This is such an interesting topic. I'm also a Chinese Indonesian, but on 4th generation here. And when the Dutch invaded they banned Chinese language and even put the teachers in prison. My grandparents speak Dutch. That's when my family lost all the continuous heritage. I know nothing about Chinese, and I don't even want to know. Why should I? I'm Indonesian and that's how I wanna carry on.
Wah tadinya aku juga ga peduli sama identitas chinese ku, tapi akhir2 ini aku cari2 tau asal mana leluhur ku di Cina daratan sana… jangan lupa sama asal usul kitaa sih ka, apalagi China sudah superpower sekarang, kalo bs belajar dikit2 bahasa nyaa heheh…
***** i guess, races can be associated with a specific country, but if you are the minority born there, then that does not make you not from that country.
david ramziz That's not really true. If you move to america when very young and learn the language and grow up there, that doesn't make you american, you are still a different race and nationality. And yes, race does define your culture. No matter where you grow up, most parents will of course raise you according to their (and your) culture.
Jae Bird nationality is determined by citizenships, so if you still have a citizenship in another country, then your spanish, or italian or whatever country. otherwise, your from there, but you are american.
david ramziz I am Korean, I was born in Korea but moved to america when 4 and grew up here BUT I have never become a citizen, I just have a perm resident card. That means I am korean, not american
Sadly, I totally relate, and weirdly, it feels even worse at university, which is normally more open-minded and I go to a fairly international university (like 50% of students aren't from the UK). But I'm Chinese who's UK-born-and-bred and it is kind of annoying where I'm almost excluded from certain groups because of prejudice. So at first glance to home students, I'm Asian, and to Asian's I'm westernised. I've had Chinese students talk to me in Mandarin and awkwardly after I tell them I don't speak it, they immediately don't talk to me. Before university though, people would stick around to talk to me... don't know what's the difference... maybe they hadn't met as many people at that point? It's only when they talk to me, they realise we have a lot more in common or that it's ok if we don't have the same background. It took time but now I try not to let this prejudice get to me.
Being mixed race is even more difficult. I'm Korean, Native American, and Caucasian. None of those groups accepts me as "one of them" and many people today are still prejudiced towards multi-racial people. Yes, even in 2015. People want to talk like it doesn't happen a lot, but it does. Personally, I identify most as Korean then Native and never fit in with Western culture very much. I do my own thing and what feels right. What other people think doesn't matter to me anymore, but it used to be very tough in the past and can still be now and then in situations where I feel "left out."
Sorry about the long comment, it's just nice to have the chance to talk to people about this topic :) So about my 'identity crisis' :p I was born in Kyrgyzstan but I'm Russian and I've been living in Germany for about 11 years now. I still know a lot about the Russian culture and speak the language pretty fluently with a slight accent :) I know much about german culture as well but I don't really identify with their culture much. Growing up I was taught to respect elders and address people older than me with the formal form of "you" whereas in Germany they talk informally with for example their friend's parents. Even after 11 years of living here, I can't do that. Also I'm very interested in Asian cultures, especially Korean. (I'm also learning Korean) I love their traditions of sharing food and the different ways of speaking depending on how much respect you want to or have to show. I think I identify more with the Russian and Korean culture more than the german culture, although I've never been to South Korea and lived in Russia only for about 3 years (I'm moved there when I was 2)
I never understood this need to define yourself by race, color, religion or where are you from. I'm Brazilian and I never felt this need, but when I started looking more for other cultures I saw that this is a thing, a serious thing by the way. So I started questioning things about myself like, Am I black? My father wasn't white, but that's how people used to see him. My mother is daughter of a black woman, and my mother's skin isn't dark. Like me, my skin isn't so much dark, and I don't know if I can consider myself black, because it was never an issue, never was a necessity, and Brazil is a very misogynist country, everybody is so different that it doesn't even matter where you came from or if you're white, black, asian or anything in between. I think America wants so much to know about everything that they care about things that, for real, doesn't matter at all. -I apologize for bad english and possible misunderstood parts
I'm a half-Chinese Indonesian. Funny thing when I was younger everyone questioned if I'm Chinese (ppls are still discriminatingly racist towards Chinese's at that time, nowadays still but not much) but I grew older and got a tan and when I tell them I'm chinese they make the no-you-don't face. 😂😂
im half chinese indo too and everyone say i have very very small/narrow eyes and were like " ur from china rite" and im like noo noo im not im just half XDD
It's a struggle being blasian. For black kids I'm too Asian and for Asians I'm too black. But then again, I've never really cared and have found friends among all races lol 😊
I'm also Chinese Indonesian(?) and I understand very well about, you know, I feel like an Indonesian, I'm like Mia, I was born though (is still) growing up in Indonesia, but somehow I'm ethnically confused since some people here are kind of racist and keep calling us as "Cina", it kinda hurts to hear people calling you that.
In my opinion, yes, though I'm ethnically Chinese, I'm still Indonesian who was born and will probably be growing up in Indonesia, why do people have to call people like me as "cina" when we are also Indonesian? Well, idk about other areas, but in my hometown that word sometimes is changed to "cinaiya" like seriously, I hate that and it sounds kinda rude to my ears. Calling people with their ethnics or races or other things like that, I think that action is racist.
Meike Natali I feel sorry for that. In my hometown, teens call each others' ethnics just for fun, like Korean or Mongolian. Maybe you are right, it kinda does hurts someone's feeling. Nevertheless, I think you don't have to feel bad or shamed just because you are Chinese Indoesian. If you don't, I am sorry I say that. If you do, I want you to be proud of your ethnic a little. :)
Oh o - o don't worry, I'm proud to be Chinese Indonesian, what I don't like is not being one, but being differentiated in social and everyday life. Some people accept me just like they accept everyone else, or in this case like other Indonesians, but some of them, no, unfortunately. Though, thank you for your concern, and sorry I cannot mention your name since I replied from phone o - o
To add one more thing, you said that in your hometown teens call each other for fun, well, maybe we can tolerate it since they haven't become responsible adults yet, however, in my hometown from kids to adults even old ones, sometimes use that term, 'cina' or 'cinaiya' it is. I don't think I can tolerate the adult and the old ones for doing something so racist like that tbh.
My grandfathers (from mom and dad side) is a dutch and arab, but i grew up in Indonesia, so i feel i am Indonesian, even i move and live in europe for years.
If you are a young Asian American you'll probably know what I mean when I say we are stuck between two rocks. On one side we won't be accepted by our fellow countrymen because we do not speak our country's language nor were we raised in that culture. On the other we won't be accepted by the rest of America because we will be seen as Asian first, American second, if at all. I'm sure you've been asked "where are you from?" and they don't mean the city you grew up in. It's as if they imply we as Asians don't belong here in America.
Growing up in a small town surrounded only by caucasions, I cared about fitting in. I was bullied badly, even beaten up by a boy in my class when I was 11 and the smallest girl in my grade. I only learned to love my heritage when I met other people like me - non-caucasians in a caucasion loving society. So yeah, kids care and there is only so much grown ups can do to help them love themselves.
I'm not Asian but I can actually relate to this SO much. 90% of my friends are Asian. They're the people I'm always around, and I fully identify with them, the things they like, and I'm even really getting into and liking their culture more than my own white background. However at the same time, I'm still just the "white friend." Having an identity crisis can create a false sense of isolation. They DON'T push me away. I'm with them all the time, and they're my best friends. But at the same time I FEEL isolated, because I still feel like I don't completely belong anywhere. You're just kind of stuck on that middle ground and feel out of place and isolated no matter where you go. Don't exactly fit in with your family's culture, and you also don't exactly fit in with your friends completely either.
Aw, this video is so comforting and just really nice! I think it's very helpful for many, because even though it's true, that being different is getting a norm, you still have very judgemental people, who think inside a box and don't want to except, that you don't have to belong to a certain category... So yeah, love you guys! xx
Wow, I can't believe I have found this video. I'm glad I'm not the only one who have this 'Identity Crisis' issue. Similar to you guys, I grew up in London, but have always been labelled a foreigner from both sides (UK and China). This is an ongoing issue and has been a huge set-back for me because I'm not sure where I fit in. Even my language ability and mindset is in the middle of both cultures. To make things worse, my parents are very traditional Chinese. They live in a foreign country and refuse to learn English, and loves to have their own Chinese satellite channels. I disagree with their behaviours. If one chooses to live abroad, then of course you have to adapt to the culture, but not in their case. Thus, it has always been difficult for me since I was a kid. Like living in two worlds. Though I am still finding my path, I hope this video can help enlighten many ABC, BBC (where ever you're from) and deliver a positive message to people in the same situation
Everybody goes through an identity crisis about where they belong. When I went through mine, I kinda came to the same conclusion of "tolerance" and "accept differences". But it wasn't until I graduated college that I realized how wrong those ideas are. Tolerance is such a crappy thing. I don't want to tolerate people. I want to love people, and care about them. Tolerance is pathetic by comparison. Be passionate. Love people, even if you hate what they do. Loving people sometimes means you have to give up your own notions about who you are and where you come from. Especially when it comes to being a parent. I don't care who you think you are, as soon as you have a baby, your life suddenly shifts to caring only about who your child thinks you are. How your little boy or girl sees you is all that matters.
watching you two is so, so therapeutic. i've been struggling with my asian-american identity my whole life, and you guys make me feel better and let me know i'm not alone.
I'm Chinese and have always identified as Chinese-Canadian. Here in Canada we are taught that multiculturalism is part of the Canadian identity. Personally I think Asian identity crisis is more of an American thing.
***** I agree. There is definitely racism here in Canada, but like you said Canadians tend to be very politically correct about it. Growing up as a little kid I didn't understand this concept. I grew up comfortably being ignorant to that fact. This ignorance allowed me to comfortably develop a Chinese-Canadian identity
***** Canada's racism is a bit different, it's more so hidden by the social segregation of Canadian passive-aggressive attitude. Though it is Multi-cultural, its more of everyone for themselves. More ethnic groups that migrate to Canada only stay within their own communities and hate others not like their own. Though its more or less the White people that are more pressured to be inclusive while the minorities don't return the same courtesy often making them the more xenophobic then the White Canadians.
