The Daily 'I Become a Person of Suspicion'
Apr 10, 2020
Jiayang Fan, a staff writer at The New Yorker, discusses her experiences as a Chinese American during the pandemic. She shares alarming personal accounts of rising anti-Asian sentiment, including encounters of hostility and racism. Jiayang reflects on her childhood in China, contrasting cultural perceptions and the allure of American idealism. She navigates her identity as an immigrant, detailing the emotional impact of xenophobia and the quest for belonging in a divided society.
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Initial Backlash
- Jiayang Fan initially questioned if anti-Asian sentiment due to COVID-19 was isolated or a trend.
- She read about a Korean American friend being told to "get away" by a stranger.
Childhood in China
- Jiayang Fan grew up in China with a vague, hazy view of the outside world, particularly the U.S.
- Her perception was shaped by shows like "Dynasty" and calendars depicting idealized American families.
Cheerios and American Idealization
- Cheerios cereal held a special significance for Jiayang Fan as a child in China.
- The branding presented it as a superior food for "superior people" with blonde hair and blue eyes.