VIRTUE WORLDWIDE, WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM?
Content Series
Non-white people hear it all the time: Where are you from? No, where are you REALLY from?
It’s a micro -aggression with a macro effect.
It’s a micro -aggression with a macro effect.
For East & South East Asian (ESEA) Heritage month we reclaimed our identities by reclaiming this question. Micro aggressions are the most common forms of racism. Unlike blatant acts they’re more subtle and harder to identify. Disguised as jokes or compliments they often go unremarked. But the weight of those words stays with the victims. We started by commissioning artist @thatsewnicole to express what the question meant to her through her art. In addition to the poignant and beautiful artwork, Nicole had this to say about what it means to her and how it makes her feel.
“This piece is a continuation of a previous series I collaborated on (right before lockdown) with dance artist @loiswong. Originally it was created to celebrate our art forms as ESEA artists, however now, it has evolved into a reaction to the experience of the past two years, particularly driving inspiration from the Stop Asian Hate movement. I wanted to use this as a chance to reflect on the years that significantly changed the ESEA community, stitching through all the emotions I felt during the past two years; the anger, the pain, the sad, the hurt and the hope I personally felt. I hope this piece will spark connections amongst our communities, and continue discussions amongst people who may also be familiar with this question, or the feeling of being othered.”
To further showcase ESEA reality, we asked ESEA creatives what this loaded question meant to them.
"Race and how we choose to identify are important things, so is there a better way to ask others about their heritage? Be genuine and respectful. Don't talk at me about my heritage or where I come from. Just be decent and ask questions about my experience rather than just repeat the question, ‘where are you really from?’ That should be the norm anyway, but people are weird."
-Nicole Chui. Artist
-Nicole Chui. Artist
High profile creatives were also heard. Read Pang's full story here.