How much things improved since the 90s.

When dISorient Journalzine started in the 90s, the state of AAPI literature was not very healthy. Most found access to publishing to be a challenge. This was why dISorient was created, in order to offer a chance to get published with an editor. Most of the submissions were screened by blind readings. We would have a person blank out the names, and we would read the work without any name association. This process allowed for a level of objectivity.

The result of this process was rather surprising. Many of the writers, poets and artists that we published ended up with extended careers. In this sense, the purpose of the journal accomplished what it was intended to do. It was designed to do. Today, I see a large amount of AAPI authors, and an increase in the level of diversity. For a while, it seemed that the Pulitzer only went to Caucasian male authors located in New York City. This has drastically changed.

The scene during the 90s focused on only several communities. Most of the authors were Chinese, Japanese or Filipino in terms of ancestry. We did a concerted effort to publish more from other communities like the Vietnamese, and also Biracial. Many of these authors would have careers. Today, I see Korean, Hmong, Vietnamese, Cambodian and other populations with quality artists and writers.

From a historical perspective, we have made some progress. On the other hand, we could see more diverstiy in the poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction scene. As Ronald Takaki would note, we need to create a Different Mirror of America.