Classmates tried to use my Asian identity against me, but kung fu anchored me
Kung fu not only gave Marvin Chan the means of surviving his childhood, it also allowed him to embrace himself today as an artist, a martial artist and an Asian Canadian. It continues to heal him today, as it lives through his other martial arts practices and artforms.
![Classmates tried to use my Asian identity against me, but kung fu anchored me](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7205065.1716319984!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/marvin-chan.jpg)
![Marvin Chan in a visit to Hong Kong, where his mother was born and raised. The Asian-Canadian singer-songerwriter has spent time more recently thinking about his first artform, kung fu. A man wearing a black ball cap and a white T-shirt can be seen in front of a body of water, a bag slung over his shoulder.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7205065.1716319984!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/marvin-chan.jpg)
Kung fu not only gave Marvin Chan the means of surviving his childhood, it also allowed him to embrace himself today as an artist, a martial artist and an Asian Canadian. It continues to heal him today, as it lives through his other martial arts practices and artforms.