Shortly before COVID-19 hit the United States, my husband and I watched Wicked on Broadway. That particular evening, we headed to the theater, excited to immerse ourselves in intricate set design and iconic music. He in particular enjoyed “Defying Gravity” and couldn’t wait to hear it in person.
As we walked to our destination, an unassuming man brushed past us uttering two words. I blinked and he was already halfway across the next block, the moment startlingly quick. But I knew I didn’t imagine what had left his lips or how he’d addressed us. His voice dripped with contempt and disgust when he proclaimed it, clear as day: “Dirty Asians.”
My 엄마 (mother) always emphasized the importance of staying connected with my Korean heritage while assimilating just enough to be accepted by American society. Like much of the Korean diaspora, I was in perpetual limbo: too Asian to be American, too American to be Asian. The concept of a home country, of belonging, felt foreign. I floated in endless obscurity, flitting between two identities from opposite ends of the world.
So, to hear a stranger deem me as dirty stung. It reminded me of my otherness and preconceived inferiority. Throughout 2020—and in present time—my friends also experienced varying degrees of hate, our faces involuntarily knotted into the mess that was the pandemic.
However, we were emboldened and refused to remain invisible. We felt we owed our defiance to our communities, particularly our elders who were the main victims of violence during this time. We bared our anger, hurt, and fear, exploring complex emotions and shedding light on our forgotten history.
AANHPI stories deserve the stage all year-round.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) is a time to raise awareness of our needs and celebrate our progress. We’ve come a long way since the Chinese exclusion acts and United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, but the road ahead remains unpaved. Our next few chapters remain unwritten; the pen rests readily in our hands.
Our collective legacies can’t be boxed in by the model minority myth, a harmful assumption that we’re the “successful” minorities who are always hard-working and intelligent. On a surface level, the stereotype seems harmless. When dissected, it desaturates our diversity, forcing us to be a monolith with limited representation. Our struggles become nonexistent.
We carry countless experiences that prove we’re anything but less than. To control our narrative, we must speak up and allow our truths to drown out the noise. Then, now, and into the future, our stories will be the wind that powers our sails, guiding our ships through raging storms and merciless seas.
Here, we amplify three of our own Customer Management Practice voices: women with beautifully diverse upbringings and perspectives, knit together by a mutual desire for inclusive empowerment.
Sandy Ko Fonseca
Founder & Principal, Customer Contact Women
I grew up in a diverse town where many people looked like me. My circle of friends from high school is the United Nations. We acknowledge and celebrate each others’ holidays, respect cultural boundaries, and have an understanding of the way we are and how we operate because of our culture.
Imagine my surprise when I left our little town and heard racial slurs like, “ching chong, ching chong,” and was met with stares and glares from strangers when I was the only person of color in the room. In those moments, I was too shocked to do or say anything. To this day, I am still flabbergasted when I am met with racist remarks or actions. But these words have not stopped me from becoming a successful Asian woman leader. In fact, their hatred has fueled me to be better than them.
I know that my circle helps me be a better leader in the workplace because I know that all of us come from different backgrounds. That is special and should be celebrated. As a leader, it’s important to recognize that and be open-minded and respectful.
My advice?
- Embrace your cultural identity. Embrace who you are. It is a unique strength that you possess, and you should leverage that to your advantage. Why? You offer different perspectives, skills, and experiences, and for an organization, that is priceless insight.
- Find an AANHPI mentor who can help you navigate your career journey. Mentors can provide guidance on challenges unique to AANHPI individuals because more likely than not, they've gone through similar challenges as well.
- Build your community. Create a supportive network that you can rely on. Whether they are part of the AANHPI community or an ally, find people who encourage you, celebrate you, and can give you constructive feedback to help you grow.
- Lastly, recognize that not everyone will understand or find your cultural identity to be important. While it’s not your job to teach them, what better way to show them other than through yourself? Leading by example is often one of the most effective ways to teach others, and if you have the opportunity to do so, you absolutely should.
Sathya Sundar
Research Analyst and Program Manager, CMP Exchange
For the most part, my neighborhood was predominantly Asian. It was definitely a bubble but I felt safe and cultivated many beautiful relationships that continue to sustain me today. One is with my former mentee-turned-friend, Lizbeth, whom I helped navigate education and career to pursue typically inaccessible opportunities.
With that said, I’m no stranger to discrimination myself. I often get stopped for security checks when it’s apparent their actions are racially motivated. Wherever I go, I experience being in spaces where people are suspicious, and express it by following and questioning me.
They aren’t at fault for having unconscious biases, but they’re still responsible for unlearning harmful misconceptions that affect others. We have so many educational resources available to us, and I think it’s important we explore them and take action.
I encourage AANHPI professionals with the following:
- Advocate for yourself. It can be intimidating to be the minority in a room, especially if you’re a person of color and a woman. But your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s, and you’ve worked to be where you are. Take pride in your accomplishments and let it feed your confidence when you need to vocalize your needs.
- Celebrate your identity. I’m extremely proud of my Indian heritage and love to share about my culture with others. Introducing movies, songs, and cuisines from your country can be an accessible and fun way to educate others about your background.
- Actively speak up for others. Achieving diversity is a joint effort. If you feel that someone is being wronged, take courage and call it out. We need to work together to bring real change, and that includes being a strong ally.
Nadia Yousuf
Principal Analyst and Divisional Head, CMP Exchange
I find the question "Where are you from?" challenging to answer, as my identity is a rich tapestry woven with my Bangladeshi heritage. I proudly reply, "New York," celebrating the unique blend of cultures that have shaped me. This AANHPI Heritage Month, I am thrilled to embrace and share my cultural identity and the opportunities it has brought me.
The concept of "belonging" is particularly significant to AANHPI communities. It goes beyond simply fitting in and carries a political demand for the United States to confront its historical and social treatment of Asian Americans as "perpetual foreigners."
Like many others, I arrived in this country with a single opportunity. I faced numerous challenges to my identity, including stereotypes and discrimination. Yet, I persevered, working tirelessly to improve my life. My efforts have led to multiple opportunities that have shaped my journey. I am proud of the rich and vibrant Bengali culture that has been a pillar of my success. The values of education, hard work, and respect for older adults, deeply ingrained in Bengali culture, have guided my career. Today, I stand proud, a testament to the resilience of the AANHPI community.
For AANHPI individuals exploring their careers and seeking to build resilience, here are some pieces of advice:
- Know your worth. Recognize your unique skills, talents, and experiences, and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself in the workplace. Understand the value you bring to your job and to any team or organization you're a part of.
- Seek mentorship and support. Connect with mentors, peers, or professional networks who can guide, advise, and support you as you navigate your career journey. Mentors who understand your experiences as an AANHPI individual can be precious.
- Build a robust support system. Surround yourself with friends, family, and colleagues who uplift and support you. A supportive network can provide encouragement, perspective, and emotional support during your career's highs and lows.
- Remember your well-being is paramount. Prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health. Make time for activities that bring you joy, relaxation, and fulfillment outside of work. Nurturing yourself is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining resilience and thriving in your career.
- Amplify relevant content. Share stories and repost news and resources on social media to raise awareness about anti-AANHPI racism and discrimination. Amplifying content is a powerful way to spread awareness, challenge stereotypes, and foster understanding.
Read the following to learn about the AANHPI community:
