Unseen Stories

Because I am Asian,

People think I can speak Chinese and they talk to me in Chinese.

But actually I don’t speak or understand Chinese.

Because I dress frumpy,

People think I act pathologically.

But actually I volunteer weekly and call attention to government abuses of the community.

Because I am White, privileged, and an American citizen,

People think that I am not an immigrant.

But actually I have been deported and am struggling to live in the same country as the person I love.

Because I am moving to Hawaii,

People think that I’m moving to paradise—where I’ll be living the good life under the Sun.

But actually I’m moving there so I can care for my mom, who is in stage two of her dementia.

Because I have brown hair and an accent,

People think I am an “exotic” Latina immigrant.

But actually I have a White American mother and I have been in the United States. for more than half my life.

Because I work in government,

People think that I love bureaucracy.

But actually I’m in public service because I want to streamline access to public services, and make the city a more equitable place.

Because I stay clean and don’t panhandle or carry more than one backpack,

People think I’m not homeless.

But actually I’ve been homeless a year and a half after SSI/disability refused to help me stay in my apartment.

Because I speak with an Italian accent,

People think it’s charming and cute.

But actually sometimes this makes me feel I don’t belong here after all these years.

Because I come from a multiracial background,

People think I was not born in the United States.

But actually I was born in the Midwest. My great grandma is Vietnamese, but I’ve lost the ability to speak with her.

Because I am homeless,

People think that I am not important and I don’t want to change.

But actually I have not always been homeless. I am important and I will rise above my situation. I am somebody.

Because I am currently dating a male-identifying person,

People think I am heterosexual.

But actually I am bisexual and date both men and women when I’m single.

Because I look overweight,

People think I should lose weight.

But actually I’m fine just the way I am. Also my blood sugar is normal, my blood pressure is stable, and I’m in great shape.

Because I walk with hiking poles,

People think I am able-bodied.

But actually I’m disabled and have arthritis in my lower back and both knees.

Because I am blind and had eyes that were shaped differently and didn’t move together,

People thought I was cognitively impaired.

But actually I have a master’s degree and a vibrant social life.

Because I have a long criminal background,

People think that I’m a monster or a threat to them.

But actually I run a social enterprise that has a mission to support those from troubled backgrounds to elevate themselves, find employment, get mental health support, and be an example of change.