Welcome to the Review: A Letter from the Editor

Fig. 1. Emerald Parenting families gather to paint fans for the 2019 Lantern Festival.

Today, I'm thinking about the words of the immortal Toni Morrison: "If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet; you must be the one to write it." 
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Such is the opportunity present in EmP's mission of solidarity -- all of us coming together to carve out a space of common values. For many of us, parents and kids, the spaces that we are entering are not ones where we have always been welcomed -- and in a way we understand that our task now is to make it so, not only for our own generation but for the next. 

In February, we saw Parasite, with its all Asian cast and crew, win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. For a moment three anything seemed possible, to filmmakers like me but also to any one of us who wanted to see themselves as a valid part of our American collective cultural narrative. It marked a promising beginning to what GQ said could be a "Golden Age of Asian Representation". Then pandemic hit.

The spread of the virus and its corresponding quarantine have turned our gaze inwards, towards our families (some wonderful reflections from our youth artists coming soon) and towards the novels, films, games, and the other forms of art which serve to keep us sane during this time. Many have considered creation -- putting pen or brush on paper; others have found themselves reconnecting with meaningful works of art they've experienced and enjoyed before. Do not be mistaken; in a way, what is going on outside on the streets, in intensive care units and in governors offices, is far more important than any act of literary or artistic diversion. But the stories that we tell ourselves, the act of speaking up when the everything else seems to tell us to keep our voices low; I don't exaggerate when I say that these things, too, mean some part of everything. 

Young artists; the Youth Review is a space dedicated to helping you engage and process your thoughts, feelings, and emotions during this turbulent time. We'll publish art and writing every month -- feel free to submit as many times as you want. Parents, and readers from the Emerald Parenting community in general; take a moment in the coming months and read, or listen. We're here to stay; and we hope you are too.

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​Victor Xia is a junior at Lakeside School, and is the editor-in-chief of the Youth Review. He lives in Lynnwood with his parents and his twin brother. Reach him on Instagram @vlctir or email him through the Review.