Growing up, the number of Chinese kids at my school could be counted on one hand. I knew I was different, but I yearned so badly to conform. I refused to learn Chinese writing, I brought exclusively “American” food for lunch, and I never ever spoke a word of Mandarin in front of my elementary classmates. It wasn’t until my family moved to where we are now, where the Asian population accounts for a quarter of my school’s population, did I learn to accept and celebrate my family’s culture. My new friends were actually interested in Chinese culture, shared parts of their own culture, and helped me realize that being Chinese-American was nothing to be ashamed of. There have also been many Chinese and Asian community leaders that I met throughout my community involvement, showcasing that the stereotypically “meek” race is capable of being strong leaders. As a leader on multiple fronts myself, their work is very inspiring. The result of these experiences is that, I have grown an air of confidence in proclaiming that I am a Chinese-American girl. This year, at my senior prom, I will don a traditional Chinese qipao, which I have portrayed myself wearing in my painting. Girls before me inspired me to obtain the traditional garb, and hopefully, my dress this year will inspire other young girls to flaunt their own traditions in the future. The Asian community has pushed me to be unapologetically Chinese, with the security of an entire community behind me. And so unlike Mulan, when I look into the mirror, I know exactly who that girl staring back at me is; an unwavering Chinese-American who is proud to be “more than one”.
