'Where Are You From?': The Asian American PNW University Experience Through Poetry

Senior Project Advisor

Jane Wong

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2021

Keywords

Asian American, Asian-American, Asian American poetry, Pacific Northwest, media representation, lived experience, university experience, interviews, Asian American Studies, interdisciplinary, Seattle, Puget Sound

Abstract

Asian American stories are underrepresented in mainstream media, leading to ignorance about the Asian population in America, to the perpetuation of stereotypes, and even to acts of violence against Asian people. Most contemporary Asian American media and representation centers on communities in California, and typically East Asian communities. Taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, this project seeks to expand Asian American representation via the lived experiences of Asian American university students in the Pacific Northwest. This project is a series of poetry, poetry reflections, and interview quotes collected and shared on a website, https://whereareyoufromproject.wordpress.com, for the public to have easy access and to share. The poems, reflections, and quotes come from 23 Asian American students and alumni from Western Washington University, Seattle University, University of Washington, and Pacific Lutheran University. These students come from a variety of backgrounds, heritages, and academic disciplines, with the aim to expose and explore the nuance that is often overshadowed by the umbrella label “Asian American.”

Department

English

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Asian Americans--Northwest, Pacific--Interviews; Minority college students--Northwest, Pacific--Interviews; Asian Americans--Northwest, Pacific--Poetry; Minority college students--Northwest, Pacific--Poetry

Geographic Coverage

Northwest, Pacific

Genre/Form

Web sites

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS