Claudia Kishi of ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ is Getting Her Own Documentary

Claudia Kishi is a Japanese-American character in the popular book series written by Ann M. Martin described as art-loving and boy-crazy. Ding wanted to create a documentary to show how important having an Asian-American character was in mainstream media.

“She was a normal teenage girl who had a personality outside of just being Asian,” Ding told Huffpost.

Ding wants to write a “love letter” to Claudia, a character who had an impact on a generation of Asian American women and creators of color. The campaign’s goal is to raise $15,000, which it has already passed at the time this article is released. Funds described would go towards an interview with the author of the book series herself.

The character was unique in that she was not defined by the oppression around her but was a regular teenage girl who was experiencing teenage thoughts and emotions throughout the series.

“For young readers of color who craved seeing themselves in the media they consumed—not as distant historical figures, exotic outsiders, or diversity lessons, but as fully realized human beings—Claudia was a revelation,” as said on Kickstarter.

Fans have been voicing their support and reflecting on the impact Claudia had on them.

Los Angeles filmmaker Ding herself could personally relate to Claudia, growing up in a mainly Caucasian part in upstate New York.

“My parents were first-generation immigrants, and I wanted to be an artist, I wanted to be a painter, I wanted to be a fashion designer,” she said.

Other interviewees showcased in the trailer included is blogger Phil Yu of “Angry Asian Man” and young adult author Sarah Kuhn.

“Claudia was definitely one of the first times I saw myself in a story ― especially centered in a story,” Kuhn says trailer.

Feature images via Instagram / suedujour