Embracing Identity

For me, one show that illustrates identity is “Fresh off the Boat”. In the beginning, the show starts out by looking at by showing what identity should mean to people. The main character Eddie gets into a fight with a boy at school who calls him a “chink”. Ironically, his parents defend his actions because he was standing up for himself and his culture. Calling an Asian a chink is basically stereotyping. Eddie’s parents must’ve been offended too because the kid brought in racist insults that affected all Asians. Don’t call Asians chinks unless they act like them. It’s rude on a personal level. Look at Chinky from American Born Chinese (ABC) to see what being called a chink means.

Actually, in ABC, Chinky also represents another aspect of identity. It’s inescapability. Chinky keeps re-appearing before the turned-into-white character Danny, previously Chinese person Jin. Chinky, actually the monkey king, brings Jin back to reality that being Chinese is something that’s just there and won’t disappear. Jin later begins to embrace Chinese culture by going to a Chinese restaurant every day. In “Fresh off the Boat”, Eddie defends China when another kid, Trevor, makes fun of it. Race and identity aren’t things people should feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Instead they’re things to be accepted.

For some people, identity is closely linked with discrimination. They’re judged by the way they were born and raised. That’s not cool. It’s hard enough feeling different from everybody else. But to be bullied because of it too is hard to handle. Race, Culture, and religion are all a part of identity and are very personal.