This post was written by guest blogger, Gao Ly Vang, a Temple University MSW graduate student who attended an exhibition talk on Chen Lok Lee’s life and work, featuring Romana Lee-Akiyama, and hosted by the University of Pennsylvania Asian Social Work Collective (ASWC) in November 2022.
Guest blogger: Gao Ly Vang
Asian social worker students were given a platform to be vulnerable during the Excluded/Inclusion exhibition talk by Romana Lee-Akiyama in honor of her late father. The event brought together Asian social workers from the University of Pennsylvania and three of Temple University’s Master of Social Work students to openly discuss topics such as grief, trauma, cultural stigmas, mental health, Asian hate crimes and violence, immigrant identity, and collective identity.
Chen Lok Lee’s story was depicted through various art styles, showcasing his migration journey. The exhibition was a safe space, created by Romana, to honor her father’s legacy through his art. By hosting this event, Romana brought unity and facilitated a transformative conversation and support for Asian social workers and attendees.
As a Master of Social Work student, a child of refugees, and someone who has experienced the loss of a parent, Romana’s exhibition held a special significance for me both personally and professionally. Grief is often a taboo topic in Asian culture, and for me, I never had space to touch on those feelings. However, Romana’s approach to honoring her father through his art empowered me to fully embrace my mother’s legacy and grief. I found solace in channeling memories of my mother through cooking, a hobby she loved. In many ways I celebrated her legacy hosting gatherings and preparing meals for large groups of people. The smiles on my guests’ faces reflects the bright smile my mother had when she shared her love and joy through her cooking.
The exhibition held an empowering energy, creating a safe space for diverse groups of Asians to come together and share their experiences. Despite the cultural barriers to discussing emotions and personal stories, Romana broke down these barriers by uniting the AAPI community through her efforts in facilitating dialogue. I am extremely impressed by the way Romana guided the audience through her and her father’s story. This exhibition was a blessing to younger generations and a testament to the bravery Romana who exemplified solidarity for Asian social worker students in Philadelphia.
