Word: changing
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Last spring, Chang became involved in the protests against the choice of then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin L. Powell as Commencement speaker, because Powell had fought lifting the ban on gays in the military. When Chen argued that he didn't think a protest at the ceremony was appropriate, Chang debated the issue with him until 6 on commencement morning. "I think a lot of people would've been `Why don't you understand civilrights?'" Chen says. "I think his patience in talking about these things helped make me [understand] why the [protest] was so essential...
Coming out of the closet also catalyzed Chang's coming to terms with his identity as an Asian-American. "I became more self-conscious [about looks] when I came out. I started dating people I was serious about. I began to worry, `I wonder if he thinks my nose is too flat,''' Chang says. "I began thinking about what I thought was attractive and not attractive. When I thought about what I was looking for in a date, I realized that I appreciated white me more. I was brought up to appreciate white culture--The more white you appear...
...Chang is happy with himself. "I'm Asian and I'm beautiful!" he say. "Even if you try to be as white-washed as you want to be, you're still Asian. No point in going to hide. you have to embrace your culture...
...Chang began taking Chinese language classes, and he plans to live and study in Taiwan at some point in the future...
Chinese classes are just a small sliver of Chang's daunting and diverse academic courseload that will total 40 credits in nine semesters. (Only 32 credits are needed for graduation). Though he will march in today's Commencement ceremony, he will remain in Cambridge for summer school and graduate in January with a dual degree in two very different disciplines, VES and governemnt...