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Jessica Bui

Dr. Cruz Medina

English 1A

September 14, 2023

Literacy Narrative

In the quiet corners of my mind, there are two concepts that have always had an unusual

grasp over me: "Imposter Syndrome" and "social anxiety." These aren't simply words; they are

the muffled echoes of a journey that I've been on for a very long time, long before I understood

what they meant. Why do I have this terrible feeling of failure so frequently? Why do I feel at

times as though I'm not good enough? These thoughts echo in the spaces of my head when I'm

alone. I want to feel normal, to fit in with the crowd without standing out, and to be just like

everyone else. These thoughts continued to swim inside my head like unwanted sharks growing

up. However, as I read the excerpt of Simu Liu's memoir We Were Dreamers, I couldn't help but

feel a deep connection with the ideas he talks about. Simu Liu talks about his childhood and

family expectations, stereotypical representation of Asians in western media, how the lack of

caring and encouraging comments from his parents prevented them from motivating him to do

better, and gives a clear image of the frightful atmosphere in his home.

In chapter 9 of We Were Dreamers, Simu Liu reflects on his childhood and family

expectations on him in this quote, “I was just a moderately intelligent kid that was raised with a

bit of a head start by parents who saw good grades as the only surefire path to financial stability.”

(Liu, 98) This quote specifically describes every Asian kid’s nightmare and how much pressure

they face with the overwhelming expectations their parents put on them. This line is a

heartbreaking reminder of the difficulties that young people from Asian families frequently face.
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Academic achievement is often seen as the only path to financial security, and the weight of

these expectations may be oppressive. Liu's representation of the challenges of balancing family

and cultural pressures is in line with the experiences of countless people. When reading this

quote, I instantly felt a connection to it. While my parents don’t have as intense beliefs as Simu’s

parents, growing up, my parents would always remind me to do well in school to get into college

and get a degree. My parents are immigrants from Vietnam who never had an education in the

United States, so they are constantly reminding me how privileged and fortunate I am to have

access to the best education available.

Next, Simu Liu discusses his observation growing up with incorrect and stereotypical

Asian representation in the media. He states, “Asian men were frequently depicted in Western

media as awkward, nerdy and completely undatable-” (Liu, 104) Simu Liu was probably deeply

impacted by that observation since it not only speaks to his own experiences but also to the

bigger challenges and prejudices that Asian people must overcome in the entertainment business.

Simu Liu, a rising star in Hollywood and an outspoken advocate of increased Asian

representation in the media, probably relates to this comment on a very personal level. He

probably experienced the limitations and typecasting that these prejudices entail as an actor of

Asian heritage. These representations frequently reduce Asian actors to one-dimensional,

stereotypical characters, which might limit the diversity of roles open to them. This is a quote I

agree with the most. I especially hate how Western media always makes any Asian character of a

film as someone super smart or unpopular. Specifically, when it comes to Asian girls and women

in Western movies, they are always the unpopular, bullied, and nerdy girl that gets saved by a

white guy that’s supposedly “popular” and “hot.” There are very few Western movies or shows

with an Asian girl that actually ends with an Asian boy that gets popular. Hollywood also has a
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tendency to cast any Asian actor in any Asian part indiscriminately; for example, a Chinese actor

may play a Korean character. And while people may not notice this and can’t tell the difference

between ethnicities because “all Asians look the same,” it still really offends me sometimes to

see wrong ethnicity casting in Western films. Simu Liu also mentions how J. K. Rowling named

her only Chinese character Cho Chang and says, “(Just so we're clear, Cho and Chang are both

last names... in Korean.)” (Liu, 108) This further shows how many people in the Western media

and literature lack cultural research.

Furthermore, in chapter 10, Simu explains to the readers how his parents brought him

down when he did poorly in something rather than encouraging him with loving words, so he

would have motivation to do better. He says,“There were no words of reassurance, no "we're still

so proud of you," no "this doesn't change anything," and certainly no "I love you." All she cared

about was that I had failed.” (Liu, 109) This statement emphasizes how words have the ability to

influence how we see ourselves and the others in our lives. Lack of confidence and words of

support from an important person might have a permanent emotional impact. Simu Liu probably

experienced a feeling of isolation upon hearing this his whole life. I am reminded as a reader of

the importance of words in our own life and in the stories we come across. The words we choose

to convey or refrain can profoundly affect the emotional wellbeing of others, whether in

literature or in real life. Upon reading this quote, it makes me understand that everyone needs

verbal motivation sometimes. I realize this statement illustrates the importance of verbal

encouragement and motivation as an essential part of human life. No matter our background or

experiences, it indicates that words of praise and support play a critical role in our lives.

Lastly, Simu Liu continues to use powerful narrative to provide a clear picture of the

terrifying environment in his household, describing it as a place empty of safety and comfort
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where the threat of violence lurked, ready to break out at any time. He explains, “Home was not

a place to go to feel comfortable and safe-it was a war zone where violence could break out at

any second.” (Liu, 120) The first line of the quotation emphasizes the fact that "Home was not a

place to go to feel comfortable and safe." With this, Simu’s home environment is immediately

connected to discomfort and stress. It implies that the home, which is typically considered as a

shelter, does not provide the usual feelings of comfort and security to him. He uses a powerful

metaphor to compare his home to a war zone which is never something you should say to a place

you call home. This quotation is an effective example of how language may be used to create a

vivid and moving picture, enabling readers to identify with the feelings and experiences of the

characters. It urges readers to consider issues like family, conflict, and the psychological effects

of living in a harsh environment. After seeing this quote being compared to war, I have a vivid

image of how much Simu’s parents must have constantly yelled at him to make him feel uneasy

in his own house.

In conclusion, I illustrated how words like "Imposter Syndrome" and "social anxiety"

continue to affect my perspective of myself, resulting in ongoing feelings of unworthiness and a

longing for normal. As well as how it highlights a strong connection to Simu Liu’s memoir

where he explores themes of family expectations, stereotyping in Western media, and the

absence of encouraging comments from his parents in his memoir, which resonates with the

author's own experiences of a turbulent home environment and a desire for belonging.

Work Cited:

Liu, Simu. We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story. HarperCollins, 2022.