I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

I was born in K-town Los Angeles. I’m in the middle of it all. Surrounded by Koreans. However, as a Korean American I struggled with accepting my race and trying to balance the two countries that were to become my identity. I know it’s cliche and I know that every minority born in America has some what of the same problem. Identity crisis, being too korean, white washed, what say you. I guess what makes our struggles different is how we handle them. I’ll be lying if I said there weren’t times where I wished I was a completely different person. I would also be lying if I had contempt for all these negative asian stereotypes bestowed upon me and that I diligently put the effort to eliminate every one. Then I realized that I wasn’t being myself. Accepting who you are and where you come from is hard to do. Luckily for me I still have some long ways to go. There’s a whole ‘nother journey out ahead of me. And even th! ough I’m not quite perfect yet (then again who is?) I know that this requires baby steps. Everyday I’m one inch closer to the person I want to be and the person I should start loving. Being Korean American is wonderful. It’s the best of both worlds and it’s okay if you like both of them equally because in the end they are a part of who you are. I’ve made it my goal to maybe possibly unconsciously inspire others to accept themselves as they are by accepting myself. All this self hatred, self victimization, wanting to be someone else etc is not going to lead me anywhere. And it’s about time we spread the message to the younger generation. Be the Change you wish to see in the world.

Peace & Love