The reading revealed to me the need to respect the “differences” with greater sensitivity. I guess for me, the reading made me realize that I need to be more accepting to the idea that society is (or can) be leaning towards greater respect for culture, and races. My family has faced a lot when it comes to cultural differences and prejudices, and it’s challenging.
As I was reading the essays, the word “melting pot” popped into my head. I’m not sure that term is coined correctly if we’re speaking about the U.S. and it’s great cauldron of a melting pot society. Cultures don’t seem to be melting; races don’t seem to be melting together. Rather, my sister and I have coined the U.S. as a stir-fried society. We’re all in the same wok, but everyone is still classified into ingredients, into classes, into genders, into races. Let’s start with a cheesy beginning of classifications: When my Chinese mother gave birth to me in good ol’ Kansas, the nurses had great difficulty finding a Chinese baby and her Chinese husband in the hospital. Who knew that 20 years ago, a Chinese woman could be married to a New Yorker? Or that a Chinese woman could give birth to a daughter that looked more European than a “European?” Clearly, the nurses didn’t. This scenario repeats continuously, and still even.
So I guess, the term “melting pot” gives off the connotation that everything is “OK.” But, cultural prejudices my mother and her family faces as they have immigrated and established a “home” here from Taiwan, makes me think differently. Cultural prejudices have continually frustrated my siblings and I. We’re labeled as “biracial,” who “aren’t white, but aren’t Chinese.” It’s interesting, but many people have had difficulty “classifying” us, or “dealing” with us. In Chinese Language School, the Chinese society didn’t know how to deal with “half Asians” that weren’t entirely white. And the dominantly white public school made sure we knew we had an Asian mother (In good ways, and not so good ways). But, my frustration has been: Why does it matter?
The reading helped me understand that there are cultural prejudices, but there is (or can be) movement for something greater, or hopefully so.
I love how you related the readings to yourself and your family. I think that relating stuff such as prejudices and stereotypes to ourselves and our friends and families allows us to truly understand how powerful prejudices are. By acknowledging our own differences, we are more able to put ourselves in others' shoes as well and allow us to be more open and willing to accept and understand others. I personally have experienced racial prejudice as well being white and living in Atlanta. My family has also suffered racial experiences as well. Many people think that if you aren't white, you're different, but just because you are white does not mean that you are exempt from prejudices and un-acceptance.I really like your phrase stir-fry as opposed to a melting pot. I agree that there are still major separations within the U.S. and around the entire world but I do think that we have made great leaps forward and that the pot has started to boil which is the first step in melting whatever is in the pot.
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