Editor's Statement
New year, new me?
With the ever-increasing proliferation of social media, I’ve encountered various versions and interpretations of that phrase: from ‘n-UWU year, n-UWU me’ to ‘new year, new teeth’ to filtered (or proudly unfiltered) images of diets and gym regiments.
But Jenny Tinghui Zhang, in her Editor’s Note for The Adroit Journal, puts a new spin on the line: “new year, renewed me.”
In her note, Zhang highlights the beauty in becoming. And that is what the first issue of It’s Real seeks to capture: the transformative interplay of art, introspection, and activism. Our selected writing and artwork does aim to destigmatize mental health issues in Asian American communities. But we also offer our readers and creators a chance to reflect on 2018, on our joys and frustrations, on our cultures and ourselves.
Yes, a new year is arbitrary, perhaps even insignificant. And It’s Real – especially our first issue – could be called the same. But on the other hand, both 2019 and this issue could be considered a step towards growth: personal growth, growth in appreciation for culture and art, growth for mental health awareness.
So I hope you enjoy these works of art and this website, the cumulation of hours upon hours of dedication, curry sandwiches, and confused Facebook group chats. A huge and well-deserved thank you goes to our readers, our marvelous team, our contributors, and Mercury’s Coffee Co.
Happy New Year, and happy reading! We’re proud to say that It’s Real is finally here.
- Ana Chen, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
With the ever-increasing proliferation of social media, I’ve encountered various versions and interpretations of that phrase: from ‘n-UWU year, n-UWU me’ to ‘new year, new teeth’ to filtered (or proudly unfiltered) images of diets and gym regiments.
But Jenny Tinghui Zhang, in her Editor’s Note for The Adroit Journal, puts a new spin on the line: “new year, renewed me.”
In her note, Zhang highlights the beauty in becoming. And that is what the first issue of It’s Real seeks to capture: the transformative interplay of art, introspection, and activism. Our selected writing and artwork does aim to destigmatize mental health issues in Asian American communities. But we also offer our readers and creators a chance to reflect on 2018, on our joys and frustrations, on our cultures and ourselves.
Yes, a new year is arbitrary, perhaps even insignificant. And It’s Real – especially our first issue – could be called the same. But on the other hand, both 2019 and this issue could be considered a step towards growth: personal growth, growth in appreciation for culture and art, growth for mental health awareness.
So I hope you enjoy these works of art and this website, the cumulation of hours upon hours of dedication, curry sandwiches, and confused Facebook group chats. A huge and well-deserved thank you goes to our readers, our marvelous team, our contributors, and Mercury’s Coffee Co.
Happy New Year, and happy reading! We’re proud to say that It’s Real is finally here.
- Ana Chen, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this website is intended to be taken as professional medical advice.