Stacey Lee on Finding Her Place on the Page—at America's 250th.

This article focuses on Stacey Lee, a fourth-generation Chinese American author of young adult historical fiction, reflecting on her experiences of cultural identity and belonging during the United States bicentennial in 1976. Lee recounts how her mother’s choice to dress her and her sisters in traditional Chinese cheongsams was a political statement affirming Chinese Americans’ historical presence in the country, despite Lee’s childhood desire to blend in and avoid attention. She emphasizes the role of books as spaces for empathy and inclusion, highlighting how storytelling challenges fixed narratives of history and belonging. Lee concludes by acknowledging the ongoing, multifaceted nature of American history and the importance of diverse voices in shaping its future. [Extracted from the article]