Baldwin Yen – Iraq War Veteran

Los Angeles, CA

I think it’s already happening a bit, but I’d just like America as a whole to understand the plight of Taiwan and its relationship with America.

yen.baldwin2Who are you?

I am a 31 year old, second generation Taiwanese American. I went to UCLA for Computer Science and Engineering, where I enlisted in the Army Reserve. In 2004 I was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as a broadcast journalist. Since then, I came back, moved to Los Angeles, and now work as a video game designer and an aspiring actor.

What do you do?

I work for a non-profit on a volunteer basis, promoting service-member issues (IAVA.org), design video games, and try to act.

Why are you proud to be of Taiwanese heritage?

I’m proud to be Taiwanese because that’s what I am. But I’m also proud to be Taiwanese because it’s a wealthy, developing country which has struggled to create its own form of democracy.

What does the future of Taiwanese America look like to you?

I think it’s already happening a bit, but I’d just like America as a whole to understand the plight of Taiwan and its relationship with America. And I imagine this happening because Taiwanese Americans will pierce the consciousness of America with their acts, ability, and natural talents. I want America to be informed to the point where people stop asking me if Taiwan is a part of China.

yen.baldwin1

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