Thread by @whoisgarylee

1. The first time I felt seen was in my elementary school library. I was by myself, as all my classmates had already picked out books for their book reports. I had the wild idea to find a book written by someone w/my last name but found nothing. Determined, I kept looking...

2…and then I saw it. I grabbed the book, clutched it to my chest, and jumped in elation. I couldn’t believe it!

Someone with MY last name was SO important there was an ENTIRE book on him!!!

My parents had to gently explain to me that I was NOT related to Robert E. Lee.

3. There were few other AsAms in ABQ, NM. When we played the celebrity look-alike game, I always got Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan, which, you know, you’d prob have to be them to make that stretch. Looking for an AsAm author or book was part of my desire to belong, to be visible.

4. Last night, I sat in an ABQ theater where every member of a diverse audience swooned over @henrygolding and @gemma_chan, marveled at legend Michelle Yeah, laughed at @awkwafina and @kenjeong, and sobbed from hearing my talented friend @kinagrannis sing.

5. Growing up, I wanted to be funny like Margaret Cho and Bobby Lee because they were funny and looked like me. That's who I had. Later on, I loved that all types of ppl wanted to be like @kalpenn and @JohnTheCho bc they were seen as both AsAm and more.

6. Now, elementary school kids are going to see @CrazyRichMovie and all the AsAm filled movies that follow it, and realize they can be anyone they want. It's a powerful experience seeing yourself as the hero of your own story.

That's why representation matters.

7. I’ve been a fan of @jonmchu’s for a long time and this just adds to my admiration for him. The love letter to Singapore, the food, the culture, the fashion, the soundtrack. The outsized stakes couldn’t have been higher and he knocked it out of the park. 🙏

8. Finally, nothing better describes @ConstanceWu than “leading lady”. Not only is she a fierce advocate for women and persons of color (@TIMESUPNOW), she is the definition of grace and can make you melt with a single look. 😍 I will gush about (& crush on) her forever.

9. This is the magic and possibility of art. People can see faces that usually aren’t in lead roles in a different part of the world and realize that no matter where you’re from - love, family, and friendship are universal. We have more in common than divides us.

10. For more on Crazy Rich Asians, check out this incredibly resourceful thread from @therebeccasun who compiled a bunch of pieces by thoughtful and brilliant AsAm journalists, all much more eloquent than me.

https://twitter.com/therebeccasun/status/1029814879056588801?s=20

11. And here are some AsAm writers I didn’t have when I was younger but like @kevinkwanbooks, are endlessly inspiring to me now.

@rokwon’s The Incendiaries is deservedly getting RAVE reviews

@alexanderchee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel) is the teacher I wish I had

12. I’m eagerly awaiting @nicole_soojung’s All You Can Ever Know (out 10/2)

Twitter legend @jonnysun’s everyone’s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too is my favorite gift to friends

@minjinlee11’s Pachinko blew me away and is gonna be a show on Apple!!!

13. @pronounced_ing’s Little Fires Everywhere is being made into a show on Hulu by @RWitherspoon and @kerrywashington!!!

My friend @Marie_Lu’s new book Wildcard is out in ONE MONTH

And you can watch @jennyhan’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before on @netflix RIGHT NOW!