Moe Li I don't really agree - as a fellow Chinese-Canadian. America might have more of a melting pot culture, but Canada it much like that as well. We might embrace multiculturalism in some ways but the Asian identity crisis manifests in different ways, as they mention in the video. How my identity crisis manifests is that within the Asian diaspora - I'm seen as one of them and they likely have similar experiences. But within Asians born and raised in Asia, I'm seen as a banana and amongst many white people - I'm simply seen as non-Asian. I actually find the latter the most offensive because while I might embody a lot of Canadian characteristics (because obviously....I grew up in Canada and would) to see me as a non-Asian or basically a "white" person erases all of the identity that I embrace, my very different Chinese upbringing and all of the very racist experiences that I've had in the past and that I'll continue to have throughout my life. Meanwhile, some white people see my identity as ONLY Asian an exoticize me as some sort of "China Doll", which is also offensive because I'm a whole and complete human being and being Asian is a big part of my identity, but still just 1 part of it. BTW - I single out "white" people in this post not as a degenerative term. I've just noticed that I never have non-white people say things like "I don't see you as Asian" because they likely have similar experiences to me, especially if they are a part of a visible minority diaspora. Anyway...just my 2 cents. It also may depend on where you grew up in Canada. It is a huuuuuuggge country and I'm sure growing up in Vancouver would have been a very different experience than growing up in Alberta before it become progressive.
People Are As Comfortable With You As You Are Accepting Of Yourself. "What we hold in mind tends to manifest." "The world can only see us as we see ourselves."
I found out that anggun is really amazing singer from indonesia....I first saw anggun 4 days ago in asia got talent and I searched her because she seems to have good personality but wow what a surprise she turns out to be the one of the most amazing female singer i ever seen....what a amazing voice that anggun has....
At 9:34 Mike put his finger on it when he said when he was young everybody just played together and didn't care who you were. Thus Matthew 18:3 says "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven"
It's really complicated, I was born as a half-Japanese and half-Chinese, and grew up in Japan, but got the education in international school (I'm junior right now). My parents were separated when I was two. Even though I know nothing about my Chinese father, in my heart, I always had the pride as a half Chinese, and also I always had the feeling that I don't fit in the Japanese society. Then as I get older I've got so many influences from mostly media which saying western white people are dominant than asian, and what happened is my self-esteem went down to hell. I think it's because of my age as a teenager that I'm struggling with my identity, but YOU guys helped me so much to find where I stand and who I am as an asian. Thank you so so much!!!
+Qayxsw Thanks for your comment, it's really sweet:) I think now I live in a somewhat happy life, except that I'm having difficulties trusting people and becoming friends due to my past and childhood. So, your words really warmed my heart:) Thank you.
OTGW really hit the topic! got to the main, you guys are amazing! It'd be just great not to think what others think but unfortunately it's unusual. But just to mention, I was amazed by my chinese friend that also had identity crisis and it also comforted I'm not alone. Still i think that they have a priviledge to know our culture and grow in both western and eastern cultures. Most speak chinese as their first or second language and though they live abroad they still find sth common with other asians there and their parents take care of you know where you're come from etc. while I, who was adopted at a young age, never got to know anything as my parents never told me. I see that some of my chinese adoptee friends spend Lunar year or have travelled to China since little - their parents adapted them to both past and present and that's how they may hav a bit more confidence bout their identity or a better starting point.
You guys share some great insights! I experienced an identity crisis when I was younger and one of the most important things I learnt is: even though we are shaped from the environment we grow up in and through our family, friends and peers; our identity of ourselves comes from within. If you continue being influenced by other people's labels, stereotypes and judgements that they place on you, then you will never stop having endless different identities that you see within yourself...
When I went to US people asked me where am I from? When I answered brazil they were like: Whaaat?! But you're chinese right? And I was like: no, I'm brazilian, my grandparents are japanese. It was pretty awkward have to explain it all the time 😂
***** I'm not denying my ancestors culture, I'm brazilian because I didn't just grew up here, I was born here and my parents too, I don't even speak japanese. Most of brazilians have grandparents borned in other countries and it doesn't make them italian or german, however it doesn't mean they don't keep some traditions from their ancestors land. Nationality is not just physical appearance, and if you search it will realize that brazil population is basically composed by immigrants families
Japanese immigration to Brazil began more than 100 years ago. It's more than 30 years ago before WW2. At that time Brazil had needed agricultural workers and recruited the immigrants as farmers whereas Japanese farmers had been suffering from cold weather damage in northern Japan. Many of them migrated to Brazil.
I'm Korean American who's currently living in Korea and trying to move back to America. I always felt I don't fit in anywhere on the inside. I was totally fine about myself and I felt special being Korean American but the problem was when I needed some friends who can understand my thoughts or problems, there was no one. So I felt lonely and only kept my problems and worries inside. But now I'm getting used to it. Are there other Asian Americans who's having same problem with me?
Ultimately we are all just people. What languages we speak and what passports we have in our pocket are just the surface and they don't define us as persons.
ok. I was born in China and my parents lived in China for a several years, worked there and get married so they speak perfect chinese and were influenced by chinese culture. Then when i was 5 we moved back to our home country to Kazakhstan which is half asian and half european modern country mostly influenced by Russia. So i grew up speaking kazakh and russian in an european and diverse environment and never felt myself comfortable because i was raised in China. Then when i was 17 i moved abroad to Italy and realised that i dont really fit into European culture as much as i though i would be but still i cant really communicate with chinese people there, neither with russians and there were just couple of kazakhstani people. Everyone else saw me as chinese since i look asian, was surprised when i speak perfect russian and english and behave myself as a typical white european person.... Thats a real asian identity crisis, kids... and now, i dont know where to go, since i will never fit into any of these countries where i lived because i am 21 now and i lived in 4 different countries and was influenced by their culture and i speak 5 languages
+Sagim B Oh I met some kazakh people in China and liked them. I think you might want to live in international cities like Shanghai or Beijing where you can live your mix asian-european way of life while nobody will be likely to judge you on your appearance.
+飛鳥昭羽 :) i lived in China and now living in Italy. one is too asian another is too european. you're right, big cities like NY or London could be suitable for me. and noone will have any stereotypical prejudices about me. like they say "why dont u use chopsticks if u look chinese", or "youre too much liberal for an asian person" and so on.... For most of the people its hard for them to see an asian person with totally european mindset and lifestyle.
because they live in the U.S., they are not surrounded by the German culture on a daily basis, thus they may not be able to understand what many people who live in Germany may.
Great video! I was just thinking about how proud I am to be Korean-American, not American or Korean, and I thought your testimonies and advice really gave a lot of food for thought. Keep it up!
I was born in Colombia and moved to the US before I was 4 and to Canada before I was 13. For me my identity was never a problem. I am American and that it's my country. Colombia may be my heritage, but I do not identify strongly with that place. I'm in the process of becoming Canadian. In due time, I will see place to as my country as well. Too many people seem to have a problem "conforming" to North American culture. But it also goes the other way to. You don't HAVE TO identify strongly with your parent's or grandparent's country. I was raised here in North America and this is my home, this is where I belong and this is where I'm from. I respect Colombia but don't identify as JUST "Colombian." Perhaps Colombian descent, but not a Colombian national and definitely not the first thing I respond when I people ask me where I'm from. I don't deny my heritage and it does contribute to who I am. I wouldn't change it for anything since I simply writing be the same and neither do I pretend to be Irish or some shit. I am an American-Canadian of Colombian descent. That's how I think of myself. Race has no scientific basis. Half of anthropologists will tell you it doesn't really exist and is entirely a made up social construct, the half will tell you it does exist but that it's not what you think it is. Ethnicity has no defined definition, there are probably as many definitions of ethnicity there are ethnicities. Culture is something that exists solely within the mind. It's determined by the environment you grew up and not by genes or blood, it's not inherited, I repeat, culture is not inherited. It exists solely within the human mind and originated from human imagination long ago. Because it it's based on your environment during childhood, many people might identify strongly with their parents culture because they were raised by their parents and spent most of your time with them. It might also be stronger if you were raised in a neighbourhood where the majority. For me, this was simply not the case. Also, one thing I like about the US and Canada it's that were immigrant cultures. In Europe and Japan and other places, you are simply an immigrant LIVING there but you are not FROM there, that is not your home country, nor your homeland. But in North America, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Brazil, and probably some other places, you are OF that country if you were raised there. If you're family is Irish, but you were raised in a Canada, you ARE Canadian. Perhaps not everyone will age with this, but I certainly experience this. Not only there, but there is a historical basis for this as well.
I've had the same problem I've Grown in the U.S. But I was born in Colombia I've never felt Colombian I've always wonder whether I was American or Colombian now I think I'm. American just with Colombian ancestry cause I'm mean I speak with an American accent
Daniel ochoa We're Americans bud, and proud of it. We are of Colombian descent and it's a part of who we are, but me personally, I am American first and foremost.
Occidental79er Black people have been living here as well since the beginning of our society. And I said North American culture because I was referring to both USA and Canada who basically have the same culture.
This was a much needed video. Not just for Asians who grow up in the west, but for mixed-Asians like myself, trying to find our identity can be really difficult. Acceptance from others is one thing I've always wanted in adolescence because of my physical appearance. But recently, in college like Dan suggested, I've come terms that even though I'm 1/4 Chinese, I'll never look 100% Chinese. Still, no matter what native Chinese say about my "lao wai" status, I'll always be proud to embrace my Asian heritage
People shouldn't label humans with names like Asian american, African american, ect. they are a human being. period. I've met so many interesting people from all over the world Ghana, Iran, Lebanon, Mauritius, Wallis & futuna, Sri Lanka South Africa, soo many places. They all just want to be happy because they are all human too.
