CODA family & the immigrant family

After hearing a lot of buzz around the film CODA during awards season, I finally watched it last night.

The Oscars Best Picture winner did not disappoint. I’ve heard the critics and the naysayers, but sometimes, I just want to watch a well-thought-out, feel-good movie. And this was it. It was a historic win, yes, with almost half (40%) of the movie in American Sign Language (ASL) with most of the lead characters actually being played by deaf actors.

I appreciated the themes of what it means to be a family and as an outsider as members of the deaf community. But throughout the movie, which portrayed the life of a CODA (child of deaf adults), I was surprised to see parallels between this deaf family to families of first-generation immigrants. The community may see the deaf family as unrelatable or people who are ‘in need’ when actually they can be like any other family down the street—same way as some may see immigrant families in their neighborhoods.

I saw parallels in the experiences by a CODA and the experiences of children of immigrant parents—the reliance on the child, the burden felt by child, and the responsibilities and sacrifices pressed on child. The director, Sian Heder, also recognized these parallels as she grew up under Hungarian and Welsh parents in the US.

Read More

Year Two

If it’s not on my face, I am carrying it around my wrist or in my purse. The mask mandate has been eased in LA County, but I still have a face mask with me at all times— out of precaution, and habit. Those extra face masks in the glove compartment of the car are still there, too.

I feel like every March of each year, at least in the next few years, will take me back to memories of March 2020 when the entire world seemed to shut down. Just like when I remember where exactly I was during the September 11 attacks (I was in US history class and my teacher had come into the room with tears to tell us the news)— I feel like March 2020 is a notable timestamp for many.

I was still going into work with minimal staff, and juggling different roles in the newsroom (reporting, producing, line producing, booking, coordinating, AP duties), while others from the newsroom worked remotely. We were all getting used to our fluid roles and situations during a pandemic. I gratefully accepted the bi-weekly handouts of hand sanitizers, face masks, and alcohol wipes— rationed out for each employee. The company faithfully replenished our supplies, hoping to better equip us to work in a virus-ridden world.

Read More

"Asian & American"

We are nearly halfway through the year. Can you believe it?
May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! I’m usually busy this time of year, finishing up and chasing down stories related to Asian Americans, and attending and emceeing events related to the Asian American diaspora in the Washington DC area.

This year, however, all is cancelled. I’m especially bummed about my speaking engagement with a local high school getting cancelled! It would have been my first time speaking in front of students as a professional, and it would have officially made me feel old!

Since there aren’t many things to look forward to this month, I started to look back to my month of May last year. I was in post-production of my inaugural feature series on CGTN America called “Asian & American.” Working on the series from pitch to broadcast was one of the most grueling, but exciting work projects I’ve produced. I never wrote about my series so here it is.

Read More