For the umpteenth time... - H
...I am not Korean!!! Okay, I just had to get that out of my system. So, then the assumption is then that I am American?? Well, I think I'll just say that I am HJ, that this name embodies who I am... but then that doesn't say much for those of you who don't know what that means to me...which is probably everyone.
The only reason that I'm thinking about this is because I recently realized that there are things that I hate about both of these cultures that mingle in me...although my distaste for my Asianness is more deeply rooted. I acknowledge it, and I know enough of the customs to get by, but try to force it on me and you've got a fight on your hands, a big one.
(deleted section)
So, on to happier topics. Here's my latest aspiration. It would be a dream come true for me to be living in the city of Chicago, somewhere close to downtown in a highrise, studying photography at the Schl of the Art Institute. I haven't really researched schools, so maybe there's another that's a better fit for me, but imagining this happening makes me happy. I think I just want to be at home...
The only reason that I'm thinking about this is because I recently realized that there are things that I hate about both of these cultures that mingle in me...although my distaste for my Asianness is more deeply rooted. I acknowledge it, and I know enough of the customs to get by, but try to force it on me and you've got a fight on your hands, a big one.
(deleted section)
So, on to happier topics. Here's my latest aspiration. It would be a dream come true for me to be living in the city of Chicago, somewhere close to downtown in a highrise, studying photography at the Schl of the Art Institute. I haven't really researched schools, so maybe there's another that's a better fit for me, but imagining this happening makes me happy. I think I just want to be at home...
posted by haed at 10:05 AM
8 Comments:
maybe you should change the name of this blog...
Lord knows, I could really use one.
Why are you so against Korean customs? I'm not saying they're right, I just think it would good for you to explain why you're so vehemently against it. Is it the unfairness? Something else? I dunno, just curious.
anonymous, who are you?
does it always have to be "us against them"?
This is Danny, I wrote the 2nd anonymous comment. No clue who wrote the others.
Danny, this entry was about my experience this weekend as a Korean daughter-in-law. It was the way I was treated, the unfairness of the double standard that exists and the expectations laid on me that, frankly, E, nor any of the kids, have to deal with. All of it offends the American side of me. -H
Hey, even I, Jieun the Korean, hate being Korean sometimes. Like when the lady at the public bath on El Camino gave us a lecture about how we should be in the steam room getting ready for our massage session, and then later demanding a 20% tip. I was not enjoying Korean culture of it's-ok-to-treat-you-like-crap-because-I'm older attitude. My American side of the-customer-is-always-right attitude screamed loudly and clearly. Ethnic identity is largely about how you feel that day, especially for people who are bicultural or relate to hyphenated identity. I really believe this. But spiritual identity is the most important. Hanah, you are a child of God, and that's the identity that will never change.
So sorry about what you had to go through.
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