sugarforbrains/糖换脑

”Do you eat dogs?"

"Do you eat dogs?" Was the most common question I got asked in elementary.

Growing up in a predominately white community as a Chinese-American was probably one of the most eye-opening experiences little me went through. Of course, there's so much curiosity in kids, it was natural for them to ask questions; that's how they learn.

However, as I grew up in middle school, I made the most detrimental decision to my social status: a pixie cut. I was already a little Asian nerd with glasses, but after getting the pixie cut? I have never been bullied so hard in my life. Middle schoolers in America (some of them, atleast) are some of the most judgemental, ignorant children that exist.

My years of middle school were characterized with "ching-chong", "KONICHIWA!!!! I'm celebrating her culture! That's what they sound like!", utter gibberish that they insisted was my language, and racist, ignorant boys posting photos of me onto their SnapStory.

Additionally, because I got that pixie cut, girls started asking me if I had gotten a boyfriend, but they determined that "she doesn't, because she's gay." I also faced many accusations of being transgender, which, I mean.. I had a short pixie cut. I can't blame them, haha.

Eventually, I reported the boys and one of them got one week of lunch suspension. The girls also got caught, but I'm not sure what happened to them.

Lack of awareness about diversity in Asian communities is too normalized. People say kids don’t know any better, that they’re just too young to understand. And maybe that’s true. But if they’re old enough to be racist, they’re old enough to learn why it’s wrong.