What does it mean to be Asian American?
Before the rise of this term, we would be referred to as “oriental,” which holds severe racist and colonialist connotations. Or, Americans of Asian descent would refer to themselves by their specific ethnic subgroup, such as Vietnamese American, Filipino American, and so on. But with time, came “Asian American,” a term that allowed us – as Asian Americans – to unify a common banner. One that encompasses our experiences as Americans of Asian descent. It doesn’t matter if we are immigrants or hold deep roots in American soil for several generations. If we ' ve grown distant from our heritage or if we are immersed within it. We are still Asian Americans.
Our Asian / Asian American culture has evolved significantly over these past years. Within this month’s publication, we wanted to talk about how we have embraced the growth of our ever-changing culture and heritage. From our representation in film and media to our own personal experiences as Asian Americans, there is a stark difference in what it means to be an Asian American today compared to when OU AASA was founded in 1985.
Our evolution is a testament to our resilience, our growth, and the potential we hold as a united community. I hope that we can learn more about how we can come together, both to understand our evolution and to envision where it can take us.
I want to sincerely thank everybody who made this magazine possible, including your support as a reader. I’m so happy to see how far this magazine has grown in these past months, and I hope that you enjoy the result of our hard work.
Sincerely,
Please contact me at ouaasa.gensec@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or concerns.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP PLAN THIS YEAR'S APIDA OLYMPICS OR HELP WORK THE EVENT, SIGN UP TO BE PART OF THE COMMITTEE! THERE WILL BE SUBCOMMITTEES, FOCUSING ON LOGISTICS, PUBLICITY, AND MORE.
FOR ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT AASA'S VICE PRESIDENT EXTERNAL, ANNIE NGUYEN AT OUAASA.VPEXTERNAL@GMAIL.COM
IF YOU WANT TO HELP ORGANIZE THIS YEAR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, APPLY TO BE A PART OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR COMMITTEE!
FOR ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT AASA'S LUNAR NEW YEAR CHAIR, BRITTNEY LUONG AT OUAASA.CULTURAL@GMAIL.COM
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Wednesday, November 2nd from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at the Norman Mosque Muslim Student Association | Chai Chat Series
Come enjoy some chai, faith, and community!
Wednesday, November 2nd from 7:00pm - 8:30pm in the OMU: GRA Rooms - 3rd Floor Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | BMES x SASE Industry Showcase Network with IMMY, Medpace, and Medtronic with OU BMES and SASE to learn what their company is about, see what they have to offer, and hear about their opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students!
Wednesday, November 2nd from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center Asian American Student Association | Third General Body Meeting Come out to our third General Body Meeting! We will be hosting a cultural game night! Food is free for AASA members, but it will be $3 for non-members.
Friday, November 4th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm in Traditions East Clubhouse
Pakistani Student Association x The United World | Continental Chase join us in the Continental Chase for a global scavenger hunt, international snacks, and more!
Tuesday, November 8th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center Vietnamese Student Association | Second General Body Meeting Join us for our second General Body meeting for members We will have food provided!
Wednesday, November 9th from 12:30pm - 2:30pm on the South Oval Asian American Student Association | Asian Food Fair Come enjoy foods from various Asian cultures with us! Food will be $4 for members and $7 for non-members!
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Thursday, November 10th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center Association of Southeast Asian Nations | ASEAN Food Fair/Cookout
Come to our food fair where we will have food from many different cultures in Southeast Asia
Friday, November 11th from 7:00pm - 11:30pm in the OMU: Molly Shi Ballroom (3rd Floor) International Advisory Committee (IAC) | THE BEYOND: International Gala The 2022 International Gala is finally here! This November 11th, be prepared to go to The Beyond during this marvelous event If you like dressing up, dancing all night, meeting new people, and having quality time with your friends, then get ready to have an amazing time! Expect tasty food, glamorous photobooths, a great DJ, live music, and the best crowd We can't wait to see you there!
