🌺 May is ANHPI Heritage Month, a beautiful time to celebrate the rich cultures and histories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
As a hyphenated Korean-American-Canadian living in Europe, my journey with my cultural identity has been a winding road.
In my younger years, I found myself distancing from my Asian roots, feeling the need to assimilate into Western environments. The struggle to find a sense of belonging when you're the only __ in the room is a silent burden many of us carry.
But as I've grown older, I've learned to embrace and cherish my cultural heritage and uniqueness. This month especially, I celebrate the diversity of Asia, with its 48 unique countries, each with its own history, cuisine, and traditions.
Here are 3 things I celebrate today about the community:
👉 Shared Values: Despite our differences, there are many values that are shared common ground, such as a deep sense of community, respect, harmony, and an emphasis on education and achievement.
👉 Contributions and Strength: The AAPI community has made significant contributions to various fields, including science, technology, arts, literature, and social justice. Our legacy also includes resilience, organizing, and fighting for liberation in the face of adversity.
👉 Cultural Relevance: As someone with roots in Seoul, for instance, I am incredibly proud to see Korean culture gaining global visibility, from our mouth-watering cuisine to entertainment to street style.
While there’s much to celebrate, there are also some things that I wish for the community:
👉 To learn that humility does not mean shrinking ourselves or dimming our light.
👉 To practice self-compassion when we make mistakes or don't live up to standards of excellence.
👉 To uplift each other more proactively, especially in competitive environments.
To my AAPI community, I send you all my love and wishes for a meaningful ANHPI Heritage Month! 🌺
#ANHPIMonth #CelebrateCulture #AAPIHeritageMonth
Experienced Global HR Executive/CHRO/CPO driving organizational design, change management, and talent development to foster high-performance cultures and achieve strategic goals.
1moTwo great ladies! Love these profiles! Well done!