入鄉隨俗
大熔爐，沙拉盆，還是海納百川更好
月芽城的恥辱和悲傷
密西西比河經過新奧爾良(New Orleans, LA)城外，流入墨西哥灣。河流繞著主城形成著一個弧線，如天空中的一彎新月，故而新奧爾良市又有”月芽城”的別號。這個城市因為它的地理位置，因港口航運而發展繁榮。
新奧爾良在美國曆史和文化中有著獨特的風格。不同於主流文化中的Anglo Saxon英國和德國影響，這個城市以Creole文化著稱。Creole是法文，意思是土生土長的人。新奧爾良最初是法國移民者建的，後來又轉給西班牙人，所以Creole這個詞，一般是指這些法國和西班牙人的後代，白人為主。
網絡圖片
新奧爾良還有另一段移民史。加勒比海國家海地的難民，在十八世紀動亂中大量的湧進了這個城市。這些白人和黑人難民帶來的南美和非洲文化，也是Creole文化的一個重要組成部分。來過新奧爾良Mardi Gras 狂歡節的，可以清楚的看到這些文化曆史交融的影響。
網絡圖片
我這裏要說的不是新奧爾良曆史中的文化風情，而是它曆史中的恥辱。南北戰爭前，新奧爾良是非洲奴隸的進口港，也是美國南方最大的奴隸交易市場。但不同於Antebellum south時期別的美國南方城市，新奧爾良在美國南北戰爭前，已有不少”有色的自由人”free people of color。那些多是交融文化中混血的有色人種，黑人仍然多數是奴隸。
南北戰爭後，白人失去了原來的奴隸”財產”，生活方式從此開始改變。上個世紀初期，懷念那段曆史和生活方式的人，集資修建了很多南北戰爭中南方勇士的雕像，設立在新奧爾良城內的公共場所。
最近，新奧爾良市政府決定搬開這些雕像，因為這些勇士為保護奴隸製而戰，代表了對黑人的壓迫。反對搬開雕像的勢力也很強烈，不少人認為這些雕像所紀念的是曆史遺產，不應被抹消。我是亞裔美國人，對那段曆史和影響沒有切身感受。但作為少數族裔的一元，我理解黑人兄弟姐妹在主流文化曆史中感受到的壓抑。但心中有正義感的人，都知道為信念而戰，雖然失敗，仍然悲壯。為錯誤的信念英勇奮戰的人，同樣是勇士。這些人因曆史眼光的錯誤，蒙受恥辱，是他們的人生悲劇，使人感傷。
作為炎黃子孫，我懂得曆史並不會因實證的消失而被抹滅。秦始皇暴政，千古罵名，焚書坑儒並不能阻擋文化思想的進步。統一度量衡，促進了中華文明的發展和強大。陳勝吳廣揭杆起義，改朝換代，依然是封建的君主製。曆史的作用，不是因人和事本身的善惡而決定，而是以對社會文明進步的作用來裁決。
帝王將相，功過載於史冊。碌碌小民，無人記裁，並不表明他們從不存在。每個人的實際行動，聚集在一起，也是推動曆史前進或後退的力量。
十多年前，新奧爾良被暴風雨Katrina襲擊，城中的房屋很多被淹泡過，不能再住人。很多居民離開了這個城市，無力和無望重建家園。但也有一些年輕人，喜愛這個城市的文化曆史，來到這裏學習和工作。這些年輕人受過良好的教育，多是專業人士或藝術人才。他們平時工作在各行各業。每個周末的各種文化藝術節上，常可以看到這些年輕人的身影。月芽城中有酒有音樂的地方，常可以看到他們快樂自信的唱歌跳舞。他們對月芽城的未來充滿希望，用各自青春的活力，支持新奧爾良的重建和複興。
