JLouie

JLouie, 30’s
Covington, WA
she/her

Current Role: On-Premise Manager 

What racial, ethnic, cultural community or communities do you identify with? 
Asian-American born Chinese.

When and how did your family come to the United States? Where were you born?
Dad was born here in Seattle. Mom was born in HK and had an arranged marriage 30+ years ago.

What are the strengths and challenges of being Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander?
Strengths - Being able to speak and understand both Chinese and American language and culture. People think I am automatically smart (I am smart, just not good at math haha). Less of a target for American harassment when traveling abroad. Everybody will just assume I’m from China or from another Asian country.

Challenges - Stereotypes such a bad driver. Since coronavirus outbreak, slurs or jokes (not personally experience it but read about others that have).

What is your proudest accomplishment?
Buying a house on my own to raise my newborn son in.

What is one thing you learned or appreciate from your family growing up?
Traditions. My family is Americanized, but there are still Chinese holidays and traditions we celebrate. For example, after giving birth for healing and breastmilk supply, my mom and grandma made some sort of vinegar ginger soup that I had to drink for 30 days! 

Do you speak your family's native language? Why or why not?
Cantonese and Toisonese - to communicate with my mom and grandma.

What advice do you have for the younger generations in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community?
Appreciate and embrace it! Learn how to speak your native language, learn to cook traditional dishes, etc so that these things can be passed down to the next generation.

What gives you the greatest joy in life?
My newborn son.

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