An American-born Chinese strategy director reflects on her identity and cultural aspirations. Growing up, she felt pressure to embody "American Cool" while working in advertising. As xenophobia rose and disillusionment with the American dream set in, she visited China for the first time. This experience revealed a vibrant creative scene that challenged her perceptions, showcasing original expressions of culture from filmmakers, designers, and digital artists thriving in their constraints. This journey marks a significant shift in her identity and professional focus.
What amazed me wasn't just the creative scene, but the people behind it - filmmakers, designers, and digital artists expressing their culture in ways that felt truly original.
Years later, I made a career selling that very dream to the world. As an advertising strategist in NYC, my job was to package and ship the aspiration of 'American Cool' to global audiences.
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