User blog:Jpearson/Celebrating Culture and Visibility with The Ba Sing Se Times' Editor-in-Chief: Amy Mori



Hey everyone!

As we continue our celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re thrilled to kick off a series that shares the perspectives of the Fandom community as we explore the theme of visibility. We're amplifying the voices of community members and those inspired by Fandom's community and invite them to share more about themselves, their personal stories, experience with Fandom, and their creative journey. You’ll hear from leaders within the Fandom community, actors who contribute to our favorite fandoms that make an impact, and creators that celebrate and amplify Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and seek to entertain and inspire.

This week, we're featuring Amy Mori, visual artist and editor-in-chief of the community newsletter,The Ba Sing Se Times, found on Avatar's wiki. Amy’s love for Avatar the Last Airbender manifested on Fandom about 10 years ago and has been a powerful voice and advocate for the wiki ever since. You’ve probably seen her participating in community events or even seen her amazing artwork! Amy’s lighthearted art style is a nod to her heritage and she creates space in the community for others to learn and embrace the cultural nuances found throughout Avatar.

“I tell my peers and family what I do and they realize that they are more visible than they think and don’t need to stay hidden in their box and look after themselves.”

So many elements of Asian culture are seen in media and entertainment, but there’s still work to be done in terms of representation and education. When we see ourselves and celebrate ourselves it’s a powerful feeling. Visibility allows us to tell unlimited stories and create spaces to learn from each other.

Happy anniversary, Amy! Thank you for shining a light on others and taking the time to share your story.

Watch the video to learn more about Amy and the impact she makes on Fandom!