Brandon Lee
One Foot on Each Side: The Story of a Korean-Canadian
Brandon Lee
Source: Government of Canada
I was born in North York, Ontario, in the late 1970’s after my parents emigrated from Seoul, South Korea. Growing up in Toronto, my mother told me that I happily spoke Korean to all of the other kids and my teachers in junior kindergarten. Even though none of them could understand me, we all got along just fine.
As I got older, my experiences relating to other kids, teachers and society in general became painful, where I was often subject to racism and discrimination. I didn’t find much solace within the Korean-Canadian community, as I remember the incredible pressure placed upon me to succeed and make the community proud. My several visits to Korea exacerbated the issue, as my heavily accented spoken Korean gave me away almost as quickly as my North American fashion and hairstyle.
I was truly living with one foot in Canada and one in Korea. I was familiar with both countries and cultures but I didn’t feel like I belonged in either.
Fast forwarding 20 years to present day, I am now honoured to represent the Government of Canada as Consul General to Northern California and Hawaii. I’m also the first Korean Canadian to ever hold a ‘Head of Mission’ role.
As I write this, I see that my personal challenges growing up have made me resilient to difficult situations. My experiences have also given me a strong compassion for visible minorities, Canada’s indigenous peoples and all those who continue to experience discrimination in a wide variety of ways. I can also say that I am a stronger person for knowing that my diversity is a true strength and I am grateful to my parents and friends who supported me through my early years.
I’m especially grateful to my mother who was the one that fearlessly defended me in the face of teachers, baseball coaches and parents who treated me with discrimination. It is her dignity and sense of justice that provided me with the foundation to act with compassion and confidence.
Ultimately, I’m very proud to be a Korean-Canadian and to live in a country that celebrates diversity, where people from all walks of life have the opportunity and freedom to conquer hardships and to live life to our fullest potential.