Shirley Mo
What does it mean to be Asian American?
What I think it means to be Asian American is finding your identity at the intersection of two worlds. It’s about embracing your cultural roots while also shaping your own path in a society that may not always understand or represent you. It means navigating a blend of cultures while honoring the traditions and values of your heritage as you grow up in the U.S. I’ve learned to celebrate my background while still being true to myself in the world I live in today.
Ethnic background: Chinese
Current city & state: Chicago, Illinois
What brings you joy? As cliché as it sounds, what brings me joy is the simple things in life—like drinking a good cup of coffee, spending time in nature, or catching a sunset when I wasn’t expecting to.
What can’t you live without? I seriously couldn’t do life without my family and friends. Even just sitting around doing nothing with them is better than anything fancy. No matter where life takes me, knowing I have people who truly care makes all the difference.
“I’ve learned to celebrate my background while
still being true to myself in the world I live in today. ”
— Shirley Mo, 2024
Shirley with her sister 嘉瑜, 2024