Nicholas Jiwoo Hahn
What does it mean to be Asian American?
In a way to be Asian American is a response to and the reality of western imperialism. Most of us are here because of the ways in which our home countries were destabilized by empires like America throughout the last couple hundred years. That's the case for many other immigrants and refugees as well. So we Asians in America are here and though the countries we come from are very different and the languages we speak are all different, our experiences here in America are tied by a common misunderstanding by others. To be Asian American is to be no one thing beyond a marker used to indicate our roots come from Asia.
Ethnic background: Korean
Age: 27
Current city & state: Chicago, Illinois
To best honest I only really identify as being Asian American when it's necessary or just expedient to do so. Ultimately I find that it doesn't communicate the complexity and diversity of lived experiences. That said, we do what we can to make sense of things with the language we have available to us.
What motivates you to do what you do everyday? Understanding the history of those that came before me. Understanding that I too am only here for a limited time.
What do you worry about? Anxious thoughts or creative thoughts. Anxious thoughts are when the pressures of the world weigh on me. Creative thoughts are when I feel most free.
What can’t you live without? People, community, family. We're not meant to be as alone as we are in our modern lives.
What brings you joy? Community, loving, cooking, making art, trees, mountains, the ocean, sunshine, night. Everything that makes up life.
What is your wish for the United States? A dream deferred. My wish is not for any institution but for the people to be free.
What role do you play in making that wish come true? Changing the world requires change within all of us. My role is to not give up, to stay committed to growth, to foster community with those around me, to live with empathy and understanding.
At the same time this amorphous bond ties me to others who are misunderstood in the same way. And so I feel deeply for my Asian family here in America and I love them wherever in America they are from.
“Most of us are here because of the ways in which our home countries were destabilized by empires like America throughout the last couple hundred years. That's the case for many other immigrants and refugees as well. ”
— Nicholas Jiwoo Hahn, 2022
Nicholas Jiwoo Hahn with demon mask, 2022
I'm bringing a Japanese style demon mask that usually hangs up in my living room. It was given to me by one of my Korean friends when he went to Bali. In many ways this represents the mixing-ups of Asian Americanness for me. But it also holds personal significance because I believe in its traditional protective powers and represents an alternative value system that my roots are related to.
“…it also holds personal significance because I believe in its traditional protective powers and represents an alternative value system that my roots are related to.”
— Nicholas Jiwoo Hahn