Every year in Feburary, it was Chinese New Years, the one day of the year I would spend celebrating my background’s culture. I wore silk red clothing, as it was a sign of good luck. Whenever I outgrew them, my grandparents would buy me a new set for the next Chinese New Year. This cycle would repeat until 3rd grade, when I decided to wear my red silky clothing to school on Chinese New Year. I was super excited as I felt that it was super cool, as no one else had it and Chinese New Year was awesome to me. My classmates all gave me weird looks during the school day, and when it got to recess, all of my friends were questioning it, and saying it looked funny and stupid. A kid who didn’t like me in my class said I looked ugly in it and shouldn’t wear it again next year. I went home and took all of it off. The following years I told my parents I didn’t like the way the clothing looked, felt, and said that Chinese New Year was boring and pointless. I never told them why. Fast forward to this summer, and I am cleaning out my closet. I come across those clothes, and remember the events. I realize how important they truly are, and represent who I am. Now I truly will cherish Chinese New Years forever.

– Milo Shimada

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