Embracing the Complexity of Wasian Identity: A Personal Journey
By
Alex Sujong Laughlin
Kettled twice. Extra chewy, extra trustworthy.
Summary
The author reflects on their journey as a Wasian (White-Asian mixed race) person, triggered by an internet stranger assuming they were a white man. This led them to change their byline to include their Korean name, 수정 (Soo-Jung), and explore the complexities of multiracial identity. The article discusses the nuances of being mixed-race, the pressure to prove one's identity, and the liberating realization that it's okay to simply exist without having to constantly explain or justify one's racial background.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledWhen I was 24, a stranger on the internet called me a white man, and it sent me into such a tailspin that I changed my byline.
My Korean name is 수정, which is most often romanized as Soo-Jeong or Soo-Jung. No one has ever called me this.
Wasia can be a lot. It's fine.
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