How to know if your in an identity crisis: 1. Can you speak your native language? (Ex. if your part Chinese, can you speak any type of Chinese like Canto or Mandarin) 2. Can you speak the national language of the country your currently residing in? (Ex. If your in America, can you speak English or Habla espanol? If your in Canada, can you speak English or Parlez-vous français?) 3. Did you immigrate to your current country your residing in when your an adult? 4. Have you ever been back to your mother/fatherland? If so, did you have a hard time fitting in? (Like speak the language or meet people) 5. Have you been ever called a foreigner? If you answered all these questions with Yes, then you may have an identity crisis, luckily for me, I had 3 'No's (This quiz may not be right for you.)
Thank you for this! Coming from an adopted family, I grew up with western parents and values. I knew I was 100% Chinese, but I didn't really feel it and still don't. However, I am in the process of retrieving my heritage and culture. It's still hard to deal with my dual identity because I haven't quite figured out my identity too much yet. And when I'm on the diverse UW campus, Asians everywhere have certain expectations of me that I don't really live up to. It's so tiring. @.@
Lin Wang I'm a Chinese and I grew up in China until the age of 12 and then my family moved to another country where another language is sproken. And here I find quite a lot adopted Chinese who have western parents. At begin I didn't know how I should talk to them because I find it a quite sensitive issue.. I don't want to hurt hem but I also don't know whether they will feel uncomfortable if I talk to them the way like 'hey we're both Chinese'. I actually accept what they feel, maybe they feel just western and I totally understand it. But I have no idea why but sometimes I have mixed (mostly sad) feelings if I hear people telling them they SHOULD feel 100procent western just because China 'left' you or things like that.. It's actually so sweet to see that they're chosen to be loved and they have formed an awesome family with their western parents. But I'll also be really glad if they love the Chinese culture (just like I'm really glad to read that you are in the process of retrieving your heritage and culture). I don't know what advice I can give to you.. I guess if you give them a friendly gesture and if you're getting close you can tell what you actually feel..? I think they will understand you and accept your feelings.. And I'm here supporting you in this process of retrieving your heritage. My best wishes
LY Li Thank you very much for your kindness! I do try and reach out more, but sometimes it's difficult to relate to what they talk about because I never personally experienced it. I still have a lot to learn, but I have definitely met some wonderful Chinese people who are helping me out to retrieve my culture and heritage! =)
Well done guys, great video as always! I've got a quick question, have you guys encounter some kind of language barrier problem when talking to your parents? For example, your parents migrate from China to US, you speak English fluently but your parents don't and you can't speak manadarin (or other dialect) fluently either. Is it hard to communicate with them? If so, how can you handle it? Because i've seen similar cases that make me feel thankful because i didn't experience such a thing. Thanks!
The problem is people confusing race with ethnicity and nationality. If you keep these concepts separate it will be easy to identify yourself. See race as a biologic concept, how much you look like the people of a certain part of the world. Ethnicity is a cultural concept, how your education and values compare with the people of some area of the world. And nationality is a political concept, which political entity (country) you are a member and owe allegiance to. It's perfectly fine to be asian latino and american.
I think that this was a very important topic as it relates to not only Asians but people around the world! Even as a Caucasian born and raised in America there is still a bit of an identity crisis just because Im more Irish then English or German. This was an awesome video and you guys are great to watch!
Well Im Filipino-American with some Chinese but overall I consider myself Filipino and American. However I do have cousins who are half Chinese and Filipino that immigrated here to the US but when they lived in the Philippines they learned Hokkien at home, basic Mandarin at school and of course spoke English and Tagalog at home alongside hokkien. But among native Filipinos, they feel Chinese. As they immigrated and knew other Chinese they told me they didnt feel as Chinese. But in the end they embrace the 3-in-1 culture as they got older.
I started to feel identity crisis when I was at school and I'm Asian-American. No one would pick me for anything, no teacher liked me, and people said I had a weird face. Once they learned I was born in America all of that stopped. I felt extremely offended and I started acting more and more Asian. I know consider myself more Asian in personality. Don't judge people by there race.
Thanks for touching on this subject. I can relate to Mike in the fact that I grew up in the Midwest where there isn't a lot of diversity (suburb of Minnesota) and eventhough I was adopted and grew up in a Caucasian family I still got all of the stereotypical comments eventhough I knew little to nothing about China. I went studied Mandarin for 2 months in Beijing during a summer vacation and fell in love with the culture, but when I came back some of the people at college wouldn't even acknowledge me as Asian because I was so "white-washed" so it's like it was flipped. The two cultures have some opposing views (i.e. beauty standards) so it felt like no matter what I did I couldn't win. I've also been told by/asked by Asians and Caucasians alike that I looked Korean; being adopted I don't actually know my ethnic/genetic background and I do enjoy aspects of Korean culture. Even if it's only minimally OTGW help me connect with the culture.
the only thing that ever bothered me was that "where do you come from" question. For a while I gave up and said that I came from China(not true at all as I had never been there before!), but luckily I was able to figure out the perfect answer eventually so that both myself and everyone else were happy about the answer haha. I am a Chinese New Zealander, though I did have a teacher who questioned myself for being a New Zealander though. I may have ancestors from China but you can't question that to Taiwanese people haha.
Hmm I'm Korean, born and raised in Seoul. Lived in England and Australia for just 3 years but I feel like such a banana (White inside Asian outside) most of the time. In fact, I've never felt like I fit into Korean society. All my heroes are either Europeans or Americans (Most of them being thinkers and scientists) except for Gautama Siddhartha (the Indian-Nepalese guy who became known as the Buddha). When I talk to Korean people or Asian people living in Asia in general, I often feel frustrated because I hold rather eccentric views on many things. They find me either boring or too extreme and I feel the same about them... whereas I've met quite a few westerners who could 'get' me and share the same interests and views. I'm still utterly confused as to where I belong... my birth certificate says I'm Korean, my looks say I'm Asian, but I have a strong western mindset. Westerners see me as a weird Asian and my people see me as an outsider once they get to know me. I'm 30 now and this has been going on forever. What to do...?
Myongjun Kim I think it's just your personality. I too struggle with this, growing up in asia and moving to the west (currently still living here) I have not met people who "get" me yet because I mostly feel culture identity is something I least identify with. I'm only in my early 20s though. Christmas? Valentine? CNY? Ramadan? It doesn't have deep roots for me. Nor does the typical asian household upbringing means I share a 'bond' closely with other asians: I do, but I feel removed from it in a sense.
I'm white, not Asian; but I have a similar "identity crisis." I am what is called an "army brat". My dad was in the US army for most of my life, and we moved a lot. Typically, we lived somewhere for barely a year before moving. I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska; but left when I was four. I have lived on the Pacific and Atlantic. I lived in up-state NY and Long Island. I lived in eight different places before moving out. My accent is a combination of everywhere I lived. My first roommate, who was from Transilvania, thought I was from Austria. I used to identify with the military; but I changed my mind and didn't join. I have come to consider "home" as being everywhere and nowhere. Do any of you feel or have felt like this, army brat or not?
I've been going through this more than once. When I was younger I got bullied quite a lot for looking Asian and felt like being white would solve the problem. I really tried incredibly hard to fit in but somehow never did. When I was around 16 and surrounded by many Asians, they clearly expected me to act and behave like them. Again, I tried to please. Today, I'm 24 and kinda in-between. I can switch and adapt and it's definitely like Mike says; you get the best of both worlds. I adore Asian cuisine and culture and my eating habits are very Asian. My mentality however is Western I'd say. Not completely but mostly. It's also true that all the questions that this matter may raise can be very confusing. You might feel lost and/or left out. Everybody seems to belong somewhere, everyone but you. Whoever goes through this at the moment, always remember that eventually, you'll find your place and true self. And that your whole life is a quest. It's ok if you haven't all quite figured it out yet.
I love this video. I love this channel. This channel really helps me appreciate my Chinese heritage. Like Mike, I lived in the Midwest during my teen years, and I still do. Yeah, I totally agree with the sentiment that Midwesterners tend to notice Asians more quickly than Blacks or Whites, but sometimes you can find a handful of Midwesterners who wouldn't even bat an eye at the racial difference.
Omg, I totally agree with this video. My parent believe that I lost my asian culture and am becoming more Americans, however, my friend or people is general still views me as Asain, thou I grow up in NYC.
As asian-swedish I have found that the hardest part in my life is to find my place ín the swedish society so I could relate to most of the things you guys have said. For that I've got inspired by the words you came up with. Thank you guys for sharing this!
I am half mexican, half french growing up outside of Quebec. I relate completely to what you guys are talking about. Also, my girlfriend is vietnamese and we were discussing this topic the other day. We are looking at moving to Taiwan together so our kids will be confronted to this challenge for sure.
Finally someone who i can relate with. Identity crisis is definitely real, especially for me being a half japanese and half chinese who's living in Indonesia was tough to say the least. Not only that i was a hapa, but i was a hapa who lived in a country that doesn't fully accept people like me, as people in my society dictates that i'm a chinese-japanese kid, but when i go overseas people saw me as Indonesian. It's tough when you can't fully belong to a specific group.
im applying to american grad school and voices in my head are starting to be english. I thought i couldn't fit in american culture till i found u guys. such a relief.
