By Trish Le, 17 Grandma says: Con, bring an umbrella, look more AmericanNo boys will like you if you don’t look AmericanBe more American means be more white means disappearMy sister comes home from a trip to VietnamShe has brought back a professional self-portraitI don’t know who is in the photoThey share the same smile but even that is unsettlingHer skin has been digitally lightenedEyes a little too wide wide wide whiteSomeone has kidnapped my sisterThis is not her self portraitIt’s the portrait of western colonizationIt’s the portrait of western beauty standardShe says: maybe get eyelid surgeryShe says: why did you lose the accentShe says: you look prettier in the winter (when she means lighter)She gifts me the skin whitening creamShe says: you’ll thank me laterWhen I go home I am stuck between two placesI want to know where is homeWhat has become of our home? I’m Vietnamese and this is my experience and commentary with colorism. Instagram: @picnicloves