Racism during pandemic strengthened Chen’s cultural ties

Being a student of Chinese descent during the pandemic was challenging, but sophomore Athena Chen used this experience to reconnect with her family’s culture.

During the pandemic, there was a rise in hate crimes against East Asians, especially those of Chinese descent, with some people blaming them for the virus that overtook the world.

“People didn’t even have to know I was Chinese to make racist jokes regarding the pandemic,” Chen said. “My being Asian was enough for them.”

Hearing those remarks was difficult, she said. 

“I can’t say that I handled those situations well, as they caused severe and still-present anxiety,” Chen said. “I found that talking about my experiences really helped in relieving that anxiety and making me feel not alone.

She also decided to really embrace her cultural identity.

“During the pandemic, I saw through the thick and thin of being Chinese, which enabled me to establish it as a core part of my identity,” Chen said.

She especially loves cooking traditional Chinese foods with her family. 

“My family and I typically like to cook foods such as dumplings/wontons; zongzi, which is a leaf-wrapped, glutinous rice dish; and tang yuan, a dish with glutinous rice balls in a sweet or savory soup.

Holidays also are important.

“I celebrate various events, such as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival,” she said. “For the Mid-Autumn Festival, we do prayers and offerings, as well as dining on treats such as moon cakes.”

Like many other families, Chen’s parents left their home country in search of greater things. 

“My parents immigrated to America separately around 2002 to seek better opportunities in the U.S.,” Chen said. 

She said she would like to visit China some day. 

“I hope to visit my parents’ hometowns and experience what it’s like to walk down the streets of China,” Chen said. “I heard their street food is amazing.”

She’s glad that she is closer with her culture now.

“I wish people knew that Chinese culture is much more than the Westernized view that most people have today,” Chen said. “Our language and people are so beautiful and deserve to be appreciated, not mocked.”