i believe this issue is more general. i am a russian from ukraine that grew up in greece. my mom always told me i'm russian, spoke to me in russian and stuff, but i've never been in russia and whenever people ask where i'm from they don't understand and say that i'm ukrainian. i never really thought i stand out as a foreigner but people always ask me if i'm from england or something and then congratulate me on my greek which i speak fluently since it's basically my native language. especially when they hear my surname i feel like i have some explaining to do. so even if i try i don't feel greek, or russian or ukrainian.. sometimes this "identity crisis" amuses me as it sound kinda funny but other times not so much. i dream about living in a foreign country (enland or japan) and maybe the fact that i don't quite fit in had a little to do with it.. sorry for the long comment, it's nice to hear you talk about issues like this
It's pretty much the same with me :) I'm Russian but grew up in Germany. I have a typical Russian first name and a german last name. A typical stereotype about Russians is that they drink a lot, which I don't and I get some pretty weird looks for that sometimes :P And also the thing you said about living in Japan or something, I would love to live in Japan or South Korea (because I'm learning Korean) and I love trying all different and "weird" meals at Chinese restaurants which my friends find pretty odd :p Just know that I got your back !!! :)
I think this video is really interesting to feature a Chinese-Indonesian, as it adds more perspective towards the issue. (Need to be noted that I'm Chinese by descendant and NOT MIXED). I ever read the article of "sinophobia" or phobia of Chinese descendants. Don't gt me wrong, but I think the problem happened here is the lack of understanding and implement that Indonesia is a very diverse country as mentioned in Pancasila (basis of Indonesia's ideology). I grew up in Jakarta (the capital city which the people are diverse by ethnicities in Indonesia e.g. Manadonese, Bataknese, Flores, Ambonese, and even some people from Papua. I feel so glad that back during my elementary years (1998-2004), the school that I went are heterogenous and I grew up with that way (embracing diversity). I speak Indonesian all the time (English as my second language), and I am really proud as an Indonesian (although I don't like some of Indonesian cuisines, but it should not determine the outcome of feeling yourself as an Indonesia) If people say me "Cina" or something like that, although it hurts, but hey, you cannot please anybody, even someone who has the same ethnicity as yourselves. As I explore my interest regarding the issue, I can share a lot of experiences in terms of inter-cultural communication. The most important value for me is to embrace my heritage, but I prefer my nationality as Indonesian. Currently some of closest friends are Javanese, Sundanese, and Arabic Indonesian. We had this kind of conversation, and they experience the difficulties to blend because they don't always know what will happen when they interact with someone who has diffrent background. From the discussion, four of us are blended each other because each of us has the willingness to accept each other. Everybody has their own experience regarding this issue I think, I face the difficulty to know several Chinese Dialects (Hokkien, Teow Chew, Mandarin) as I grew up in a multicultural environment. Because of that, when I heard someone called "t***" or "fan***", I instantly got the person to shut up. I know it is impolite to even tell th person to shut up because of what he/she said, but I do value that racist comments will do backfire you. This may be hard to believe, but because of the treatments that I experienced, I consider myself as an Indonesian. Trust me, I think there should be some evaluations that might be helpful: 1. Always put in your mind that humans are equal (I know this is the hardest, but trust me it works) 2. Understand where you live at. I don't say that you cannot practice your traditional beliefs, but remember that it is important to embace the value where you live at. Hopefully this will bring the different perspective towards this issue. Thank you.
Hey guys, thank you for making these videos. There seems to be a lot of support out there for minorities and people who are descriminated against. I notice that Asians however, seem to hold back in silence and not speak up as much as other groups and it's nice to watch other Asians like me. Asian looking that is, but born and raised in other societies. I wish Asians were represented more in normal tv or movie roles. A causcasian friend from NZ said it's because people don't want to watch Asians on tv. A French friend has a small baby clothing brand and features almost exclusively blond haired blue eyed babies to model. She says they sell more. However she used a Chinese friend's half Asian baby once (because of lack of other available models) and I noticed she got thousands of likes on Instagram as opposed to 50 to 250 for her other photos. I think there is just an ingrained prejudice that even our so-called open minded friends don't even notice. Anyway, I deviate .. thanks for the videos and keep them coming!!!!
The identity crisis on Indonesian Chinese was worsened because in the past (1965-1998) the Chinese was forbidden to use Chinese language, letters and banned all Chinese culture because of political turmoil at that time led by Suharto ( the general turned dictator), Chinese schools were banned for life and the properties nationalized. they even didn't allowed Chinese name and forced the local name. The generations born after 1960's were couldn't spoke Chinese (except for a few) and were unjustly discriminated. I couldn't speak/read Chinese Mandarin and Fujianese and had no Chinese name.
***** after 1998 the situation is much better, Indonesian has real democracy and Suharto is demoted. Chinese culture allowed to flourish, nowadays a lot of Indonesian learn Chinese and Chinese New Year is an official holiday! We now have a better freedom than the past. Our Governor of Capital City of Indonesia (Jakarta) is Chinese now! BTW Indonesian Chinese is the third largest of Overseas Chinese in the World at 7--8 millions people reside in almost 300 millions people nation (Indonesia).
Hello guys I am sad to say I am sooo late to your channel. As I binged watched several of your episodes I came across you were cancelled. Noooo I fell like I found a new friend (s). Your content is spot on family, food, East vs west. Etc. but for this segment I visited hk after college n you know what the biggest shocker to me was that everywhere I when I was the majority. Btw I grew up in the south. I still have many vids to catch up just want to say thank you I thought I was the only one who fell this way.
I want to sincerely thank you folks for discussing this widespread topic of identity crisis that all ethnicities feel in different countries! If I may, I would just like to add something to this discussion that I have seen throughout my 17 years of life in Hawaiʻi (aka Hawaii) lol. I want to speak about this because things are VERY unique here. I was born in the Philippines, but I am not full Filipino. I am Hawaiian, Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Filipino (this fact ties in with the uniqueness of Hawaiʻi). One would think that growing up in a more Western country, you would feel this stage of identity crisis. I never did, though. I fell that this might be because it is hard to find full blooded Asians here; most of us here are of very mixed heritage, which is why I have mentioned my ethnic background. The vast majority of people here are Asian, but those who are full Asian are of a smaller percentage than Asians who are mixed. For example, a lot of my friends are Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Thai, as well as multiple European and Polynesian heritages. I have not met too many people in Hawaiʻi who have had an identity crisis, whether they were born abroad or are local. I just wanted to add something to this discussion. Thanks again for speaking about this topic! Ke aloha nō (much love)!
I would also like to add that for the most part, all of the ethnic groups have kept their cultures very strong. So whereas Asians may hang around with other ethnicities, they still feel very strongly connected to their own culture and heritage.
Thank you for bringing this up. I am a Korean-American. When I went to Korea and Japan, I am no longer seen or taken as "Asian." I was seen as just another "human-being." Then, it hit me. I realized what I was missing in my entire life. It felt really good. Just walking around, people seeing me as another human-being, not as "Asian." so liberating.
I never thought of it as an identity crisis before but you guys pretty much described how I feel. Being half Thai/Chinese born in Thailand, moved to Spain but now living in England. I never really fitted in anywhere. When I went back to Thailand, most people think I'm a foreigner. In England, people think I'm a foreigner even though I have been living here over half my life. Then when I was on my year abroad in Spain(I study Spanish and Chinese), people just get really confused when I told them I'm British (because technically I am) and then I confuse them even more when I start speaking in Spanish...(I was living in a part of Spain that didn't have a lot of Asian people). In China, people were just confused as to why this Chinese looking girl doesn't speak Chinese/very terrible at Chinese... Oh the confusion I have caused over my life story :')
I love what you guys do, especially being an Asian guy who grew up in US. WIsh you guys were doing this 10 years ago as I'm a bit older than you guys are...
Totally identify with this problem! My parents have spent a lot of energy in making sure I can read and speak Cantonese despite being Canadian. My Chinese is better than the majority of Chinese born Canadians. When I visited East Asia, I didn't fit in there because my Chinese wasn't as good as theirs and I was fairly Western. It's definitely a weird in between. I am interested in learning about the cultural history. So, I took a few East Asian studies courses in university, trying to fill the gap. I've come to a point where I know I'm somewhere between the two cultures. I've accepted it and will still continue to try to learn more.
Thank you so much for this video! I can related a lot with this topic: My parents are both chinese, I was born in an french island. Sometimes I think I am not "chinese enough" to fit and to get along well with my family who is very traditional; but at the same time I am not "french enough" to fit with the other people. Now I am studying in a smal town in France where people don't meet a lot of person like me, with a mixed culture. I am always treated like an alien, and it is very tiring. (sorry my english is bad)
Hi! I'm British Chinese and totally embrace my identity! I think we're a blend of East meets West and so we get the best of both worlds! I think being able to appreciate both cultures fully and mix freely between the two is a wonderful thing - it enhances an individual's open mindedness and cultural awareness, so be proud of it :)
I consider myself as indonesian,but my mother is arab, chinese, dutch and sundanese (one of native ethnic group in indonesia) descendant. I don't know about my father's ancestors very well, but I think he isn't 100% indonesian also. Both of them are moslem. People always thought that I am pure chinese or even half japanese since I was a kid! Even when I lived in Japan, no one considering me as Indonesian, they said if I am Japanese or not (I am not lying) Sadly, my mom doesnt look like me at all, she got middle-eastern DNA : pointy nose, large eyes with double eyelids, etc. So, I always targeted to be bullied since so young by they-called-pure-indonesian because I got this east asian DNA in indonesia (not all Indonesian are bad) Idk what i am belong to :"( sorry for my poor english
Here's something: I grew up in SF and my family is super not-Asian... like we even fail to celebrate lunar new year. We used to as kids, but such traditions have lost their value over the many generations! I feel like I understand western culture wayyy more than eastern cultures and I'm half chinese and half Filipino... I'm so obsessed with chinese history and culture, but I feel like this is much less of a mmm exploration of my cultural background. More like I'm a westerner interested in China's impact / existence? Who knows... It's weird.
I'm a Singaporean Chinese , my wife is from jiangsu china, I visited china for the past 3 years in Shanghai and jiangsu. The locals over there knew I'm not local cuz of my dressing and appearance. But somehow they kept guessing either I'm from Guangzhou or Xiamen province lol. That's just my experience over there. And of course I experience culture shock when I was there as well. :)
I love this, but could you do one if your westerner but raised in Asian Culture? what would that be? because I was born to Western parents but raised in Asian culture!
