letter from the editor...

Dear Readers,

There were three possible themes for this issue: “snow,” “shoes” and “fruit.” All equally undefined. All equally perplexing. All equally concocted in the post-break grogginess.

But “fruit” won out. “Fruit” — more specific than “food” and broader than “mango,” “peach” or “apple” — evokes many things. Running barefoot through sprinklers in the grassy smell of summer break, adjusting a zipper at the back of a prom dress, vicious arguments and the reassurance that life rolls on. Fruit is also intensely sensory. Who among us can forget the watermelon juice dripping down our forearms as we bite close to the rind, or the shocking crunch of an apple testing the limits of our braces?

For this issue, contributors brought us citrus heartbreak, blueberry friendship and durian introspection. We held hands across decades and peered into private kitchens, all in the name of honoring the sweet, the sour, the meaty and the juicy. This is one of our most personal issues; reading it has been a privilege for me, and I hope it will feel like a similar privilege for you.

As always, this magazine would not exist without the constant support of the Asian Outlook E-Board. Spring semester often feels sluggish because it is the challenge before summer break, but goodbyes come sooner than the desire to speed off campus — and therefore I feel even stronger gratitude for everyone who has made Asian Outlook what it is. To spend time with our seniors is to have the wisdom to judge when to eat the avocado on the counter before it browns; to spend time with our new interns is to watch the flowers bud on the Spine.

With ripe appreciation,

Kathryn Lee Editor-in-Chief

Asian Outlook Executive Board Spring 2023

President Vice President

Editor-in-Chief

Conscience Editor Secretary

Treasurer

Copy Editors layout editors

Kathryn Kwon

Vivian Zhu

Kathryn Lee

Celeste Pietrzak

Anna Liu

Adrian Wu

Jessica Kwok

Jina Wu

Yaying Zhao

Megan Pan

Suhyeon Kwon

Tina Oh

Bryan Wang

Anna Liu

Publicity Chairs

Event Coordinators

Historians

Media Producer

Media Producer Intern General Interns

Kayla Maharani

Jenny Zhao

Kaysie Liang

Annie Liang

Fatima Gonzalez

Michelle Chan

Nan Lin

Chloe Hsiao

Brian Lum

Carmen Tan

Rui Zheng

Sophia Lam

Editorial Policy

Asian Outlook is the art, literary and news magazine of the Asian Student Union of SUNY’s Binghamton University. Originally conceived and created to challenge, redefine, re-imagine and revolutionize images and perceptions associated with Asians and Asian Americans, Asian Outlook also serves to protect the voice of those in the minority, whether by ethnicity, gender, and/or political orientation. All matter contained within these beautiful pages do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Asian Outlook reserves the right to edit submissions and publish work as deemed appropriate. Prospective contributors are encouraged to discuss their work with the editors prior to submissions. All submissions may be submitted as e-mail attachments to ao.editor@ gmail.com.

Contact Policy

Uninvited contact with writers and contributors is strictly prohibited. Please direct all questions, comments and complaints to ao.editor@gmail. com.

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Anita Liu

“citrus” the taste of ripe clementines remains the same in every setting, flavor slides down the grooves of our taste buds; playing hopscotch on the doormat where you tucked away your traditions almost four years ago.

Bright orange \\\ b u r s t i n g \\\ in your curious mouth with every movement your of molars.

You long for the fruit with a taste that lingers beyond its dissolution. Milk pineapple is a good substitute for love — its acidity burns you just the same; except it stays, tasting saccharine. Lexie Liu attitude:

[ No need to open my mouth and speak. I can guess what you’ll say anyways, so I guess I shouldn’t ask — or maybe I’m scared of your answer. Ok? Ok. Ok ]

The sweetest taste nature’s palate can offer from seed and soil. found in an afternoon snack — is best when shared with friends. Clementines always emulate the feeling of falling in love.