs in our administration and faculty.
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Laila Hanson
class year: 2022 | major/minor: pschycology
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born in Tochigi, Japan, but I am currently in Harford County, Maryland.
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
I grew up eating traditional Japanese foods every day because my mom is Japanese and she really wanted me to grow up with that experience. On New Years, we always celebrate the Japanese version (special foods for breakfast, etc.). My favorite food would have to be gyoza, which is a type of dumpling.
How do you connect with your family?
When I am at home, my family tries to eat meals together (at least once a day). I have two younger siblings who play sports and both of my parents work, so we all have very different schedules. But we try to eat dinner as a family every night, which gives us a chance to talk about our busy days.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
When I was younger, I used to be very insecure about the fact that I am Japanese. I grew up in a predominantly white area, and I was the only Asian student in my elementary school. However, I am much more comfortable and proud in my own skin now.
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
I was taught to treat others the way you would want to be treated - which I don’t think is an exclusively Asian way of thinking. I really look up to both of my parents - they are the hardest workers I know and have always been a huge inspiration to me.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
I chose Goucher College because I wanted to stay close to home and attend a school with a smaller student to teacher ratio. Goucher’s study abroad program was also a big factor into my decision.
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I was a part of the Asian Student Union my freshman year of college, but unfortunately did not continue because I didn’t have time with my other commitments.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
I have met some of my best friends at Goucher. The relationships I have had here are like none other
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
I definitely think that Goucher has done a great job supporting it’s Asian students - Goucher has many programs specifically for minority students, such as the Asian Student Union and CREI. Goucher also offers courses that specifically focuses on race/ethnicity, which I think is a great way to educate those who don’t have a lot of background knowledge on the topic.
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Katie Tavedi
class year: 2021 | major/minor: studio art major, environmental studies minor
I like to think of my work as an homage to my Chinese identity. Over the past few months, I have been studying Chinese painting techniques and applying to my own style to create pieces that showcase my personality without losing sight of my cultural roots. Each piece includes Chinese symbolism, either inspired by items from my grandparents’ home or from traditional pieces of art.
Artist statement cont.
Growing up Asian American, I struggled with my identity. My parents were both children of immigrants so I grew up in an Americanized household. Other than celebrating the Lunar New Year and playing mahjong, I did not know much about my culture. I did not even know Cantonese. I never felt “Chinese” enough. My disconnection only grew when I got bullied because of my race. I remember so distinctly a time where I wanted to wear my cheongsam to school. I remember feeling so beautiful but when I got there the other kids made fun of me. After that, I never wore it again. Now that I’m older, I want to learn more about my culture.
I started by studying Chinese art. I began to utilize the techniques I researched such as one stroke painting, to depict traditional forms such as peonies and goldfish. This was mostly done using watercolors and gouache paints. After trying this out, I decided to mix a non-traditional technique with a traditional material. I took some of my grandfather’s old bamboo calendars and used them as a canvas. I painted over the old designs with acrylic paints, still using traditional subject matter. With this new knowledge I took my art another step further. Using traditional art techniques and blending it with my own style I have made pieces that are more modern and more me. My work showcases my personality and style without losing sight of my cultural roots. These new pieces include digital collages, printmaking, and even more paintings. In these pieces I have included portraits of myself. I have never included myself in my own art but in this case, it finally felt appropriate. By including my face in my art, I want to show how proud I am of my culture. I no longer feel like I have to hide my heritage behind closed doors. I want to show how far along I have come in accepting who am I. I feel proud to stand behind my culture and be unapologetically me.
The pieces I have chosen are meant to show my journey of rediscovery. I want to show my pride towards my Chinese heritage, and my acceptance of it. I feel closer to my identity more than ever, and it feels great.
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I live in Maryland and I was also born there
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
My mom is Chinese and my dad is Thai but our family mostly celebrates Chinese traditions. This includes celebrating the Lunar New Year, playing Mahjong, and eating traditional foods. Some of my favorite dishes was shrimp and lobster sauce and beef and tomato. I also love wantons and egg rolls. During the new year my cousins and I would make them together with my grandma’s supervision. Sometimes we would get store bought food. The almond cookies were always a favorite of mine, and I loved shrimp chips. My grandparents home had a lot of Chinese art in it, like silk paintings and Chinese pottery. They also had a huge mahjong table we would pull out and we would play for hours.
How do you connect with your family?
