We’re continuing to highlight AANHPI Heritage Month, and for South Korean adoptees, their journey to finding identity and confidence in their culture takes time and patience.For Suzi Fitz, she’s found peace and a way to show her culture through her art. “I’ve been an artist since I can remember. I’ve always had an insatiable need to get into things and make all kinds of stuff whether it’s painting, drawing, woods, ceramics– I was always into stuff,” Fitz said.Suzi is doing what she loves to do. With art, she’s found a safe space to be herself. Suzi was born in 1986 and adopted by David and Helen Fitz.”I was born in Busan, South Korea, and I was adopted into a family in a small town in Maryland,” she saidShe knew growing up that life was different for her.”Pretty early on, it’s weird to be so little and to know you’re different from everyone around you. I did face racism growing up because often I was the only Asian in the room,” Suzi said.”It’s always been a struggle being different and facing that and always wanting to hide, sort of searching and feeling like I wanted to hide,” Suzi said.She’s always wondered who her birth parents were, their personalities, and if they held the same traits of loving art as her.'”I’m always curious about it, and maybe one day it’ll happen, but it doesn’t seem like a lot of adoptees have success in that,” Suzi said. Suzi grew up with her sister Melanie, also adopted from Seoul, Korea.Her parents also had a biological daughter — Joy.”We’re a family. It never felt anything different. We’re family, we just look different,” Suzi said.Now, at 38 years old, she says she’s found peace with herself.She’s embracing her culture. And even getting a chance to visit korea.That was a big inspiration for her.

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