I'm half white and half filipino. Up untill I was 10 I grew up in semi poor areas where the population was primarily Hispanic, all around San Diego county, California. My mom was filipina. Dad was white and in the navy. My step dad came into my life when I was about 3 or 4 also white and a sailor. I have lighter skin than most filipinos and really soft facial features for a boy. I remember kids would call me jackie chan. All of my friends where Mexican until middle school. I would see my dads and step dads family through the years they lived in vancouver, wa and denver, colorado. I felt the same disconnect with all of them as I felt with my filipino grandma and grandpa (who i grew up with in san diego), but they are all white. My mom never taught her 3 kids how to speak tagalog, so being a little kid and hearing her speak that language to her friends or my grandparents was a huge barrier for me. I have also never been to the Philippines or intend to go. I don't really care now, but when I was little, my mom told me stories of how she lived on her own in Manila with the shittiest lifestyle. For some reason too I have always considered my grandparents and other filipinos other than my mom, dirty. lol Which is why I guess I thought filipinos were inferior and poor compared to americans, but that was just a childish thought, don't take it serious. So I really did feel that identity crisis when I was little, and being in a poor family where the parents didn't have time to hold their kids hands didn't help. I hope people realized how much of a struggle it can be if you don't understand yourself or your surroundings at a young age.
thank you guys for the video. I think every person, who grew up abroad, would have such an identity crisis. I know that I did and a lot of my friends did too. Even though here in Europe we look the same, we still have these kinds of problems...
Identity crisis suck. I am german/swedish/french/turkish - I was born in germany, raised in germany and I feel german and I AM literally german!? Yet, bc of my turkish last name- here, I am the turkish girl- no one ever called me the swedish, the french or just german girl, just turkish and it is annoying! I am german but noone ever seems to realise that. And when I am in Turkey or Sweden or France - I am the german. Where do I belong? It's like I don't feel part or accepted of any country...
take their advice you dont have to think too much about what people said just be your self either they like it or not who care as long as you dont disturb them and vice versa :)
Going through identity crisis makes you a richer person... I'm into foreigners who've lived in my country for some time because I can feel they've gone through a struggle and had to find out who they are. It's much more interesting to talk to them, because they're not defined just by their friends and jobs like many guys who were born here.
Great video. I am Chinese American and it was not easy for me when I was younger since my family moved to the States after I became a teenager. It was difficult to fit in for me since the Chinese culture are quite different than the American's - from daily living habits/cuisine to interest in sports & entertainment. It took many years for me to accept who I am and find the balance between the East & the West is not an easy process for everyone.
I've resisted for too long, I need to finally post on one of these video's; Mia is one of the most loveliest Chinese beauties I have ever seen in my life!
I actually am writing a research paper about this topic in my class lol. I chose the topic of discussing Chinese-American marginalization and how different generations of Chinese-Americans view that issue, and compare/connect my experiences to that topic.
I feel like I have gone through identity crisis (probably my entire maternal grandmother's lineage too) I'm a 5th or 6th Gen Missourian. No matter where I go, I don't seem to fit in. We look "different." We have mixed heritages of african, indigenous american, and European. Even after moving to Louisiana, I don't seem to fit in with others. I feel "culture-less", what real culture have I gained from Missouri? We cannot trace our ethic cultures; most was not recorded or shared in family stories. When everyone outside of my home asks me "what are you?" I began to question that myself. But I know for sure I'm 100% born and raised in Missouri.
Im totally with you in regards to not having that ancestrial history.....i wish i had the option of going to Africa to learn of my family's past but....would not know where to start. I hope to learn of African culture in general and mix in traditions and things from other cultures and live like that...then i will pass these things down to my kids so that they can say they knew some history of their family
I'm from Indonesia but now I live in America. I'm kinda confused about this topic I'm not sure if I'm Asian or not cuz half of my friend sees me Asian and other think I'm from the Arab but I sees myself as Asian if that wrong plz answer back I'm very confused
Glad I watched this video since I'm a BBC I used to feel like I don't belong and still sometimes now in UK and when I went on holiday to Hong Kong 3 years ago I felt like I didn't belong there either, it's hard because we're right in the middle between both and struggle to find a place we can belong.
I used to have this as well when I was younger, but it wasnt so much that the people around me wanted to put me into a category, it was more like that I couldnt "identify" myself as 100% western or 100% eastern... Now i just embrace the fact that i am neither 100% western nor 100% eastern.. I take the best of both worlds, its an amazing feeling and experience and I am proud of my bicultural and bilingual upbringing; it makes me so much more open minded and tolerant and gives me the background knowledge to understand both east and west, so yeah, embrace your differences and take advantage of what you have. Dont let other people define who you are, but be exactly the person who you want to be, no matter east or west :)
Very interesting! But I think that what you're addressing applies to nearly all people who grow up in a foreign country. Personally I feel as though I'm going through an identity crisis at the moment - I am from North/Eastern Europe and have spent half of my life in Britain... I don't really fit in here or back at home anymore!
Such a great subject. I come in from a different angle. I'm a 68-year-old woman, a Nuyorican (Puerto Rican born in NY, raised in Spanish Harlem) and I look Asian. I want to point out that I do not look like anyone in my family. I thought I was either adopted or they mixed up the babies in the maternity ward (more common in that time frame than you would think). DNA tests from two organizations have confirmed that I have no Asian in me. In fact - shock of all shock - I'm 50% Jewish. Again, raised as Catholic. I tend to look Filipino and/or Chinese mix. When I go to Chinatown, I'm sometimes approached by people speaking their own language and feel bad that I do not understand and hoping they don't think I'm denying my 'heritage'. I have both Filipino and Chinese friends and it's a hoot when I'm with them in a group and they start to talk their own language - and I am clueless, but I take no offense. I've done the same when I am with Spanish speaking people. So, my message - just celebrate your uniqueness. Embrace it.
I think it is sad that people find all sorts of reasons to judge other people. I've dealt with a lot of this going through school, university, and the work system. But for a different reason since I have social anxiety, depression, ptsd, agoraphobia and some other emotional disorders. People automatically see you as 'weird' and they tend to stay away from you because they just can't relate. And the hardest thing about emotional disorders is that it isn't uniform to everyone. People all experience social anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders in their own way. So even two people with the same 'diagnosis' aren't really the same and can't necessarily relate. At the end of the day you become an outcast even with the outcast system. And it is something that is rarely talked about by anyone because it isn't socially acceptable to do so. So it can be frustrating.
This is such an interesting topic. I'm also a Chinese Indonesian, but on 4th generation here. And when the Dutch invaded they banned Chinese language and even put the teachers in prison. My grandparents speak Dutch. That's when my family lost all the continuous heritage. I know nothing about Chinese, and I don't even want to know. Why should I? I'm Indonesian and that's how I wanna carry on.
Wah kimi himee
Lah ada die wkwkek
Wah tadinya aku juga ga peduli sama identitas chinese ku, tapi akhir2 ini aku cari2 tau asal mana leluhur ku di Cina daratan sana… jangan lupa sama asal usul kitaa sih ka, apalagi China sudah superpower sekarang, kalo bs belajar dikit2 bahasa nyaa heheh…
As someone who's mixed I really appreciated hearing you all talking about this :)
the problem is using race to define someones nationality, and culture. Race doesnt define your culture or nationality.
***** i guess, races can be associated with a specific country, but if you are the minority born there, then that does not make you not from that country.
david ramziz That's not really true. If you move to america when very young and learn the language and grow up there, that doesn't make you american, you are still a different race and nationality. And yes, race does define your culture. No matter where you grow up, most parents will of course raise you according to their (and your) culture.
Jae Bird nationality is determined by citizenships, so if you still have a citizenship in another country, then your spanish, or italian or whatever country. otherwise, your from there, but you are american.
david ramziz I am Korean, I was born in Korea but moved to america when 4 and grew up here BUT I have never become a citizen, I just have a perm resident card. That means I am korean, not american
yep
Sadly, I totally relate, and weirdly, it feels even worse at university, which is normally more open-minded and I go to a fairly international university (like 50% of students aren't from the UK). But I'm Chinese who's UK-born-and-bred and it is kind of annoying where I'm almost excluded from certain groups because of prejudice. So at first glance to home students, I'm Asian, and to Asian's I'm westernised.
I've had Chinese students talk to me in Mandarin and awkwardly after I tell them I don't speak it, they immediately don't talk to me. Before university though, people would stick around to talk to me... don't know what's the difference... maybe they hadn't met as many people at that point?
It's only when they talk to me, they realise we have a lot more in common or that it's ok if we don't have the same background. It took time but now I try not to let this prejudice get to me.
Being mixed race is even more difficult. I'm Korean, Native American, and Caucasian. None of those groups accepts me as "one of them" and many people today are still prejudiced towards multi-racial people. Yes, even in 2015. People want to talk like it doesn't happen a lot, but it does. Personally, I identify most as Korean then Native and never fit in with Western culture very much. I do my own thing and what feels right. What other people think doesn't matter to me anymore, but it used to be very tough in the past and can still be now and then in situations where I feel "left out."
Indeed on point, relatable
Sorry about the long comment, it's just nice to have the chance to talk to people about this topic :)
So about my 'identity crisis' :p
I was born in Kyrgyzstan but I'm Russian and I've been living in Germany for about 11 years now.
I still know a lot about the Russian culture and speak the language pretty fluently with a slight accent :) I know much about german culture as well but I don't really identify with their culture much.
Growing up I was taught to respect elders and address people older than me with the formal form of "you" whereas in Germany they talk informally with for example their friend's parents. Even after 11 years of living here, I can't do that.
Also I'm very interested in Asian cultures, especially Korean. (I'm also learning Korean) I love their traditions of sharing food and the different ways of speaking depending on how much respect you want to or have to show.
I think I identify more with the Russian and Korean culture more than the german culture, although I've never been to South Korea and lived in Russia only for about 3 years (I'm moved there when I was 2)
I never understood this need to define yourself by race, color, religion or where are you from. I'm Brazilian and I never felt this need, but when I started looking more for other cultures I saw that this is a thing, a serious thing by the way. So I started questioning things about myself like, Am I black? My father wasn't white, but that's how people used to see him. My mother is daughter of a black woman, and my mother's skin isn't dark. Like me, my skin isn't so much dark, and I don't know if I can consider myself black, because it was never an issue, never was a necessity, and Brazil is a very misogynist country, everybody is so different that it doesn't even matter where you came from or if you're white, black, asian or anything in between. I think America wants so much to know about everything that they care about things that, for real, doesn't matter at all.
