Asians Around Appalachia: Isabel Bhati
- aaajournal25
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Isabel Bhati is an Asian-American from Parkersburg, West Virginia heading into her sophomore year at Duke University. She is of Japanese, Indian, and White ancestry.
Interview
Have you ever felt out of place due to your identity? If so, where did you find a sense of community?
Growing up in Parkersburg, WV was definitely isolating at times. On one hand, I have always felt supported by my close friends in school and my family. But on the other, it was often difficult to find similarities with people who live in my town. I felt like I always had different interests or perspectives.
I believe going to college outside of Appalachia broadened my horizons and gave me the sense of community I was searching for. However, I always enjoy coming home to my small town and want to share it with people not familiar with West Virginia. I have a new appreciation for Parkersburg and its people, who always warmly welcome me back home.
Can you tell us about one of your stories related to being an AppalAsian? (e.g. household traditions, bullying/harassment, family business, etc.)
Given that mom's family is Appalachian and my dad's is Asian, I felt very fortunate to have had a mixed childhood between the two cultures. Both have very different foods, customs, and people. But I think my most fond memories surround the mix of food we had at home- everything from okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes) to tomato pies (my mom's favorite) were cooked in my house growing up. Food is a great way to celebrate your culture with your family, ultimately creating fond memories that have stayed with me forever.
What is one Appalachian / Asian American related policy issue that’s important to you and why? (e.g. lack of representation, barriers to education/healthcare, economic inequality, etc.)
There is an extreme lack of Asian representation in Appalachia and an even more extreme lack of Appalachian representation nationally. As a result, I believe the intersectionality of being both Asian and Appalachian compounds the lack of representation we face in the media and government of our small West Virginia towns. The AAA initiative seems to be a great outlet to promote Asian voices in Appalachia- I love that!
What is one piece of advice you would give to AppalAsians struggling to fit in
Always remain authentic to yourself and your interests.
Take time to appreciate yourself and those who have shaped you into who you are.