I try to stay connected to my family by visiting them, or messaging them online. I do not really speak with my relatives from Hong Kong, and I have not met most of them. I cannot speak Cantonese so it is harder for me to communicate with them.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
Growing up, I struggled because I felt like I did not fit in. I remember I tried to wear a cheongsam to school and the other kids made fun of me. I felt so embarrassed and I never wore it again. Because both my parents are children of immigrants, I grew up in a very Americanized household. I only got to experience Chinese culture at my grandparents’ house. (While we celebrated the Lunar New Year, my grandparents celebrated the moon festival without us and it was not treated like a massive holiday) My more American upbringing made me feel disconnected to my culture as I did not learn much about it. However, now that I’m older I felt like that cultural connection was missing from my life. I started visiting my grandparents more often, and I am learning from them. I have been learning how to make my favorite dishes. My grandparents had also given me a lot of Chinese ceramics so now my room can feel a little more Asian. These are such little steps, but I see it as a way of welcoming my culture a little more into my life.
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
Since I grew up so Americanized, I had a hard time connecting with other Asian kids growing up. I knew a few Asian friends personally, but I mostly stuck with white kids growing up. It sounds a little ridiculous, but the other Asian kids intimidated me. I felt like they were so much cooler than me. My parents also taught me to be silent as a way to protect myself from bullying. My dad always said that if I did not show the bullies they bothered me, then they would stop bullying me. I know now that this is not true. Being silent allows injustice to keep happening. How can education happen if these people are not being told that they are wrong? I have been trying more to speak out against injustices and I am not afraid to tell others if I believe what they are saying is wrong.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
I chose Goucher because I loved the campus. I also liked the smaller class sizes. When I first learned about Goucher I heard their dance program was highly rated. I did not end up being a dance major like I thought, but I still am enjoying my art classes and I feel like I have grown a lot as an artist.
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I was not in any groups relating to Asian identity.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
I have seen Asian discrimination.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
In the classroom it was mostly okay but every now and again people(professors) would make a weird comment that would not sit right with me.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
My favorite memories at Goucher was laying in the Great Lawn with friends
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
No
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
I think if Goucher acknowledged its’ Asian students. To my knowledge, they have not acknowledged the hate crimes against Asian Americans since COVID 19, nor provided any support. If they denounced these actions, this would show their care. But this is only one step. I would like to see Goucher take action as well, and not even just for its Asian students. Goucher should donate to POC organizations, and take steps to educate themselves on these issues.
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Yuwan Zhang
class year: 2020 undergraduate, 2023 graduate | major/minor: biology/music undergraduate, master of art in teaching graduate
I often sing and take photos or videos
Where were you born, where do you live now?
Chengdu, China. Now live in Rockville
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
Chinese culture
How do you connect with your family?
I stay with my uncle and grandma, and sometimes call my parents through WeChat
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
I'm pretty much into Chinese cultures like food and arts, but not for the social part
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
I embrace different cultures.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
My uncle recommended it to me
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I attended international student festivals
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
My first roommate said she didn't want to be roommate with me because I speak mandarin and she speaks French. Finally I got rid of this person after a month.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
Very friendly and culturally diverse.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
My gradually improved performances and the moments when I delivered my songs to audiences and saw their smiles
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum, socially)
Yes
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
It's pretty good for now, probably offer more asian language classes
Raísa Lin Garden-Lucerna
class year/spent at goucher: 2016-2018 | major/minor: peace studies major, public health minor
During mytime at Goucher, I often took pictures of nature. Having been raised in a city, being surroundedby woods was a first for me, so I took advantage of the trails and scenery. When I take photos, Ialways look to capture interesting light and shadows. As a dancer, my usually medium ismovement, but with photos, it’s all about taking a snapshot at the right still moment, and when Iedit, it’s about enhancing what’s already there. These are some photos I took while at Goucher,just on my iPhone. They are a recollection of my past, like a shadow, hence the accentuation ofshadows and contrast.
Where were you born, where do you live now?
I was born in Nanchang, in the Jiangxi Province in China. I now live in the South Side of Williamsburg, in Brooklyn, NY, which exists on the indigenous Lenape peoples’ land.
What cultures did you grow up with? (what were some traditions you had in your family? favorite foods, your environment?)
