Lessons From A Model Minority

I grew up unknowingly witnessing intersectionality at play through the struggles and triumphs of my mother. A small-framed Japanese woman, my mother is the strongest woman I have ever known. After divorcing my father, my immigrant mother would go off on her own with no college education, no specialization, no money, and three Black daughters to take care of and raise.

“Black and Japanese? Hmmm. Interesting combination.”

I am one of three daughters: Michiko (me), Aiko, and Emiko. We are all close in age and have the…