You may recognize the name Louie Gong.  The thirty-five year-old Canadian living in Seattle, has put himself on the virtual and literal map in a number of interesting and admirable ways.  After 15 years of involvement with the MAVIN Foundation, “the nation’s leading organization that helps build healthier communities by raising awareness about the experiences of mixed heritage people and families”, Louie Gong is now president.  This organization’s projects “explore the experiences of mixed heritage people, transracial adoptees, interracial relationships and multiracial families.”

Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Tiger Woods, Vin Diesel, Sean Lennon, Norah Jones, Kristen Kreuk, Alicia Keys, Thandie Newton…are you seeing the common denominator yet?  The percentage of celebrities of mixed race is a good indication of the large percentage of the world’s population boasting a rich mixed heritage.  For some people, being of mixed race results in a struggle with identity.  For Louie Gong, having a Native Canadian mother, and a Chinese father, with Irish and French roots in the mix as well, people he encountered often asked “What are you?”  Even within his own communities he was seen as different things – his last name caused a lean toward the Asian in school, yet his Native community saw him as Native.
As a tool to reach people through MAVIN, Gong used the popular web channel YouTube to post a video entitled, “What are YouTube?”  The video encourages viewers to post their own responses about “what” they are.  The video quickly became an internet sensation, and can still be viewed on http://www.youtube.com – one only has to search “What are YouTube” and Louie Gong in order to view it.  The huge response generated, largely very positive, was the reaction Louie and MAVIN were hoping for.  A gateway to a demographic of people who could benefit from the empowering approach the organization practices.

Recognition for Louie Gong doesn’t stop there.  While distractedly watching “Family Guy” one evening, Louie reached for the new, plain grey “Vans” running shoes he had purchased…and the nearby bowl of markers.  “Sharpie” in hand, what resulted was a custom-styled pair of shoes, sporting West Coast Salish tribal artwork…and a hot item was born!  Soon people were ordering pairs, and at this point, he can barely keep up.

With many imitators out there now, Louie opted to take back the initial freedom of artistic expression and made the ultimate leap.  He shared the secrets of his methods in a how-to video on YouTube that garnered big attention from the “Vans” shoe company, who immediately shared Louie’s link on their web page!
The prevalence of culture and pride of identity in Louie Gong’s life touches so many aspects of his existence, he is a living beacon for anyone struggling with issues related to identity.  Louie Gong - a testament to the amazing results of thinking outside of the “shoebox”.

- Dishpan Hands Column from The Record newspaper in Quebec, 08/12/09