As reading the novel, They Called us Enemy, by George Takei, I was able to connect the struggles in my own life. Growing up I was a Vietnamese American, but when I was extremely young, English was a struggle for me. I was put in to many English support classes all the way till 8th grade. There was even times in elementary school I got bullied when I was the only person in class taken out to get personal practice and lessons. These kids would tell me to learn English if I wanted to play with them since the majority weren’t my kind. I fought back begging to be friends only to realize I wouldn’t need them if they can’t hear me out. I was born in the western culture but still couldn’t find my way to fit in.

Starting all the way in elementary school in kindergarten, me and a few other students would have to get to school an hour extra early in order to get English help. Vietnamese being my first language made it hard for me to communicate because no one spoke English at home. I remember the times I would bring Asian food to school for lunch but ended up hearing people said it smelled or looked nasty at the lunch tables. This broke my heart thinking about it because I would go home and beg my mom to make me normal lunches like a sandwich so the other students won’t judge.

Middle school was actually a bad time for me in all honesty. Already in 6th grade I was bullied for being Asian, although the school was Asian majority, those of the same ethnics would join into being the bully. It was especially during lunch I had no one to sit with, instead the “popular kids” would come making disgusting faces at the Vietnamese food I’d have. The other Asian boys would have the privilege of joining into the bullying because of their friends. I remember the times they’d do the fox eye to mock me and others directly to us.

In high school was about when I was able to express my emotions and find my identity like Takei. Many times already my parents were disappointed in me whether it was because I was on a sports team, or even because of the way I dressed. I learned to stop complaining about everything and instead work on myself. I don’t need people to help me with my emotions but I soon found out others can help by staying with me when needed. There are a lot of people who portray their emotions the way I do. I found my sense of identity when I really got into fashion and felt confident for myself to the point I didn’t really care what my parents would say about it. Here in high school I fit in more because people shared similar interest, there was also the Asian majority. Being a Vietnamese American wasn’t something I was embarrassed to be anymore, instead I was proud. This TED talk inspired me because there are just so many stereotypes that go around that people just don’t understand we are normal people.

Even through all the exhaustion of trying to fit in, or trying to be like western culture, I’m proud to say I have found myself. I express how I feel to very little people and don’t rely on others for my happiness. Instead I now have my ways in order to change for the better ignoring what people tell me. Asian hate is still a big thing as of now but I know to stick to my identity, it is not something to hide. It would be a bother of time to fight with someone who isn’t educated, I myself know who we, the Asian community, are and no one can change my perspective. Takei was stuck in seeing the two sides fight along with trying to adapting to the real world. However, it has now come to mind that Asians are just your ordinary people and should be treated the same.