Korean, Black, and Proud | Jacky Lee | Legacy Project New York
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ค. 2024
- Jacky Lee was born in Incheon, South Korea, in 1957. She recounts her early childhood memories living in Korea with her mother and younger sister, recollecting in vivid detail specific moments spent with family while noting that many of those earliest memories are becoming harder and harder to remember. When Jacky was five years old, she and her younger sister were adopted by an American couple who were stationed in Japan while serving in the Air Force. Though living in Japan presented its own set of challenges-she had to learn a new language, for one-Jacky describes feeling a particular bond with her adoptive mother owing to their skin color, and overall recollects her time in Japan fondly. After the family’s period of service was over, they relocated to California where her parents started a church; it was in America that Jacky felt for the first time a conflict in identity, where she was bullied by the other children at church for her appearance. Resentful that her parents were unwilling to talk about her past in Korea and her biracial heritage, Jacky talks about the confusion and shame that accompanied questions she had for herself. In her thirties, however, while visiting a Korean beauty supply store, a worker recognized her as being Korean; for the first time in her life, she felt able to slowly reclaim bits of her Korean identity. In 2014 she visited Korea with a group of other biracial Koreans, where she rediscovered a love for the land of her birth mother. Jacky went back to Korea in 2017 to nurture this connection, and ever since she’s identified herself as Korean, Black, and proud.
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CREDITS
Interviewer: HJ Lee
Videographers: Kimberly Young Sun @kimberlyyoungsun
Editor: Cedric Stout @cedricstout.official
Production Manager: Kimberly Young Sun
Motion Designer: Aj Valente ajyval.myportfolio.com
Music Composer: Jang Hyeong Yoon
Executive Producer: HJ Lee
KoreanAmericanStory.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and preserve the stories of the Korean American experience.
Asian don’t raisin and black don’t crack. She got the good genes 💅 she’s gorgeous
Asians age like 2% milk. Stop it 😂😂😂😂
Asian's definitely raisin but later in life than whites. The black definitely does not crack. I agree, she is absolutely stunning.
@@redvelvet9876 Everyone cracks at a certain age, nobody is flawless without wrinkles and weathering. Cut the cap and let us celebrate this lady without you putting half of her down. Idiot.
@sashasvengali1187 it's just facts. I can't help it if facts make you feel bad boo boo. You're the idiot my dear.
😂
Blasian in the 1950s korea is not for the weak. God bless this woman!
Black in the 50s world wasn't for the weak
@@JkDibine the 50s world wasn't for the weak.
My goodness, she is beautiful.
Something about Jacky reminds you of Sade. Not that they look alike but have a majestic-like presence.
The cheek bones.
Yesssssssss I said this could be Sade’s auntie
Yeah, I get that vibe too! Just so beautiful!
@@azaaqt ummmm Sade is 65 😂
@gravityclarity thank you 🤗
Black dont crack. Miss Jackie is gorgeous. Black is beautiful. Glad she honors her Asian heritage too and cherishes memories
She's NOT Black she's biracial
She's not black. She mixed
@@alanimoon9557 basically she IS black AND asian
@@alanimoon9557She is black. She’s also Asian. Being biracial doesn’t negate the fact that you have both heritages.
She’s half black. Nothing wrong with being mixed.
Dang she's pretty
As a Korean, I feel the Korean spirit in you.
I'm sure your mother must have loved you very much.
Back then, Korea was so poor and the environment was so hard for a mixed-race child to live in, that your mother must have sent you away in tears for her daughter's happiness.
I wish you nothing but happiness now that your pain is behind you.
I will remember your name for a long time.
They like to play the victims. Don’t be fooled. The West will be destroyed by the black.
Beautiful comment.
Thank you🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I’m from an older Blasian generation and I know and can feel your soul. I applaud you for being brave enough to share your story. I hate to make a lot of heartfelt comments because people misinterpret or hate on you for being honest. Knowing my Korean mom, I feel in my heart that your mom gave you up for adoption out of love and did not want you to suffer from discrimination and rascism. I’m glad you made peace with her.
The Angel had fallen because of pride. They like to play victims. Don’t be fooled.
@@twnb7733Translate what you mean? Why hide???
