When my family immigrated to Canada from Korea in 1975, the weight of daily racism was a constant companion. At school, in the supermarket, on the streets of our neighborhood, in our apartment complex, and even at the mall, racism was an unrelenting force.
Growing up in the 1970s as an immigrant was a deeply isolating experience. To shield myself from the sting of prejudice, I distanced myself from my identity.
I refused to learn about Korea, avoided speaking Korean, and shied away from eating Korean food in public. I was ashamed of my heritage and desperate to blend into a society that seemed determined to reject me.
Now, a half-century later, and as a mom of three young adult children, my outlook on my identity and heritage has been transformed. I now see my heritage not as something to hide, but to celebrate.
I’ve worked to instill that pride in my children. When they were younger, I enrolled them in Korean Language School, often held in local Korean churches. Though they resisted at the time, rolling their eyes at the early Saturday morning classes, I hoped that one day they would come to appreciate the gift of language, history, culture, food and spirituality I was trying to offer them.
Over the years, I have also taken my two older children to Korea, immersing them in the vibrant landscapes of their ancestral home. Slowly but surely, they are beginning to embrace the richness of Korean culture, from its language to its cuisine, history and shared connections with other Asian cultures.
This year, January 29th marks the celebration of the Lunar New Year. In Korea. We call it “Seollal,” one of the most important holidays in Korean culture.
Seollal is more than just a day. It is an opportunity for families to come together, often traveling great distances to reconnect and honor traditions.
Grand meals are prepared with care and love, and younger generations pay their respects to elders by performing deep ceremonial bows, a gesture of gratitude and reverence. In return, the elders give the younger people envelopes filled with money, a tangible blessing for the year ahead.
The Lunar New Year is not just a Korean tradition. It is a celebration shared by billions across Asia and beyond. It is marked with grandeur in China and Chinese communities worldwide, as well as in Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Lunar New Year can be traced back to over 4,000 years ago, falling on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The timing of the holiday—the second new moon after the winter solstice—connects us to the rhythms of nature, grounding the celebration in an ancient understanding of time and renewal.
This Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, resilience and transformation. The snake invites us to shed our old selves and embrace growth, a lesson that resonates deeply with my own journey of reclaiming my identity.
Reflecting on these traditions, I am reminded of the beauty and diversity that enrich our world.
Living in the United States, I believe we must embrace differences rather than fear them. Festivals like the Lunar New Year offer us an opportunity to step into the lives of others, learn about their histories and practices, and appreciate the intricate tapestry of cultures that make up our shared human experience.
In understanding and celebrating these differences, we move closer to a world built on respect and connection rather than fear and division.
As billions around the globe prepare feasts, light lanterns and exchange blessings for the Lunar New Year, let us greet each other with joy and open hearts. Let us wish each other wisdom, transformation and the courage to step into the new year with hope.
Whether you bow to an elder, share a meal or simply offer a kind word, may this Lunar New Year remind us all of the power of renewal and the beauty of embracing who we truly are.
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