By Taryn Hwang
When you hear the word “Asian,” what careers do you think of? Doctor. Engineer. Coder. But rarely do you hear: Artist. Filmmaker. Writer. Historian. The things that confine our Asian identities have often been shaped by stereotypes like the model minority myth, and these stereotypes encourage a narrow lens which portrays success most often through STEM-related achievements or careers.
Expanding what it means to be “Asian” means reclaiming our full identity, as storytellers, creatives, culture-makers, and leaders, who shape the world and make meaningful differences. I hope to highlight some of the trailblazers that bring this to life in their everyday work.
Cathy Park Hong
Cathy Park Hong is a poet, writer and cultural critic. Her work has sparked conversations about identity and marginalization in the U.S, and she has provided a vocabulary for dealing with AAPI racial trauma. Her critically praised collection of autobiographical essays “Minor Feelings” analyzes the psychological impact that institutional racism has on Asian Americans, and her voice has compelled readers and organizations to reflect and work towards greater justice.
Steven Yeun
Steven Yeun has redefined Asian American representation in Hollywood. He has created roles that push back against stereotypes, and his Oscar-nominated performance in Minari helped to reframe our perception of the immigrant experience by portraying a Korean immigrant parent with dignity and depth. Yeun utilizes his platform to promote more inclusive storytelling and discuss the lack of jobs for Asian actors. He also pushes the need for structural change in the entertainment sector.
James Jean
James Jean is a Taiwanese American visual artist. His intricate work blends Eastern and Western motifs, which creates powerful visual narratives that bring to light diasporic Asian identity. His art challenges the invisibility of Asian aesthetics in contemporary fine art spaces. His highly recognizable style is featured in films, fashion, and galleries, which all serve as an important form of cultural reclamation and visibility.
Kimberly Nguyen
Kimberly Nguyen is a Vietnamese American poet. Her work dives into the intersections of language and diaspora, as well as many other aspects of identity. She explores themes of colonization and cultural erasure in her poetry and she gives a voice to the AAPI community’s overlooked experiences through her writing. Through her public campaigning and creative writing, Nguyen has helped young Asian Americans feel seen and understood by creating a space for both resistance and reflection.
So now you see. The arts, humanities, and public service are not only viable paths for Asian Americans, but they are essential ones. When Asian voices go missing from these spaces, our stories go untold and our perspectives are overlooked. Every Asian American artist, filmmaker, writer, and historian who chooses a different path chips away at the walls of a stereotype that never should have been ours to begin with.