-I apologize for bad english and possible misunderstood parts
I'm a half-Chinese Indonesian. Funny thing when I was younger everyone questioned if I'm Chinese (ppls are still discriminatingly racist towards Chinese's at that time, nowadays still but not much) but I grew older and got a tan and when I tell them I'm chinese they make the no-you-don't face. 😂😂
well then hello :)
im half chinese indo too and everyone say i have very very small/narrow eyes and were like " ur from china rite" and im like noo noo im not im just half XDD
oh I'm Chinese in Indonesia too
i have chinese face. but i'm a half-Chinese Indonesian. but my friends still call "orang cina"
btw, please correct my english too hahaha
It's a struggle being blasian. For black kids I'm too Asian and for Asians I'm too black. But then again, I've never really cared and have found friends among all races lol 😊
Bryce Franco Zholshybekov I found Blasian girls are super attractive.
Blackanese
This channel brings about a lot positive energy even on tough subjects; good job!
I'm also Chinese Indonesian(?) and I understand very well about, you know, I feel like an Indonesian, I'm like Mia, I was born though (is still) growing up in Indonesia, but somehow I'm ethnically confused since some people here are kind of racist and keep calling us as "Cina", it kinda hurts to hear people calling you that.
Why you think someone call you cina hurt your feeling? Is that a racist word or what. Just asking.
In my opinion, yes, though I'm ethnically Chinese, I'm still Indonesian who was born and will probably be growing up in Indonesia, why do people have to call people like me as "cina" when we are also Indonesian? Well, idk about other areas, but in my hometown that word sometimes is changed to "cinaiya" like seriously, I hate that and it sounds kinda rude to my ears. Calling people with their ethnics or races or other things like that, I think that action is racist.
Meike Natali I feel sorry for that. In my hometown, teens call each others' ethnics just for fun, like Korean or Mongolian. Maybe you are right, it kinda does hurts someone's feeling. Nevertheless, I think you don't have to feel bad or shamed just because you are Chinese Indoesian. If you don't, I am sorry I say that. If you do, I want you to be proud of your ethnic a little. :)
Oh o - o don't worry, I'm proud to be Chinese Indonesian, what I don't like is not being one, but being differentiated in social and everyday life. Some people accept me just like they accept everyone else, or in this case like other Indonesians, but some of them, no, unfortunately. Though, thank you for your concern, and sorry I cannot mention your name since I replied from phone o - o
To add one more thing, you said that in your hometown teens call each other for fun, well, maybe we can tolerate it since they haven't become responsible adults yet, however, in my hometown from kids to adults even old ones, sometimes use that term, 'cina' or 'cinaiya' it is. I don't think I can tolerate the adult and the old ones for doing something so racist like that tbh.
My grandfathers (from mom and dad side) is a dutch and arab, but i grew up in Indonesia, so i feel i am Indonesian, even i move and live in europe for years.
I'm half Chinese half Hispanic, born and raised in Guatemala now living in California. I'm different everywhere I go, but it doesn't affect me.
If you are a young Asian American you'll probably know what I mean when I say we are stuck between two rocks. On one side we won't be accepted by our fellow countrymen because we do not speak our country's language nor were we raised in that culture. On the other we won't be accepted by the rest of America because we will be seen as Asian first, American second, if at all. I'm sure you've been asked "where are you from?" and they don't mean the city you grew up in. It's as if they imply we as Asians don't belong here in America.
LiveforHM so much to relate to here
Same thing in Australia
lol i'm indonesian/chinese, but more toward the indonesian side. i was born and raised in australia. still living in aus!
Victoria Faye do you know how to speak indonesian?
Who cares about fitting in or finding acceptance..a puppy will accept me no matter what
Growing up in a small town surrounded only by caucasions, I cared about fitting in. I was bullied badly, even beaten up by a boy in my class when I was 11 and the smallest girl in my grade. I only learned to love my heritage when I met other people like me - non-caucasians in a caucasion loving society. So yeah, kids care and there is only so much grown ups can do to help them love themselves.
I'm not Asian but I can actually relate to this SO much.
90% of my friends are Asian. They're the people I'm always around, and I fully identify with them, the things they like, and I'm even really getting into and liking their culture more than my own white background. However at the same time, I'm still just the "white friend."
Having an identity crisis can create a false sense of isolation. They DON'T push me away. I'm with them all the time, and they're my best friends. But at the same time I FEEL isolated, because I still feel like I don't completely belong anywhere. You're just kind of stuck on that middle ground and feel out of place and isolated no matter where you go. Don't exactly fit in with your family's culture, and you also don't exactly fit in with your friends completely either.
interesting as an asian in germany i also feel the same.
So, how are you now ?
Aw, this video is so comforting and just really nice!
I think it's very helpful for many, because even though it's true, that being different is getting a norm, you still have very judgemental people, who think inside a box and don't want to except, that you don't have to belong to a certain category...
So yeah, love you guys! xx
Wow, I can't believe I have found this video. I'm glad I'm not the only one who have this 'Identity Crisis' issue. Similar to you guys, I grew up in London, but have always been labelled a foreigner from both sides (UK and China). This is an ongoing issue and has been a huge set-back for me because I'm not sure where I fit in. Even my language ability and mindset is in the middle of both cultures.
To make things worse, my parents are very traditional Chinese. They live in a foreign country and refuse to learn English, and loves to have their own Chinese satellite channels. I disagree with their behaviours. If one chooses to live abroad, then of course you have to adapt to the culture, but not in their case. Thus, it has always been difficult for me since I was a kid. Like living in two worlds. Though I am still finding my path, I hope this video can help enlighten many ABC, BBC (where ever you're from) and deliver a positive message to people in the same situation
Everybody goes through an identity crisis about where they belong. When I went through mine, I kinda came to the same conclusion of "tolerance" and "accept differences". But it wasn't until I graduated college that I realized how wrong those ideas are. Tolerance is such a crappy thing. I don't want to tolerate people. I want to love people, and care about them. Tolerance is pathetic by comparison. Be passionate. Love people, even if you hate what they do.
Loving people sometimes means you have to give up your own notions about who you are and where you come from. Especially when it comes to being a parent. I don't care who you think you are, as soon as you have a baby, your life suddenly shifts to caring only about who your child thinks you are. How your little boy or girl sees you is all that matters.
watching you two is so, so therapeutic. i've been struggling with my asian-american identity my whole life, and you guys make me feel better and let me know i'm not alone.
I'm Chinese and have always identified as Chinese-Canadian. Here in Canada we are taught that multiculturalism is part of the Canadian identity. Personally I think Asian identity crisis is more of an American thing.
***** I agree. There is definitely racism here in Canada, but like you said Canadians tend to be very politically correct about it. Growing up as a little kid I didn't understand this concept. I grew up comfortably being ignorant to that fact. This ignorance allowed me to comfortably develop a Chinese-Canadian identity
***** Canada's racism is a bit different, it's more so hidden by the social segregation of Canadian passive-aggressive attitude. Though it is Multi-cultural, its more of everyone for themselves. More ethnic groups that migrate to Canada only stay within their own communities and hate others not like their own. Though its more or less the White people that are more pressured to be inclusive while the minorities don't return the same courtesy often making them the more xenophobic then the White Canadians.
Moe Li I don't really agree - as a fellow Chinese-Canadian. America might have more of a melting pot culture, but Canada it much like that as well. We might embrace multiculturalism in some ways but the Asian identity crisis manifests in different ways, as they mention in the video.
How my identity crisis manifests is that within the Asian diaspora - I'm seen as one of them and they likely have similar experiences. But within Asians born and raised in Asia, I'm seen as a banana and amongst many white people - I'm simply seen as non-Asian. I actually find the latter the most offensive because while I might embody a lot of Canadian characteristics (because obviously....I grew up in Canada and would) to see me as a non-Asian or basically a "white" person erases all of the identity that I embrace, my very different Chinese upbringing and all of the very racist experiences that I've had in the past and that I'll continue to have throughout my life. Meanwhile, some white people see my identity as ONLY Asian an exoticize me as some sort of "China Doll", which is also offensive because I'm a whole and complete human being and being Asian is a big part of my identity, but still just 1 part of it.
BTW - I single out "white" people in this post not as a degenerative term. I've just noticed that I never have non-white people say things like "I don't see you as Asian" because they likely have similar experiences to me, especially if they are a part of a visible minority diaspora.
Anyway...just my 2 cents. It also may depend on where you grew up in Canada. It is a huuuuuuggge country and I'm sure growing up in Vancouver would have been a very different experience than growing up in Alberta before it become progressive.
Renee Mak Understandable. I grew up in Toronto where my peers were 75% Chinese. So my experience varies greatly from others.
+Moe Li US is a melting pot, and I don't mean it in a good way, its really that they try to MELT you into the same thing.
People Are As Comfortable With You As You Are Accepting Of Yourself.
"What we hold in mind tends to manifest."
"The world can only see us as we see ourselves."
@@pk56403 And you're exploring the realm
I'm Indonesin,but I was born in America.And people think that I am Chinese.🇻🇮🇺🇸🇮🇩
I found out that anggun is really amazing singer from indonesia....I first saw anggun 4 days ago in asia got talent and I searched her because she seems to have good personality but wow what a surprise she turns out to be the one of the most amazing female singer i ever seen....what a amazing voice that anggun has....
polychronio I love Anggun!!
disney portuguêsfrançais yes she has very unique voice and good personality...
+polychronio wow anggun haven't heard of her in years
At 9:34 Mike put his finger on it when he said when he was young everybody just played together and didn't care who you were. Thus Matthew 18:3 says "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven"
It's really complicated, I was born as a half-Japanese and half-Chinese, and grew up in Japan, but got the education in international school (I'm junior right now). My parents were separated when I was two. Even though I know nothing about my Chinese father, in my heart, I always had the pride as a half Chinese, and also I always had the feeling that I don't fit in the Japanese society. Then as I get older I've got so many influences from mostly media which saying western white people are dominant than asian, and what happened is my self-esteem went down to hell. I think it's because of my age as a teenager that I'm struggling with my identity, but YOU guys helped me so much to find where I stand and who I am as an asian. Thank you so so much!!!
aw what a story .. I hope now you live happy 🍀 Sorry but I am not good at English 😊
+Qayxsw Thanks for your comment, it's really sweet:) I think now I live in a somewhat happy life, except that I'm having difficulties trusting people and becoming friends due to my past and childhood. So, your words really warmed my heart:) Thank you.