Friday, November 11th at 9:00pm in Meacham Auditorium
Lambda Phi Epsilon | Fall 2022 Probate
The unveiling of the Fall 2022 Lambda Phi Epsilon Pledge Class. Doors open at 8:30pm.
Wednesday, November 16th from 10:00am - 1:00pm on the South Oval
Lambda Delta Psi Sorority Inc. | LDY's Bake Sale
A bake sale to support the sisters of Lambda Delta Psi! We will be selling our onigiri, tteokbokki, and as a special drink, we will be making taro milk tea with boba so come out to support!
Wednesday, November 16th from 10:00am - 1:00pm in Dunham Hall, Room A128 Muslim Student Association | Chai Chat Series Come enjoy some chai, faith, and community!
Thursday, November 17th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm in TBA Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | SASE GBM #3 ft. Texas Instruments Network with Texas Instruments and build your own ramen (free for PAID MEMBERS)!
Friday, November 18th from 9:00am - 2:00pm in TBA
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | SASE - Coffee and Chats with Texas Instruments Come and go for some coffee and talk with representatives from TI!
Friday, November 18th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Blazers Ice Rink Asian American Student Association x Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers | AASA x SASE On Ice Join AASA and SASE for some fun ice-skating! Members pay $5, and non-members pay $10!
Monday, November 21st from 10:00am - 3:00pm on the South Oval
Asian American Student Association | OU Asian Royalty Homeless Alliance Bake Sale We will be hosting a bake sale to support the Homeless Alliance! We will be selling matcha fudge squares, macarons, muffins, brownies, and cookies! Keep an eye on our social media for more information!
Monday, November 28th from 8:30pm - 12am in Meacham Auditorium
Tau Kappa Omega (Taikos) | Taikos Probate
Who are they? Come see our guys' spotlight moment in a show they've worked hard to reveal themselves as the newest Taikos around town. Come for a fun and exciting performance open for all!
Growing up with four different languages was a rollercoaster ride – slight chaos and fun jam packed in one I was surrounded by
The struggles of going through Chinese school for more years than needed just to come out with a bare-bones understanding
The pressure to know how to speak your mother tongue is intense. It makes you feel like you aren't good enough if you can’t speak it well– as if you’ve disappointed your family more than you already have. You could be making improvements, yet you would still get remarks about how your American accent is so strong instead of the praise you might have been looking for. It doesn’t help that you’re cornered with the need to know English because of school and just everyday life. No matter where you go, there will always be judgment brought upon you because of the language you speak.
Seeing those who could speak fluently in their mother tongue created feelings of jealousy for me. I wish I wouldn’t have to throw in English words while I’m speaking. I wish tones would come to me more naturally. I wish I could tell my parents how I truly feel in their language so they could actually understand me.
The other day, a customer came in and spoke Viet to my coworker. He told her that his Vietnamese wasn’t the best, but the customer didn’t mind. She mentioned that because we are in America now, you don’t need to know much Vietnamese anymore. After hearing that, I could feel a pain hit my heart. It didn’t feel right, but I understood what she meant. How can you pass down the culture you grew up with when you aren’t even fully immersed in it yourself? Are you obligated to?
As time passes, hopefully, we can see a change in the next generation of Asian American kids. I hope that they can learn their mother tongue without the shame that comes with it like it’s a “buy one, get one free” deal. I hope that they won’t have to go through that suffocating feeling of inadequacy, of not feeling “Asian enough.” I hope that this pressure of proficiency will lessen without the need to dim the flames of our own culture.
Role models. Everyone has someone they look up to growing up. Movie stars, sports pros, historical figures. Most people would say their parents. I would say it is the same for me, but for different reasons. My parents were the things that I never want to be: ignorant, rude, and aggressive. They would want things that I felt other kids around me didn’t have to deal with. Good grades, learning another language, never talking back. These things irritated me more and more as I was growing up. As a result, I found solace in video games.
