Koreatown

Koreatown is the neighborhood in L.A. where the L.A. riots occurred in 1992. Hong and her family moved out of K-town and into a wealthy, white neighborhood prior to the riots. In the essay "Stand Up," Hong discusses her feelings of guilt for being so close to the political upheaval, yet so shielded from it.

Art Camp

In the essay "An Education," Hong writes about her high school experience attending art camp in Maine. This was where Hong met her lifelong friend Erin, with whom she later reconnected at Oberlin college. While at art camp, Hong felt isolated and alone. Her early friendship with Erin, also Asian American, allowed her to feel seen and heard for the first time.

Oberlin College

Oberlin College is where Hong pursued her undergraduate degree in the arts. Because the university is located in Ohio, a distance from Hong's home in...