OTGW really hit the topic! got to the main, you guys are amazing! It'd be just great not to think what others think but unfortunately it's unusual. But just to mention, I was amazed by my chinese friend that also had identity crisis and it also comforted I'm not alone. Still i think that they have a priviledge to know our culture and grow in both western and eastern cultures. Most speak chinese as their first or second language and though they live abroad they still find sth common with other asians there and their parents take care of you know where you're come from etc. while I, who was adopted at a young age, never got to know anything as my parents never told me. I see that some of my chinese adoptee friends spend Lunar year or have travelled to China since little - their parents adapted them to both past and present and that's how they may hav a bit more confidence bout their identity or a better starting point.
You guys share some great insights! I experienced an identity crisis when I was younger and one of the most important things I learnt is: even though we are shaped from the environment we grow up in and through our family, friends and peers; our identity of ourselves comes from within. If you continue being influenced by other people's labels, stereotypes and judgements that they place on you, then you will never stop having endless different identities that you see within yourself...
When I went to US people asked me where am I from? When I answered brazil they were like: Whaaat?! But you're chinese right? And I was like: no, I'm brazilian, my grandparents are japanese. It was pretty awkward have to explain it all the time 😂
lmaoo
+Tatiane Fukuyama Aw...
Peruvian Japanese here... do not know whether I tick Latino or Asian :) (same thing, Japanese grandparents but Mom and Dad were born in Peru)
***** I'm not denying my ancestors culture, I'm brazilian because I didn't just grew up here, I was born here and my parents too, I don't even speak japanese. Most of brazilians have grandparents borned in other countries and it doesn't make them italian or german, however it doesn't mean they don't keep some traditions from their ancestors land. Nationality is not just physical appearance, and if you search it will realize that brazil population is basically composed by immigrants families
Japanese immigration to Brazil began more than 100 years ago. It's more than 30 years ago before WW2. At that time Brazil had needed agricultural workers and recruited the immigrants as farmers whereas Japanese farmers had been suffering from cold weather damage in northern Japan. Many of them migrated to Brazil.
Yeeees! I've been waiting for this discussion! :D You guys are the best!
I'm Korean American who's currently living in Korea and trying to move back to America. I always felt I don't fit in anywhere on the inside. I was totally fine about myself and I felt special being Korean American but the problem was when I needed some friends who can understand my thoughts or problems, there was no one. So I felt lonely and only kept my problems and worries inside. But now I'm getting used to it. Are there other Asian Americans who's having same problem with me?
me as asians living in europe
Ultimately we are all just people. What languages we speak and what passports we have in our pocket are just the surface and they don't define us as persons.
ok. I was born in China and my parents lived in China for a several years, worked there and get married so they speak perfect chinese and were influenced by chinese culture. Then when i was 5 we moved back to our home country to Kazakhstan which is half asian and half european modern country mostly influenced by Russia. So i grew up speaking kazakh and russian in an european and diverse environment and never felt myself comfortable because i was raised in China. Then when i was 17 i moved abroad to Italy and realised that i dont really fit into European culture as much as i though i would be but still i cant really communicate with chinese people there, neither with russians and there were just couple of kazakhstani people. Everyone else saw me as chinese since i look asian, was surprised when i speak perfect russian and english and behave myself as a typical white european person.... Thats a real asian identity crisis, kids...
and now, i dont know where to go, since i will never fit into any of these countries where i lived because i am 21 now and i lived in 4 different countries and was influenced by their culture and i speak 5 languages
+Sagim B Oh I met some kazakh people in China and liked them. I think you might want to live in international cities like Shanghai or Beijing where you can live your mix asian-european way of life while nobody will be likely to judge you on your appearance.
+飛鳥昭羽 :) i lived in China and now living in Italy. one is too asian another is too european. you're right, big cities like NY or London could be suitable for me. and noone will have any stereotypical prejudices about me. like they say "why dont u use chopsticks if u look chinese", or "youre too much liberal for an asian person" and so on.... For most of the people its hard for them to see an asian person with totally european mindset and lifestyle.
I'm German and live in the U.S. I have trouble because I'm an outsider in America, but I'm also an outsider in Germany.
How are you an outsider in Germany?
because they live in the U.S., they are not surrounded by the German culture on a daily basis, thus they may not be able to understand what many people who live in Germany may.
Natanya T
When I go back my family and friends consider me mainly American.
Henry von Rintelen oh. Ok.
LOL, at least people won't ask your kid: "where are you REALLY from?"
Great video! I was just thinking about how proud I am to be Korean-American, not American or Korean, and I thought your testimonies and advice really gave a lot of food for thought. Keep it up!
I was born in Colombia and moved to the US before I was 4 and to Canada before I was 13. For me my identity was never a problem. I am American and that it's my country. Colombia may be my heritage, but I do not identify strongly with that place. I'm in the process of becoming Canadian. In due time, I will see place to as my country as well.
Too many people seem to have a problem "conforming" to North American culture. But it also goes the other way to. You don't HAVE TO identify strongly with your parent's or grandparent's country. I was raised here in North America and this is my home, this is where I belong and this is where I'm from. I respect Colombia but don't identify as JUST "Colombian." Perhaps Colombian descent, but not a Colombian national and definitely not the first thing I respond when I people ask me where I'm from. I don't deny my heritage and it does contribute to who I am. I wouldn't change it for anything since I simply writing be the same and neither do I pretend to be Irish or some shit. I am an American-Canadian of Colombian descent. That's how I think of myself.
Race has no scientific basis. Half of anthropologists will tell you it doesn't really exist and is entirely a made up social construct, the half will tell you it does exist but that it's not what you think it is. Ethnicity has no defined definition, there are probably as many definitions of ethnicity there are ethnicities. Culture is something that exists solely within the mind. It's determined by the environment you grew up and not by genes or blood, it's not inherited, I repeat, culture is not inherited. It exists solely within the human mind and originated from human imagination long ago.
Because it it's based on your environment during childhood, many people might identify strongly with their parents culture because they were raised by their parents and spent most of your time with them. It might also be stronger if you were raised in a neighbourhood where the majority. For me, this was simply not the case.
Also, one thing I like about the US and Canada it's that were immigrant cultures. In Europe and Japan and other places, you are simply an immigrant LIVING there but you are not FROM there, that is not your home country, nor your homeland. But in North America, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Brazil, and probably some other places, you are OF that country if you were raised there. If you're family is Irish, but you were raised in a Canada, you ARE Canadian. Perhaps not everyone will age with this, but I certainly experience this. Not only there, but there is a historical basis for this as well.
I've had the same problem I've
Grown in the U.S. But I was born in Colombia I've never felt Colombian I've always wonder whether I was American or Colombian now I think I'm. American just with Colombian ancestry cause I'm mean I speak with an American accent
Daniel ochoa We're Americans bud, and proud of it. We are of Colombian descent and it's a part of who we are, but me personally, I am American first and foremost.
***** I use the term "North American culture" as well because I'm not sure it's synonymous with white anymore, which to me is a great thing.
Occidental79er Black people have been living here as well since the beginning of our society. And I said North American culture because I was referring to both USA and Canada who basically have the same culture.
***** it's called ios solli (the place where you were born) and aus sanguinis (your family)
Can't believe that Mia grew up in Indonesia. I'm from Indonesia too. Hope you visit Indonesia again. Lots of love from Indonesia for OTGW.
This was a much needed video. Not just for Asians who grow up in the west, but for mixed-Asians like myself, trying to find our identity can be really difficult.
Acceptance from others is one thing I've always wanted in adolescence because of my physical appearance. But recently, in college like Dan suggested, I've come terms that even though I'm 1/4 Chinese, I'll never look 100% Chinese. Still, no matter what native Chinese say about my "lao wai" status, I'll always be proud to embrace my Asian heritage
People shouldn't label humans with names like Asian american, African american, ect. they are a human being. period. I've met so many interesting people from all over the world Ghana, Iran, Lebanon, Mauritius, Wallis & futuna, Sri Lanka South Africa, soo many places. They all just want to be happy because they are all human too.
I treat nationality and ethnicity separately.
How to know if your in an identity crisis:
1. Can you speak your native language? (Ex. if your part Chinese, can you speak any type of Chinese like Canto or Mandarin)
2. Can you speak the national language of the country your currently residing in? (Ex. If your in America, can you speak English or Habla espanol? If your in Canada, can you speak English or Parlez-vous français?)
3. Did you immigrate to your current country your residing in when your an adult?
4. Have you ever been back to your mother/fatherland? If so, did you have a hard time fitting in? (Like speak the language or meet people)
5. Have you been ever called a foreigner?
If you answered all these questions with Yes, then you may have an identity crisis, luckily for me, I had 3 'No's (This quiz may not be right for you.)
Drive Gaming a
I feel your pain Mia, its like you are a guest in your own country
Thank you for this! Coming from an adopted family, I grew up with western parents and values. I knew I was 100% Chinese, but I didn't really feel it and still don't. However, I am in the process of retrieving my heritage and culture. It's still hard to deal with my dual identity because I haven't quite figured out my identity too much yet. And when I'm on the diverse UW campus, Asians everywhere have certain expectations of me that I don't really live up to. It's so tiring. @.@
Lin Wang I'm a Chinese and I grew up in China until the age of 12 and then my family moved to another country where another language is sproken. And here I find quite a lot adopted Chinese who have western parents. At begin I didn't know how I should talk to them because I find it a quite sensitive issue.. I don't want to hurt hem but I also don't know whether they will feel uncomfortable if I talk to them the way like 'hey we're both Chinese'. I actually accept what they feel, maybe they feel just western and I totally understand it. But I have no idea why but sometimes I have mixed (mostly sad) feelings if I hear people telling them they SHOULD feel 100procent western just because China 'left' you or things like that.. It's actually so sweet to see that they're chosen to be loved and they have formed an awesome family with their western parents. But I'll also be really glad if they love the Chinese culture (just like I'm really glad to read that you are in the process of retrieving your heritage and culture). I don't know what advice I can give to you.. I guess if you give them a friendly gesture and if you're getting close you can tell what you actually feel..? I think they will understand you and accept your feelings.. And I'm here supporting you in this process of retrieving your heritage. My best wishes
LY Li Thank you very much for your kindness! I do try and reach out more, but sometimes it's difficult to relate to what they talk about because I never personally experienced it. I still have a lot to learn, but I have definitely met some wonderful Chinese people who are helping me out to retrieve my culture and heritage! =)
Well done guys, great video as always!
