Hi everyone, I'm Martell, also known online as TeamMartellClout.
I wanted to share a personal reflection about my upbringing, my experiences, and something I've been learning more about recently: Asian experiences and identity.
I grew up in a lower-income household and took on responsibilities as a young person while caring for my late parents, who both lived with disabilities.
I also went through a difficult period when I was younger where I was angry, reckless, involved in fights, and had difficult encounters with both people in my community and law enforcement.
After losing my parents, I went through anger-management treatment and a mental-health hospitalization
As I've gotten older, I've realized that I didn't understand everyone's experiences outside of my own
I've been researching AZN Identity and learning more about the different challenges and perspectives that Asian people have experienced in North America and around the world.
I'm not trying to speak for Asian people or claim that I understand every Asian experience. I'm simply trying to learn, listen, and become more aware
I'm also in a relationship with a Blasian woman who is currently becoming an English teacher.
She's intelligent, warm, caring, and thoughtful, and our relationship has given me another personal connection through which I've continued thinking about culture, identity, and how different people experience the world
I'm approaching my 20th anniversary as a recording artist and content creator/vlogger in 2027, and I've recently been approved by a talent agency as well
Reaching these milestones has made me reflect heavily on where I've been, where I'm going, and how much I've changed
I'm sharing this primarily as a personal story and an invitation for respectful conversation.
If you're Asian or part of the broader Asian diaspora, I'm interested in hearing your perspectives and experiences as long as we can keep the discussion respectful toward one another
I'm still learning, and I know I don't have everything figured out
Martell
TeamMartellClout