這個城中有個醫學院，是美國曆史最久的醫學院之一。有一個華裔女孩，美國出生，美國長大，來到這裏學醫。這張照片是她人生最幸福那天的留念，低眉垂目，柔情似水。一個西方人，年輕的攝影師，看到了這個東方女子的嬌美。拍下這張照片，留住了這美麗的瞬間。
六個月前，另一個年輕白人，在醫院門外的街上，看見這個女子從車裏走出來，大罵”滾回中國去！” 那人隻看見了這女孩的膚色，就把心中的憤怒和仇恨泄向了她。這女孩沒有停下來抗爭，她害怕，加快腳步向醫院門口保安那兒跑去。到了醫院裏安全的地方，才告知母親剛剛所受的屈辱。她是個要強的女子，眼淚可以在愛她的人麵前流，但決不讓欺負她的人得到欺淩別人的快感。
她是個勇敢的年輕人，雖然受到恐嚇，但並不願意退縮。她喜愛這個多姿多彩的月芽城，在這裏結了婚，買了房。剛剛畢業了，既將開始行醫了。在這個城裏，她曾經有過挫折，但更多的是成就。作為實習醫生，她迎接過新的生命，也陪伴過即將衰竭的靈魂走向死亡。她遭遇過狹隘的種族仇恨，但更多是友愛和寬容。
她結婚的時候，有小姐弟倆來替她撒花捧戒指。小姐姐穿著桃紅色的裙子，和伴娘們的顏色相配。小弟弟穿著灰色的西裝打著領結，四歲孩子的天真被這正式的服裝約束著。姐弟倆金色的卷發在陽光下閃亮，觀禮的嘉賓們齊聲讚，”噢！多麽可愛!” 這個華裔女子非常喜歡小孩子，從大學本科開始，一有空就幫幾個教授家看孩子掙些零花錢。這兩姐弟是她時常照看的一家，感情深厚。小姐弟倆也非常喜歡她，雖然平常羞於在生人麵前言語，但毫不猶豫地答應了她的要求，在她婚禮上擔當禮儀。
她和一個誌同道合的年輕人在城裏築起了愛巢，將自己辛勤工作的收入，投資於這個城市的複興。搬家的時候，箱子櫃子，盒子籃子，好個混亂！搬完了東西關上門正要休息，門鈴響了。門口站著一個小男孩，黝黑發亮的皮膚，大大的眼晴。
”我媽讓我來問你們是不是忘了關車門？”
可不是嗎！忙亂中，停在街邊的minivan，中間門忘了關。這個女子走出去，關上車門，走過去向那個孩子的媽媽道謝。遠親不如近鄰，友善的黑人鄰居，溫暖了這對華裔青年的新居.
她畢業的時候已經結婚了。她出嫁了，她的的父母看著女兒走出去，迎來了一個兒子。她走入一個新的家庭，又得到了一雙父母。那個母親，她丈夫的媽媽，在中國時是個醫生。月芽城這個曆史悠久的醫學院非常注重傳統，醫生世家有資格在畢業典禮上親手給子女戴上醫學博士禮服外麵的罩子hood。這位母親為了兒子的前途，中斷了自己的醫生生涯，來到了美國。這一天，她兩度登台，流著幸福的眼淚，領著兒子和媳婦雙雙走入了自己奮鬥過的職業。
那對小姐弟在她畢業那天也來祝賀。弟弟受不了正裝的約束，這回穿了Pokemon ㄒ shirt衫。對這年輕女子大聲宣布，”我已經五歲了，就要跟姐姐去上學了。我四歲時幹過的傻事，請別再追究了，那是好幾年前的事!＂孩童的時間概念，笑翻了一屋人。
小姐姐身穿碎花裙，足下一雙金色的靴子，頭上金發偏分，紮了一個粉紅的蝴蝶結，一如既住的時尚小淑女範兒。小女孩文靜地告訴年輕的華裔女子，她的學校開了中文課。”一二三四五六七八九十”， 這個七歲的孩子念出來字正腔圓。這個以歐洲和美洲風情著名的月芽城，己經開始融入一些亞洲文化因素.
