Asian American Identity & Self-Love in the System of White Supremacy with Ellie Yang Camp

In this week’s episode of From the Ashes, I am joined by Ellie Yang Camp—artist, educator, and author of Louder Than the Lies: Asian American Identity, Solidarity, and Self-Love. As a daughter of Asian immigrants myself, Ellie’s story struck a deep chord with me. Together, we dive into the challenges of navigating racial identity, unpacking white supremacy, and learning what it really means to embrace self-love as Asian Americans. Ellie shares her journey of discovering her voice and claiming her space in a system that often tries to box us in. I also reflect on my own experiences—how I’ve grappled with my Asian American identity, where I’ve felt “othered,” and what it means to embrace our full, nuanced selves. This conversation isn’t just about race—it’s about finding compassion for ourselves, for others, and for the struggles that shape us. If you’ve ever felt stuck between cultures, struggled to reconcile societal expectations, or questioned your worth, this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed. Key Moments: [03:10] Ellie’s Origins – Ellie shares how an early comment about her race shaped her career aspirations and sparked her journey of self-awareness. [06:40] The Role of White Supremacy in Shaping Identity – Ellie explains how systems of power influence how we see ourselves, our worth, and our roles. [16:00] A Turning Point: Confronting Internalized Beliefs – Ellie recounts the moment she realized her own biases and how it led her to embrace self-love. [27:05] Forced Solidarity and the Complexity of “Asian American” – We discuss how external systems box Asian Americans into a singular identity and why solidarity is still necessary. [32:37] Self-Love and Compassion: A Key to Healing – Ellie highlights the importance of self-compassion in unlearning harmful beliefs and showing up authentically. [47:19] Supporting Each Other in Our Journeys – Ellie and I discuss why community support and uplifting diverse voices are essential for collective growth. [56:57] Teaching Kids Without Moralizing – Ellie shares her approach to discussing politics and values with children—focusing on context rather than judgment. About Our Guest: Ellie Yang Camp is an artist and Asian American community educator from the San Francisco Bay Area. The proud daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she has been a high-school history teacher, a full-time parent, a calligrapher, an anti-racist educator, and now an author. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching of Social Studies from Stanford. Her first book, Louder Than the Lies: Asian American Identity, Solidarity, and Self-Love which unpacks the racial experiences of Asian Americans under the system of white supremacy was published in October 2024 with Heyday Books. Resources & Links: Ellie's Book: Louder Than the Lies: Asian American Identity, Solidarity, and Self-Love Ellie’s Website: www.ellieyangcamp.com Ellie’s Newsletter: Subscribe here Follow Ellie on Instagram: @eeewhysee More about Valerie Beck & From the Ashes: Intrepid Wellness Website Instagram: @intrepidwellness.val YouTube: @intrepidwellness562 Join our E-mail List Are you ready to Evolve? Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "From the Ashes." My goal for From the Ashes is to inspire listeners to embrace their personal growth and evolution towards a fulfilling, vibrant life. If you are feeling the call to uplevel your life, then let's talk. Click here to book a 30-minute Evolve YOU session with Valerie. Looking forward to connecting! Join the Conversation Loving the show? Please leave a review and share this episode with your friends to help spread the word! Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes of "From the Ashes," where every story ignites hope and healing. If you have any questions or thoughts about the episode, I would love for you to send them to me at [email protected].