If you are familiar with "Law and Order: S.V.U.," "Jurassic Park" and "Gotham," then you probably know the actor BD Wong. But Wong is so much more than a recognized face in the entertainment world; he is an activist, a father, a son and someone who we should all take a lesson from.
Being a part of Shippensburg University's student-run newspaper, The Slate, I was given the opportunity to attend a question and answer session with Wong himself. About 20 of us filled into a small area backstage of the H. Ric Luhr's Performing Arts Center, where we anticipated Wong's appearance.
Wong filled the room with a casual and welcoming vibe. He greeted us and sat in a chair in the front of the room, only to get back up and sit on the back of the chair so he could see all of us in the audience.
Wong spoke about how this was his first time speaking since the January election. He then told us he wanted to take the time to have a discussion about where we come from, and our thoughts about diversity today.
He touched on several aspects of his life in the Q&A and speech, having many identities in the entertainment industry, being a father, son and just his overall thoughts about diversity in the media.
By discovering theater as a young student, Wong found his passion to become an actor through musicals. But even from the start, he noticed the lack of Asian actors like him being represented on television and in the movies. It took time for him to accept his identities, being gay and Asian, especially in the industry.
He eventually became more open about his identities, and I asked him about his experiences coming out in our society and in the entertainment world.
Wong said before he came out officially, "I never felt like myself, and I've learned that it hasn't hurt me more than it's hurt anyone else."
Wong stresses the "You do you," philosophy, especially right now, because people are afraid to be themselves.
"(Right now) It's an opportunity, humans can rise to the occasion," Wong said.
He also tries to remain optimistic even with everything going on in the world.
"This is the time to spread optimism," Wong said.
I felt nothing but optimism from listening to this speech and Q&A session because that's what Wong really emphasized and gave off during both. He was also slipped humor into the night, answering the question, "What would you tweet to President Trump?" His reply: "Stop. Stop. Stop."
Wong also touched on how he has had trouble with racism in the industry, and his career has been challenged by racism. His first role in a community production of "Anything Goes," Wong was casted as one of the Chinese stowaways who spoke broken english. He felt that wasn't what he wanted to represent, and approached the director.
He also played several similar roles until he finally moved onto a play that developed a new character for him, called "M. Butterfly." He finally found a role that he identified with, and from then on, took on roles we now know him for.
Wong has raised awareness through giving speeches about being a man of many identities in the entertainment industry and succeeding. It only takes one person to say something to inspire someone, and Wong inspired me to keep an optimistic perspective on life and embrace the diversity in our world.
"Everything will be okay," Wong said, in regards to how the world seems divided lately, which I think everyone needs to hear once in awhile.