My parents were poor, so if I wanted to try something like bicycling, playing an instrument, or drawing, it would be a real pain trying to convince them to buy me stuff. This is not to say that buying video games weren’t a problem, but at least I had support from my brother and cousin when talking to my parents about it. By the time middle school came around, gaming had solidified itself as my hobby of choice.
I was introduced to gaming at a very young age. My cousin let me play Pokémon, Donkey Kong, the Sims, and many others throughout my childhood. Games were something I could do with all the free time I had as a kid. My parents were fine with it, at first. Soon enough, I had become addicted to gaming. After school, I would just grind out whatever game was fun at the time. I didn’t see any problem with what I was doing. I am not even sure my parent knew if there was a problem. My grades were fine, and I wasn’t getting into too much trouble in school. Nevertheless, my parents wanted me to do something else. I would try new things here and there, but it felt hard even starting anything new.
Gaming was how I made my first and closest friends. These friends would connect me with many of the friends that I have now. I could not imagine a life without gaming. However, in the grand scheme of things, the topic of gaming is somewhat controversial. Many people in the older generation find gaming as a complete waste of time. Music, martial arts, sports. These hobbies “build character” and “develop skills.”The older generation just does not see the value of gaming. It’s really not their fault to be fair. Gaming is a new occurrence. It takes many unique and different shapes. It is constantly changing as old games become updated and new games become developed. At face value, gaming is pressing some buttons while looking at a screen. There is inherently no personal or professional value to be gained from gaming.
However, just like how books are just words on a page and paintings are just colors on a canvas, there is more than meets the eye - literally and figuratively. Games are a way to tell a story. A story that the “reader” actively participates in. A story that ever slightly changes every time you go through it. This engaging form of media is why gaming has gotten popular in the first place. And with growing popularity comes people and with people, comes money. The most obvious way games make money is through the retail sale of the game itself. A product is created and then sold for some profit. Simple and straightforward business.
This way of making money through video games does not encapsulate the essence of video games, which is playing these video games. Esports is what really connects this community and the financial side of gaming. On the outside, it is something only a handful of people in the entire world make a living from. Talented individuals who have given up a “normal life,” in an attempt to become the best of the best. This exciting and risky career is something that is making gaming more and more popular in the eyes of the youth and elderly alike. With all the risks associated with esports for the average - and even talented - person, the one silver lining from esports is the overarching esports and video game industry itself.
The esports industry has many of the same careers as traditional sports such as managers, coaches, marketing, and so on. These positions comprise the backbone of the esports industry. They are the entryway for the average person to join the industry. And honestly, doing something “average” is something a lot of Asian and Asian Americans need. Not everyone wants to become the doctor responsible for someone’s life, the lawyer responsible for someone’s legal rights, or the engineer responsible for the functioning of a city. These jobs are time-consuming, competitive, and stressful. Other jobs give people more time to develop interests outside their professional life. With video games becoming socially acceptable and economically viable, the path of video games becoming more than just a game is something that our parents and even myself didn’t think was possible.
What do you think a lot about these days?
Honestly, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I take for granted. Coming into college, I thought I would be able to manage every part of my life well. I told myself I would go home every weekend to visit my parents, stay on top of school, and remain close to those who are always there for me. The truth is that we get busy and exhausted Working on our passions and living up to expectations is draining and time-consuming. It's hard to balance responsibilities while maintaining our personal lives and relationships. But right now, I’m trying to be more focused on the “present,” instead of the past or the future.
What does the word “community” mean to you?
In my eyes, a community is a group of people that collectively reinforce a safe space and support system for the people within it. For most of high school and entering college, I felt lost. I found myself scrambling to be involved in any organization I felt any sense of belonging in. To my surprise, I found a second home within the Vietnamese and Asian American Student Association. I couldn't have asked for a better place to be.
