This is My Story

My racial identity has always been a deeply confusing topic for me. Growing up I lived in a very white community, while at home and among my extended family I had a strong Chinese cultural influence, and visually I present as Black or a Person of Colour. I existed between a lot of the identities that were there for me to choose from. While I myself wasn’t sure where I fit in, it was made clear, whether directly or passively, where others thought I didn’t belong.

This piece was made in response to a racist comment I received from a peer in high school, and serves as a reclamation of these words that I have carried with me. As an extension of my racial and gender identity, I have always had a strange relationship with my hair. While my environment growing up gave me the impression that my kind of hair was not ideal, and Black media gave me the impression my hair could be a source of pride and expression, upon finding true comfort with myself as an individual, I have come to understand that I truly get to, not just participate in how my hair represents myself, but that I am allowed and able to decide for myself. I get to decide how these words that have become a part of my identity are presented. So, as a performance of the strength of my identity I shaved my curls away.

Follow Mei Lein on Instagram at @meileinh and @by_me.i