From: gean@donner.uucp (25158-gean)
Subject: Re: HK "roots"?? << was: "I love Hong Kong, too! But why? >>
Reply-To: gean@donner.UUCP ()
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 01:35:25 GMT
Keywords: Culture and People

In article <1992Apr13.152003.2325@dsg.tandem.com> leung@DSG.Tandem.COM (Steven Leung) writes:
>In <1992Apr12.013731.15528@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, pkk36438@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Polygon) writes:
>|> 
>
>So, what is the definition of the term "root"?
>
>It seems to me you look at root in binary term, (in HK
>or not), but I think that it is probably more productive to look at root
>issue in qualitative terms, i.e., the depth of one's root. With this 
>perspective, a person without a root (in HK) is just a special case
>(depth = 0).
>
>|> 	You may argue that this fact just proves that ABC is not HKese. However,
>
>I think you are discussing whether an ABC can claim his/her root in HK, not
>whether an ABC is a HKese. To me, being an ABC and not HKese does not
>preclude one from claiming/discovering/cultivating his/her root in HK.
>
>|> a "root" has to mount on something.  That something is our culture traits and
>|> cultural background.  Time effect can wash off our our sense of attachment,
>|> but time cannot fake our memory on certain things easily.  
>
>
>Steven

I must side with Steven's viewpoint.  Being an ABC myself and not HKese,
I "cultivated my roots" in HK by going to school in HK for three years.
I have been influenced by the HK sense of humor and way of thought.
Likewise, I also have been influenced by the Chinese and American way
of thought.  (Having traveled in HK and Canton, I believe that there
are differences between a HKer and a mainlander... but that's beside
the point.)

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what the term "roots" really
mean.  For Chinese families who have only recently moved to the US,
their "roots" have been growing in China for many generations.  For
Chinese families who have left China for HK, Japan, Taiwan, Africa,
South America, Mexico, Canada, etc..., their "roots" can be traced
back to China.

I know a family that moved from China to Japan, Taiwan, South America,
and is now in the US.  As you could imagin, the members of is family are
multi-lingual.  I would not say that this family's roots is ONLY
in Taiwan or any other place that they have lived.  The correct definition
of this family's roots must include all the places at which this family
has lived in.  

The question of "roots" exist for all Americans.  Alex Haley (a black
person) traced his roots in the US back through the years when his 
family was enslaved during the civil war and all the way back
to Africa.  I am sure many (not all) HKers think that Alex Haley's
roots are in Africa (stereotyping) - if so, they should also think
ABC's roots are in China.  Alex Haley is the author of the
TV mini-series ROOTS for those who care.

The more a person travels and understands the world,
the more the person will understand the true meaning of the term "roots".

Ted


=============================================
Ted Gean
gean@donner.cc.bellcore.com   Tel: 908-699-5041
=============================================
Newsgroups: soc.culture.hongkong