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child whispering into another child's ear

"Ew! What is that?": The Asian kid's experience in American schools

The first day of school can be a mix of excitement and nerves for anyone, but for Asian American kids, it often comes with additional layers. Imagine bringing your favorite homemade lunch to school only to have classmates ask, “What is that?” or being the only one who celebrates Lunar New Year while your friends talk about Christmas.

Two women sit in chairs wearing saris

Photo Archive

Images representing the artists and stories of WhiteWashed

A woman in a dress made of a rice bag and another close up view of the outfit

Celebrating Asian American Elders: The first generation

Amid the harrowing challenges posed by coronavirus — and a recent surge of anti-Asian hate crimes targeting the elderly — the images of Chinatown Pretty are a powerful, and often spirited, reminder of these seniors' joy and resilience.

An old photo of three men standing in a grocery store

The Story of Patel Brothers, the Biggest Indian Grocery Store in America

I left the store with very little from that visit, drawn to what had long been my objects of affection: cake rusks for dipping in tea, a packet of wheaty and flat-baked Parle-G biscuits, and bag of frozen spinach-paneer samosas. These were items that others may characterize as inessential, but I needed them.

A man stares into the camera while holding a plaid bag over his shoulder

Migrant worker's plaid: How the West aestheticizes poverty

As millions of Chinese migrant workers head home to see their loved ones for Spring Festival this week, many of them are touting oversized plastic travel bags with a distinct plaid pattern. The ubiquitous print has cropped up somewhere else this year—on the runways of top global fashion designers.

Three women braid each other's hair in a line

Did you get a haircut?: How a brown girl's hair can shape her sense of self

We delve deep into the profound significance of hair as a symbol of femininity in Indian society. From the cascading locks of Bollywood beauties to the timeless elegance of traditional hairstyles, discover how hair is intricately woven into the fabric of femininity, reflecting beauty ideals and societal norms.