identity

Instead of getting entirely swallowed into the environment, Berkeley taught me to confront it and generate a new "self" out of it. Breaking away from the one-dimensional mold, I finally learned how to be everything and anything all at once. 

Why in 2023 do I think about occurrences from decades ago? It’s because of stories I have heard from Asian and Asian American students today that are similar to my childhood experiences.

Something or anything? / No. Everything. / Yes, everything with you. / Maddie — vida mia.

With crisp cinematography and tactful dialogue, Davy Chou's "Return to Seoul" tells a thoughtful story about curiosity, culture and identity. But, as the director explained in an interview with the Daily Californian, the story isn’t his.

Looking from the outside in, one may not see past the dramatic eye makeup, chunky choker and all black attire to the person underneath.

It is your job to educate yourself and others about the harm of any hate speech perpetuated against any faith. Instead of serving as a bystander to antisemitism to the point where neo-Nazis are openly saluting Hitler on the 405, try reflecting on what got us to this point. 

“Am I saying your name correctly?”

My identity felt fluid and contextual. Depending on where I was or who I was with, a different aspect of my identity would come forward. When people ask about my name, Aviva, I am Jewish. When people ask about my parents, I am Indian and white. When people ask where I’m from, I say San Francisco.

Before coming to Berkeley , I had kissed more girls than guys, and if we’re being honest, that ratio hasn’t changed much since. Kissing your friends is normal, or so 17-year-old me thought. Kisses are silly and meaningless, which has allowed my closeted self to kiss basically every single girl I’m close to, from dorm friends to sorority sisters. 

Still, the journey to joy is riddled with obstacles and illusions. Happiness is subjective to time, identity and experience. Though my current perception of happiness will surely change in the future, I know there will forever remain sources I cannot outgrow.