I grew up in a Puerto Rican-Dominican-Filipinohousehold. My mother is Puerto Rican and Filipina, and my dad was Puerto Rican and Dominican. I grew up in a very immersive Puerto Rican culture, with the food, music, history and family traditions, such as: parrandas (Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling), making coquito (Puerto Rican take on eggnog), making pasteles (they are like Mexican tamales), and celebrating Three Kings Day. I also grew up in a home with two parents who were community activists, so social justice culture and certain values of community, compassion, and fighting for
human/environmental rights was instilled in me at a very young age. I would go to protests with
my parents, partake in painting community murals, and attend community gatherings and arts
events held at their non-profit, El Puente, based here in Williamsburg. I also grew up with some
connection to my Chinese heritage. My best friend, who was practically my sister since our
families are so close, was half Taiwanese. Her mom taught me a lot about Chinese/Taiwanese
culture, from food, to holidays and traditions. Every year growing up I celebrated Lunar New
Year and the Moon Festival, I was introduced to many Chinese foods and snacks, home
traditions and superstitions. So, although I did not grow up with it at home, I had access and
exposure to it at my second home. I also mentioned my mom being half Filipina. My exposure to
Filipino culture was very limited, as my maternal grandfather died when I was young, and my
mother was not raised in Filipino culture as my grandfather was an old-time immigrant set on
being more “American”.
How do you connect with your family?
I connect with my family through conversations, music and food. We hosted a lot of family gatherings at my home growing up, especially my birthday parties, where our kin and chosen family would gather together. There would always be food, great conversations, and amazing music, with immaculate playlists curated by my father. As I’ve grown older, I’ve gotten very much into cooking, and cooking is definitely a way I connect with family and friends as well. Cooking is how I also have been able
to connect with my Asian roots, as I often find myself cooking Asian dishes (Chinese, Japanese and Filipino). As of recently, I have been able to connect with my Filipino roots through my grandmother’s home attendant. She is a Filipina immigrant, and through her I learned more Filipino recipes than the two I knew growing up (ponsit and sotanghon). I learned how to make lumpia and other very traditional foods, or comida criolla as we say in Puerto Rico.
What is your relationship with your racial/cultural identity? (do you feel connected? Has it changed over time?)
I do believe my connection to my cultural identity is way stronger than my racial identity. Although I have exposure to my “biological” Chinese culture growing up, and my parents tried to be inclusive and diligent about continuing that, I have always felt closer to my Latina side for a number of reasons. I grew up in a majority Black and Brown community, with Black and Latine friends. In attempts to not feel singled out, and combat the racial bullying I sometimes encountered, for a long time, I tried to distance myself from my Chinese identity. I remember in high school, I deeply internalized things, i.e. I was told once how doing my makeup a certain way made me look “more Latina”, a kind of validation I constantly sought out and a part of my identity I wanted to reaffirm. Even though I attended a rather racially diverse high school, I still found my self identifying with and relating better to my Black and Brown peers. I also received commentary about the way I carry myself, my personality and the way I speak. I was once told that I was “ghetto”, but that I was “Asian” and wasn’t supposed to be ghetto. That somehow the way I dress and spoke insinuated a certainculture that: A. I did not visually align with B. That being “ghetto” was associated with a certainway of dressing and speaking. Long story short, it has been a very long battle, but it was only until I got to Goucher thatI didn’t feel the need to over explain myself and my identity. It was something I could just be proud of, an extremely unique experience and background, that I didn’t have to feel self-conscious about. I think it ties to the general effect of college, and coming into your own with a chance to start anew, and for college I chose to fully embrace all of my identity, and celebrate my multiculturalism. In Kindergarten, my mom says I used to walk around and say “I’m 50% Puerto Rican, 25% Dominican, 25 Filipino%, and 100% Chinese!” But, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize identity isn’t as simple as percentages or parts, but rather it’s a complex amalgamation of life-long memories and experiences that are in constant fluctuation that creates the dynamic people we are in each given moment. Identity is truly what you make it, and when I finally came to understand that, did I fully appreciate all of my experiences and look forward to growing in that direction.
How has your upbringing influenced your view on the world? (What values do you hold? How do you see others?)
I think having parents who are social justice icons in my community definitely influenced the way I navigate and view the world. I was raised with unwavering values rooted in compassion, kindness and a steadfast devotion to helping others. I
also think my parents were intentional, in regards to my adoption, and in the way I was raised with such a large and loving community, that God intended it to be this way, and there was nothing wrong with being adopted (my parents raised me as Catholic but I have since diverged from being religious). They reinforced, through children’s books and conversations about their trip to China, that I was meant to be their child, and that families don’t always have to come together in the same way. This was supported by the fact that I had an extremely large extended/chosen family, that had been crafted through my parent’s community engagement and large social networks. I was raised to know that family can mean so many things, and is
definitely not confined to blood relation. The large community I had the privilege to be raised by, reinforced my profound devotion to love as my core value. Loving deeply, widely, and as unconditionally as I can. I was also raised on the notion of celebrating intersectionality, and as I grew older, I saw the ways in which I could appreciate my multicultural background through this lens, and not just lean or depend on one culture, but rather feel confident to learn more and explore all oy my cultural backgrounds.
