Jason Lee – Filmmaker, College Student, and Founder of TurtlistMedia.com

Downers Grove, IL

Who are you?

I’m an energetic college student full of initiative and in need of constant variety throughout my lifestyle, goals, and work. Born and bred in the suburbs of Chicago, much of my current passion for Asian American advocacy stems from past experiences searching for identity as an Asian American male in an ignorant and sometimes racist environment. I’m an advocate of media’s power in creating social change and use a variety of media forms to claim representation for Asian Americans as complex and three-dimensional people. A perpetual chaser of independence and new experiences since adolescence, I love to travel and dive into new hobbies. At the end of the day however, there is nothing more enjoyable than falling asleep in my own bed watching cartoons.

What do you do?

I’m an aspiring filmmaker and founder of Turtlistmedia.com, a site and organization that seeks to encourage Asian Americans in the arts by creating quality creative content and giving artists a space to showcase their talents in hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions. Turtlist Media began as a personal website to showcase my own film/video work but has since grown into an organization staffed by devoted contributors from various regions throughout the country.  I’m currently studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under a created major in Asian American Film and Media.  I’ve also served as an Airman in the Air Force National Guard since 2006, recently transitioning from a crewchief on F-16’s to a Public Affairs Specialist dealing with everything from media relations to internal publications for the military. In my free time, I produce media work for various artists, organizations, and weddings.

Why are you proud to be of Taiwanese heritage?

My family’s history in Taiwan and the struggles they have gone through in the face of unrest give me an incredible attachment to a land I have only visited. Throughout my life, I have constantly been dubbed several intersecting identities without regard to whether or not I wanted these labels. I think the most empowering thing I’ve done has been to embody these identities that have been stamped upon me and reclaim them in my own ways. The greatest strength of the Taiwanese American community is that we have always worked hard to make life just a little easier for the generations after us. We’ve traveled so far in spite of many who didn’t want us to move, speak, or even show our faces in the spotlight. We’re no longer walking. We’re running.

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

I hope my children will never be confused about their Taiwanese American identity and that they will have have a limitless number of heroes to look up to that look like them.

Any additional information you would like to share?

Check out TurtlistMedia.com