For the couple months I've been working with them, I have been mentored, nurtured, and taken care of by these communities. I'm truly happy for the relationships that I've made within these Asian American communities, that seek to uplift and support each other while also working towards a common mission.
Since your time here at OU, what are some new things that you learned about yourself?
I realized that I need to work on my time management and learn how to depend on others. I've become much more content and functional when I utilize these resources and surround myself with people I care about. Additionally, I’ve learned that I’m a prime target for getting pied. I guess people really have it out for me, haha.
Importance is subjective, but I'd choose the future. There's a reason that it's “Back to the Future” and not “Back to the Past.”
Traveling backwards is lame compared to traveling forwards in time. The future simply holds our ideals, while the past holds insight on what we could do better.
You said that you believed the South Asian community didn’t feel connected with the larger Asian / Asian American identity. What could be done to help with this?
I think there are two factors that play into this. Firstly, I think we need to educate ourselves on what groups are included in the demographic of Asia We all collectively need to be aware and less ignorant because knowledge only makes us better! Additionally, I believe that South Asians need to be a part of showing up. Representation for South Asians cannot exist if we, as a community, do not show up to get the representation we need!
As Asian Americans, what do you think we don’t talk enough about these days?
I do not think we talk about “Trauma” enough, specifically generational trauma and the pressure for our generation to break that cycle. I think we have all had the “I climbed mountains to get to school and you're complaining about it being too cold at the bus stop” lecture from our parents before. Or the “I shared a onebedroom apartment with eight of my brothers and sisters” lecture.
And I am sure we have all thought “Bestie … that is not normal” when hearing that.
Our generation has this unspoken pressure of breaking the cycle by acknowledging the trauma that was projected upon us. However, recognizing that trauma in the first place and reaching out for help is so much easier said than done. I feel like if we normalized talking about being scared that we will carry on some of our parents' toxic and traditional traits to our kids, it would be a lot easier to deal with and, in hand, easier to recognize.
What do you feel passionate about these days?
Personally, I feel passionate about nothing during the school year, but I would say a consistent passion I’ve had throughout my life is helping people. As a social being, feeling valued is nice every once in a while, but what I really love (sappy trigger warning) is the radiance that comes from people after helping them. The immediate gratification you see on people’s faces after doing a small act of kindness is literally the best feeling in the world.
What
Growing up, there was this struggle of “being Asian American,” which is a difficult topic to explain. When I was young, I felt this unspoken urge to deliberately conform to be socially accepted. I would ask my mom to pack me Lunchables, instead of her homecooked meals. Nowadays, I’ve come to embrace my own culture. Asian American culture is bringing about our own culture and expressing what we believe. To show the world how important our culture is to us and to share it with others What best defines Asian American culture is how we identify ourselves and show the importance of our culture.
I know that you are very passionate about your Filipino culture. Can you tell me more about your personal connection with it?
Growing up in Midwest City, Oklahoma I would normally be the only Filipino - not just in my grade but in my whole school There were not a lot of Filipinos at school or in my community, even though it was perceived as "diverse." I did not have anyone to relate with or anyone to be able to talk about our own culture with.
Trying to reconnect to my own culture was a pretty difficult task. At first, I didn't have a reason to express my culture to anyone. However, I found a sense of belonging within my high school’s Asian Club. We had events that were inclusive to all cultures, including my own Filipino culture. To help with this, I did some research and asked close ones about their experiences with Filipino culture. I’ve brought this culture with me ever since, and I hope I can spread it here at OU.
Do you have any quotes or ‘keywords’ that you are trying to live by?
“You only fail whenever you quit after making mistakes.”
I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but you can’t let making mistakes discourage you from continuing to try. Besides, there will always be someone who trueheartedly believes in you. Someone said this to me, and I appreciated that they still believed in me to keep going. All the mistakes I’ve made, I’ve learned from them. It's also character-building to look back on all the mistakes you made in the past and look at how you’ve grown from them. I'm not perfect, so I do sometimes make the same mistakes. But, I know if I give up and lose hope for myself, then I will regret where I stand.
things do you think best define Asian / Asian American culture, for you?