@@sassyx2048 We have never seen so many black billionaires in the USA, especially in the field of entertainment. Just one question--Where's gone the elegance? Only the nakedness with butts waving in front of your eyes, in gold.
@@twnb7733 absolute tosh be gone witj your ramblings. Geez.
@@sassyx2048 The black earn millions by showing their butts before the public eyes, with idiotic songs…… Besides no one wants to go back to Africa with their fortune. It’s the black’s role to love Africa, don’t blame the other races.
Off-topic but Jacky Lee is 65? 😮 SIXTY-FIVE?!?!?! She'd make millions on social media with her skin routine, though it's probably mostly having DNA of the most anti-aging races in the world. 😂 She looks like a 30-year-old who put on a gray wig and wore "old" makeup to cosplay an elder, but *failed* because she still looks too young. 😂 She is BEAUTIFUL for any age, but 65?! Insane! Back to the topic, your perseverance is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story, of identity, acceptance, and connecting with your past. The part when you called your mom "Umma" brought me to tears. I wish you everything you desire. 🤍🖤❤💙🖤🤍
My Unnie is a model and has many followers on social media just look up her name.
When I saw her, I said “Wow”. She’s gorgeous ❤.
She should do 23 and me to find her cousins, nieces, and nephews in Korea. She’s gorgeous. Her story brought a tear to my eye. She handled what life brought her so beautifully.
I am DNA tested and the closest I've found is a first cousin once removed.
they probably would'nt want anything to do with her. its happened before lol
23 only works like that if lot of other people with similar genes are inside their database which unfortunatly won't happen with Korea because it's not very famouse here.
Black and Chinese here, grew up in the early 90s and late 2000s. My experience is just as identical as yours! You’re so beautiful and I’m glad you found peace to accept your identity! ❤
Proud? Of what? Give me a reason to be proud of being half black? Nothing!
@@twnb7733please seek help😂😂
How just being proud of being human, because the other tags people place on others are for their own agenda.
@@cjfl1962 In the Bible, the Angel had fallen because of Pride. Nowadays, the So-domites and the black like to pride themselves as something superior. See what they have done to the West.
@@cjfl1962 The Angel has fallen because of Pride!
Legit blown away she’s 65. She’s still beautiful
She deserves her flowers 💐 she’s just been looking for her origin roots and be at peace to call home 🌈🩷😭🫶🏿✨
I know that I probably shouldn't be, but this story makes me so disappointed in us, all of us. I'm so glad that she found some measure of inner peace and acceptance.
I feel the same way too.
Ms. Lee, thank you for taking the time to share your story with all of us who are lucky to have stumbled across your video. Your story has inspired me to talk to my nephew who is adopted. We, the family have never acknowledged it and my husband never knew until my nephew spoke of it at my mother's memorial. He was three when he was gifted to our family but we never acknowledged that day after his sixth year. Thank you for bringing light to our lives.
You can feel the pain this woman had growing up as a mixed race black and korean child and not being accepted by either asians or black people. I pray that God almighty will heal her pain from growing up.
Black people would've accepted her I grew up on LI and we accepted two brothers who were Black and Asian.
@@blacksoldier.she said they didn’t
Every black person. OK
@@blacksoldier. Being the only mixed race Korean in an all black community I had the same experience as she did. The black kids were very racist towards me and the white children didn’t consider me black, just strange.
Any one reading, my uncle lost contact with his kids in Korea. He was in the army,( Korean war) he died several weeks after he came back to USA, he was denied to to bring his wife. His name was Robert Lee or James Lee, from Alabama
TH-cam Leah & Blair Blog - they reunite children. I did post you the link but this channel deleted it. So lets see.
Wow! Can I ask where in Alabama is your uncle from?
@@salenalee1931 My Mom said they lived in Tusaculoosa or near there. Beatrice was my great grandmother name
Ms. Jackie is the epitome of grace, strength of character, and courage. Something the world is in short supply of. She is simply marvelous! I wish her a prosperous and healthy future.
She's a Beautiful woman inside & out❤
My grandpa went to Korea for the war and told me I have cousins out there. I wonder about that often.
