I am born and raised as a Chinese. Fact. I am proud of my origin. Very much so. There is one thing though, some sort of tradition that has been passing down through several generations… my family find it hard to accept a non Chinese and embrace one as one.
At this time and day, this is not the way it is supposed to be.
You may find this common, as it is actually not something new in the structure of our society. One that is born and raised with people being skeptical towards their race/background, will walk a much challenging path… which, either make them or break them. It takes great determination to walk a path less traveled where others just expect you to bend to ‘fate’ or to the societal norms and culture.
Born and raised in a family that earn just about enough to meet our day to day needs and some occasional splurge, I am grateful. Coming from where I am, I learned to take good care of myself.
In fact, I have been supporting myself for most of my necessities and degree. I believe in taking one step after another is the way to move forward.
Growing up, I have came to realize that I want to be as less judgmental as possible. I am determined to show my family that despite differences, every nationalities and races are the same. We are interconnected in most instances, but we sometimes failed to recognise that.
We go through the good times and bad like any other human being. To feel superior than the other is merely a craving to prove that I am not just another human being, but one with greater purpose. It is nothing like that. I believe what we can achieve as a race is of collective effort. There will be a supporter and the one who gets the support. One in the limelight and a few hundred others who are not, but have been offering the support to the one.
I have also been a great believer that we will always find inspiration from the least expected places. Or… People. Like my mom, for instance. She has been very much against anyone from other races. Knowing that, and wanting to challenge and go against what I have been told, I have decided, in my university days, establishing friendships with more non Chinese than Chinese. My friends has shown be differences, as well as similarities.
I made another step further by deciding to apply for a job at a non Chinese working environment.
I hang out with non Chinese friends.
I still listen to Chinese music (from the 90’s or some from my high school days), but I listen to Greek, Latin America, Turkish, Japanese, Persian, Arabic, French music as well…
I am not trying to de-Chine-fies myself. Don’t get me wrong. I am merely one that does not wish to abide to what has been taught in terms of ‘Chinese must act like a Chinese’ that type of mentality. I like to diversify my interests. I find it stimulating by exposing myself to diverse cultures.
I believe more in understanding a person as an individual rather than as a race or nationality.
Look at the advancement of technology. Look at how our world has evolved. Those who understand that the world is now more universal than ever before, is starting to live as a global citizen.
To end this I would like to end it with a quote ‘common truths and shared wisdom despite differences’.
