In the article, “How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story,” Jenny Dorsey embraces her culture despite her family’s objections to her staying true to herself in her business. Dorsey is keen on being different from the typical Asian-American restaurant and strives to achieve that on her own. Emerson describes this also when he states, “For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure,” meaning that refusing to live according the norm will often receive backlash at first - something Dorsey did encounter - and also when he says “Trust thyself,” the thing that kept Dorsey going. Dorsey’s story indicates nonconformity in the modern age because she sets out to defy odds and trust herself enough to accomplish her own happiness. 
My original response is in line with individualism and nonconformity tenet. An individual has let their life been dictated by everyone’s perception but theirs for their whole life. However, they reach the point where they realize they have to be self-reliant. The speaker in the poem realizes that “what I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.” (Self-Reliance”) This represents individualism as Emerson advocated for in “Self- reliance.” 

No matter how much I have to overcome

I will never allow myself to be placed in a box

That you have locked up with several locks

Just because everyone is expected to end up one way doesn’t mean I will comply

All I know is that following my ambitions will leave me happy, even if everything goes awry

At the end of the day no one does me, better than me

So yes, I’ll take the “L” and be seen as a disgrace for being free

My inner peace will always be my priority

So thank you, next 

I’m finally answering the call of individualism