Wen Gao

Wen Gao is a graduate student at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, concentrating in domestic social and economic development with experience in community organizing, immigrant rights, and public writing. Her work explores the intersections of race, migration, identity, and social policy through both academic research and personal narrative. Originally from China, she is interested in cross-cultural storytelling that challenges dominant narratives and uplifts overlooked voices.

Posts by Wen Gao

Personal Essays

Standing at the Edge of Two Worlds

      Over dinner last week, a friend said she could not stand hearing President Donald Trump’s name anymore. He tries to be a king. Another friend across the table shrugged, “Well, at least the stock market was doing fine. Maybe people should pay attention to that as well. My 401(k) is great.” The […]

Personal Essays

The Work That Holds the World Together

      I saw Joe1 almost every day. In the gym lobby, behind his cart; at the classroom door, sweeping; on the stairs, pausing for breath. A familiar figure, though never more than that. Joe, a janitor who works in our university. I did not know his background, his job conditions, or whether he […]

Personal Essays

The Asian Erasure Trap, or How Being the “Model Minority” Makes Everyone Feel Safer

“Say something. Come on. Make it sound thoughtful, deep, but not too strong or too long.” This is the voice in my head every time I sit in a group discussion. While others bounce ideas around like beach balls, messy, loud, full of laughter, I sit there, rehearsing my opening line like a diplomat, making […]