Awakening: Asian American adoptees reflect on identity

Three AAPI adoptees tell their stories of exploring their identity. 

BY RHIANNON CLEMENTS and NASH CONSING

Despite public outcry from the Asian American public against the increase in anti-Asian hate, on March 16th, the Atlanta Spa mass shootings shook the nation. This documentary highlights the voices of an underrepresented Asian American community — AAPI Adoptees — who grapple with their own racial and cultural visibility within the AAPI community itself.

Our story follows three AAPI adoptees - a social media creator, an adoptee research scholar, and an adoptee-focused podcast co-host - as they share their unique experiences as both an adoptee and Asian American. 

Leah Melle -

Instagram/TikTok creator

“As far as growing up, I think a lot of people like to ask, ‘When did you find out that you were adopted?’ And I'm like, ‘Well, my entire family is white.’ It really wouldn't have taken me that long.”

Patrick Armstrong -

co-host of The Janchi Show

“I'm a cis Asian male, straight male, who never really identified as an Asian before. But clearly, this was having an impact on me. I didn't know what to say or what to do.”

Dr. Kimberly McKee, PhD

Adoption Studies Scholar

“Adoptees have been speaking loudly for quite some time - waiting to be heard - about what actually the experience is like for them.”

Rhiannon Clements and Nash Consing are Voices 2021 students. Yumi Araki and Vishakha Darbha edited the short documentary team.

Rhiannon Clements is a senior at Clarkson University and an intern at North Country Public Radio. 

Nash Consing is a recent graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and a reporting and video intern with FiveThirtyEight.

Yumi Araki is the managing producer of podcasts at America’s Test Kitchen where she edits and produces the narrative podcast Proof.
Vishakha Darbha is the associate audio producer on the New York Times Opinion audio team, where she works on their flagship podcast, The Argument.