Tag: American

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He Said, She Said

Religion

Scenario #2:

There was once an Asian and Buddhist mother that raised her daughter with morales and preached the idealism of doing good deeds to reap good karma within their lifetime or for future generations.

With her broken English, she had a deep conversation with her Asian American daughter.

Mother: “Daughter, go to temple with me every month to pray to Buddha and all your prayers will be answered.”

Daughter: “I pray for a rich and handsome boyfriend, who will love me and buy me all the things I like!”

Mother: “No, no, why are you, so greedy? Be a good girl and Buddha will give you blessings!”

Moral lesson: Praying gives hope and continuous faith in a religion. Sometimes in a typical traditional family, it sets the foundation for a well-balanced life.

By Jazzmin S. Lu

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Boxed Memories

Growing up Asian American and as a female is always a constant struggle for me.

Raised by traditional parents, whereas brainwashing is the norm.

Expectations of the ideal good and obedient daughter was the usual in my family.

I had to embrace my Chinese and Vietnamese ancestral heritage, while adopting to the American culture.

My life struggles and happiness, I lived to tell them now.

My sad and negative memories, I learned to box them up and label it “BAD.”

My good and positive memories, I also learned to box them up and label it “GOOD.”

I called these, “Boxed Memories” that is now currently in a storage place inside my brain.

Sometimes my heart will conjure up emotions to open these boxes when life situations become a stimulus.

My “Boxed Memories” are mine’s to keep and to unbox.

By Jazzmin S. Lu

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I Am Not My Mother’s Daughter

Mama, sorry to disappoint you…I could not be the daughter you want me to be. I know you want me to walk a path of a well behaved traditional daughter, but I have untamed liberal thoughts spinning in my head; round and round. Who should I be? I could only be “me”. A daughter that have her own thoughts and American dreams. I have a similar face, hair color, eyes and mouth just like my mother; but still I am not my mother’s daughter. See the real me, deep inside my soul: an outspoken, creative, passionate, optimistic Asian girl with the best assimilation of Asian and American culture.

By Jazzmin S. Lu

Dedication and Acknowledgment:

To my mother, whom I dearly love and admire with her sparkly personality that always warmed my heart. Without her struggle and sacrifice, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

Also, I want to acknowledge all the immigrant mothers out there, that made a difference in the lives of their daughters: teaching them the importance of heritage, self-identity, self-love, resilience, and perseverance to break the glass door to achieve their dreams.