"Growing up, I thought I was white. It didn't occur to me I was Asian-American until I was studying abroad in Denmark and there was a little bit of prejudice"

Maya Lin's quote speaks to the experience of lots of people of color who mature in primarily white communities. Maturing, she was not familiar with her Asian-American identity, and it was only when she was studying abroad in Denmark that she came across prejudice and was required to confront her identity. This quote highlights the importance of being aware of one's identity and the power of bias to form how one sees themselves. It also speaks to the significance of being exposed to different cultures and experiences in order to gain a better understanding of one's identity. By studying abroad, Maya Lin was able to acquire a much better understanding of her identity and the bias she dealt with. This quote is a tip of the value of knowing one's identity and the power of prejudice to form how one sees themselves.