body language | part II
Jess: My favorite part about writing this blog with you was when you spoke about how you view the United States. Admittedly, while coming from a selfish and privileged place, I haven’t found much to be proud about in the United States. I’m often embarrassed by the politics and deeply let down by the amount of bigotry and hate. And while these things still exist and there is work to dismantle these harmful institutions, you remind me where we are starting, which at its core is a nation that embraces and encourages cultural differences. Can you explain more how you’ve come to see the US in this light?
Wendy: One of the biggest benefits of being in the U.S., especially as someone who has experienced multiple cultures and traveled to many places, is how enriching it is to be part of a society that embraces cultural differences. Here, your cultural differences aren’t something you have to strip away to belong. In many other countries, like Japan or Scandinavian nations, there’s often an expectation to assimilate fully and give up parts of your cultural identity in order to be accepted and function within society. In contrast, the U.S. allows you to lean into your identity, and that diversity becomes a strength.
The U.S. was founded on the backbone of immigrants, and I think that’s reflected in how we evolve and thrive as a society. The cultural differences that each person brings weave into the fabric of what makes America unique. It’s a true melting pot, where different experiences and backgrounds enrich the collective culture. You can see it everywhere—in the variety of cuisines, the freedom to start a new business regardless of where you’re from, and the acceptance that what makes us different also makes us stronger.
Jess: We must acknowledge that people continue to experience microaggresions that do seek to encourage a white/heteronormative existence .. but it’s true that there has always been movement in the US to be proud of our cultures and heritages. In Chicago alone we can see how communities keep their individualities alive in different city neighborhoods. If you let yourself believe the narrative that we’ve been seeing with MAGA rising it can be easy to forget that progress and individuality do exist.
Wendy: Another thing I deeply appreciate about the U.S. is the freedom to express political differences. Even if we don’t agree with someone’s policies or perspective, we still have the ability to voice our opinions, debate, and find common ground. That’s a privilege not available in many other countries. For example, in China, speaking out against the government can result in severe consequences—you might be banned from platforms like WeChat or silenced entirely. There’s no opportunity for healthy debate or to understand another perspective.
In the U.S., the freedom to voice differences—whether cultural, political, or otherwise—is something that strengthens us. Ideally, it helps us evolve as a society without descending into division or conflict. This freedom to embrace and express differences is what makes the U.S. so special and unique compared to other places.
Jess: A very true (albeit tough pill to swallow given current climate) reminder. There is power in opinion, education and truth-sharing. We are fortunate to have the freedom to continue conversations without consequence is something we should never take for granted.
Jess: I think having ties to more than one culture is a superpower. How has having ties in both China and the US impacted who you are today?
Wendy: I definitely think that having two cultures is a superpower, but I don’t think many of my friends growing up necessarily felt that way. A lot of my Chinese friends rejected aspects of their culture—they didn’t want to eat Chinese food, speak Chinese to their parents, or celebrate cultural traditions. They wanted to assimilate into U.S. culture because they didn’t want to stand out or risk being made fun of.
Looking back, I really appreciate that my parents encouraged me to keep speaking Chinese at home and educated me about our traditions. They taught me why we make dumplings for New Year’s, why we celebrate certain festivals, and the meanings behind the foods we eat and the customs we follow. Through that, I became really curious about my Chinese roots and felt proud to stay connected to them.
This connection also kept me open-minded and accepting of others. Being part of a minority culture in the U.S. helped me relate to people who also didn’t fit into the mainstream, whether they were part of the LGBTQ+ community, had alternative interests, or held different beliefs. In high school, my friends and I bonded over those shared experiences of feeling ‘othered,’ and we supported each other. That openness really shaped who I am.
Growing up in the Midwest, first in Ohio and later going to college in Chicago, also played into this perspective. Being an Asian American in the Midwest is unique because there are so few of us. Regardless of whether someone is Chinese, Korean, Filipino, or Vietnamese, you naturally support each other because of the shared experience of being a minority.
I’ve noticed this dynamic is different on the coasts. In places like California or New York, where there’s a larger Asian population, there’s sometimes more division between different Asian ethnicities. In the Midwest, though, the small numbers make you feel more united. Being in that environment taught me the value of solidarity and allowed me to stay open-minded and connected to people from all backgrounds
Jess: I’m so grateful to you for sharing your experience. This whole conversation happened after we met in the studio for a 1:1 and we couldn’t even bring ourselves to dance. We sat and talked about the election and the impact we’d feel for years to come. Immigration is obviously a personal subject for you because it’s a lived experience, and I consider myself so lucky to get this insight so I can approach conversations with more empathy and context.
To end this piece (for now..) what would you like to leave readers with?
Wendy: My advice to families going through the immigration process now is to be patient, have hope, and stay as organized and detailed as possible—overly detailed, even. Gather more documentation than you think you might need, and trust in the process, even though it’s more complicated now than it may have been in the past. Many families have successfully gone through it, even in challenging times.
What I wish more people understood is that we’re living in an ever-changing society that is progressing and adapting faster than at any other point in human history. A lot of people who oppose immigration don’t realize how much of our societal advancements have been driven by cross-cultural and cross-country collaboration. If we had closed ourselves off to immigration 20 years ago, we wouldn’t have achieved many of the innovations we benefit from today.
The frustrating part is that there seems to be a lack of education around this. Many people don’t recognize that the conveniences and progress they enjoy now are the result of global collaboration and the blending of cultures and ideas. To assume that 'all immigration is bad immigration' ignores this reality.
What needs to change is the fear of change itself. Humans, as a species, have thrived because we’ve adapted. Change is not something to be afraid of—it’s how we evolve and survive. Unfortunately, it feels like society and government haven’t adapted as quickly as the pace of change around us. Instead of finding ways to embrace these shifts and build better systems, there’s often a tendency to retreat to the comfort of what we knew 20 years ago, trying to prevent change from happening.
But progress doesn’t slow down. The world continues to change faster and faster, and if the U.S. tries to hold on to outdated systems or resist change, we risk falling behind other countries that are more open to cultural differences, technological advancements, and societal evolution.
Immigration has always been a vital part of our progress, and embracing it—rather than fearing it—is the key to staying innovative and relevant in an ever-changing world.