Culture Shock
My personal awakening occurred when I adopted American Culture. There is a difference between being American and being Chinese. In life, there are always times when I have to use a different culture. At home and with my family, predominantly I use Chinese. In School and elsewhere, I typically use English.
The bottom half is dedicated to the Chinese Culture. The upper half is dedicated to the English Culture. And in the middle I have the words “American & Chinese Special” taken from a Chinese Fast Food Restaurant. The popular Chinese newspapers tells both stories from China and in the United States. The Haw Flakes were my favorite Chinese Junk Food, a good source of sugar. Right next to it is a red envelope which signifies Chinese New Year, the major holiday/event in China. And next to that is a Chinese charm for good luck.
On the half, I placed the American contemporaries of my many items. I have made the transition between the beginning of my life which was predominantly Chinese to my current self where I am surrounded with more American items. A fork and a spoon signifies the different utensils that we use to eat. Making the transition from using sticks to using silverware was at first quite difficult but it later becomes easier. M&M’s have become my favorite snack and junk food. In the background are the two newspapers that I read the most: the Daily News and the New York Times. On the left, I have part of a Christmas wrapping to show the major holiday in the United States. On the upper left, I have placed a fortune cookie; a sign of a Chinese yet American “fortune”.
At this point in time, I think I am more in the middle next to the “American & Chinese Special”. I like both cultures but I certainly have some preferences. I use chopsticks more than I use spoons and forks. I enjoy celebrating both Christmas and Chinese New Years with my family. I keep up to current events in both America and China. But my favorite snack has become M&M’s. My awakening is a cultural awakening. Before I was limited to only one viewpoint. Now I am enjoying the prescence of both cultures. Now I favor the middle more than I do any side.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Hey Jimmy. I think your collage is a good representation of the cultures that are important in your life. I like how you used objects on your collage to have the 3-D effect. I think it was a good idea to have the two sides be separated by the “American &Chinese Special” sign. Good job!
December 18th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Jimmy, as someone who is Chinese-American as well, I can definitely relate to how you feel. It is a bit of a shock to find out how different American culture is from that which is found in our homes, the Chinese culture. Often times, I feel there is no choice but to be selectively Chinese or American depending who you are with and what situation you are in.
I liked the use of parallels in this collage. They show how there is a dual nature to who you are. Only thing I have to disagree with is the statement about Haw Flakes. They are not the best choice in terms of Chinese sweets!