這個華裔女子是一個優秀的學生，畢業時有AOA醫學榮譽。這三個字母原是縮寫的一個希臘格言be worthy to care for the suffering,做個有資格為病痛者服務的人.畢業典禮上，她和應屆同學共同宣誓：治病救人，無論病人的性別，膚色，宗教，國籍。。。
這是一個神聖的職業，醫者仁心，為病患者緩解病痛，這個女子從此有了行醫的資格。
這個年輕的醫生，是我的女兒，我的驕傲！月芽城裏有音樂的地方，你或許可以看到她長發散落著當街跳舞。輕鬆快樂，這就是新奧爾良的風格。城中醫院裏，你也可能遇到她，掛著聽診器，修練著行醫的科學和藝術。勤奮努力，這是她一慣的處事態度。和她丈夫攜手並肩，與白人朋友，黑人鄰居，和各種膚色的醫生護士們一起，共同地創造月芽城的末來。
新奧爾良的奴隸市場上，人曾經被當作牲口一樣買賣。這段恥辱的曆史，隨著南北戰爭的終止而結束了，但不會被人忘記。這場戰爭促進了社會的前進，這裏麵有林肯總統的功績，也有眾多正義人士的流血犧牲，包括白人和黑人。
暴風雨Katrina淹了大半個月芽城，使成千上萬的家庭流離失所。這段悲傷的經曆，是天災，也是人禍。市長和市政府的為與不為，決定了城市的基礎建設能否保證市民們的生命和財產安全。每個人自主的行為，主宰著自己在災難來臨時的命運。
曆史的事實不能改變，但未來卻是人們有機會造就的。風雲人物可以引領社會的進步和文明的走向，但芸芸眾生的力量也不能藐視。每個人都可以用實際行動來影響自己所期望的未來，我的女兒正在為這個多元城市的複興而努力。祝福她，祝福和她一起致力於重建這個城市的人們，願月芽城的未來充滿榮耀和歡樂！
二0一七年五月二十二日
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Shame and Sadness in Crescent City
The Mississippi River flows past the city of New Orleans, into the Gulf of Mexico. The River wraps around the downtown, forming a curve, like a sliver of moon in the sky. Therefore, New Orleans is also nicknamed the “Crescent City”. Because of its geographical location at the mouth of Mississippi River, the port city developed and prospered as a transportation hub.
New Orleans is known for its unique culture and history in the United States. Unlike the mainstream culture which is steeped in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, New Orleans is known for its Creole culture. Creole is French for native born. New Orleans was first established by French colonists. Later on, it was transferred under Spanish rule. Therefore, the term Creole generally refer to the the descendants of these French and Spanish settlers, mostly white.
There was another wave of immigration into New Orleans. Refugees from the Caribbean country of Haiti come to the city in large numbers in the eighteenth century.. These refugees, white and black, brought with them the culture heritages of Latin America and Africa. These also became important elements of the Creole culture. The intertwining of the culture influences in New Orleans can be easily observed during Mardi Gras carnival which made the city a tourist destination every February.
But what I want to say here is not the culture heritage of the Crescent City, but a period of history which brought shame on the city. Before the Civil War, the city was the port where slaves were imported from Africa. New Orleans had the largest slave market in the antebellum south. Unlike the other places in the South though, there were some “free people of color”, mostly mixed race people, in New Orleans prior to Civil War. Nevertheless, blacks were still slaves, just like elsewhere in the South.
After Civil War, the Whites lost the slaves as their property. And with it, they also lost the lifestyle they used to enjoy. At the turn of last century, people who missed the lifestyle of the old took up collections to commemorate the Southern generals of the Civil War. Statutes were installed in many public places in the city.
Recently, New Orleans City Council voted to remove these statutes. Because these warriors fought for the slavery system, they represented oppression of the African Americans. Forces opposing the removal were also strong. Many people believed that these statues represented Southern history and heritage which should not be erased from memory.
As an Asian American, an ethnic minority, I understand how African Americans feel under the oppressive weight of Eurocentric majority culture. But I also know that people fighting for what they believe, even in defeat, were not lacking in courage. Even though the ideals they fought for were wrong, they were also warriors. Their disgrace is tragic because they were on the wrong side of history.
As a Chinese immigrant, with an ancient culture heritage of my own, I understand that history can not be erased when artifacts disappear. For example, under the draconic rule of First Emperor of Qin Dynasty, books were burnt and scholars were buried. Historians for thousands of years spit on his name. But that evil deed could not stop the development of this great civilization. But the First Emperor left another legacy. He standardized the measuring system in China, laying the foundation to form a great nation, for it to rise and be strong. On the other hand, the peasant revolutions which brought demise to many dynasties only brought about another dynasty, with the same social system, equally dark and backward. Therefore, the effect on history is not based on the good and evil of the people and events which created it. Instead, it is determined based on whether it promote the advancement of the culture and society.