I can listen to her talk all day; she has a beautiful speaking voice. She's beautiful over all ❤️
SHE STILL COOKING!!! DAMN!!!! I'M 57 AND FEELING HER. DAMN!!!
What’s sad is that when you’re a naive kid in grade school and you see people of different races, you tend to make fun of them not realizing the negative impact that you can have on them throughout their lives. When those kids made fun of her and went home to their families not thinking about the mental damage that they caused this young girl at the time, she on the other hand went home and thought about those cruel insults and probably questioned her life. You can tell even though she’s a 60 year old woman now, she’s still bothered by those insults from long ago. I pray that she finds peace. ❤
Children are the productcof their parents. They learn what they are taught and what society teaches them to hate others.
This interview brought tears to my eyes
Why? Because the black like to cry as victims, by doing nothing in life?
I felt your pain - and I am glad you found peace. My two grandsons are Black and Korean - they keep me happy all the time.
This is a beautiful story. Jacky is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Really? Because she is half black, that you need to praise her? Don’t be fooled!
I literally gasped! She is beyond beautiful.
I am multi racial. Black, Latino, and Korean. My g-great grandfather came to California in the early 1900 with my grandmother from North Korea 🇰🇵
Yea right
I feel you brother. Mixed Latino with some south Asian thrown in. We are a rare concoction .
@@yourfavoritenetcitizen6525 lol that gives a way your race for me. Yt = ignorance
@@marshallosantos9035 well said, rare for sure!
😆😆😆😆 🥴🥴🥴🥴
Love the way she speaks. So calm, so eloquent. Makes you pay attention. And as expressed by others, she's absolutely stunning ❤ 🙏🏾
This woman is gorgeous, inside and out.
She has a peaceful presence about her, despite her pain. She is absolutely beautiful inside and out ❤
Jacky I've followed you on IG for a while now. Your story resonates with a lot of Black and Koreans who were born in Korea during your time as a child. Everything in life happened the way it was supposed too for you. Your current life was your destiny. Its great that you re connected with your Korean side and I think it was necessary for you to have some closure and some relative connection. May God continue to bless you my friend and love your story..
This is one of those days that the algorithm gave me gold. I am so glad you shared your story with us and that I found it. You touched my soul. I lived in Korea for one year teaching English and grew to loved the Korean people. Peace and blessings to you.
Don't mind me, I'm just bawling my eyes out. Thank you for sharing your unique story Miss Jacky Lee. It's a shame that every community but the black community is prejudice or racist. We black people will love, respect, support, and accept *everyone* into our community, period. I don't understand why other races struggle with doing the same.
I had a great aunt my, blood great uncle's wife. She was adopted from Jamaica and was "Blasian" of Afro-Indian heritage. It was never mentioned either and I did not know her story until after she died. Adoptions used to be closed back then and adoptees did not know their birth parents or birth ancestry.
She’s stunning ..
You are so beautiful and your memories are precious and deep. I know it was also hard for your Birth Mother too. I'm glad you got it be safe and loved. So beautiful. I'm so glad you are proud of all of yourself.
Im fully korean. I would never ever be able to experience what Ms. Jack Lee went through, but I can relate to being rejected by other koreans. I remember i was in my Korean church with thirty other korean kids. I was the only one who only knew how to speak english. They were talking about their grades, in korean and stuff. I remember one of them looked at me and said something to me in korean. I told them I was sorry and didn’t speak korean. They all looked at me in shock. Then the same person asked me in english “Really? Well what I was asking was…what are your grades?” I remember telling them I had Cs and Bs, and one A minus. The whole room of korean kids stared at me in shock. One of them said “Wait, so you’re Korean, but you can’t speak it, and you don’t get good grades? So you aren’t a REAL korean.” I got really embarrassed and didn’t say anything. From then on these kids wouldn’t speak much to me, and would always bring up the fact that I didn’t get good grades. They’d speak Korean around me, and they’d stare and laugh at me, and when I asked what they were saying they would tell me “it’s nothing.” When I tried to come close and speak to them, they’d yell and run away from me.
