From: trieu@me.utoronto.ca (Trieu C. Chau)
Subject: Re: The Chinese Community
Organization: UofT Mechanical Engineering
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 16:52:54 GMT

russil@idacom.hp.com (Russil Wvong) writes:

[...]

>I think so too.  But I still think of myself as being Chinese-Canadian,
>not "just Canadian".  I'm therefore (I think) included in Dwight's
>"Chinese-cu" category, and relegated to "baboon" status, despite the
>fact that my exposure to Chinese culture is limited to studying Mandarin
>and watching HK gangster movies.

Recently, while having dim-sum brunch with some friends, someone (a parent)
stated that he didn't want to put the effort into educating his
children about their Chinese heritage, even though he himself wanted
them to preserve their 'roots'.  This was because he felt that even if
he were to put some effort into this cause, his children may not be able
to do the same for his grandchildren.  That is, he thinks that cultural
preservation is a lost cause.

In your case, since you are second-generation, you still know the language,
and you're exposed to HK culture (though I wouldn't say that gangster
movies depict HK culture per se).  So would you consider yourself to be
a case in disproving my friend's claim?

Another question I have is if you are ever embarassed to acknowledge your
Chinese heritage, because you think that assimiliation into your
current surroundings is important, or more desirable?  I've many people
who are like this, though they tend to be ones who reside outside
large groups of Chinese i.e. they don't come in contact with Chinese
often.  I guess what I'm asking is if you think that preserving your
Chinese heritage is desirable, or worthwhile.

For myself, I think it is very desirable.  First, I think there are
many aspects of Chinese culture and teachings that are valuable, such
as the ideal of the family as a central institution.  That is, tradition-
al Chinese values are useful in bringing up children.  My second reason:
The fact that while you are a minority, there will always exist to some 
degree, racial discrimination.  A 'collective' identity will help support
discrimination's victims.  Third reason:  To have children know that
it is alright to be different from the norm; that although their skin
is not white, they are no less or no greater for it; that they should
think of themselves as unique as opposed to different.

To put things in context, I'm a first-generation immigrant Chinese,
from Vietnam (I came to Canada when I was eight years old).  And I
also believe that Canada has a more 'sympathetic' atmosphere, in terms
of allowing people to preserve their heritage than the US's concept
of a melting pot (to break down original form, and to create a new
American form).  That's not to say that I think assimilation is no
good.  Assimilation is necessary to survive anywhere.  Ideally, you
can combine the best of your 'old' culture, with the best of the 
'new'.

[...]


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| Trieu Clinton Chau ~{VljKF=~}    | University of Toronto   ~{6`B[6`4sQ'~} |
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