A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR.

NWFASA honors Filipino American History Month! 
This week, we will be launching part 2 of our #FAHM2018 project.

Part 2: Bridge by Abby Pasion
Many would be surprised to hear that I was not always proud of my Filipino heritage. Growing up, no one could locate the Philippines on a map; my peers would make fun of my dark skin; I was told that Filipinos weren’t “Asian enough” — I went through an identity crisis that caused me to almost disassociate myself with my heritage, until high school. I read Amy Tan’s “Joy Luck Club” for a class assignment, and realized that 

the experience I was having was not a singular case. These feelings of disconnectedness to one’s cultural identity were and still are very real experiences for some people. Amy Tan’s book prompted me to then dig deeper into and embrace my identity. And I know I can’t be alone in this experience. Which is why for this week’s NWFASA FAHM series I wanted to ask members of my community, “when did you feel most connected with your Filipinx identity?”

- In General, I am a very proud Filipina woman from Portland, OR. Over the years as I’ve come to understand my identity more and more, especially being a part of the Filipinx diaspora, I’ve realized the importance of preserving my cultural roots, and helping others do the same. I am a Fifth year at OSU studying social justice education, as well as an officer the last four years in IBP (also a proud IBP member), but not this year, as I’m focusing on conference planning as the co-lead logistics chair. I am also a big advocate for student voice and activism and hope to teach high school ethnic studies ​​