Of emperors, kings, warriors and nobles, their achievements and failures were recorded in history books. Of common people, even though no one recorded their deeds, it does not mean that they did not exist. The collective efforts of every single individual forms the force to push the civilization either forward or back.
More than 10 years ago, New Orleans were ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Many buildings were flooded and could not be inhabit any more. Many residents left the city, having no means or hope of rebuilding their homes. But some young people, attracted by the history and culture of this city, came here to live and work. These young people, well educated, are mostly professionals and artists, working and living throughout the city. You can often find them having fun in the many music and art festivals happening every weekend in New Orleans. At places with music and beer in the Crescent City, you can see them singing and dancing, full of confidence. Filled with hope for the future of the Crescent City, they support the rebuilding and renaissance of the New Orleans with their youth and vitality,
There is a medical school in the city, one of the oldest in the United States. A young girl of Chinese descent, born and raised in America, come to study medicine here. This is a picture of her on the happiest day of her life. With her eyes lowered, she looked sweet and demure. A photographer, a man of western culture heritage, saw the beauty in this young oriental woman. He snapped this picture and recorded this precious moment for keepsake.
Six months ago, on the street outside a hospital, another young white man saw this girl getting out her car. He yelled, “Go back to China!”. That man dumped his anger and hate, raw and filthy, at the mere sight of this girl’s skin color. The girl did not stop. She was afraid. She ran towards the security guard at the entrance of the hospital. Once in the safety of the hospital, she told her mother of the recent encounter. She is strong in character. She only sheds tears in front of the people she loves. But she would not let the bully have the satisfaction of seeing her fear and hurt
She is a brave young woman. Even though she had been intimidated, she did not want to back off. She loves this colorful city. She got married,and bought a house here. Recently graduated from medical school, she will be practicing medicine in the city. Here in New Orleans, she had her setbacks, but even more were her achievements. On rotation as a medical student, she welcomed new life into the world, and also bid farewell to the souls going up to heaven. She had encounters with the bigotry and prejudice, but even more she was embraced with love and understanding.
On her wedding day, a little girl and her little brother came to serve as flower girl and ring bearer. The little girl wore a peach color dress, the same color as the bridesmaids. The little boy wore a gray color suit jacket and a bow tie, the innocence of a four year old restrained by the formal outfit. The golden curls of the girl and the boy glistening in the sun. All the guests at the wedding let out a praise “Oh, how cute!”. This Asian girl loves kids. She took care of children for college professors in her spare time, starting in her days as an undergraduate student. The siblings were from a family she often baby sits and loves. The girl and boy love her very much also. Even though they are bashful, they did not hesitate when she asked them to be in her wedding party.
She is building a love nest in the city with a young man who shares her dreams. The money from their hard work will be invested in the renaissance of the Crescent City. On moving day, amongst boxes and baskets and furnitures, were a lot of mess and confusion. Finally, when they were done and about to sit down to rest, the doorbell rang. A young boy was standing at the door, with shining black skin and huge eye,
“My mother told me to come and ask if you forgot to close the car door?”, the boy said.
In the confusion of the moving day, they forgot to close the sliding door to the minivan parked on the street. The young women went out to closed the car door. Then she went over to thank the kindly neighbor, the mother of that little boy. Relatives afar are not as good as neighbors who are near, the Chinese proverb goes. The friendly neighbors with black skin warmed the new home of this young Chinese American couple.
She was already married when she graduated from medical school. As she walked out her parents’ home on her wedding day, a new son walked right into the open arms of her mom and dad. She joined a new family, and gained another set of parents. The mother of her beloved was a doctor in China. Her mother-in- law give up her own medical career for the freedom of the United States many years ago.
There is a tradition in the medical school this young woman attended. Students with a doctor in the family may choose to have that family member to hood them at the graduation ceremony. On this day, with tears of joy, going on stage twice, this proud mother welcomed both her son and daughter-in-law into the profession she had chosen for herself.
The little girl and boy also came to congratulate her on the day of graduation. The boy wore a Pokemon T shirt this time, couldn’t stand a formal suit. He told this young woman, “ I am five year old now. I will be going to school with my big sister. Don’t remind me of the silly things I did as a four year old. That was many years ago.” The strange time concept of the innocent kid make everyone laugh out loud.
