What does she know? She's just a Korean | Ping Robert

Podcast Version at Chai with Ping

Welcome back to Chai with Ping. This is a bonus episode where I'll share my personal experience moving to the US as a new immigrant. Take a sip of chai, and let’s begin.

It was my second year as an international student in my graduate program, and one Saturday we had a class on educational policy. I was sitting with a group of local educators having a discussion on a case study about a Korean American superintendent of a school district. She stepped into her term making some tough decisions about letting some poor-performing teachers go, and we reflected how the district was adjusting to her leadership style. As educators, my classmates and I, talked some suggestions for her in the scenario regarding leadership, decision-making, and critical turnaround issues. One person abruptly stood up and said, “I don’t agree with her leadership style. What does she know? She’s just a Korean American.” When listening to that comment, my face heated up and my heart quickly raced. I didn’t know what to say. But it was definitely uncomfortable.


Being an Asian, I couldn’t help but relate to the Korean American superintendent, who by all means attempted to make improvements within the district. I thought to myself, How should I react? Does this mean that no matter how long we Asians stay here in the U.S. we will never get a say in our career? These questions bubbled up in my mind, but I still said nothing. No one in the class said anything nor seemed to react after these comments, so the discussion continued. After that conversation, I felt powerless and frustrated because I could have said something to rebuttal this person. I felt disappointed that people still held the idea that it was okay to rashly judge immigrants’ children even after being born and raised here in the U.S. It is not ok to say this. It is not ok for someone to have this concept when they enter into local school systems and teach kids with this mindset.
I didn’t know what to do.


It’s been 2 years, and that comment still lingers in the back of my mind whenever I want to speak up. The voice turned into fear and doubts about my identity and potential to be successful. I even told some friends about my self-doubt after I applied for jobs. I said, “Why would they hire an international student who needs to spend more time to learn the things that the local staff already know?


Recently, I decided that I needed to do something about it, so I started this podcast to capture and share voices from diverse minority groups in my second language, English. I interviewed Asian Americans, Third Culture Kids, and people who have varying identities from mainstream culture. I want to hear their voices, and I hope the world will, too. There are too many biases and stereotypes, and too little understanding of personal experiences. I believe the world needs more empathy and respect. And I believe I can make a difference starting with myself. As I listen and ask questions, I begin to see my guests as human beings. We are so different but I love their stories. When both sides become vulnerable, we gain trust and new perspectives. I learned not to judge too quickly, and to listen to understand.


At the end of this episode, I aim to ask more questions, spark more conversations with people who are different from me. You can join me by listening to the stories on my podcast. Send me an email or voice message to let me know what you all think. Let’s learn from each other and learn together.

A follow up with Anti-AAPI Hate on Chai with Ping