Note: This article follows Part 1: Naomi Wu's experiences with Sarah Jeong and Vice Magazine.

Translator's note: Naomi Wu has frequently faced skepticism for needing help with her English writing. While she expresses herself fluently in Chinese, her English is commendable, given her education in Mainland China. The perception of her language skills often skews towards fluency rather than content, which can unintentionally bias native speakers. We strive to convey her intent accurately, even if some expressions may not be perfect.

There are those who view Naomi's proficiency in English as "unfair" while she faces relentless criticism online. Given the disparity of her situation, it is entirely reasonable for her to seek assistance to articulate her thoughts in English, especially considering the years of scrutiny she has endured just to validate her existence and expertise as a woman in tech. These challenges are not genuine inquiries but rather attempts to undermine her credibility simply because she stands out as an outsider. The real injustice lies in the relentless attacks she faces, not in her need for support.

Naomi

When sharing my story, I often get asked, “Why don’t you leave China?” Sometimes, these inquiries come with charming messages, including marriage proposals from various individuals, often accompanied by enticing images of well-equipped workshops. While these messages are harmless and flattering, they miss the point.

Since the previous installment of this article, I traveled to New York City for the first time, venturing beyond Asia. Despite the USA's allure, I remain dedicated to my life in China. Shenzhen, my home, is a futuristic cyberpunk city—both for better and worse. It boasts pervasive surveillance yet also hosts mesmerizing drone displays at night. This is where I wish to continue my narrative.

The Journey So Far

In the first part of my article, I recounted my interactions with Sarah Jeong long before her hiring by The New York Times sparked controversy. I described how she publicly attacked me, leveraging her ethnicity and media clout against me. She claimed that China was akin to South Korea, despite having left it at a young age, and dismissed the risks I faced as a PRC citizen when Vice Magazine broke a written agreement.

My previous article garnered thousands of readers, with numerous replies directed at The New York Times and Jeong's supporters. While many expressed concerns about Sarah, their grievances often stemmed from her treatment of me rather than her views on others. Despite some support for her, many acknowledged the wrongs she committed against me.

The mainstream media predominantly focused on Sarah's comments regarding race, conveniently overlooking the broader issues at hand, which did not align with their preconceived narrative that only racists opposed her.

Despite meticulous documentation of the events, notable figures in media chose to ignore my experiences. Their indifference stemmed from a lack of personal stakes; they viewed me as collateral damage in their efforts to support Sarah, whom they wished to portray as blameless.

I have often said, “It’s all about merit until merit has tits.” This reflects my encounters with gatekeepers who set technical standards to exclude outsiders. When I surpass these standards through hard work and study, their true colors emerge. Are they genuinely interested in merit, or do they manipulate the rules to suit their biases?

As a member of the 3D printing community, I found a welcoming environment. Many in this community, including kind-hearted men reminiscent of my grandfather, stood by me and recognized the injustice of my treatment.

The New York Times

My public criticism of Sarah Jeong did not go unnoticed. Amanda Hess, a colleague at The New York Times, produced a video that misrepresented my persona as a “fembot,” alleging I altered my appearance solely for male attention. The segments from my YouTube channel were used without attribution, violating my rights.

I have invested years into building one of the largest English-language YouTube channels by a PRC citizen, risking a great deal for this endeavor. The casual appropriation of my work by The New York Times was deeply disheartening, especially coming from an outlet I once respected.

Daily, I face harassment about my appearance, with countless messages belittling me for entering the tech space. No amount of evidence can convince critics of my legitimacy.

I expected better from The New York Times than to replicate the abuse I face online.

As a transhumanist, I believe technology can enhance our human experience. The term "fembot" is a dehumanizing label that implies a lack of agency. My appearance is a form of self-expression that does not harm anyone.

I have consistently expressed that my appearance is for myself, not to cater to any gaze. It is not a requirement for anyone to justify their identity, whether through their appearance or background.

As a student, I aspired to The New York Times, aware of the differences between Western journalism and the state-controlled media in China. My efforts to advocate for open-source compliance have also highlighted the discrepancies in how intellectual property is treated.

The New York Times had previously responded promptly to accusations of content theft. However, my pleas for acknowledgment were ignored.

After Vice Magazine's lawyers pressured Patreon to remove my account, I faced significant challenges in keeping my channel running. Without support, I had to return to freelance work, which allowed me to maintain my middle-class status in China.

Finding alternatives to Patreon proved nearly impossible due to restrictive payment processes. After months of searching, I finally discovered SubscribeStar, a platform that allowed me to regain some semblance of support.

YouTube

Through determination, I dedicated countless hours to rebuilding my channel. After five months, I saw growth, but on October 8, 2018, my channel was unexpectedly throttled, losing 80% of its performance metrics.

Despite repeated inquiries, YouTube support offered vague responses. Experts analyzing my account agreed that the decline was abnormal, suggesting external interference.

After several weeks, the throttling eased somewhat, but I remained uncertain about the underlying cause.

I stopped engaging with Western media, hoping to focus on my work without external distractions. Unfortunately, I faced another setback in December when I was defunded again due to SubscribeStar losing its payment processors.

The cycle of deplatforming reoccurred, with collateral damage impacting my work and finances. Those in Western media failed to recognize the consequences of their actions, prioritizing their agenda over my livelihood.

I sought new sponsorship opportunities, and with the support of a friend, launched a GoFundMe campaign for Sther, an LGBTQ+ friendly platform designed for marginalized creators.

The Road Ahead

I never intended to engage in this battle; I simply wanted to create and share my experiences. The reality of navigating media interactions has taught me the importance of safeguarding my identity and work.

I refuse to be a victim. My resilience will drive me to succeed despite the challenges I face. I am Naomi Wu, a futuristic Chinese girl from Shenzhen, who will continue to innovate and thrive despite the obstacles.