I’ve heard that you’ve started a project to teach people about the behind-thescenes of the Cosmetic Chemistry industry. What are some major things that you’ve learned while working on this project?
For those unaware, I run a passion project where I teach about the beauty industry and cosmetic chemistry in simplified terms, so that everyone can learn about the intricacies of skin care and the career field. Over these past two years, I’ve learned that a degree is not necessarily the most critical factor to getting a job in this industry but rather, the experience you get on the journey to reaching that goal. Things like research and networking.
Additionally, my passion for cosmetic chemistry has definitely grown as I expose myself to more information and to the community that comes with it. Although it sounds very cliché, I can definitely see myself in this field compared to anywhere else, since I knew that the medical field wasn’t really for me. I was also able to meet my best friend Rebecca, who currently lives in California. Although we both like working on different aspects of cosmetic chemistry, we’ve bonded when it involves the beauty industry.
It seems like you’ve met and worked with a lot of people before. Do you have anybody that you look up to?
My number one person that I look up to is Michelle Phan, an Asian beauty YouTuber who I started watching in grade school. She created her cosmetics line called “EM Cosmetics,” which is the reflection of “me” (like, literally with the letters). With her being Vietnamese, I felt a stronger connection to her achievements and to her as a person. On a local level, I really look up to my friend Khue, who graduated from UCO with a chemistry degree and now works as a lab technician in Dallas. We have the same career path, so it’s fascinating to look at where she has gone, as those could be my next steps in the future.
If you had a whole day to yourself, what would you do?
A whole day to myself? I would do the tasks I have been putting off. Activities such as journaling, cleaning my room, and hanging out with my friends. I also love playing badminton in my free time. Finally, I would spend some time catching up on the books I have been planning to read but never had the chance to.
You’ve mentioned that as a firstgeneration immigrant from Myanmar, you’ve felt caught between your Burmese and your American identity. What does being Asian American mean to you?
As a first-generation immigrant raised in America, the term “Asian American” always confused me Am I Asian American because I grew up in America, or am I Burmese because of my ethnicity? That was until I discovered I was a 1.75generation immigrant. They are the immigrants who came to the U.S. before age 5. Although I was born in Myanmar, I adopted an American identity. I went to predominantly white schools that had less than a 5% Asian demographic If there were Asians, they were East Asian so it was harder for me to relate culturally. As a result, I’ve lost a part of my Burmese identity. I’m Burmese enough for Americans, but not enough for natives. However, I’ve accepted that I can be both Burmese and American. For me, being Asian American is someone who is born of Asian descent but lives in America It’s someone who is familiar with both their culture and American culture.
I know that you're a pretty big movie buff. How do you feel about the current representation of Asian / Asian Americans in modern media?
Asian representation in modern media has gotten better over the years, but there’s still progress to be made. I remember how impactful Crazy Rich Asians was when it came out. I believe its release normalized Americans seeing AAPI-focused narratives. Since then, we’ve had movies such as The Farewell (2019) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). Unfortunately, many of these Asianfocused movies only feature East Asian stories. I suppose it’s because people see “Asian” as interchangeable for “East Asian”. However, it’s an umbrella term meant to describe a great variety of identities and ethnicities. It’s difficult to celebrate Asian representation when a majority of identities aren’t depicted. I hope modern media starts showing more representation for Southeast Asians, South Asians, and other underrepresented cultures.
What’s some advice that you would give to yourself a few years ago?
My biggest advice would be to live in the moment. When I was younger, I used to daydream about all the cool things I could’ve done instead of just doing it. I was always too afraid to go for what I wanted, and regretted it afterwards. However, I’ve learned to accept that I can’t rewrite the past. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I focus on what I can do now to be more present.
