Cathy Park Hong

Cathy Park Hong, an influential Korean American voice in contemporary literature, has carved a niche in the realm of creative nonfiction and poetry through her incisive exploration of race and identity. Raised in Los Angeles to immigrant parents, Hong's experiences have profoundly informed her work, imbuing it with a resonant authenticity that challenges and reframes the Asian American narrative. As a professor at Rutgers-Newark University and the poetry editor of the New Republic, she stands at the forefront of poetic discourse, fostering a dialogue that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. Hong's critically acclaimed book, "Minor Feelings: A Reckoning on Race and the Asian Condition," published in 2020 by One World/Random House in the US and Profile Books in the UK, has been lauded for its poignant examination of racial consciousness. The work deftly weaves personal anecdotes with broader socio-political critique, earning her a place among the most compelling voices in contemporary nonfiction. In addition to "Minor Feelings," her poetry collections such as "Engine Empire," "Dance Dance Revolution"—which was selected by Adrienne Rich for the Barnard Women Poets Prize—and "Translating Mo'um," showcase her prowess in melding narrative innovation with lyrical intensity. Cathy Park Hong's oeuvre is characterized by its fearless interrogation of the complexities of race, language, and identity. Her writing style, marked by its lyrical precision and profound emotional depth, invites readers into a reflective space where the personal becomes universal. Recognized with prestigious accolades including the Windham-Campbell Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship, Hong's contribution to literature is both monumental and transformative, offering a nuanced perspective on the Asian American experience that continues to inspire and provoke critical thought.