Although my parents have been together for 35 years, I have to go to two thanksgivings. On my father’s side, we have about 45 people in our family; 95% attends thanksgiving. On my mother’s side, we have about 70 people and about 50% attends since a group of them are in the Philippines. One day to celebrate would be too hectic and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy each others’ company.
On both sides, we don’t really have any traditions or customs that aren’t too different than American ones. Thanksgiving is about EATING! There are Asian foods that we serve in accordance with traditional thanksgiving foods like turkey. After the day of thanksgiving, I do have turkey porridage.
I see my families multiple times during the year, but we are always happy to see each other. It’s a testament to how close I am to my large families. They all know each other too! My parents always have parties or get-togethers to mix our families and extend them in a way. It’s quite lovely.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Chapter 15: Caribbeans, Central American, and Soviet Jews
Soviet Jews? The Soviet Union no longer exists.
The annexation of Cuba was executed by Souther politicians, before the Civil War. In its short history, the US has colonized in many places like Great Britain. A few that are off the top of my head: Guam, Hawaii, parts of mainland US, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc.
Key West, FL became the first Cuban American community. I've visited there once. It's actually really nice and sort of reminds me of Hawaii in a way. It's very tropical with amazing beaches. I was only 13 years old when I visited, so I didn't understand why there were so many cigars being sold or what a "rum cake" was.
The Cuban Refugee Program is a clear indicator of what the US's intentions were: fighting communism, and not necessarily for the good of the people.
The annexation of Cuba was executed by Souther politicians, before the Civil War. In its short history, the US has colonized in many places like Great Britain. A few that are off the top of my head: Guam, Hawaii, parts of mainland US, Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, etc.
Key West, FL became the first Cuban American community. I've visited there once. It's actually really nice and sort of reminds me of Hawaii in a way. It's very tropical with amazing beaches. I was only 13 years old when I visited, so I didn't understand why there were so many cigars being sold or what a "rum cake" was.
The Cuban Refugee Program is a clear indicator of what the US's intentions were: fighting communism, and not necessarily for the good of the people.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Chapter 14: Model Minority
Asian immigrants settled in the western states simply because the west coast of the US is closer than the east coast and Asians tend to remain in family groups. This works out well for me since I am of Asian descendent and most of my family is within a day's drive. I have an incredibly close knit family on both sides of my parents: my mother's side has approximately 50 people and my father's side has 30 people (these estimations are only on immediate family members).
The first and most famous Chinatown is in San Francisco, CA. It remained more of a ghetto until the 1980s and became more of a tourist site later on. My father immigrated as a toddler from Hong Kong in the 1960s through the passage of the Paper Sons. My family was incredibly poor back then and settled in Chinatown. They were so poor that people living in the ghetto avoided my dad because they thought he'd beg for money. Also, my family literally sailed across the Pacific Ocean in a boat. My grandma says it was a 1-2 week journey. Even though she's been in the US consistently for about 50 years, she still does not speak English well. She's never needed to.
My mother, on the other hand, took an airplane from Manila, Philippines when she was 6 years old. My grandparents found a path of citizenship through the Immigration Act of 1965. Because my Filipino family was educated before immigrating, they were better off in assimilating in American culture. Most of the received employment soon after arriving since they've all graduated from college.
Between my mother and father, they have had two different immigration perspectives. Although this is true, the reason why they both work so hard is similar: their parents risked a lot by immigrating to another country for more opportunities so it's their jobs to seize those opportunities.
My view on Vietnamese immigrants/refugees is also somewhat personal even though I'm not ethnically Vietnamese. I'm from Milpitas, which neighbors San Jose. San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population in California. They're about 40% of the city's population. Many of my Vietnamese friends' families migrated in the 1980s, after the Vietnam War. My boyfriend's mother fled Vietnam, but was caught by the Communists and jailed. She spent 6 months in jail in her teenage years but ultimately found refuge in the US as an adult.
Most of my experience with Asian immigration is very personal since I am of Asian descent and I am of the 2nd generation. Most of my friends, also of Asian descent, follow this mold also. Our issue growing up has been fully embracing our Asian culture while still being American.
Some of my immediate family on my mother's side, which includes my parents, my aunites, my uncles, and my cousin.
The first and most famous Chinatown is in San Francisco, CA. It remained more of a ghetto until the 1980s and became more of a tourist site later on. My father immigrated as a toddler from Hong Kong in the 1960s through the passage of the Paper Sons. My family was incredibly poor back then and settled in Chinatown. They were so poor that people living in the ghetto avoided my dad because they thought he'd beg for money. Also, my family literally sailed across the Pacific Ocean in a boat. My grandma says it was a 1-2 week journey. Even though she's been in the US consistently for about 50 years, she still does not speak English well. She's never needed to.
My mother, on the other hand, took an airplane from Manila, Philippines when she was 6 years old. My grandparents found a path of citizenship through the Immigration Act of 1965. Because my Filipino family was educated before immigrating, they were better off in assimilating in American culture. Most of the received employment soon after arriving since they've all graduated from college.
Between my mother and father, they have had two different immigration perspectives. Although this is true, the reason why they both work so hard is similar: their parents risked a lot by immigrating to another country for more opportunities so it's their jobs to seize those opportunities.
My view on Vietnamese immigrants/refugees is also somewhat personal even though I'm not ethnically Vietnamese. I'm from Milpitas, which neighbors San Jose. San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population in California. They're about 40% of the city's population. Many of my Vietnamese friends' families migrated in the 1980s, after the Vietnam War. My boyfriend's mother fled Vietnam, but was caught by the Communists and jailed. She spent 6 months in jail in her teenage years but ultimately found refuge in the US as an adult.
Most of my experience with Asian immigration is very personal since I am of Asian descent and I am of the 2nd generation. Most of my friends, also of Asian descent, follow this mold also. Our issue growing up has been fully embracing our Asian culture while still being American.
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