ABSTRACT
Like many educators, my research has been greatly influenced by my personal experiences. I am a second-generation Korean American, born to two Korean parents who immigrated to the United States, specifically California, in the 1980s. My parents were raising their children in an unfamiliar culture that, unbeknownst to them, viewed Asians as second-class citizens. Growing up in this culture, I have always felt like I was between spaces: not quite Korean but not accepted as an American. This tension led me to internalize the racism I experienced and created an overwhelming desire to assimilate. My experiences in education have, at times, contributed to my internalized racism and, at other times, given me the tools to understand my experiences. It is through education that I have experienced the most othering, and it was also education that empowered me to fight for justice. This narrative describes the challenges I encountered as my identity was formed, explored, and, finally, accepted.
