正文
It only takes me 15 years to have the epiphany: stop trying to fit in, start embracing the culture.
Quite often when we thinking of embracing the culture, we get hung up on one aspect: fit in the society. I think the definition of American main-stream culture is broad, it has many aspects and consists many sub-culture. To name a few: language, value, religion, politics, history, ethnic group, social custom and ettique, sports, literature. The list goes on and on.
Value:
Most of Chinese immigrants adapt and accept well of American values, such as democracy, humanity, freedom of religion etc.
Religion:
When the pilgrims from Mayflower arrived this land, Christianity became the dominating religion. Today it ingrains in every aspect of life. Bibilical stories, verses and references are omniscient. It's an integral part of American culture.
Some Chinese immigrants may not have any religion inclination before they came, if they find their callings in Christianity, God bless them.
Politics:
Chinese immigrants tend to shun away from it. Without political participation, our voices will never be heard. Politics opens doors for Chinese to become an integral part of American main-stream society.
Language:
English is the language of this country. Someone said English is just a tool. But the comprehension of English gives Indian immigrants a leg up in communication with their English-spoken co-workers, bosses, customers which equates to promotion and better chance to success.
I believe if we try hard enough, we can improve our English over time. When I first started watching TV, I need to use the caption as crutch. I still like it to this day. Not all Chinese immigrants like to read English literature. The only thing I can say is they don't know what a world of rich knowledge and information they are missing, let alone the side-effect of language improvement.
Sports:
Football, baseball, basketball, golf, skiing, surfing, hiking..... Sports clothing and equipment are billion-dollar industries. If any of the hundred sports make you happy, why not embrace it. Besides, it offers great social opportunities and excellent anecdote of social gathering.
Ethnic groups:
Chinese immgrants tend to think American main-stream society is the ethnic group of Caucasions. But even within Caucasions, there are many sub-groups: for example, Frenchmen are not the same as Anglo-Saxons, neither are Germans. Each sub-group has its own sub-culture. So which group should we try to fit in? I humble opinion is "None".
I think the main-stream society consists of different ethnic groups: African American, American Chinese, American Indians, etc. So we are part of the main-stream society.
Conclusion:
I believe the majority of Chinese immigrants are embracing American culture in their own way. We should all do our best to embrace this culture as much as we can. Personally, the journey to embrace American culture becomes a journey of self-discovery.
Quite often when we thinking of embracing the culture, we get hung up on one aspect: fit in the society. I think the definition of American main-stream culture is broad, it has many aspects and consists many sub-culture. To name a few: language, value, religion, politics, history, ethnic group, social custom and ettique, sports, literature. The list goes on and on.
Value:
Most of Chinese immigrants adapt and accept well of American values, such as democracy, humanity, freedom of religion etc.
Religion:
When the pilgrims from Mayflower arrived this land, Christianity became the dominating religion. Today it ingrains in every aspect of life. Bibilical stories, verses and references are omniscient. It's an integral part of American culture.
Some Chinese immigrants may not have any religion inclination before they came, if they find their callings in Christianity, God bless them.
Politics:
Chinese immigrants tend to shun away from it. Without political participation, our voices will never be heard. Politics opens doors for Chinese to become an integral part of American main-stream society.
Language:
English is the language of this country. Someone said English is just a tool. But the comprehension of English gives Indian immigrants a leg up in communication with their English-spoken co-workers, bosses, customers which equates to promotion and better chance to success.
I believe if we try hard enough, we can improve our English over time. When I first started watching TV, I need to use the caption as crutch. I still like it to this day. Not all Chinese immigrants like to read English literature. The only thing I can say is they don't know what a world of rich knowledge and information they are missing, let alone the side-effect of language improvement.
Sports:
Football, baseball, basketball, golf, skiing, surfing, hiking..... Sports clothing and equipment are billion-dollar industries. If any of the hundred sports make you happy, why not embrace it. Besides, it offers great social opportunities and excellent anecdote of social gathering.
Ethnic groups:
Chinese immgrants tend to think American main-stream society is the ethnic group of Caucasions. But even within Caucasions, there are many sub-groups: for example, Frenchmen are not the same as Anglo-Saxons, neither are Germans. Each sub-group has its own sub-culture. So which group should we try to fit in? I humble opinion is "None".
I think the main-stream society consists of different ethnic groups: African American, American Chinese, American Indians, etc. So we are part of the main-stream society.
Conclusion:
I believe the majority of Chinese immigrants are embracing American culture in their own way. We should all do our best to embrace this culture as much as we can. Personally, the journey to embrace American culture becomes a journey of self-discovery.
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