I was adopted from China ten months after my birth.
When I was younger, I thought being adopted was the coolest thing ever.
But, as I got older, I realized how much people didn't really understand what being adopted meant.
People automatically assumed that:
- My adoptive mother isn't my "real" mom
- I didn't know when my "real" birthday was
- I wanted to meet my birth parents
People were trying to make my life seem fake.
I was so young when I was adopted that I had no idea why I was adopted. The fact that I'll never know why is a part of my past that will always be missing.
As much as I want answers, I also don’t. I'm afraid of them.
Being Asian in the United States also comes with the typical Asian stereotypes, but it also comes with those specific to Asian Americans such as being called a “banana” or a “Twinkie” because I'm "yellow on the outside, but white on the inside". These extra names didn't help my self-esteem, nor did it make me feel proud of my background.
I also got criticized for trying to embrace my Chinese culture because I was "doing it wrong" by living in America.
My challenges aren't over.
These are things I have to live with every day.
I can't wake up one day and not be adopted, but I've learned to accept the fact that people’s ignorance can get the better of them and cause them to try to bring you down.
No matter what people say, they can't take away the fact that I’m adopted and that's something that I should be proud of, not ashamed of.
I’m sharing my story to let others know they're not alone.
Throughout my life, I've experienced some things that I feel no one else has experienced, but once I find people who know exactly how I feel or who have gone through the same thing, I always feel better.
I want people to know that they're not the only ones that have insecurities about being adopted.
Be a voice, not an echo, for those who may be scared to share their story.
