How It Feels to Lose Your Native Language

Internalized racism made me forget, but I’m learning to reclaim my superpower

Li Charmaine Anne
Jan 1 · 6 min read
Illustration: Amy Lee Ketchum

A few years ago, my parents and I were wandering around in a shopping mall on a trip to Hong Kong when my mother and I decided to visit the washroom.

As I washed my hands after doing my business, an older Chinese woman thrust a newspaper…

Li Charmaine Anne

Written by

Canadian author, avian enthusiast & clumsy snowboarder writing on unceded Salish territory. She/They. licharmaineanne.ca

ZORA

ZORA

Unapologetic. Ours. A Medium publication for women of color.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade