Prompt: What does being Asian mean to you and how has it shaped the person you are today?
Wow, look at how much my writing has degenerated...I feel like I'm rambling a lot---am I? Anyways, grade it harshly guys, and less on grammar than on content. Thanks, and I'll help you if you help me :D
These days, there has been an overflow of "What people think I do/What I really do" compilations that humorously stereotype certain groups-such as Asians, for example. While these memes are simply jokes and are not meant to describe Asians as a whole, I can still find some truth in them. To me, being Asian is something that I flaunt and am proud of, and my ethnicity has helped me find a possible pathway for my future and become an active member of my community.
People always say to ignore stereotypes and be yourself. However, I find myself conforming to many Asian generalizations, such as studying hard and playing an instrument. While not true for all Asians and definitely applicable to non-Asians, the stereotypes conveniently open the way to my own interpretation of being Asian. I'm studious because I greatly value the Asian focus on family. My parents suffered endless hardships to provide me with freedom, a better education, and a home. I study because it would be foolish to give up this opportunity they have given me, but more importantly, because I love them. My family is my life, and anything is worthwhile if it makes them happier. Studying towards what I know will be a better future while making my family proud is something that is full of benefits and advantages. As for my bias for Asian music and dramas, it goes along with my belief that Asians have to embrace and explore their culture. I speak and write in an Asian language fluently, have Asian hobbies, and am a stereotypical Asian because I love my culture and want to keep it alive.
Being Asian allowed me to open up working with children as an option for my future. After graduating from my Vietnamese school, I was given the option to return as a teacher. At first I was reluctant, but I have now taught for three years. Teaching Vietnamese made me consider becoming a pediatrician. I found that I was very comfortable with young children, and many of my old students are still on friendly terms with me. Not only am I active as a Vietnamese teacher on the weekends, but I also am an enthusiastic member of the Vietnamese Student Association at my school. It is one of the only clubs that I have been a member of for all four years of my high school life, and I have received almost 100 hours of community service from the club. I like helping the Vietnamese community because it's fun to help others, and my work helps me remember that being Vietnamese is an important part of me.
To me, being Asian means loving my family and my culture, and my love for my heritage has made me become an active member of the Asian community. I hope Asians living in foreign countries around the world have a strong pride in their ethnicity, because being Asian is nothing to be ashamed of.
Thanks for the feedback, all of them were very insightful and would greatly improve my essay :) I'm right at the word limit (500), so I can't do much about elaborating on my preferences, but I'll be sure to rearrange my conclusion. Thanks again!
