Apr 27, 2021This too is an American experience.The earliest memory I have that isn’t prompted by a faded photo from the 80s with smiles frozen in perpetuity: Hiding under a desk and peeking through as I watch a drunk man spit in my dad’s face. Calling him a chink. Yelling to get out of HIS country. Go…5 min read5 min read
Oct 13, 2018On Breathing.I’m 32. I waited 22 years to speak about it. So. When people began saying things like “why did she wait so long” or “she’s just looking for attention” at a national level, my immediate reaction wasn’t to remember studies on PTSD or statistics on false allegations or the typically…Mental Health3 min readMental Health3 min read
Jun 25, 2018Paradox of Tolerance & Civility“This is Cathy — she put a cigarette out on a bitch.” As far as introductions go, personally that one’s not my favorite. Most of my friends get a good laugh out of it. And I really can’t complain because…that’s not NOT true. Over 10 years ago, a drunk girl…Tolerance3 min readTolerance3 min read
Jun 12, 2018On StrengthMy therapist commended me for not putting on makeup before our session — I walk out with raccoon eyes every time so…bout time I learn. I reply in true Daria deadpan fashion — I wore silk tho so…yea. And we both laugh because we know there’ll be salt water all…Mental Health3 min readMental Health3 min read
Jun 11, 2018What counts as MeToo?I was 10. Maybe 11. And I was excited. We were having a family sleepover. Staying at my aunt’s meant we had access to instant ramen and junk food. Those were the things that got me excited. Because again. I was 10. Maybe 11. I woke up that night to…Sexual Assault6 min readSexual Assault6 min read
Apr 15, 2016What Representation Means to MeBut honestly…it should. It surprises me that I, or any woman of color I know, have any self-confidence. It’s not noticeable at first, not even to us. The messaging is subtle. Even when not so subtle, our natural response is to accept that we are simply not enough. Questioning the…Race5 min readRace5 min read
Nov 30, 2015The Fallacy of MeritocracyEven as an associate in investment banking, I was often asked to go above and beyond my skillsets and book a car or make restaurant reservations. The male managing directors I was surrounded by all seemed far more comfortable asking me, the Asian girl, to take care of typically…Diversity7 min readDiversity7 min read
