Alisha is a Korean adoptee, mother, therapist, and educator. She was born in South Korea, grew up in Michigan, and now lives in NYC, where she has a private practice and small-batch pasta business with her husband. Alisha was the Korean American Story 1st Place Winner earlier this year for her piece “Loss, Love, and Liberation.”

Alisha talks to us about growing up as a transracial adoptee in a small, rural town and the internalized whiteness that she started recognizing and healing from once she went to college. She references a PBS documentary called South Korea’s Adoption Reckoning, which examines fraud and abuse allegations in South Korea’s foreign adoption industry.

We also discuss our respective postpartum periods and mental health challenges, the healing and grieving that motherhood brings, and how we cannot help but see our own children in the children of Gaza. As powerless as many of us feel in stopping wars and genocides, I believe that it matters how we raise our children and how we show up in solidarity in day to day life. Alisha and her family are a particularly poignant example of all of us being connected as they are raising a Korean Jewish daughter, who I can’t help but see my own daughter in. Because we are all ultimately one human family.

Alisha’s IG

Leah’s IG

Sarinya was the first ever Asian woman firefighter in the FDNY and is the founder of Angry Asian Womxn, an organization centering safety, wellness, and community for women, femmes, and gender expansive folks affected by anti-Asian racism and Islamaphobia. Angry Asian Womxn is currently running a fundraiser for mutual aid to Gaza until 11/22/2024, and especially for any Sanrio lovers - I highly recommend checking it out!

We talk about Sarinya’s experience almost stumbling into organizing as well as navigating her radicalized and marginalized identity in the workplace. We also discuss Palestinians and Muslims being within our AAPI community therefore deserving of our solidarity, as ever a reminder that collective liberation means liberation for all.

Sarinya reminds us that we have the power to use our voices and take action to bring about the change and justice we want to see in the world.
Sarinya’s IG

Angry Asian Womxn’s linktr.ee

Leah’s IG

Kiki is an author, illustrator, and geographer whose parents immigrated from Guatemala. Her book, Palestine 1492: A Report Back, takes us on a journey through history, geography, and political theory through the language of memoir.

In our conversation, we share our personal stories about who we used to be, how we woke up, and who we are becoming. In this reflection, we emphasize the need for compassion, understanding, and forgiveness for those who don’t yet see the Truth.

Kiki shares her thoughts on academia, trauma, and what organization and resistance can look like, such as planting literal watermelon seeds. Kiki’s teachings and worldview are the medicine our soul need in this moment.

Kiki’s website

Kiki’s IG

Leah’s IG