BIG STRAW IS 20 YEARS OLD
Big Straw was born in the Spring of 2006. 20 years ago. If you haven’t heard our whole backstory spiel before, Big Straw Magazine started in a first year Interpretation and Argument class centered on Asian-American Literature, way back when. Professor John Eperjesi gave his students the project of creating an Asian-interest magazine that would be distributed around campus once finished. The students would create their magazine after class and meet over bubble tea. At the end of semester, the first issue of Big Straw was made. 19 issues later brings us to now.
In the past 20 years, Asian and Asian American culture has moved to the forefront of pop culture. The bestselling Crazy Rich Asians book series, which I highly recommend, garnered a film release in 2018 that marked the first majority Chinese-descent cast in a Hollywood film in 25 years. Everything, Everywhere, All At Once starring Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan became one of the most awarded films of all, garnering not one, but two Big Straw articles about it. The chokehold K-Pop has had on the masses has grown and grown with the rise of social media, from dance challenges to thirst trap edits. Douyin makeup techniques and Korean makeup innovations have found their way into western beauty companies releases and influencers' content. Bubble tea shops have taken over Forbes up in Squirrel Hill and there’s nothing we can do to stop it.
Big Straw has gone through its own evolution in the last two decades, though I’m hardly qualified to speak on it, considering I’ve only been involved in Big Straw for 3 years. But through the old issues I’ve gotten my hands on, the content and themes of Big Straw ebbs and flows as members come and go. I hope Big Straw Magazine continues for another 20 years, another 20 issues. Because, in terms of Asian and Asian American culture, there is so much in history that hasn’t been said, and there will also be so much more to say in the time to come. Carnegie Mellon will continue to need a space for students to express themselves, to be free to showcase their interests and highlight what they find important and value.
Next year, Big Straw will be old enough to drink. Cheers to that.
