Personal Narrative-American Stereotypes

There were so many different nationalities that made of the school is was like a miniature melting pot, and this allowed me to see things about not only my culture but others as well that I have never seen before. For instance too often, "racism" is seen as a social phenomenon that happens to black people, but it happens through black people as well. That is, the negative affiliations hurled upon black people and black culture that paint how we perceive EACH other. Blacks & whites receive the same anecdotes & images that perpetuate common stereotypes of black criminality & flippancy while systematically synonymizing white culture with American values. Its to be expected for there to be an observable impact on black intragroup perceptions. Nevertheless,

Many new arrivals still struggle to survive and often Chinese Americans still encounter suspicion and hostility. Chinese Americans have achieved great success and now, like so many others, they are stitching together a new American identity. As Michelle Ling, a young Chinese American, tells Bill Moyers in Program 3, “I get to compose my life one piece at a time, however I feel like it. Not to say that it’s not difficult and that there isn’t challenge all the time, but more than material wealth, you get to choose what you are, who you are.” (www.pbs.org)

As a child, Waverly didn’t enjoy following her mother’s rules and Chinese tradition. At that age she would’ve loved to get rid of her Chinese features. But as an adult, Waverly seemed concerned that she would fit in with the locals during her trip to China, and upset when her mother told her that the people would know that she was a foreigner. Instead of trying to reject her culture as before, Waverly seems to want “the best of both worlds”, a way to embrace both her American lifestyle and Chinese culture. However, her mother, Lindo Jong, deemed the attempt at balance “too late” and describes her daughter as “American-made”.

‘The Chinese in All of Us’ is an essay written by Richard Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a first generation American, who’s a son of a working class Mexican immigrant. Author of a thin book called Hunger of Memory, that summarized the memories of how he became Americanized, Rodriguez shares how he believes we all are blending and being fluid with individualism but unifying as Americans.

“China has become the U.S.' most important trading partner (Ito, 2009). Additionally, China has surpassed India to become the top country sending students to study in the U.S.” (A Comparative Look at Chinese and American Stereotypes). Now in our modern day world, there have been many stereotypes built up around Chinese people or immigrants. Pre-existing views or perceptions about a certain ethnic group, culture or race will certainly affect and drive interactions with people of that certain culture. Since stereotypes are usually very broad and are long-lasting, many of these” expectations” are outdated/antiquated. My research proposal mainly focuses on the danger of seeing all Chinese immigrants in one way, mainly the idea that all Chinese are smart, nerdy and unathletic. This specific topic interested me as growing up as a Chinese person in Canada, I have seen and experienced the extent that preexisting perceptions can influence people's views and actions. I suspected that through my research I would find that not all Chinese people fit the stereotype and can “break the mould” given to them. For research and information, I went onto many articles and news sites. My research confirmed that the classic, traditional stereotypes for Chinese people definitely do not represent the entire population.

“America the land of opportunity, to all” has always been a driving force for many people from poor, undeveloped societies far away from America. This simple saying has brought over millions and millions of people from they’re native countries, leaving behind families and friends. Some never to return. Once in America, reality sets in for most of these groups as that suffer thought unequal treatment, racism and discrimination. One such group involved similar treatments were the Chinese- Americans, in the documentary “Becoming American- the Chinese Experience” we are given a first hand looks and descriptions of the hate that Chinese- American suffered in America. This paper will discuss these events including the documentary and class notes, further it will also describe the difference treatment that Chinese- American face in present day compared to the past.

My English professor asked the class “What/Where is your South? How do you fit into it? Does the South exist?” Everyone started talking about the stereotypes of the south that I thought of as well, but then they all started talking about “good ole Southern cookin’” which consisted of things that I had never heard of or even had the desire to try. I was lost in a place that I’d been living in, and realized how different the “Souths” that I have come to know are.

A situation where I was stereotyped negatively was when people found out that I was Native American. Once they hear that I am, they automatically assume that I get a check from my tribe. Unfortunately, this stereotype is not true. Although, some tribes receive money but since my tribe is the biggest one, I get no funding. Meaning that most people that are Native American do not get funding. People just assume that because I am Native American, that I get money. From what I have learned, I can cause more flexible stereotyping by helping others not just automatically assume something about an individual. Although, I know it is hard to not automatically make judgements about someone whether it is good or bad. A situation where I negatively stereotyped

All sentient beings have an acquired cultural identity and an innate racial identity; in the state of being the ‘other’ in a society that oppresses minorities, one can have a feeling of being displaced and alone, discouraged and even ashamed. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang depicts a dissatisfied American-born Chinese tween who tries to grapple with living in a community that is largely not of his ethnicity. “It’s easy to become anything you wish . . . so long as you’re willing to forfeit your soul,” (Yang 29) says a wise Chinese herbalist’s wife at her store calculating bills on an abacus to Jin Wang, the unknowingly curious American boy who sits with his mother and his toy Transformer.

Johnnie, Veronica, Frank et al. do me a solid with all your “knowledge” and “wokeness” step outside your educational privilege and support systems for a minute. I in no place in my post said anything about America being perfect so what you did was hijack a status about the solidarity I feel for the people in my life and in this country who very much will struggle with an intensified troubling life experience in the country to PROVE you have some kind of exceptional wokeness or understanding of America. MISS me with it. No America was not safe for everyone but we just did was extend the people who it was unsafe for. If that’s cool with you then carry on with your bullshit. I have NEVER EVER said it’s a safe place for everyone. I have NEVER

Her perspective and personal experiences can help to drive in the point that there are two different generations of Chinese people and how one looks down on the other because of their birth place. Liu’s article is reliable because it is a personal experience of growing up Chinese American and shows the different perspective on how growing up with two different generations of Chinese shaped her life. Maria Liu is also a reliable source because she is a student and writer for the

My mother immigrated to Los Angeles from Taiwan when she was seventeen years old. Her parents emigrated from China to Taiwan for a better life before she was born. Even though I’m only half-Chinese…and a Chinese-American at that, Chinatown and Chinese culture are very much a part of my life. Eating Dim Sum- (a Cantonese specialty prepared in small portions carried over in small steamed baskets)— was a family tradition every Sunday. Chinese holidays were taken very seriously, and I always loved receiving hóngbāo, red envelopes filled with money during certain holidays. My mother made sure that she spoke Chinese to me as a baby,

Chinese-Americans authors Amy Tan and Gish Jen have both grappled with the idea of mixed identity in America. For them, a generational problem develops over time, and cultural displacement occurs as family lines expand. While this is not the problem in and of itself, indeed, it is natural for current culture to gain foothold over distant culture, it serves as the backdrop for the disorientation that occurs between generations. In their novels, Tan and Jen pinpoint the cause of this unbalance in the active dismissal of Chinese mothers by their Chinese-American children.

In the book American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang gives us an entertaining story of a common simple goal to fit in. The book being intended for a middle school audience; it does an outstanding job of relating to adults as well in many ways. Reading the book has taught and reminded me of many things. Such as; accepting yourself, being who you are, and not changing for others. These goals are helpful when you’re getting situated in a new environment. Not only does Yang relate to middle school students, but to a variety of readers in many age levels and not just one in particular.

Chinese families are highly misunderstood and stereotyped in the United States. It is important to understand a different culture before one makes the assumptions produced by these stereotypes. In order to find a better understanding about Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans, one must do research on that countries heritage, traditions, and other customs before submerging one-self into a Chinese families home. I chose to experience and observe a Chinese family who was kind enough to let me be a guest in their home to share dinner.