Andrew
HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL
9TH GRADE
How do you identify? Have you always felt comfortable in this identity? Interpret this question however you'd like, whether it be your gender, ethnicity or nationality.
Throughout my entire life, I have always identified as a Korean. I never thought about adding the “-American” to it. Ever since I was very young, my parents only taught me Korean culture and language. In fact, I was not completely fluent in English until I was in the first grade. I still had a thick Korean accent even though I was born in Berkeley and raised in the Bay Area. My parents were both immigrants and I was the first generation. My dad’s family immigrated to Guam to look for the “American dream”. My mom moved after she married my dad. However, both my parents always tell me that my childhood and theirs are so much different, especially since they were born after Korea was ravaged by war. Even though I am a much different person now and obviously much more Americanized, I still identify as Korean when I talk to people. Sure, I carry an American passport, but it feels weird when I say that I am an American to foreigners.
2. Talk about the environments and communities you've been a part of and the ways in which they've affected the formation of your identity. Tell your story!
I was born in Berkeley and lived in Pinole until I was four, which I have no memories of, only pictures. However, I vividly remember one of my first days of moving into a mostly-white community that is Moraga. I even remember my first day at the local elementary school, where I was one of the few colored kids in the class. My first true best friend was white and so were everyone who surrounded me in Cub Scouts and sports. I was an outcast, and it was really hard for me to go to school. I was bullied which led to nervousness every morning before going to school. Eventually, my nervousness became a huge problem since I literally threw up whenever I got nervous. My parents had arguments with the administration, and I moved to a smaller and much more diverse private school in Walnut Creek. When I arrived at Dorris-Eaton, I was caught off guard by the amount of people who were like me. In fact, there were two other Korean kids in my class, and to this day, we still call ourselves “The Three Koreans”. I can truly say the move to an independent school changed my perspective and helped me embrace my own culture. It gave me a strong sense of who I was. Before, I was very confused about who I should act like. However, even though I am proud to be a Korean today, I sometimes catch myself trying fit into white communities. For example, I speak fluent Korean at home, but when I talk to my parents in front of non-Korean friends, I talk in English with them. I guess some things can be hard to change.
3. Where do you feel most safe as a racial minority at Head-Royce?
Head-Royce was also a huge change in my life since it is much less diverse than my old school. Before, I always looked to the Asian kids to try to make to friends, especially if they were Korean. However, first coming here and trying to find other kids with similar backgrounds was hard to do. But, let’s be honest; Head-Royce is a pretty liberal school. Most people embrace diversity and minorities. Although the first week was hard, I can say that I fit right in, and I began to feel safe anywhere on campus. I don’t think I can point to a specific time or place where I fell the most safe as a racial minority since all of my friends see me as who as I am, not by where I’m from.
4. How has being a minority student at a school like HRS affected the way you view yourself?
Like I mentioned before, I don’t really view myself as being very American. However, being a minority at a place like HRS was actually made me more proud of being Korean. I have no shame in saying that I am Korean. Since the amount of diversity at the school isn’t the amount I was hoping for, especially in my grade, it made me realize that I was one of the few. On the inside, I was like, “Hell yeah! I’m different!” Even though that is a really strange thing to think, being at HRS strengthened my identity and pride.
5. Do you feel as though individuals of your race are properly represented at HRS. Whether this is through the literature that we read, members of of our staff etc...
Unfortunately, when many people think of Asia, they think of China, or even Japan. The only time they think of Korea is when North Korea is in the front pages. I don’t think we are properly or really represented at HRS.
6. If you came back to visit HRS in 10 years, what would you have liked to see changed?
If I came back, I want to see a school that is truly diverse. Even though HRS embraces diversity, the school has not really changed. There should be action and effort made by the school to try to create a school where many cultures are represented. That would be really cool.