Meet Bernice Chao, creative speaker, author, and professor in episode 35 of Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong. Chao is also a co-founder of the non-profit organization, Asians in Advertising and co-author of The Visibility Mindset: How Asian American Leaders Create Opportunities and Push Past Barriers.
Chao shares with listeners about the importance of education, unity, and empathy for the Asian diaspora.
Education and tough conversations can lead to unity
In recent years, Asian American studies has grown in schools in the United States. However, many histories still have yet to be widely shared, in and outside the classroom. To Chao, having tough conversations, such as debunking myths and preconceived notions, are important to educate and help get everyone in the community and diaspora aligned.
For instance, Chao tells a story between her and her mother about the model minority myth. Chao had to explain to her mother its historical context and how it harms the community. Through education and hard conversation with each other inside the diaspora, Chao believes we can create unity as a whole and increase visibility. Additionally, she shares that “a lot of times I use data… saying that it’s just not me thinking this. This is really true.”
Chao also acknowledges that many Asians in the diaspora are first-generation immigrants, and there is a scarcity mindset and an idea we don’t share. Alternatively, Chao offers insight into our inability to be vulnerable within our community.
She shares, “because we’re taught to not ever let our cracks show—the saving face… and because of that, I think there are all these things where we haven’t been working together… As a community, we need to reach back and pull forward and just keep doing that so that it’s not the idea that we’re taking from each other, but we’re uplifting all of us at once.”
Empathetic communication
Another integral component of unity is using empathetic communication when faced with hardship and discomfort.
Chao notes, “we’re taught not to rock the boat to just let things go. And for a long time, I got a lot of microaggressions… and I just let it go.” She continues to share that it wasn’t until she started talking about this then realized others were experiencing the same thing. “This is happening to so many of us that if I don’t say something today, the next person might not say anything.”
When jokes and casual conversations unexpectedly cross boundaries and lines, empathic communication can help stop the conversation and bring understanding to our allies. Chao adds, “you may not have meant something by it, but part of me to show empathy for my community and for you is to have that conversation while being super tough.”
For Chao, as a diaspora, not only do we need to be able to communicate with our allies, but more importantly, amongst ourselves to build unity. Being on the same page can begin with education or having tough conversations.
“It’s up to all of us to spread the word, whether that’s managing up, managing down, or horizontal. We just need to keep that communication going in that space.”
See also: Holding corporations accountable to diversity and inclusivity
Cold Tea Collective is partnering with Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong, a podcast exploring the missing pieces of the Asian diasporic conversations. From topics about the Asian adoptee experience, imposter syndrome, and more, discover the latest episodes today.
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