Background Info

Recently we've been discussing about marginalization and assimilation of different cultures and races. Sherman Alexi and Native Americans were forced onto reservations, away from normal American society. They could only keep their culture by staying at these reservations, or they could leave and assimilate with the rest of America. Similarly, Amy Tan wanted to assimilate into society because of a certain white boy. In order to please him, she felt like she had to become a "banana," yellow on this outside but white on the inside. In the end, however, she learned that she should be proud of who she is. Her mother says, "Your only shame is to have shame"(8). This anaphora truly speaks to the pride of one's background and that identity shouldn't be affected by perception.

Although I call myself Chinese because of Chinese ancestry, many people don't know that I am also technically a Filipino. Both of my parents were born in the Philippines and our family has been living there ever since World War I. I'm even a dual citizen of both the United States and Philippines. Normally, I don't mention the Filipino side of my background because most of my friends are all either Chinese or Korean. I guess it's the small fear of being classified as Filipino instead of Chinese and therefore being isolated which makes me withhold this information. This fear, however, is not important. I now realize that Amy Tan's mother is right. My only shame is merely to have shame (8).