That’s really the only experience Ive had with other Koreans outside my family. Even so, other asian communities wouldn’t accept me either. I remember in high school being the only one on The badminton team (which were all asians) at my tiny school who sat out at games since I was the only JV team member. I was also excluded from the team groupchat they made, and only found out when I saw messages on the other teammates phones pop up when I was sitting on the bench as they were practicing. I was told straight up by the team captain that I made the team’s performance worse, which was why I was the only JV member. One guy even told me jokingly, “You’re at risk of getting kicked off the team because of your grades, and you can’t even hit birdies very well. you’re like the opposite of an asian lol” as the other teammates laughed and agreed. I’d never felt so distant and ashamed of being born as an asian.
It really, really hurt being told by my only blood community, that I wasn’t “allowed” or “deserving” to be called a “Korean.” I felt so disconnected that every time I’d even eat Korean food, I couldn’t help but feel like I was appropriating someone else’s culture. That I was a fraud. Its really, really hard to be proud of a culture that has disowned you. Its really hard to raise that Korean flag when all of Korea has told you that you’re not deserving to wave it. I still haven’t found resolve within myself. I still call myself a “Person of Korean ethnicity” but never a “Korean.” Even other communities, the black and hispanic, and other communities who have loved and cared for me more than the Korean community has ever, I know I am not and will never be a community member of those groups. (Which I understand, and am totally fine with.) I have been living my life with no true identity. But Like Ms. Jacky Lee, I hope one day I can.
🙏🏽 I am so sorry that has been your experience. 💔
I'm sorry you experienced that. But those sound like stereotypes. Not all Asians get good grades. It's actually a really harmful stereotype and I'm sorry you were the victim of it. Nobody can tell you who you are or what your identity is. That's for you to say, not other people. Wishing you well.
Omg, the things she had to endure in silence makes me cry inside. Being Black and Korean I can understand so much, because even in my generation (i'm genx born in '78) these things were still going on, I was just lucky that my parents stayed together and they decided to not raise me in Korea. Her Mom made the best choice possible for her at that time, because she would have gone through horrible bullying, and not just from kids, adults too. That's why my Mom was not having it. But I did experience some rejection from other Black kids, and even now some Black people who don't know me want to argue with me and try to tell me their opinion about my racial/cultural identity but I refuse to entertain it. I also get it from Koreans too. I just see it as part and parcel of being mixed. Most will understand that that i'm both at the same time, and a select special few just don't and refuse to understand and want to fight about it. But as long as we know ourselves then nothing can shake us. I just made me glad she could have that time to make peace with her Mother. I know her Mom probably spent the rest of her life worrying and thinking of her baby girls. So many women gave up children during those days, and many never got to see them again. That breaks my heart for all these mothers who have to face that type of decision, no mother should have to feel they need to give up their children due to poverty and society.
🙏🏽❤️
It's interesting she looked more Korean when younger. Now she looks more mixed a beautiful blend.
Jacky was so brave telling her story. There many be thousands of others that identify with her that have now gained the courage to talk about and accept their own story..God bless you❤
My goodness, what an honest brave story. I was interested in this story but I didn't expect to tear up. Such a beautiful woman inside and out.
❤
She's been gorgeous her whole life goodness. If she was born in 67 or 77 she would have been popular, a model and embraced much more. The 50's and 60s were a rough time for minorities
Hearing her speak about her birth mother made me tear up
I cried like a baby. We need to grow the hell up, and stop rejecting our own!
My husband is black and Korean and he had some issues growing up with black kids teasing him it's sad but we overcome. You are beautiful by the way!
It’s always the black kids right? Fuck out of here. Is it ever the other side? Nope because the other side don’t deal with half black Asian folks at all. You see how her own mother threw her and her sister in an orphanage. There is no excuse to throw your children away.
Why does everyone pretend like black children are different or more harsh than, Italian, Irish, Jewish, and wasp children??? It’s bs propaganda, for yall to jump on the video with your sob stories of black children being mean! But you ignore all other races and ethnicities who were mean to you!
Just like this woman in the video! The Korean people threw her away like trash! They were very mean and racist to her! But she found forgiveness for Koreans! But she still holds resentment for black people because a couple black kids were not accepting of her! Anti blackness at its core!!