How did you decide to come to Goucher?
I decided to come to Goucher actually rather randomly. I was made aware of Goucher as a school maybe a few weeks before finishing up applications. I visited for accepted student’s day, and honestly really liked the campus, the one Peace Studies course I sat in on (which later became my major), met some cool people in my group that ended up actually becoming my friends, saw the students and campus and thought it looked “diverse”, and just generally liked the vibe. Goucher also gave me decent financial aid, probably one of if not the best package (which still ended up being way too much money, in
retrospect).
Were/are you a part of the Asian Student Union* or other clubs and events relating to Asian identity?
I actually was not. I was a part of the Dancers of Color Coalition, that was a space generally for POC in the dance department, but it was not specifically an Asian club. I may have attended the adopted club (the official name is escaping me), once, but I never could really identify with the experience of the other people in the group. I truly believe that having been adopted into a family of Latine heritage, that I have a difficult time relating to other Chinese-adopted girls. In some ways, it is a peculiar experience to be adopted and actually somewhat look like my parents, but also to be a person of color raised by people of color, as opposed to having white parents, as is largely known as the adopted child’s experience. I took part in an interview series for a capstone for a former Goucher student who graduated after my first year, who did her
capstone on adoption experiences. In that focus group interview, I was with two other Chinese girls who had been adopted from China, who did that “travel back to China and discover your roots” trip, and I had the realization that I never felt the need to do something like that, and didn’t have much of a longing to return to China/connect with that culture, because I had a bit of it growing up, but even more importantly, I had a very full cultural experience growing up, so there wasn’t like a gaping hole I felt I needed to fill to connect with my roots. My roots are here with my family, with the strong Puerto Rican culture I was raised with.
During your time at Goucher were there forms of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination towards Asian students? (on campus/ off campus?)
Because it was a while ago, nothing comes to mind at the moment. But, I don’t doubt that it didn’t happen. Racism was
apparent at Goucher, honestly sometimes even by some Asian (male) students. I personally don’t remember experiencing this, but that does not mean it did not happen.
What was your experience like in the classroom?
I really enjoyed my experiences in the classroom. I thrived off of small class sizes, and usually enjoyed the content. I did struggle very much with the hard sciences, as I was pre-med for ¾ of my Goucher time, but in my final semester, I took amazing courses that simply interested me, and truly had the time of my life, probably because I was doing what I enjoyed. One thing I will say, however, there is definitely a “wokeness” competition culture present at Goucher that often manifested in the classroom with people trying to “out woke” each other, but this is a culture that bleeds into the social fabric of
Goucher that in reflection now, is a problem and leaves no room for compassion and growth.
What are some of your favorite memories at Goucher?
Definitely all the strong communities I found myself in. I had the loveliest experiences being a part of First Year Mentors, DOCC, and 1021 Hip Hop Team. One moment in particular I hold near and dear to my heart, was the way in which my friends showed their appreciation of me in my last few weeks before transferring. I was in the “R&J Project”, the 2018 Senior Theatre major’s cohort project, and in one point during this show we got up and professed love or appreciation for someone in the audience. On the closing night of the show, I dedicated my speech to all of the amazing friends I made at Goucher. I ended up bawling my eyes out and out from the audience all of my friends came and gave me a huge group hug. This was followed by a few weeks after, where I went out to dinner with a huge group of friends to P.F. Chang’s for my birthday, that was followed by a UMOJA party that ended up doubling as a surprise birthday party for me. I created
some amazing friendships at Goucher, and the first time I visited Goucher after having left, was also a truly memorable and touching experience. Like I said, love and family are super important to me, and the communities I formed at Goucher are just another example of a chosen family for whom I have endless amounts of love.
Do you think Goucher supports its Asian students? (administrative, curriculum,
socially)
I honestly couldn’t give a confident answer, I don’t feel like I know enough about it to
say.
How could Goucher better support its Asian students?
Hire more Asian faculty. I am trying to sit back and think if I ever had an Asian professor, or remember even seeing an Asian
professor, and nobody comes to mind. That’s a problem. I think CREI did a pretty good job at offering events and information, but there is ALWAYS room for growth, and Goucher has a lot of places where that is needed.