ACT Members Share with YOU Their Story
Thank you to all ACT Members who participated in sharing “What Asian Heritage Mean to You”! The ACT Board was touched by all the stories. The winner of the $50 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com will be announced July 1st. Until then, stay tuned!
Below are a few of the submissions that we would like to share with all of you.
Submission by Joanne L. Lee
Although I am a product of one ethnic group, I grew up in Malaysia where I got the opportunity to embrace not only my Chinese heritage but also other heritages like the Malays, Indians and local indigenous groups. I am very grateful for being an Asian of many traditions because it made my life more interesting and most importantly, taught me how to embrace and accept people and their differences. Having that said, being an Asian is like representing 4.1 billion people who share and own more than 50 unique cultures, cuisines, arts, history and traditions. I am also proud to inherit a grand legacy left behind by great emperors and warriors, philosophers and scholars, artisans and poets. Without them, our world would be a less exciting place to live in.
_________________________________________________________________________
Top 10 List of What Being Asian-American Means to Me
Reflections by Nick Lim
- Teaching my son to respectfully call his elders “uncles” and “aunties” even though they are not all relatives
- Being perceived as a polite and meek minority but surprising with assertive candor and gregariousness
- Watching the classical music nerd stereotype shattered just a little with Asian Americans winning MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew
- Creating just enough fear and intimidation of my supposed martial arts prowess to avoid confrontations in my younger days
- Wishing Asian American movie roles evolve from the typecast Jackie Chan and Jet Li even though I enjoy their films
- Seeing the faces of my non-Asian friends as they boldly sample more exotic fares from the dim sun cart and ultimately enjoying their culinary adventure
- Wanting our society to distinguish the diverse richness of Asian cultures as much as the difference among European cultures
- Desiring our society to truly recognize Asians as Americans and not perpetually having just stepped off the boat
- Feeling pride for “first Asian Americans” and inspiration to contribute in my small way
- Hoping “first Asian-American” distinctions will be used in the past tense and many will follow behind the trail blazers in the world my son grows up in
_________________________________________________________________________
What does the Asian Heritage Mean to Me
Submitted by Manisha A. Mande
The meaning of Asian Heritage for me is found in the distinguished Indian values and beliefs, the balancing of one’s expectations with those of our parents or elders, while we bathe ourselves in the rich traditions from the Indian culture. At home, we speak the language of our fore fathers and in the office we do business in the global language and order. We exchange food and reach out to help our immediate neighbours, no matter which religion, caste or creed they belong to, while we maintain our own individual stance on issues. Being an Indian to me is giving my seat on a crowded bus to an elder or mother with a small child in her arms, it’s about knowing nothing about the person sitting next to me on a train and at the end of a journey knowing more that I had bargained for! It is about laughing at our weird habits, never ending discussions on politics & politicians, red tape-ism, women’s rights, religion and Bollywood! It is about the countless relatives, brightly colored outfits, the gregarious social holidays and the anger and anguish of being crippled with terrorism and fundamentalists, yet being resilient in the face of adversity. It is about getting goose bumps when one hears the national anthem. The people and their lifestyles, their dance forms and musical styles, art & handicrafts, and such other elements go on to reflect the varied hues of Indian culture and heritage, which truly epitomizes the nationality of the country.It’s about being really proud to state that we are the only country in the world with the largest Hindu population that has elected a Muslim president, a Sikh prime minister powered by a Christian lady who is the president of the ruling party.
_________________________________________________________________________
“What Asian Heritage Means to Me”
Submitted by Jodi Hanson
Born in Asia long ago,
Adopted when I was two,
I don’t remember much back then,
There wasn’t much that I could do.
Growing up was difficult,
Many trials to overcome,
Though not in Asia anymore,
Life was still cumbersome.
Older I had wondered why,
My skin was a different tone,
My eyes a bit smaller,
And dark hair was that what shown.
Older, I began to learn much more,
From Korea I had came,
Mom and Dad looked different,
But reminded me my heart still beat the same.
Not another Asian around in town,
Besides a brother, adopted too,
This had produced curiosity stares,
Because we were something “new”.
Many different stereotypes
Were depicted in one’s head
Karate was always the assumed,
Our knowledge was often misread.
Often times it can be hard,
Our appearance to see-through
Keep diversity deep in your heart,
Because we are people too.
People are often curious,
I’m a suspect too,
It’s not yet fully understood,
Accepting one’s point of view.
To recognize May’s month,
Has arose awareness all around,
With Asian food and performances,
Will give all an informative background.
I have the appreciation,
Of not “just knowing” where I come from,
But understanding what’s inside,
Has made me who I’ve become.
To me, Heritage is not just DNA,
Or the color of your skin,
It’s comprehending cultural differences,
And who you are within.
Since my only parents that I’ve known,
Wouldn’t have the same heritage as me,
But understanding and living their way of life,
Gives me serenity.
Explore ancestry of not just only you,
True Nationality can be a mystery,
Hold tight to who you are today,
That’s what Asian Heritage means to me.
Thank you to everyone who participated and took the time to share your story.