Jackie, you're gorgeous ❤
Jacky Lee, you made me cry and want to get to know you even more. ❤. I am very happy that you found peace and that you see both sides of you, Korean & Black, because if either side was missing you would not be you. I am happy that your son wanted you to know , your Korean heritage. You are beautiful inside and out woman, I just love those eyes, everything about screams beauty & elegance!
Thanks for sharing this story unni. You are beautiful inside and out. Proud of you for sharing this story.
Beautiful lady.❤
I have a half Jamaican , Chinese cousin and I appreciate hearing your story.
The sad part is the fact that you have so many American children living abroad who are the children of American servicemen who receive no benefits or acknowledgement from the servicemen and the us gov.
Thank you for sharing your story, Jacky. You went through so much. You are Korean, black, beautiful, dignified, and loved ♥️
I believe without a doubt her mother loved and thought about them everyday.
I understand exactly what she means when she says the white kids see your skin tone and see black and the black kids see you as different. I'm black and Native American and I grew up with a similar experience. Sometimes it makes you feel like you never truly "fit in."
She is stunning. Now I have an idea of how I will look like at that age.
I wish i could hug her... Her pain is unexplainable... God bless you..
She could definitely be a model right now at her age.
Being black. I feel that b lack SOME -NOT all black may not embrace others. Sometimes, we don't embrace our own race. I'm so sorry for what she went through. It is said that Yah will never put more you than what you can handle. She's a strong woman. Bless her Yah.❤❤❤
I'm African American, and I love being African American. I sympathize for Jacky Lee. Her early experiences are sad.
I can see why she didn't fit in with African Americans. Although attractive and her voice is like a Black woman's voice, she appears more Korean than Black. However, I know a Black/Vietnamese woman who was adopted and brought to the U.S. She appears Black and is accepted by African Americans.
For people who do not know about brown skin, it's beautiful, and a natural sunscreen, defense against skin cancer and more.
What saddens me more is that back then not only would she have not had a platform as such endorsing her (due to her race and gender) but would have probably shy away from ever admitting that she was (half) black in the first place.
I grew up with a black and Asian kid and we accepted him he actually major in AA studies in college.
Yeah she looks full Korean I would never know she was mixed
You can tell she's mixed.
@@blacksoldier.no you can’t! She has taken steps to make sure she looks more Korean her younger pictures she has black features! But through anti blackness and self hate! She has purposefully made herself into a Korean looking woman!
We are Global Indigenous people!! Love and Unity is the best key for us all together!!💯 Also Giving thanks to the Great Mother's/Goddesses and Great Father's/Gods and the Ancestors and Guardians!! Saying from Snefer aka Bashiyr!!👸🏿🤴🏿
These stories are such an important part of our heritage, thank you for your brave voice 💞
So midi purity in her ways in her smile. How she came to know herself as herself. Her identity.. black and Korean. To me she's
ALL GREAT AND SOUL
so inspiring so beautiful. God bless her.
I totally get the love hate.
Omg she Gorgeous 😢❤🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I love Jacky Lee. I used to follow her on insta before I shut my page down. She has great energy. I wish her all the love in the world.
This woman is the definition of Beauty, oh man ive always admired her instagram contents, soo beautiful.
Talk about graceful beauty, you can tell she went through life.. it's in her voice. Poor thing she took what her mom said about "ask your mother" in the wrong way. She was protecting you by redirecting those questions.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful interview.. I have had many friends and family member who were adopted and the difficulties they had in adjusting. It is very hard being biracial in America because it feels like your are forced to pick a side. When there is no side to pick. The feeling of otherness can be overwhelming. Thank goodness she was able the reconnect in away to her mother and her culture in some way. Well done.❤❤❤
The first thought that came to mind is how beautiful you are Jacky, and then I cried hearing your story. Thank you for sharing journey ❤
SHE IS GORGEOUS OMG
What a beautiful interview. Such an incredible life experience. We humans suffer so much at the hands of other's judgmental views. So glad Jackie got her story out so the rest of us can grow a little in our appreciation of diversity in humankind.
Be well, Jacky Lee. Sending you love ❤️
Edited spelling
Wow she's beautiful ❤️ and strong and I'm glad that she has a happy life now
She is a beautiful soul, inside and out ❤
Thank you for sharing your touching story! Your smile is all I see.
