[Me] Just Because the President Said It, Doesn't Make It Ok to Say

I am of mixed racial/ethnic heritage — it’s apparent. What exactly constitutes that mix isn’t necessarily obvious to the average passerby, so I’m used to being asked the question, “Um, what’s your ethnic background?”

Depending on how that inquiry is phrased (and honestly, also on how I feel that day) will determine my response. Nicely asked with sincere interest will usually get the truth: 50% Black American, 25% Vietnamese and 25% White (that’s French and Scots-Irish from what the family histories show). If I’m feeling a little mischievous, I’ll flat out lie; some days I’m Indonesian, Filipino, or from the obscure Micronesia. Oh, and the dreaded, “What are you,” phrasing elicits a simple: Human.

The responses to my answers are usually fairly predictable, too. People are either really intrigued and want to know more with a typical, “Wow, that’s cool,” or are put off by my b.s. answers and just go away. Bing, bang, boom and it’s done.

A couple of months ago, however, I had an exchange that threw me off, and I was reminded of it recently. The first incident started off nicely enough with a man wanting to know my heritage. (Ding! Off to a great start.) I was in a pleasant enough mood, so he gets the percentage breakdown. (Ding! Heading in the right direction.) Then he says, “Wow, you’re such a mutt!” (Screeeech! Put on the breaks. Did that really just happen?) Mutt? Really, dude? Asinine.

Now, the same term "mutt" was recently used again, but this time I wasn't really angry...just sad that it happened.

I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure that it’s socially unacceptable to refer to a person as a “mutt” (even though our very own President Barack Obama jokingly called himself one). That word is typically reserved for use in reference to dogs, and some animal lovers may even be offended on man’s-best-friend’s behalf when that term is used. A mutt is a mongrel, and antonyms to mongrel include words such as, thoroughbred and purebred.

Now, I’m not usually the type of person to be easily offended. I know who I am, I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I don’t need anyone’s approval; but, I’ll be honest, being called impure-bred —-an impure-bred what, exactly? — has such a negative connotation, I’m not sure how else I could possibly feel other than offended. Pair that with years spent trying to figure out where I “fit” and the struggle to become comfortable in my own diverse self and you’ve got the recipe for offense with a side of salt-in-old-wounds. That hurts, and who ever wants to hurt someone on that sort of level?

[Gravitee] Ishiko + Gravitee = Awesome

My Biggie graduated from GT this semester. Here’s my little video tribute to her! (yeah..I know. I’m still not very good at making these things, but I’m working on it)

[Me] A Little Recognition: An Adaptation from David Mazzucchelli's "Asterios Polyp"

I took a scene from a graphic novel I read in my HP LCC class this past semeter, and adapted it into poem form. The reason I chose a poetic adaptation over typical prose/narrative is because I felt that it contrasts the original medium more.

The graphic novel in essence, uses very few words; and thus, the images presented form a very concrete visual experience. This leaves very little room for the reader’s imagination to form it’s own picture of the story and characters (which is personally my favorite part about literature). Poetry, although there are standard forms and rhyme schemes that some follow, gives both the writer and reader more interpretive liberty. This allowed for more wiggle-room in what I chose to write about and focus on in the scene, and also provides the reader the opportunity to create his own interpretation and image with even less constraints than would be given in a very descriptive narrative passage (which was my first approach to this project).

So, I’d like to share a few quick things about the poem its self. First of all (for those who have read the graphic novel) the scene that begins with Asterios and Hana walking home from visiting the crazy musician guy. It’s snowing, and once they get inside Hana finally bursts; all of her pent up emotion finally comes flowing out into a simple realization (and tears). The poem is actually from Hana’s perspective. Along with choosing a contrasting medium to the original, I also chose to focus this portion of the story from the perspective opposite from the original (Hana vs. Asterios/Ignacio). Just thought it would be interesting.

Finally, each line of the poem contains four syllables like the name “Asterios.” I did this because 1. the overall graphic novel is about Asterios, so even with this scene being told from Hana’s perspective, it was still an homage to the actual main character and 2. This scene is really about Hana calling out to Asterios, essentially begging him to acknowledge her as a person; so through the syllables it’s as if she is calling out “A-ste-ri-os” with each line.

Overall, I really enjoyed working on this little project. I think adapting the graphic novel into a new form allowed me to appreciate and personally enjoy the novel its self. This is also the first “video” I’ve ever made, and I found yet another creative outlet that I may begin to use more of in the future.

Hope you all enjoy the video! (Make sure to turn up the volume, the intro music starts of relatively low, but makes a difference in the video experience).

**The video utilizes images directly from David Mazzucchelli’s graphic novel Asterios Polyp and the music is an excerpt from Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Mvt. II, performed by Gideon Kremer. **

[TREES] Tree Hugger

I study environmental engineering, and hope that the skills and knowledge I acquire will help me make a difference in the way we impact and treat our earth.

Did I mention that I am literally a tree-hugger?

[Me] Who am I, exactly?

Good luck answering that question. There are, however, some easily identifiable things that help shape who I am:

My cultural heritage plays a large role in shaping my perception of the people and world around me.

Music feeds my Soul, and is essential to obtaining full enjoyment out of my human experience.

Writing provides both a tool for introspection and an avenue upon which my thoughts and feelings can be communicated, both to myself and others, in such a way as to further my understanding of this thing we call Life.

[Gravitee] Who is Gravitee?

I am a dedicated sister of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. We are an Asian-interest sorority which aims to promote multiculturalism with an emphasis on Asian-awareness in our communities.

I have served my chapter proudly as VP Finance, VP External Affairs, Risk Management Chair, and Assistant New Member Educator at one point or another, and collaborated many times on our performance team.

Georgia Institute of Technology Associate Chapter

Crossing Semester: Fall 2008

Beta Class: The Elemental Eight (I am both the tail and P.C. of my line)

Line Name: Gravitee

Line Number: #15

Halfie Family Lineage

Ignite, #04

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Ishiko, #07 Avia, #12

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Gravitee, #15