First of all, I think this story is very interesting and educational. It incorporates the fictional story with the real life story/experience of Asian Americans. I really like this story because it seems to be very close related to my own experience. As one of the Chinese descendants in Philippines, sometime I also wish there could be some magical power that can save me from some situations.
In the story, Danny who is transformed by the original character, Jin Wang, traded his soul with the old lady in the pharmacy store in exchange for a life that makes him become the real American, so that he can have friends and normal life. As an Asian American, he tried to avoid other Asians such as “Suzy Nakamura” and “Wei-Chen Sun” because he thinks that he is totally an American and he knew that all American students around him do like Asian, so that makes him irritate with Asian as well. I think Jin Wang is very pathetic, he totally forgot his Asian blood, original root and culture. He tried to fit in the group that doesn’t even like him and always gives him troubles or mess up with him; while neglecting all his true friends, the other Asian students. He didn’t realize that as the Asian group gets bigger and stronger, they will finally earn their dignity and reputation, as the time comes they will finally earn their respect.
As I mentioned earlier, Jin Wang feels shameful of his Asian blood, culture and physical appearance, so he transformed himself into more American-liked character which is Danny. I think one of the reasons that the author created such character is not mainly trying to reaffirm the negative Chinese stereotypes, instead more of related to Danny. I think Yang wanted to give a general message to all Asian Americans who feel shameful or embarrassed of their own ethnicity. Yang tried to say that being one of the real Americans is not the only way to earn respects and friends, there are many other ways that can better balance the nationality and ethnicity.
As a Philippine born Chinese, I am very proud of my original ethnicity, as well as, my country Philippines. I am very glad that I was able to be part of both. Even though I don’t look exactly like Filipino, but I still share the same culture, food, language and education with other real Filipino. Yes, it was hard in the beginning; when I was young, my Filipino classmates think I am Chinese Filipinos look are different, so they don’t play with us much. I am glad that I was able to find some other Chinese Filipino or pure Chinese friends, we stick together and help each other, the group gets bigger and we were able to represent our school to join and win the competition that makes our school, teacher and students proud of us, the Chinese Filipinos. After those days, the thought of “Chinese-Filipinos are different” is gone and it is gone forever. When everyone gets to higher classes and starts to think more maturely, the problem of discrimination of cultural differences seems not to be the problem anymore, at least in my school.
Below are two videos I found in Youtube and Myspace about "Asian Pride", the word might not be appropriate, but the concept is the key. It is kind of oppose to the character Chin-Kee. Instead of showing negative image, the video is trying to show the pride of American born Asian.
asian pride
Alan© | MySpace Video
First off, I am Filipino as well! I get it from my grandfather on my dad’s side of the family, but no I know almost nothing about Filipino. I don’t look Filipino, I don’t have really tasty Filipino family recipes, and I have in fact never been to the Phillipines, which is kind of upsetting to me. I think it’s totally awesome that you’re so proud of who you are, I am proud of myself too but you probably get more credit than I do for being Asian. I wish I looked more Asian, I think it would be awesome to be in an established Asian group, kind of like how you said you had Chinese and Filipino friends. Instead I get stuck being considered a simple white American with really no cool and exciting culture to grow on. For some reason my grandparents never really stressed anything about Filipino, and I never got to hear any cool or wild stories of the Filipino people.
ReplyDeleteNow going off of your character description, I find it very interesting you seemed to have a completely different outlook on the story than I did. Which I hope doesn’t mean one of us is wrong. For example, I saw Danny changing his outward appearance as the symbolism that despite our outer appearances we will always be the same on the inside. The Monkey King for example loved to eat and go to dinner parties while in monkey form, and if you noticed while he was in human form playing the cousin he was still dancing on tables, singing songs, demonstrating his love for partying. Or even Monkey King’s son is an example of this. Whether monkey or human, his son did not respect the humans and did no want to serve or help them therefore leading him to not follow in his father’s footsteps. I didn’t see it as a matter of being ashamed therefore switching appearances, I saw it more as it’s the inside that counts kind of situation.
Hey Anthony,
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustrations with Jin, but it is basic human nature to long to be accepted, to be loved. I don’t believe that Jin should be faulted (entirely at least) for his actions, and for temporarily hiding his true identity. Jin didn’t avoid Suzy Nakamura by his own accord. When he first entered his new school, rumors caused by negative Asian stereotypes such as the alleged arranged marriage between Jin and Suzy caused the two to avoid one another “When the class finally figured out that we weren‘t related, rumors began to circulate that Suzy and I were arranged to be married on her thirteenth Birthday” (p. 31). After the rumors began the two children mutually avoided each other for fear of ridicule, not to abandon their culture “We avoided each other as much as possible” (p. 31). Also, the reasoning behind Wei-Chen and Jin’s lost friendship was not really touched on in the reading. I have yet to read the full graphic novel however, so It could be entirely Jin’s fault, but that currently seems to be speculation. It seems to me that due to the constant ridicule, negative stereotypes, and bullying, Jin to wanted to fit in with his fellow peers. The only “friend” he was able to obtain (aside from Wei-Chen) was the bully who often beat up on Jin. After the (currently inexplicable) falling out between Jin and Wei-Chen, I’m sure Jin felt lonely. This emptiness is what caused him to become Danny, not because he hated his culture.
Have you read the full Graphic Novel? If so why did Jin and Wei-Chen stop speaking?
Hey Anthony,
ReplyDeleteI like your post since it’s a very real of emotions of not only you, but also most of Americans born Asian. You comprehended right about Danny that, as he transformer to a real American, he tried avoid other Asians such as “Suzy Nakamura” and “Wei-Chen Sun” because he tried to keep away from being the weak – American born Asian, and wanted to be treated as a real American.
Although Danny’s behavior may be considered negatively, personally, I don’t think Jin Wang is very pathetic, that he totally forgot his Asian blood, original root and culture. According to this little novel, it shows that Yang cleverly explores the socially sensitive issues of self-acceptance through their tales.
It’s easy to understand why Jin Wang feels uncomfortable of his Asian blood, culture and physical appearance. So please think about this, have you ever felt lost after one American traditional joke being told? So here is the point that if you don’t understand this joke, you won’t laugh with the other American friends.
As the same time, the distance between you and the whole unit of your American friends will be far away. However, I don’t mean that it’s real; it’s true that we can’t do anything but keep away from making friends with Americans. We do. As you said above, as the Asian group gets bigger and stronger, they will finally earn their welcome and friendship. As your Asian friend met here in the United States, I am so proud of you that you represented your school to join and win the martial competition across the whole nation. From my point of view, you should regularly administrate some promotion activities about Chinese (Asian) Martial tech so that Americans will know Chinese (Asian) culture better. Therefore, after the touch of both American and Chinese culture, American and Chinese will feel much loser to each other. So your friendship naturally developed.
I know you have many American buddies in Miami University, and I feel very happy for you. Like a big, you’re always willing to bring new Asian faces to various parties. I think you made a really great contribution to friendship between Americans and Chinese.
Thanks you!
Brie, thanks for your point of view; unfortunately, I haven't had chance to read the whole comic too, so I can't answer that question. I hope I do!
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