She’s so beautiful inside and out. I’m sorry she went through such hardships. I wish I could talk to her. She has such a gentle and kind spirit. ❤
Whatever you call yourself, Jacky, you're GORGEOUS!! God bless you on this journey called "life". 🙏❤❤😊👍
Thank you🙏🏽
SO glad she shared her story. I cannot imagine the pain behind not knowing who your mother or father are even their names and on top of it you are mixed race! Jesus!!! Much love from Detroit
Wow! So beautiful, she is! My daughter is half -Asian, Thai to be specific.
People are so strange when they are young adults. Parents do these things to their children. I learned from my own experiences and I have been sure to speak to my daughters openly. I do not want them to have the issues that I had. As a parent, I want to elevate them, not hinder them emotionally or to harm them emotionally.
Aww I wanna give her a hug 🫂
What a testament. We love you Jacky Lee. We stand with you ❤
Loved hearing her story 🙏🏾
May God hills your heart, I'm pretty sure your son is giving a lot of love ❤️
It is so important to know your culture and the history of your people. Living in the South I see it often where these Governors work overtime trying to erase or re-write history. I remember visiting cousins living in OKC and Tulsa having no clue in the early 1900sTulsa was the scene of one of America's worst genocides since slavery was abolished.
😮Wow, the beauty is so astonishing.
Really? That’s why no black want to live in Africa?
Love you Miss Jacky Lee....
She’s gorgeous! That hair and those high cheekbones 😍
2024 Very sad fascinating autobiography Jacky. You look physically beautiful. Who would have known you
not me until this view of a Korean woman with a life story that draws you in to listen intently. Born in Korea
your place of birth. Your memories along with forgiving and your young sons 💙 true Love are the silken
stitches of healing, Bless you Jacky from afar. ❤...😊
This interview was so touching. Congrats to you, Jacky, for your journey to self-discovery.
She looks amazing! Just gorgeous
You are beautiful inside and out. Your story touched my heart - I am crying tears of joy that you were able to embrace your Asian heritage. I am 1st generation Filipina-American born in U.S. and still experienced “Asian prejudice” - I would be ashamed and would just stay quiet. I am now in my 40s and am very proud to represent the Asian culture - I now educate ppl about my heritage. Peace be with you 💜
🙌🏽🤗
Many blessings and may you forever find peace and happiness today!
A remarkable touching recounting of a vital part of your life. The difficulty of having to ignore and deny the beginning of a time for which you have memory makes it more heart wrenching. I only wish you could have kept every important segment of your life in equal proportion...but you have thrived, experienced some measure of healing and found solace by becoming comfortable what you were always destined to be...a Korean & Black woman.
Strength to Black and Korean folk. It was a hard road, especially for those of us who came up in the hood 😂
Such a beautiful soul. I am so lucky to know her!
damn, her presence, her beauty.. sensational 😙👌
She's beautiful
Thank you for this video, it makes me feel seen, I’m Black and Korean American, I commend you for your strength and am so glad you found a community. Also I’m sure it’s mention 50 million times in the comments but you have aged so gracefully, it’s so cool maybe because it’s so rare to see an older blasian woman! It’s super hard to find your people, especially when either side isn’t always fully receptive, I’m glad to hear you were able to connect and find your identity, because (this is what I tell myself) at the end of the day you are you, the people who cherish and love you, love you for you, not because of where you came from or your race (s) .
I am trying to learn 한국 and am reconnecting with my maternal 할머니 who’s Korean this weekend for the second time ever in life. Hoping to actually visit Korea one day! I wish you the best on the rest of your journey and thank y’all a ton for sharing your story!!
My oh my she’s gorgeous!
What a powerful story and message. Her life and transformation is inspiring and encouraging to all who have self doubt and a longing for an identity that lay suppressed for so many years. I hope her life, moving forward is easier and filled with joy.
You are a beautiful blessing of a person. I have learned in life (I am a 53 year old Black woman) that you are never too old to learn or find out about yourself. The more you learned about your Korean side; the more your God given soul beautifully shines through. Stay beautifully blessed. 🤎🙏🤎🙏🤎
Im so sorry for the struggles you went through