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The Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate heritage, honor traditions, and share joy across communities.

For many Asian Americans, however, this season can also serve as a stark reminder of the struggles we face due to enduring stereotypes and racism.

As the founder of Open Classroom Experience (OCE), a program dedicated to bridging cultures and fostering understanding of Asian emerging markets for American youth, this issue is deeply personal to me.

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But FIRST

If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:

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As a small business owner and a woman of Chinese descent, I’ve faced my share of challenges. Recently, while promoting my property management business online, I encountered baseless accusations that my business was a scam—all because of my name.

These slanders weren’t rooted in any genuine concern but rather in prejudice. And I've faced numerous baseless accusations such as this due to my heritage. In fact, many of the Asian single mothers I’ve hired, some of the hardest-working and most integrity-filled individuals I’ve ever met, have also faced similar hostility.

Prior to the U.S.-China tension, I didn’t think much about being East Asian and living in North America. My life felt, in every sense, “American.” I attended a Canadian elementary school, studied engineering at a U.S. university, worked at one of America’s largest companies, binge-watched Friends, and volunteered with global organizations in San Francisco.

But since the outbreak of the pandemic and the resulting tensions between the U.S. and China, many Asian Americans, including myself, have become targets of prejudice. This spike in anti-Asian sentiment has left us questioning where we truly fit within American society.

The experiences of Asians in America highlight a troubling contradiction in what patriotism often looks like in this country. At its best, patriotism celebrates diversity, welcomes innovation, and champions resilience.

But at its worst, it becomes exclusionary, weaponized against those who appear “other.” The rise in anti-Asian prejudice, from verbal abuse, baseless accusation to physical violence, suggests that many equate “American” with a narrow vision that leaves little room for people who look or sound different.

This issue isn’t new, nor is it unique to Asians. However, the tension between US and China brought these biases into sharper focus. For Asian Americans in the U.S., who are often stereotyped as “perpetual foreigners,” the line between being seen as a contributing member of society and a scapegoat is distressingly thin.

One solution to this systemic issue might seem overly simple but is profoundly impactful: cultural empathy.

By taking a proactive approach to understand and respect cultures different from our own, we can start breaking down the barriers that breed mistrust and ignorance.

As someone who has lived on both sides of the Pacific, I’ve seen how mutual understanding can transform relationships and open doors to collaboration and growth.

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This is precisely why I founded OCE. I wanted to create a space where North American youth could connect with Asian markets and leaders, learn about diverse perspectives, and grow into the kind of changemakers who challenge prejudice rather than perpetuate it.

By equipping the next generation with tools to empathize, communicate, and collaborate, we can build a society where patriotism includes all Americans—not just a select few.

This Lunar New Year, let’s reflect on what it means to truly embrace diversity as a cornerstone of American values.

And if you’re reading this as someone who’s ever wondered how to make a difference, I encourage you to start small. Learn about the cultural significance of Lunar New Year, support an Asian-owned business, or simply take the time to connect with someone whose background is different from yours. These actions may seem minor, but they contribute to a larger movement—one where we redefine patriotism to reflect the true diversity of America.

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PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in? We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders. ​ OCE Summer Cohort ​ You can also explore purposeful opportunities through our Impact Internship Opportunities Database. ​ Get Curious.

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Lena

​https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/​