During your senior year, you were the president of your high school's Multicultural Club. What were some important lessons that you learned - both the positive and the negative - as a leader?
I’d say that I learned a lot of important lessons. For example, learning how to better communicate with people, being transparent, and keeping morale high while working through hard times were definitely all positives for me. On the flip side, understanding that not everyone will always be willing to cooperate and not communicate when you’re trying your best was really disheartening, unfortunately. You just really have to keep your head up and persevere through tribulations like that, and that’s okay. It’s just life, but it’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes
What’s the difference between “MCC President and AASA Freshman Rep” Laura Nguyen and the “human” Laura Nguyen?
“MCC President” Laura was constantly stressed and, to be honest, barely hanging on by a thread. I was definitely trying my best, but I was really burnt out and just felt suffocated by my senior year.
“AASA Freshmen Rep” Laura is more outgoing and is learning how to communicate better with everyone. I’m glad to have met new people through AASA and am very passionate to make every experience with AASA memorable for everyone else, as it has been for me.
And honestly… human Laura just wants to hang out with friends, stay inside, and/or cook and bake. I enjoy just going with the flow of things and not taking things too seriously. I love trips to the grocery store or just learning more about someone. I don’t really do anything too extreme, I just love being there to be there.
There are many little things I look forward to in life, but some of them include gaining new experiences through college, going out with friends, long-boarding, and finding new ways to express myself whether it be through photography, journaling, style, or doodling. I used to be the type of person that wouldn’t do things unless they were needed, but now I’m trying to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. The journey is just as important as the end goal, so make sure to celebrate the small things too!
"I've been in a mental health commercial, and hit by a semitruck on the same day."
As a recent pre-med-turned-digitalmedia-student, I knew this was the perfect opportunity – I’ve held publicity roles in a few other organizations on campus, but I’ve always loved to write about life in the context of culture. I also recently completed a public health research stint on mental health for Asian youth, so I jumped at the ability to share what I’ve learned!
I did not have much experience growing up around other Asians. This made transitioning into college a bit weird since I felt I didn’t have an identity at OU. After attending events hosted by Asian-based organizations, I started becoming more interested in what my Asian American identity meant to me. The magazine committee seemed to be a great way to learn more about Asian culture around OU.
I am a Vietnamese-American who was born and raised in Oklahoma. I always grew up proud to be Asian and I went to temple in my early years to learn to read, write, and speak my native language. I am tied to my Asian and Asian American culture through my native roots as well as my involvement on campus. As a result, when I heard about the magazine, I was excited to join and be a part of this team.
Going into college, I had been looking for a publication to become involved in. In high school, I heavily researched and created a photographic essay on Asian American identities. Joining the AASA magazine was the perfect combination to continue my love for photography with a focus on Asian culture.
Duong Thach (Cody)
AASAADVISOR Daniel Li STUDENTASSISTANT Xian Lai TREASURER
Anthony Nguyen GENERALSECRETARY Dana Ta
SENIORNIGHTCHAIR
Ariana Sayeed
Lana Nguyen
GRAPHICDESIGNER
Amelia Brown
HISTORIAN
Bella Pham
OUROYALTY
Lina Thai
FRESHMANREP
Paul Nguyen
FRESHMANREP
Maria de Asis
LIVEMUSICNIGHTCHAIR
Dim Zuun
FRESHMANREP
Annie Nguyen VPEXTERNAL
Sydney Wong VPINTERNAL
Oliver Wu
PRESIDENT
Margaret Le DIRECTOROFPHILANTHROPY
Brittney Luong
LUNARNEARYEARCHAIR
Syeda Sayera
ASIANFOODFAIRCHAIR
Sana Arshad
FRESHMANREP
Ryna Zubair
9:00am
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BRITTNEY DANA
"What does it mean to be Asian American?"