The little girl wore a sundress, with shining golden boots, and a pink bow in her hair, parted on the side, a fashionable lady like of a girl, as usual. She told the young woman that there is a Chinese language class in her school now . “One, two, three.. “, this seven year old counted to ten, in pitch perfect Mandarin Chinese. In this city with a strong European and Latin American heritage, there are now some elements of Asian culture also.
This Chinese American young women was an excellent student. She graduated from medical school with AOA honors. AOA originally came from Greek letters, meaning “worthy to care for the suffering”. Upon graduation, she took the oath along with her classmates, to care for patients, regardless of gender, race, religion, or national origin.
This is a noble profession. Doctors must have compassion to relieve patients’ pain and suffering From this day forward, this young women have earned the privilege to practice medicine.
This young doctor is my daughter, my pride and joy. In places in the Crescent City where there is music, you may find her dancing in the street with her hair down. Relaxed and happy, this is the character of New Orleans. In the hospitals in the city, you may meet her also, with stethoscope hanging from her neck, practicing the art and science of medicine. Diligent and hardworking, this is her work habit. With her husband by her side, with friends of white, neighbors of black, and doctors and nurse of all colors, they are making the future of the Crescent City.
In New Orleans’ slave market in the days of old, human beings were sold as animals. This shameful history ended with civil war. But it will not be forgotten. The war brought the freedom for the slaves and the concept of equal rights for people of all colors. For this legacy, credit is not only due to President Lincoln, but also to the blood and sacrifice of many common people, both white and black.
Hurricane Katrina flooded a large part of the Crescent City. Sadly, thousands of family lost their homes. This tragedy is both nature and man made. The mayor, along city government, and their efforts or lack thereof, determined whether the infrastructures were adequate to protect the residents’ life and property. But everyone’s own choice, determined his or her own fate when disaster strikes.
Facts of history can not be changed. But the future is still an opportunity to be shaped by man. Great people may lead the direction for the social progress, but the power of each individual must not be forgotten. Actions of every individual are collectively shaping the future. My daughter is working on rebuilding this multiracial city, along with all the people of New Orleans.
Best wishes for her, and best wishes for the people of New Orleans! May the future of the Crescent City be filled with honor and happiness!
(English translation completed on June 6, 2017)
謝謝！
歡迎平凡老師來訪！
不是，學工科的，來美國很久了。
問好雪中梅！
平安是福！
謝謝誇讚！
問好山韭菜！
謝謝閑閑誇讚！
仁慈之心，醫者不可缺！
謝謝吳先生美言！
出嫁的時候，每個女孩都美。
我用美女兩字，一半是調侃，一半是鼓勵。女孩的自信心不可少，可她們偏偏對容貌最不自信。
謝謝葉子誇讚！
那次災難是很可怕。城裏本來就舊房子多，泡了水妁多爛了。現在已經翻修了不少，還有很多。不過年輕人也有很多機會。
蓮蓮好文不斷。新奧爾良的那次颶風凊楚地記得，以前工作過的公司還為此捐過款。好多人流離失所。
平安是福！再次祝賀蓮蓮！
誇人的用詞都這麽講究！
謝謝聞香！
謝謝你的祝賀！
想幫孩子，不過要先證求人家同意：)
Congratulations beautiful girl！
謝謝你的意見!
美國生美國長的孩子，自主婚姻.
尊重女兒選擇，不論她嫁什麽膚色的人.
謝謝茘枝鼓勵！
謝謝子喬誇讚並鼓勵!
優秀的華裔孩子很多，是美國人共同的驕傲。
謝謝淡姐！
這個城市有不少地方很亂也很髒，聯想不到這個文雅的別號一點也不奇怪，哈哈!
謝謝祝福和誇讚!
問好健康!
謝梅姐再一次誇讚！
梅姐也是有福的人。
謝謝誇讚！
我女兒一會喜歡你的網名，哈哈！
歡迎新朋友來訪！
謝謝考讚和祝福！
問好邇東！
There are lots of lovely places in the city for a wedding.
What is a classical stringist doing in the Jazz City?
歡迎顫音來訪！
蓮子的女兒那麽美麗，那麽優秀，你真是個幸福的媽媽！
謝謝水沫誇讚和祝福！
謝謝鬆鬆誇讚！
有這樣的女兒我們夫婦是好有福氣！
再謝菲兒鼓勵！
如此美麗又美好的女兒，太值得驕傲了！