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Asians Around Appalachia: Siri Fukami

Siri Fukami is an Asian-American from Eastern Tennessee.


Interview


  1. Have you ever felt out of place due to your identity? If so, where did you find a sense of community?


I’ve done track and field for four years. I remember that when I first started, I felt very out of place— I was the only Asian athlete in the predominantly White and Black population, and I didn’t know any Asian track athletes, so it felt like I was in the wrong place. As I continued, I found my sense of community in the others around me. Similar experiences in being a person of color, or similar interests led me to find community beyond race. Even though I am taking a break from track, I believe it’s taught me the importance of being confident in who I am, even if I feel alone. 


  1. Can you tell us about one of your stories related to being an AppalAsian? (e.g. household traditions, bullying/harassment, family business, etc.) 


During the pandemic, I was walking outside on the sidewalk, and a group of teenagers drove by and yelled, “CHINA!”


  1. 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.)


I think that the economic disparity between many Asian American groups is an issue that lies close to me. Coming from an area with predominant middle-upper middle class Asian-Americans, it makes me reflect when people automatically assume financial stability in all Asian Americans, because that’s simply not true. I see my AA friends who don’t get the same luxury, and I think we need to collectively acknowledge the atrocious disparity between Asian Americans as a minority. 


  1. What is one piece of advice you would give to AppalAsians struggling to fit in


Don’t beat yourself up. I think that it’s easy to repeat negative thoughts to yourself and become your own echo chamber, but this is so detrimental to your mental health. Please know that it’s never your fault, and you don’t need any more hardship when you’re going through a lot.

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