Short Essay
"I have had the privilege of living a life filled with resources that past generations never had. I live with a mind and a heart characterized by endless gratitude. With this, I hope to do my part in being a catalyst for positive societal change, ensuring that our nation does better, and getting justice for those that rightfully deserve it."
- Jasmine T.
As a first-generation Asian American child, my family raised me to always act with compassion, with love, to positively impact society through the opportunities presented before me in this country that my parents and grandparents had worked so hard to immigrate to. I have had the privilege of living a life filled
with resources that past generations never had. I live with a mind and a heart characterized by endless gratitude. With this, I hope to do my part in being a catalyst for positive societal change, ensuring that our nation does better, and getting justice for those that rightfully deserve it. To achieve this, I’m cognizant of the fact that I must educate myself to the best that I can, equipping myself with the knowledge that will prepare me for the future that lies ahead.
Although I always knew I desired to pursue higher education, possibly even past undergraduate school, it took time to discover my true passion. Although my loved ones will never know, they were the very people that assisted me in discovering the career field that I now plan on pursuing. Because I’m an only child, I often depended on other family members for a little bit of extra support, specifically my aunts. We converse about everything, and although many of our talks remain lighthearted, I also listen to their struggles with an open mind and caring heart. Unfortunately, by the time I turned sixteen, two of them had endured divorces, one of whom also underwent a custody battle. These situations have forever altered my family’s views of familial dynamics, as the word "family" is now a complicated concept. It isn’t as simple as we initially presumed, our realities altered forever.
Essentially, I’ve learned that building a family can be difficult. It has the potential to be challenging. Sometimes, life doesn’t go as planned, and situations can develop messily. From supporting them through these difficult times, I've learned that navigating these scenarios requires both a reliable support system and an empathetic attorney that’s willing to advocate for you and what you deserve.
"I strive to pave a better road for the next generations of Asian Americans to come, as the United States should be a land that welcomes and appreciates all. Although the journey to a more inclusive nation may be difficult, I am a firm believer that nothing good ever comes easily, or without a bit of work and effort."
- Jasmine T.
These unique situations affect different people in varying ways, but the one common denominator is needing someone to depend on, as it’s not an easy thing to handle on your own. Growing up, I was raised to be independent and never rely on others, but I’ve learned that a helping hand oftentimes does more good than harm. Many immigrant families are taught to do everything entirely on their own due to the trauma and hardship they have faced, but in time, this thought process and point of view will be altered, generation to generation.
Subconsciously, I believe that I always knew that I was interested in the legal field, constantly seeking experiences to fuel these ambitions - like participating in student government, philanthropy clubs, and nonprofits. The experiences of my loved ones just confirmed that this was the path for me. In addition to this, part of my motivation stems from my belief that more people of color in law are needed to ensure that minorities receive adequate representation in our governing system: less than 5% of lawyers in the U.S. are Asian.
Especially in times like these, where Asian American hate crimes are exponentially rising and xenophobia is sprinkled across national news, the need for representation is dire. My family didn't flee their homelands, striving for the “American Dream,” to live in a country that forces them to mask their identities, their culture– who they are as people. We deserve a sense of belonging, inclusion, and pride– the same as everyone else. I strive to pave a better road for the next generations of Asian Americans to come, as the United States should be a land that welcomes and appreciates all. Although the journey to a more inclusive nation may be difficult, I am a firm believer that nothing good ever comes easily, or without a bit of work and effort.
All in all, with the knowledge regarding law that I've accumulated, I've also attained comprehension of the emotional battle that comes with the court logistics of these cases. I recognize that individuals and their families enduring these circumstances will require someone that’s on their side: a supportive and compassionate attorney. And I know that I’d like to be that person for others.
- Jasmine T.