Chances are you’re not Asian—I know because I have the mailing list. As you may know by now though, I long thought I wasn’t Asian either, which separated me from an intact self.

Whether you’re a first gen Latinx or a eighth gen European mutt, you bring something different to America’s table. The below helped me think my way into feeling so yeah, we got links for daaaays.

Last Week Today

Latest Seven Yrs Later (7YL) piece: American Asian. If you haven’t seen them already, read my commentary here and here. I’m serious about those “Bad _____” conversations, so reply if you want one too.

7YL Theme Songs

“Bongga Ka, ‘Day” by Hotdog (Spotify / YouTube)

Translation: Get it, girl. For dancing and singing along ;)

“Sigurado” by Up Dharma Down (Spotify / YouTube)

Translation: Sure. A tad newer than Hotdog’s Manila Sound, sway to the bass of OPM (Original Pilipino Music).

7YL Theme Media

Modern Love - “Confronting Race on the First Date” (Spotify / NYT site)

Let’s hear it for underdogs and honesty.

Asian Enough - “Viet Thanh Nguyen” (Spotify / ART19 site)

Let’s make narrative plenitude. Pulitzer Prize winner pulls no punches.

Self Evident: Asian America’s Stories - “We Hear You (3/3)” (Spotify / Official site)

Let’s get organized. It’s the last of a 3-part series on racism from the Fall, but you can jump right in and by 07:15, Sammie Ablaza Wills will have the composure we need. Bless them.

Notable Note

“hug when someone’s arms are slightly spread apart.” Reiterate your goals plus consider what Virgina Satir said: “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” This is why Cornflake 3000 is grown.

Honorable Tweet

Seven Yrs Ago needs to chill:

Good $hit

How to Rediscover Your Roots and Own Your Cultural Identity by Andy Seth

There aren’t enough articles with tips on how to connect with your heritage, so until I figure that out and write one, I offer this.

Seth’s scannable and practical advice centers your comfort. For example, you can try a traditional meal with friends, but if you’re not ready to act as the resident expert, you can go solo and learn from the staff (if they’re not busy). The point is to drop the judgements you’ve held onto. You can take part in all the cultures you’re a part of.

Anti-Asian Violence Resources by HAAPI ERG (Healthcare Alliance of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders)

A lot of stuff, huh? Donate only if you can. Not listed, but cool: Compassion in SGV, APIENC, and CCED LA. Real names are long.

One More Thing

I read Toni Morrison’s Beloved for the first time and it was... perfect. You can watch this dazzling TED-Ed video discussing its themes or read bits of its prose:

Winter in Ohio was especially rough if you had an appetite for color. Sky provided the only drama, and counting on a Cincinnati horizon for life’s principal joy was reckless indeed.

It was stuck. Face up and drowning in its mother’s blood. Amy stopped begging Jesus and began to curse His daddy.

If any of this brought the drama or settled it, forward this newsletter to a friend. Gracias, salamat, and thanks,

Nicole