When I was 15 I gained a second family and in particular a second mum - it took us 2 months to jointly climb the language barrier for her to tell me she’d prefer I called her “mum” instead of her name, it made her day as much as mine when her face lit up each time I did from thereon forth.
She was and is one of the forces that shaped and shapes the way I hold myself in life and her very special brand of tough love helped a 15 year-old me find a home thousands of miles away from Germany as much as it helped find myself in life itself.
My first boss was probably one of the most inspiring, intense (because he refused to settle for just okay) and simply cool people I’d ever met, unafraid to give an unproven 20-something a chance to make her mark in the world of business. (Imagine being invited to sit with the cool people at lunch, because that was for sure how I felt)
I have since had the honor of working with and for some of the most intimidatingly badass people as well as learn from the brightest minds to not only become a better professional, but also how to become a better person. I’ve been shown heartfelt compassion and true curiosity, strict instruction and grit.
I can still reach out anytime to some of my most favorite mentors and friends when I find a funny “49ers suck” meme or when I need advice because I’m stuck where I am.
I never thought I’d have to mention that most of the people that made me the person I am today are Asian, that my second family lives on a tiny island in Japan and that I’d only be half of who I am today if not for each and every single one of them!
But the recent news tell a different story.
It is when off-hand comments can become well-accepted slurs, slurs can become an actual way of judging someone and eventually threats can lead to inexcusable action like the recent rise in hate crimes as well as what just happened in Atlanta. Nobody that has a “bad day” has the excuse to do what this person did, no law enforcement has the excuse to play down what was so obviously a hate crime and no media outlet should ever aid broadcasting it as anything but a hate crime.
So for everyone that calls themselves an ally or is indifferent to the topic - the next time you hear “just an off-hand comment” CALL IT OUT. Call it out so it may never escalate again. It’s the least you can do!
To my Asian friends, family, mentors, mentees, 49er fans, chocolate lovers, Sneaker Enthusiasts and role models - THANK YOU for being you, what you taught and continue to teach me.
I LOVE YOU ALL.