Stereotypical banana?
http://sulz.wordpress.com/2007/05/20/are-you-proud-to-be-chinese/
I found Sulz essay interesting, "Are you proud to be Chinese?," from http://sulz.wordpress.com/2007/05/20/are-you-proud-to-be-chinese/ because can relate to her someway. She's a ABC (American Born Chinese). She wonders if she is considered Chinese or an American. She's Chinese but she can't speak Chinese. She's Chinese, but she can't use chopsticks, she uses forks and knives.
One sentence Sulz wrote that stands out for me is "she is the stereotypical banana mocked by her fellow Chinese" I think this can relate to other Chinese people born in America. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside. My cousins are bananas, or twinkies if you prefer.
Another sentence that was interesting was: "she reads English novels, she studies English, she does everything in English" This stood out for me because I've grown up like that too. Being surrounded by Americans speaking English but I still listen to Jay Chou or use chopsticks and speak Chinese. I think it's the way her parents brought her up. Maybe her parents didn't stress how important it was to learn and know Chinese. Maybe her parent's weren't as strict as other Asian parents on using chopsticks. So it all depends on how she was brought up.
One line that appealed to me is "Is she rejecting her roots?". One reason I say this is because I wonder if you're really rejecting your roots if you can't conform. It's not like you're doing it on purpose, so is it really you to blame.
I look forward to seeing what she writes next, because I want to see if it's similar to this situation she wrote here.
Comments
omg!!!!!!!!!!! i
omg!!!!!!!!!!! i tootototototoalllllly know what you mean!!! i like bananas too, but not if there stereotypical...
Dear achan, I wanted to
Dear achan,
I wanted to read your article because I'm Chinese as well. (ABC) I'm very Americanized myself and I don't really know the Chinese culture. My parents brought me up in America, so obviously I'd be more American than Chinese. My parents did make sure I learned Chinese first so I wouldn't totally forget about the culture like some people do.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is," One sentence Sulz wrote that stands out for me is "she is the stereotypical banana mocked by her fellow Chinese" I think this can relate to other Chinese people born in America. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside. My cousins are bananas, or twinkies if you prefer." This is hilarious because of the way it is phrased. I've never been called that but it makes sense if I do because this phrase matches me perfectly.
Another sentence that I liked was,"Being surrounded by Americans speaking English but I still listen to Jay Chou or use chopsticks and speak Chinese." I am the same exact thing. I speak English but I still listen to Asian songs way more than American songs.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because it is interesting how I can relate to your post. It was enjoyable and fun to read as well.