Alyssa Abiol
December 13, 2019
Alyssa Abiol discusses the role race plays in her life. High school is a battle in its own, but the addition of being a minority makes it more difficult.
After finding time between shopping at Hollister, playing on the court, and scrolling through memes, Filipino West junior Alyssa Abiol explained the struggle of feeling pressured to fit the stereotypical “Asian” mold.
“People like to joke around, I just laugh it off but I do get hurt,” Abiol says. “Like that one joke, ‘she’s smart because she’s Asian’. It might be a compliment, but I don’t take it that way.”
But, when she is with people with her own race, she feels more able to let loose.
“Relating to other Asians, I feel more comfortable.”
In situations where you’re surrounded by those with different opinions, it can make it hard to go against the grain. So, Abiol wishes people would make more of an effort to help.
“Make me feel like I’m included. Period.” Abiol laughs.