Tomorrow marks the beginning of Chuseok in Korea. The annual harvest festival is like Thanksgiving for Koreans.

My birth family purchased this hanbok for me the last time I visited Korea. We spent the afternoon in my hometown of Andong picking out the colors and material together.

I put it on this morning, because I’ve been feeling the need to connect with my Koreanness lately. No matter how White my family is or my name sounds– *this* is how the rest of the world will always see me.

I am an immigrant. It is why my heart is with the rest of my fellow immigrants who are being mistreated, dehumanized, and even murdered by xenophobic White Nationalists.

We shouldn’t have to hide from or be afraid of our heritage. It is what makes us… us. And that’s something worth celebrating.

I’m thrilled to be teaming up with my dear friend Martha Palacios to host a Zumba fundraising event next Saturday the 21st at Union.

Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Texas Civil Rights Project, who is working to keep families together and protect the rights of immigrants.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.