I am a South Asian American, and I embrace my culture and ethnicity openly and proudly. Every year during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I feel a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and community. This wasn’t always the case for me growing up. As a child, I tried to suppress and conceal my identity to fit in with my friends and the American culture. But as I grew older, I embraced my South Asian heritage and welcomed my friends to learn more about my culture and ethnicity.

As a child of Indian immigrants, I saw firsthand the sacrifices made and barriers broken by my parents who left their homeland. Never having spoken English, I saw my parents, along with the hundreds of thousands of immigrants like them, persevere and jump through obstacles to create opportunities they never had nor dreamed of.

As I look back on the achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I feel immense pride and joy; but I am also reminded of the hardships the community has faced. I am grateful for the resiliency millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have displayed time and time again. We are a community with diverse cultures and backgrounds, but we are a community that stands together despite our differences and no matter what challenge faces us.