as we mark a year of our “new normal” and life during the pandemic, i’ve found it important to check in with my friends and loved ones. regardless of the restrictions, the truth is that we might not know what someone else is really going through. we’ve all faced hardships on a personal and collective level, and it’s important to note that the Asian American communities have been the targets of hate crimes and racism.

i’m truly honored to know Wini, and the world is a better place because she’s in it. i look up to her for many reasons, and i hope that you take her words and experience to heart. may we continue to learn about injustices, recognize our privileges, and act compassionately to be actively anti-racist.

This is hard to write. It’s been one year since the announcement of the pandemic. NYC was the original epicenter in the US while the rest the country watched. Now, vaccines are slowly rolling out for the public and it feels like there is an end.

Last year I talked about how I pivoted my photography business to focus on product photography. Wow - that’s my main source of work now. I’m considered an expert amongst my peers. Although 2020 was a terrifying year, it was the change I needed to slow down, try different things and evolve.

But things hit differently at the start of 2021. The landscape of New York is not the same. Many restaurants closed their doors, Times Square is a bit more empty, offices are quiet...it all still feels surreal. The worst part of 2021 so far - the rising hate crimes against elderly Asians. They blamed East Asians for COVID and the pandemic. At first, it was passing news until a couple Asian American celebrities brought its attention on social media.

This is why it was hard to write a COVID update. My perspective about the hate crimes felt subdue due to the “model minority” implication. I am grateful that I am in a privileged place in life with a sustainable career and life. But I realize it’s not about me - it’s about my parents. My parents immigrated here from China about 30 years ago. They left their life, friends and family back in China to have a better life here in America. They knew it would be hard for them since they did not speak English (and still don’t). They wanted a chance for their future children to not have a hard life farming like they did in China. They live selflessly for me and my sister and I know it’s not just my family. It’s the same for most asian families I know. For these hate crimes to target the older and elderly…it breaks my heart and keeps me in fear.

Through this time of fear and uncertainty, I realize what was important to me. Family. Friends. People. Let’s not forget this time to be human.

how to get involved:

• Continue to uplift Asian American communities through Heart of Dinner (formerly Table to Table NYC) to feed the elderly in Chinatown. Partners Moonlynn and Yin cook hot meals out of their restaurant in Chinatown and work with local community groups to deliver to at-risk elder groups in Chinatown and neighboring areas.

• View resources, educate yourself, and learn about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities on the Learning Together page, brought to you by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.

Stay connected with Wini and follow her on Instagram here.