An updated piece from Dr. We Zhou's article on May 23, 2022
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As I reflect on my own experience as an Asian American, I can't help but wonder, how did I get here? Am I the "model minority?" And where do I go from here? With 22 million Asian Americans from 30 nationalities and ethnic groups, Asian Americans represent the most culturally and economically diverse population in the U.S. I am confident that my experience is not unique, and I hope that my story can help shape the journey of others.
The history of Asian Americans is complex, and my journey mirrors many other immigrants who arrived in the U.S. with limited resources. Like many immigrants, I struggled with the language barrier and had to take English as Second Language (ESL) classes before enrolling in college. I studied diligently to maintain my academic profile while working two jobs to support myself. Even though I graduated Summa Cum Laude from college and proudly entered medical school after only four and half years in the U.S., I struggled with the Asian American stereotype. I wanted to blend in, not be seen, and I shied away from conflict. Unlike many early Asian immigrants, I genuinely felt welcomed, but the weight of racism and xenophobia did not disappear. More recently, the pandemic has stirred racially motivated hate crimes and heightened the fear of many Asian Americans. Some even purchased their first gun for protection, and many started to speak up for the first time. Like others, I was concerned about my safety, my family's safety and my daughter's future. I started to question whether I belonged. I applauded Chloe Zhao when she quoted a 13th-century Chinese classic text during her Oscar-winning speech in 2021, 人之初，性本善, which means that all men are born kind. I believe that we can still instill kindness and respect onto the blank canvas of our children. It is our responsibility to shape the future. After all, in the words of Confucius, they should not impose on others what they do not desire.
Despite some unexpected turns and obstacles, I am proud to be an Asian American, a vascular surgeon, a clinician-scientist and a teacher. I came to the United States for the opportunity, and despite the uncertainty I felt 30+ years ago, I found many friends and mentors who opened their arms and hearts. They made me realize that I have the talent and potential to become a physician investigator and inspired me to be a leader in vascular surgery. I have been fortunate to have received extramural funding to establish a research lab, enabling me to host many foreign scholars and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am also lucky to have found collaborators who believe in my vision and join our multidisciplinary team. Most of all, I was allowed to lead the vascular surgery division at the University of Arizona and took leadership positions in various surgery societies. I now enjoy intellectual exchanges with many leaders in vascular surgery worldwide, and I am grateful for the opportunities, mentorships and friendships throughout my journey. I still may be the "model minority," living the "American dream," but I am not the stereotypical Asian American anymore.
While I am still hardworking, respectful, and soft-spoken, I no longer avoid conflict just to fit in. Instead, I hope to create an environment and opportunity for the younger generation who see Asian Americans as leaders and role models.
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