Episode 14: I am Mixed but Still Asian

Here’s the first Podcast episode in which I’m going to take a step aside and give space to those who are part of the mixed Asian American community to share their stories. It’s important to keep in mind of the rich diversity of voices within the community of Asian American women representing us. It was a huge privilege to be able to interview Chloe Lin and Hanako O'Leary for this episode, so I'm excited to share their narratives with you. For listeners who can relate to the experiences of my interviewees, I hope that our conversations - especially for this episode - can be a comforting experience for you to be a part of - you are not alone. Chloe Lin is, among other things, a first-generation, mixed-race, bisexual Asian-American woman. She was raised in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County by her Taiwanese-Chinese mother, and now resides in Boston, where she works as a guide and museum assistant for various historic sites. She graduated from Smith College in 2016 as a history major and museum studies minor, and is adjusting to Adult Life by reading books of all kinds, cooking with friends, and avoiding learning how to drive. She thanks you for listening to this podcast, and hopes you have a lovely day. Hanako O’Leary, (aka HannyaGrrrl) is a first generation Japanese-American.  Upon receiving her BFA in ceramics, Hanako O'Leary left the mid-west to pursue a career in clay. Settling in Seattle, she became frustrated with the insular, white-washed nature of the the fine art world, struggling to find her voice as a biracial womyn artist. After becoming involved in local cultural nonprofits and community art projects, Hanako decided to pursue her MFA in Arts Leadership.  As an arts administrator she believed she could create access into the fine art-world for those who create work outside the canon of Eurocentric aesthetics. In her two year journey through Seattle University's Arts Leadership program, Hanako realized leadership in the arts was not exclusive to those in administrative positions.  In those years she found her voice as an artist, participating in socially engaged public art projects and exhibits throughout Seattle. Currently she is exploring social media as public art space and it’s influence in building community. Recent inspirations/ aspirations include Edo period Japan, comic illustration, intersectional feminism, and of course, smashing the patriarchy. Read our transcript here!: https://www.projectvoicepod.com/blog/2018/8/15/episode-14-i-am-mixed-but-still-asian 9.15.18: Project Voice has rebranded! Connect with us @projectvoicepod: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectvoicepod Instagram: http://instagram.com/projectvoicepod Twitter: http://twitter.com/projectvoicepod