12 Pell, a barbershop located in Manhattan’s Chinatown, has become a symbol of the evolving Asian American identity. Founded by Karho Leung, a 34-year-old Chinatown native, the shop goes beyond offering haircuts; it fosters a sense of community and self-expression. Leung’s vision for the shop reflects his desire to build the world he wants to live in, embracing independence and self-definition—values deeply rooted in the American dream.
Leung and his young, predominantly Asian American barbers engage with clients from all walks of life. Through humor, advice, and confidence, they create a space where people can freely express themselves. This freedom to define one’s own identity was not always available to earlier generations of Asian Americans. Past generations faced isolation, misunderstood by mainstream society and defined by harmful stereotypes of passivity, broken English, and foreignness. However, these stereotypes have lost much of their power, especially in an era marked by globalization and cultural exchange.
As the United States has become more diverse, the understanding and acceptance of Asian American communities have grown. In recent decades, the growth of these communities, coupled with the rise of the internet, has made it easier for younger generations of Asian Americans to shape their own narratives. Leung himself grew up hearing these stereotypes, but he never allowed them to define him. His confidence and sense of self belong to a new generation of Asian Americans who are empowered to reject outdated portrayals.
Jeff Yang, a writer who has chronicled Asian American culture for decades, contrasts his own childhood with Leung’s experience. Yang recalls a time when his identity was shaped entirely by non-Asians, who dictated what he could do, who he could be, and how he was seen. Leung, on the other hand, operates in a cultural space where Asian Americans are now empowered to write their own stories and define their own identities.
This shift is also evident in the lives of others. Simran Anand, a 27-year-old South Asian American entrepreneur, grew up in a small town where she often felt culturally isolated. However, the larger South Asian communities nearby allowed her to connect and embrace both her American and South Asian identities. She proudly celebrates both aspects of her heritage through her jewelry brand, BySimran, proving that being American and South Asian is not an either-or situation. As Anand says, "I don’t have to be one or the other."
Similarly, Demetri Manabat, a 23-year-old Filipino-Mexican spoken word artist, reflects on how his parents’ experiences growing up in a time when speaking native languages was discouraged shaped his own identity. They didn’t teach him or his brothers their native languages because they feared discrimination. However, Manabat and his generation grew up in a more inclusive environment, allowing them to embrace their heritage without the same stigmas their parents faced.
Alex Paik, a 43-year-old Korean American artist, shares a similar story. Growing up in a predominantly white suburb, Paik often struggled with feeling either "too Korean" or "not Korean enough." Today, he watches his 11-year-old daughter grow up in a world where stories with Asian American protagonists are more common. This shift in representation, Paik believes, will have a profound effect on how his daughter sees herself and her identity as an Asian American.
Several factors have contributed to this cultural shift. The Immigration Act of 1965 opened the doors for a more diverse range of communities to settle in the U.S. Additionally, globalization and the internet have made cultural exchange more accessible, helping to foster greater understanding. As Paik notes, today’s young Asian Americans feel they belong in any space they occupy. "When you start with the assumption that you belong," Paik says, "it changes how you approach things." This new mindset, built on a sense of belonging and confidence, is defining the younger generation of Asian Americans.
Younger Asian Americans are no longer waiting for permission to carve out their space. They are building the world they want to live in, regardless of whether others accept them. Manabat sees this as the natural evolution of Asian American culture, a shift from the struggles of previous generations to a future where their identities are fully embraced. This generation is creating the world they always hoped for—a world where their voices are heard and their stories are shared.
The story of 12 Pell is a reflection of this larger cultural transformation within Asian American communities. Through businesses like 12 Pell, individuals like Leung, Anand, Manabat, and Paik are reshaping the narrative. They are asserting their identities and making a significant impact on American culture. They are not asking for permission to belong; they are claiming their space and building a future that reflects their values and experiences. The act of building is forward-thinking, and through their work, they are shaping both tangible and abstract aspects of Asian American identity and its role in today’s society.
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