In reality, I am not opposed to China’s discipline, since its purpose is to prevent deeper social chaos. However, after smoking weed — a violation of Chinese law — I felt an unprecedented sense of freedom. It’s not that cannabis itself has some magic; rather, it simply helps me break free from the cage of self‑consciousness. I am no longer a product of social discipline, but a person with free thoughts who can make her own choices.

Despite CPC’s mission to “promote the social and economic empowerment” of Asian American communities, they have played a role in enforcing 24-hour workdays for home care workers with only 13 hours of pay. Protestors complain that the “stolen” wages of 11 hours a day, now amounting to over $90 million in lost wages, have been used to build the 30-storey luxury tower in Manhattan that they now hold signs in front of.

The Xylom's reporters covered the Stand Up for Science protests from Atlanta, New York City, and Seattle.

In the concrete jungle of Manhattan, there is Fountain House. Is it merely a model of mental health treatment?

“Trees are emotional for people. They can be contentious for some people and very welcome to others.”

I drifted away from Kiskeya and with it, part of myself.