Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter

by Angela Hui

Being Chinese, I’m technically a minority that’s privileged, but excluded. East and Southeast Asians are considered so white-adjacent that they are no longer identified as a person of colour, but still experience systemic racism.

The process involved shovelling the cooked crackers into individual plastic bags, then passing them to Keen, who made a loud whirring noise as he opened and closed the heat sealer.

connection and isolation, home and work, playground and business. As a child, I felt trapped and obligated to be at the takeaway, but I also recognised the need to help my parents.

My parents didn’t open and run a takeaway out of passion and love, they did it in order to fund a higher education for me and my brothers, to be able to study hard and get good jobs.