I’ve struggled with this topic for a while. I’m half-Asian, but I’m also half-white. While no one would come up to me and think I’m white, really, my family also doesn’t practice a lot of traditional Chinese things (like events and holidays). My siblings and I can’t fluently speak any dialects of Cantonese or Mandarin, nor, to my knowledge, have any of us ever laid foot anywhere in Asia. So I often wonder: what is my place in all this? We all have a voice, and it is our choice how we use it. I, for one, will be using mine to stand up for those in positions where they can’t use their own. The events of late March not only this year but also last year (when Eastern Asians were essentially blamed for the coronavirus) were, and still are, terrifying. I am a living, breathing human, just like you. I like to write stories and draw and braid my hair; I like to connect with people, to learn new things. There are things I’m good at, and things I’m utterly horrible with. My maternal family having come from China shouldn’t matter, and doesn’t make me any different than you. I am not a representative of all Asian people, and I’m a far cry from representing Asian countries; as I said I’ve never been to anywhere in Asia and don’t really participate in Chinese culture. But my opinions are valid, and so are yours. Stand up for what’s right. Be proud of who you are, and be respectful to others. Always. It might mean a whole lot more than you think. ~ yes, this was shared on the very last day of AAPI month close to midnight (my time zone) xD thanks, procrastination ~ Also if you care my art style is currently undergoing some changes which you’ll hopefully see soon enough — that’s why this drawing doesn’t have eyes (yes I’m sorry creepy). Man all these side notes are really ruining my strong finish aren’t they