It's important to embrace and understand my culture.

My name is Ivy Chen and I am a junior at Langley High School. Growing up in an Asian American household, I learned to embrace and understand my culture and family’s origin. I am a proud Asian American and I am thankful for the environment I was able to grow up in. However, it wasn’t always easy to appreciate and share my culture with others, as I feared being judged because of my race and my skin color.

It was difficult because racism was prominent back then, and it still is today. Even in elementary school, I have encountered racism from my classmates and peers that have made me feel different, unusual, and weird; almost like a sense that I did not belong in this community. I have experienced racial slurs, been judged because of my skin color, and have been perceived as the typical Asian stereotype. At that point, it felt like your race defined who you are, your personalities, and your capabilities; it can harm a child’s identity and self-esteem, making them think that their race is inferior compared to others and that they do not match or look like the others.

Racism is a pervasive social issue that played a large role in the environment I grew up in, the quality of the schools I experienced, the air I breathed, and the water I drank. It is an apparent issue that is not only present in Fairfax County, but around the nation. I have experienced racism and have seen it occurred, which has urged me to take action and participate in activism and change. I am, and I will remain, a strong advocate for Asian American representation. I have participated in numerous advocacy work that targets improving and spreading awareness about racism, which has motivated and inspired me to take further action towards creating a unified country that understands one another regardless of their race, identity, and background. I was able to learn effective strategies and ways to appreciate my own culture despite feeling embarrassed at times. However, with time, comes change and we must take action to ensure that we create a sustainable future that stands against racism and inequality.

With the recent events, racism is now more than ever apparent in our own school system and I have witnessed it occur at my own school. In response to the racist nature at Langley High Schools, both the staff and students have taken action; for example, organizing and creating a town hall to spread awareness about racism, developing school clubs and organizations that help create a fair and just community, and a platform for students to speak about their experiences. However, these steps are only the beginning for both Langley and Fairfax County.

The topics expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the complete views and opinions of Abrar Omeish.

Ivy Chen is a junior at Langley High School.