🎓 she is a sociologist 📜
Did my ancestors ever imagine a girl graduating from university with a master’s degree?
Finally, I graduated! 🎓
Not only this was my first convocation since high school (I did not attend my undergraduate convocation), this Master of Arts degree was a momentous accomplishment to me. I've always said that this thesis subject was the sole reason I returned to academia. Inspired by friends, colleagues, community members - as well as my activism and lived experiences, I decided in 2021 to pursue graduate school in sociology. My thesis paper explored and captured the diaspora’s social realities under transnational surveillance and suppression from the Chinese party-state apparatus.
Distracted by Alliance Canada Hong Kong's (ACHK) operations, evolving shit-show that is #cdnpoli and China policy, and other life things, my academic career was never my top priority (OOPS). When I returned to academia, I was anxious. I mean... University of Ottawa outright rejected my graduate school application. I was worried that I would repeat the same mistakes from my undergraduate education - literally failing multiple mandatory courses and nearly falling below the Honours GPA requirement.
Back in 2021, I was frequently gaslit by parliamentarians and officials that transnational repression and foreign interference were "all in my head." Despite publishing case study reports via ACHK, the subject was barely gaining traction in Canada. Foreign interference had always been a subject examined by national security experts, and here I was imagining a sociological study.
Professor Aaron Doyle understood my vision. He helped me to apply for graduate school at Carleton University, and I can’t imagine completing this degree without his support. He was an ever calm presence in contrast to my chaotic energy, providing mentorship as I navigate through graduate school. Aaron trusted my instincts and expertise, while also assuring me when I feel uncertain.
Thank you to Professor Justin Paulson, as a committee member, for challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone and remain rigorously critical in this project. I am grateful to participate in Justin’s modern Marxist theory seminar during my first term in graduate school, which had profoundly shaped my analytical lens as a sociologist-in-training. Thank you to Professor Stephanie Carvin as my external examiner. Her mentorship and affirmations empowered me to present this project proudly, perhaps going against the dominant national security narrative in this field.
Thank you to the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, where I had the privilege to learn from incredible, supportive professors who pushed me to challenge assumptions and think rigorously beyond boundaries 💭
Alas, I'm done!
For my convocation ceremony, I wore a beautiful qipao/cheongsam, made by 無無旗袍 a Taiwanese dressmaker. The same qipao was first worn when I defended my thesis back in January. Qipaos are often associated to Han Chinese womanhood, but qipaos are also a symbol of Chinese women's feminist developments.
a lil throwback...
I carry their hopes and dreams with me ✨
My grandparents overcame unspeakable hardships fleeing war and political instability in the People's Republic of China. They witnessed the Cultural Revolution, watching the bodies of their teachers hung to rot in the name of Mao's Communist revolution. They survived the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, wondering if it was the right decision to leave Shanghai in the first place. Eventually they planted roots in Hong Kong and Taiwan in hopes their children might have greater access to opportunity.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free 🍉
I decided to wear a keffiyeh atop my academic gown in solidarity with Palestinians. It was a silent act of defiance in the face of Carleton University’s guidelines.
Unfun Fact: Carleton University decided to not divest from companies tied to Israeli settlement activity on occupied Palestinian territory (Sadeen Mohsen 2025)
Moments before stepping onto the stage, I pulled the keffiyeh from under the academic gown and draped it on my shoulders. I was hooded and walked across the convocation ceremony, speeding past the university's President without shaking his hand. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the video feed was cut off when I stepped on stage. Anyhow, I knew the university would cut the live feed, thanks to Capital Current’s Alex Dines reporting (2024).
Did you know every university in Gaza has been destroyed by Israel?
Just an hour before the start of the convocation ceremony, my knees shook as a Carleton staff member confronted me on the "beautiful keffiyeh" tied around my waist. They asked me if I knew that I was not allowed to display the sash during the ceremony, if I would like to check the keffiyeh in storage, and followed up to ask if I understood the guidelines on academic regalia. I quietly and politely affirmed their statement, without saying what I was going to do. I said, "I hear you."
(1) How I initially wore the keffiyeh. (2) Carleton staff that confronted me & subsequently surveilled me. (3) Text exchange at the time.
Shortly after the staff member stepped away, another student came up to me to express their support. They wanted to let me know how "stupid" it was and that I am not alone.
Unfun Fact: UN experts are concerned with Israel's scholasticide of teachers, students and staff, and deliberate destruction of the school systems in Palestine (UN Human Rights 2024)
Per the words of Angela Davis: Palestine is a moral litmus test for the world.
There was once a young, passionate girl committed to serving her community, and I hope to make her proud with every step I take 👠
I walked across the stage in a pair of worn-out kitten heels — now forever retired. These were my (second) old campaign canvass shoes. The first pair fell apart halfway through the 2018 provincial election campaign, so these are actually the replacement shoes.
For days, weeks, and months, I hit the pavement and wore down their soles, as I knocked on doors and listened to community members. My time as a candidate in a non-dominant political party was fascinating. Voters and community members were not as guarded, many were honest with me about their disengagement in politics. I did not run to win, nor did I ever believe I could win. This election campaign was about listening and engaging with community - my community.
In stark contrast to my peers' fancy shoes and heels, my flaky old heels felt out of place. But with every step I took, I reminded myself of the journey I've travelled to arrive to where I am today. Many would argue academia is a lonely journey, but that was untrue for me – I had a community to lean on.
👧🏻 A third-culture kid living in diaspora.
👧🏻 A dissident in self-exile, surviving a global authoritarian regime.
👧🏻 A scholar contributing original knowledge of her community’s lived realities.
👧🏻 A girl with an ambitious, fierce, and powerful soul.
My ancestors may never have imagined this as a possibility, but I know they would be so proud.
📝 Reference List 📝
Isabella Michie and Ali Benton (2018). "All universities in Gaza have been destroyed. What does this mean for Palestinians?". ABC News. https://amp.abc.net.au/article/105379150
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2024). "UN experts deeply concerned over scholasticide in Gaza". OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/un-experts-deeply-concerned-over-scholasticide-gaza
Alex Dines (2024). "Carleton graduates show support for Palestine despite warnings from school officials". Capital Current. https://capitalcurrent.ca/carleton-graduates-show-support-for-palestine-despite-warnings-from-school-officials/
Xintian Wang (2024). "The complicated legacy of the qipao". Elle. https://www.elle.com/fashion/personal-style/a46192486/qipao-history/
Sadeen Mohsen (2024). "Carleton rejects divestment recommendations, increases investment in human rights violations". The Charlatan. https://charlatan.ca/carleton-rejects-divestment-recommendations-increased-investment-human-rights-violations/
Al Jazeera English (2023). "Angela Davis: Palestine is a moral litmus test for the world". Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/program/upfront/2023/10/27/angela-davis-palestine-is-a-moral-litmus-test-for-the-world
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