“ Can you even see chink eyed, ching chong speaking, dog eating Asian?” I am Asian-American. I grew up in the so-called “ Melting Pot “ America with Filipino culture and background. Since kindergarten I have been labeled and pointed out for being a minority, for being different. Everyday was a battle; I was joked and mocked, and even attacked with Asian stereotypes. In kindergarten the other girls would pull and tug on my air because it was so straight. I found it hard fitting in with other kids, and I only found comfort spending time with students who were of the same race. I felt at ease and could relax around other Filipino children because I was never judged for my Filipino dishes I ate, or the oriental décor in my home when they came over for play dates, and they understood my parents’ thick accents. The school system praises us to be different, and to stand out yet fails to recognize to teach students to embrace other nationalities. While the education system drives students to make them stand out in a crowd, it doesn’t encourage them to embrace their inner self and who they are and to use that advantage to make themselves stand out. When I got to high school, the racist bullying came to a halt. I was different, and I have grown up and matured, I was no longer that reserved Asian girl. I was more outspoken and social towards different groups, not just confining myself to Asian friends. I became more comfortable with my Filipino background and learned to be thankful for my heritage because it made me who I am. I eased into “rolling with the punches” whenever someone made an Asian stereotype comment. Whenever someone made inappropriate comments about my Filipino culture or bullied another student about their nationality I would stand up for myself or whoever was being a victim. I would speak sternly and with bold confidence towards the bully. The bully never