Now that Hidden No More has concluded, you might be looking for next steps to continue on your journey around Asian/Asian American ethnic identity, cross-cultural solidarity, or just genuine interest in the Asian American experience. Here are a few paths you could explore!
Asian American Histories
If you’re hungry for more Asian American history or a deeper dive on any of the topics, explore the stories of individual ethnic groups or specific events or time periods. Here are some general resources covering Asian American histories:
- The Making of Asian America: A History (2016) – History
- Erika Lee’s compelling but accessible text is an essential single volume for those curious (or wanting to refresh one’s memory) about Asian American history. Covering the successive waves of Asian immigrants, she teases out the unique differences and the shared themes that Asians navigated on their way to becoming Asian American.
- A Different Asian American Timeline – Multimedia Timeline/History
- Covering 600 years of Asian American history, A Different AA Timeline focuses on the larger global context of what drove Asians to America, with four emphases (land, labor, empire, and freedom) to enrich your understanding of the incredible diversity and resilience of Asian Americans.
- Rise: A Pop History of Asia America from the Nineties to Now (2022) – Pop History
- This energetic, magazine-style history/encyclopedia covers major cultural trends in Asian America. From “AZN” to significant Asian American activists or pioneers, to YouTube cover artists and more, this playful and visually engrossing book is a joyous addition to any coffee table.
- Asian Americans (2021) – Documentary
- This celebrated and thorough PBS documentary covers Asian American histories across five episodes. Having taken HNM, you’ll recognize historical figures and modern historical experts (Dr. Jane Hong!) in this engaging series.
Asian American Stories
Asian American authors offer their stories – some factual, some fictional, but all real and worthy reads.
- Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning (2020) – Essays
- Cathy Park Hong’s collection of essays gives rich and resonant language for the Asian American experience – where the minority experience is painted over or brushed aside in favor of a pleasant optimistic American tableau. Her exploration of her own experience as well as related subjects through an Asian American lens have helped many connect with their own emotions, story, and dissonance.
- Crying in H-Mart: A Memoir (2021) – Memoir
- Michelle Zauner’s personal story of upbringing, loss, and identity are fertile ground for her descriptions and reflections on her own mixed Korean and white American identity and on Asian America more broadly. An easy but memorable read.
- In Limbo (2023) – Graphic Memoir
- This unique memoir in graphic form tells Deb JJ Lee’s journey as a South Korean Immigrant coming to New Jersey and her struggles to fit in, to speak English, and to navigate American culture and her own family. Amid mental health troubles (note: including a suicide attempt), Lee narrates how self-care and art help her own and appreciate her life and ethnic identity in a new way.
- Gold Diggers (2022) – Fiction
- Sanjena Sathian’s vibrant novel combines magical realism with South Asian American experience. With loving detail and poignant insight, she conveys the joys and struggles of Brown American family life amid a backdrop of the American dream, connecting South Asian stories to the broader history of Asian America.
- American Born Chinese (2006) – Graphic Novel
- Gene Luen Yang’s masterful Asian American coming-of-age story with Chinese taoist mythology and Christian themes remains a significant creative and cultural touchstone for Asian Americans. Soon to be released as a Disney+ TV series starring Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, with recurring appearances by Stephanie Hsu, James Hong, Jimmy O. Yang and Ronny Chieng. Read the book first!
Asian American Christian Theology and Faith
Exploring the intersection of ethnic identity and faith can be a powerful way to integrate experiences that may seem disparate. All/any InterVarsity Press books may be available at a discount for HNM participants (especially eBooks, due to no shipping cost). Contact Greg Hsu.
- Learning Our Names: Asian American Christians on Identity, Relationships, and Vocation (InterVarsity 2022)
- Sabrina S. Chan, Linson Daniel, E. David de Leon, and La Thao share personal stories, Biblical teaching, and historical context around major issues that touch the heart of the Asian American and Christian experience. Holding diverse cultural and ethnic perspectives, this new and needed book gives voice to longings, questions, and truths for many in the Asian American Christian diaspora.
- Doing Asian American Theology: A Contextual Framework for Faith & Practice (InterVarsity 2022)
- Daniel D. Lee gives vocabulary and grammar for the theological reality of Asian Americans, in all their ethnic, generational, and regional differences. His groundbreaking “quadrilateral” integrates Asian heritage, migration experience, American culture, and racialization for those on a communal journey of faith.
- Mixed Blessing: Embracing the Fullness of Your Multiethnic Identity (InterVarsity 2020)
- Chandra Crane brings a long overdue word to and for multiracial and multiethnic persons, so often caught between different worlds, cultures, and identities. Considering Jesus’ own nature and ministry as a model for mixed identity, she offers Biblical insight and encouragement, as well as specific and practical concepts for navigating a life of multiple ethnic backgrounds.
- Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming our Ethnic Identity Journey (InterVarsity 2017)
- Sarah Shin explains the Biblical vision for how multiethnic unity and particular ethnic identities and stories work together for God’s mission and work in the world. Offering the good news of a call and the needed truth of challenge, she helps people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds to understand their good and purposeful place in God’s kingdom family.