I've got a quick question, have you guys encounter some kind of language barrier problem when talking to your parents? For example, your parents migrate from China to US, you speak English fluently but your parents don't and you can't speak manadarin (or other dialect) fluently either. Is it hard to communicate with them? If so, how can you handle it? Because i've seen similar cases that make me feel thankful because i didn't experience such a thing.
Thanks!
The problem is people confusing race with ethnicity and nationality. If you keep these concepts separate it will be easy to identify yourself. See race as a biologic concept, how much you look like the people of a certain part of the world. Ethnicity is a cultural concept, how your education and values compare with the people of some area of the world. And nationality is a political concept, which political entity (country) you are a member and owe allegiance to. It's perfectly fine to be asian latino and american.
I think that this was a very important topic as it relates to not only Asians but people around the world! Even as a Caucasian born and raised in America there is still a bit of an identity crisis just because Im more Irish then English or German. This was an awesome video and you guys are great to watch!
Well Im Filipino-American with some Chinese but overall I consider myself Filipino and American. However I do have cousins who are half Chinese and Filipino that immigrated here to the US but when they lived in the Philippines they learned Hokkien at home, basic Mandarin at school and of course spoke English and Tagalog at home alongside hokkien. But among native Filipinos, they feel Chinese. As they immigrated and knew other Chinese they told me they didnt feel as Chinese. But in the end they embrace the 3-in-1 culture as they got older.
I'm adopted from China and I think I identify more as an American but I have always wanted to learn about the Chinese culture.
support you.
Please learn Chinese and Chinese culture
Sincerely a Mexican guy
I started to feel identity crisis when I was at school and I'm Asian-American. No one would pick me for anything, no teacher liked me, and people said I had a weird face. Once they learned I was born in America all of that stopped. I felt extremely offended and I started acting more and more Asian. I know consider myself more Asian in personality. Don't judge people by there race.
Thanks for touching on this subject. I can relate to Mike in the fact that I grew up in the Midwest where there isn't a lot of diversity (suburb of Minnesota) and eventhough I was adopted and grew up in a Caucasian family I still got all of the stereotypical comments eventhough I knew little to nothing about China. I went studied Mandarin for 2 months in Beijing during a summer vacation and fell in love with the culture, but when I came back some of the people at college wouldn't even acknowledge me as Asian because I was so "white-washed" so it's like it was flipped. The two cultures have some opposing views (i.e. beauty standards) so it felt like no matter what I did I couldn't win. I've also been told by/asked by Asians and Caucasians alike that I looked Korean; being adopted I don't actually know my ethnic/genetic background and I do enjoy aspects of Korean culture. Even if it's only minimally OTGW help me connect with the culture.
the only thing that ever bothered me was that "where do you come from" question. For a while I gave up and said that I came from China(not true at all as I had never been there before!), but luckily I was able to figure out the perfect answer eventually so that both myself and everyone else were happy about the answer haha. I am a Chinese New Zealander, though I did have a teacher who questioned myself for being a New Zealander though. I may have ancestors from China but you can't question that to Taiwanese people haha.
Hmm I'm Korean, born and raised in Seoul. Lived in England and Australia for just 3 years but I feel like such a banana (White inside Asian outside) most of the time. In fact, I've never felt like I fit into Korean society. All my heroes are either Europeans or Americans (Most of them being thinkers and scientists) except for Gautama Siddhartha (the Indian-Nepalese guy who became known as the Buddha). When I talk to Korean people or Asian people living in Asia in general, I often feel frustrated because I hold rather eccentric views on many things. They find me either boring or too extreme and I feel the same about them... whereas I've met quite a few westerners who could 'get' me and share the same interests and views. I'm still utterly confused as to where I belong... my birth certificate says I'm Korean, my looks say I'm Asian, but I have a strong western mindset. Westerners see me as a weird Asian and my people see me as an outsider once they get to know me. I'm 30 now and this has been going on forever. What to do...?
Myongjun Kim I think it's just your personality. I too struggle with this, growing up in asia and moving to the west (currently still living here) I have not met people who "get" me yet because I mostly feel culture identity is something I least identify with. I'm only in my early 20s though. Christmas? Valentine? CNY? Ramadan? It doesn't have deep roots for me. Nor does the typical asian household upbringing means I share a 'bond' closely with other asians: I do, but I feel removed from it in a sense.
I'm white, not Asian; but I have a similar "identity crisis." I am what is called an "army brat". My dad was in the US army for most of my life, and we moved a lot. Typically, we lived somewhere for barely a year before moving. I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska; but left when I was four. I have lived on the Pacific and Atlantic. I lived in up-state NY and Long Island. I lived in eight different places before moving out. My accent is a combination of everywhere I lived. My first roommate, who was from Transilvania, thought I was from Austria. I used to identify with the military; but I changed my mind and didn't join. I have come to consider "home" as being everywhere and nowhere. Do any of you feel or have felt like this, army brat or not?
I've been going through this more than once. When I was younger I got bullied quite a lot for looking Asian and felt like being white would solve the problem. I really tried incredibly hard to fit in but somehow never did. When I was around 16 and surrounded by many Asians, they clearly expected me to act and behave like them. Again, I tried to please. Today, I'm 24 and kinda in-between. I can switch and adapt and it's definitely like Mike says; you get the best of both worlds. I adore Asian cuisine and culture and my eating habits are very Asian. My mentality however is Western I'd say. Not completely but mostly. It's also true that all the questions that this matter may raise can be very confusing. You might feel lost and/or left out. Everybody seems to belong somewhere, everyone but you. Whoever goes through this at the moment, always remember that eventually, you'll find your place and true self. And that your whole life is a quest. It's ok if you haven't all quite figured it out yet.
I love this video. I love this channel. This channel really helps me appreciate my Chinese heritage. Like Mike, I lived in the Midwest during my teen years, and I still do. Yeah, I totally agree with the sentiment that Midwesterners tend to notice Asians more quickly than Blacks or Whites, but sometimes you can find a handful of Midwesterners who wouldn't even bat an eye at the racial difference.
Can i please just express how much i appreciate your show??
感谢您!感谢您!感谢您!感谢您!
Omg, I totally agree with this video. My parent believe that I lost my asian culture and am becoming more Americans, however, my friend or people is general still views me as Asain, thou I grow up in NYC.
As asian-swedish I have found that the hardest part in my life is to find my place ín the swedish society so I could relate to most of the things you guys have said. For that I've got inspired by the words you came up with. Thank you guys for sharing this!
Everyone goes through identity crisis at some point in their life it's frustrating trying to figure out where you fall in the scheme of things.
I am half mexican, half french growing up outside of Quebec. I relate completely to what you guys are talking about. Also, my girlfriend is vietnamese and we were discussing this topic the other day. We are looking at moving to Taiwan together so our kids will be confronted to this challenge for sure.
Finally someone who i can relate with. Identity crisis is definitely real, especially for me being a half japanese and half chinese who's living in Indonesia was tough to say the least. Not only that i was a hapa, but i was a hapa who lived in a country that doesn't fully accept people like me, as people in my society dictates that i'm a chinese-japanese kid, but when i go overseas people saw me as Indonesian. It's tough when you can't fully belong to a specific group.
im applying to american grad school and voices in my head are starting to be english. I thought i couldn't fit in american culture till i found u guys. such a relief.
i believe this issue is more general. i am a russian from ukraine that grew up in greece. my mom always told me i'm russian, spoke to me in russian and stuff, but i've never been in russia and whenever people ask where i'm from they don't understand and say that i'm ukrainian. i never really thought i stand out as a foreigner but people always ask me if i'm from england or something and then congratulate me on my greek which i speak fluently since it's basically my native language. especially when they hear my surname i feel like i have some explaining to do. so even if i try i don't feel greek, or russian or ukrainian.. sometimes this "identity crisis" amuses me as it sound kinda funny but other times not so much. i dream about living in a foreign country (enland or japan) and maybe the fact that i don't quite fit in had a little to do with it..
sorry for the long comment, it's nice to hear you talk about issues like this
It's pretty much the same with me :) I'm Russian but grew up in Germany. I have a typical Russian first name and a german last name. A typical stereotype about Russians is that they drink a lot, which I don't and I get some pretty weird looks for that sometimes :P
And also the thing you said about living in Japan or something, I would love to live in Japan or South Korea (because I'm learning Korean) and I love trying all different and "weird" meals at Chinese restaurants which my friends find pretty odd :p
Just know that I got your back !!! :)
Oli Pop yes that drinking thing happens to me too. the open their eyes wide. it's funny sometimes.. :P
I think this video is really interesting to feature a Chinese-Indonesian, as it adds more perspective towards the issue. (Need to be noted that I'm Chinese by descendant and NOT MIXED). I ever read the article of "sinophobia" or phobia of Chinese descendants. Don't gt me wrong, but I think the problem happened here is the lack of understanding and implement that Indonesia is a very diverse country as mentioned in Pancasila (basis of Indonesia's ideology). I grew up in Jakarta (the capital city which the people are diverse by ethnicities in Indonesia e.g. Manadonese, Bataknese, Flores, Ambonese, and even some people from Papua. I feel so glad that back during my elementary years (1998-2004), the school that I went are heterogenous and I grew up with that way (embracing diversity). I speak Indonesian all the time (English as my second language), and I am really proud as an Indonesian (although I don't like some of Indonesian cuisines, but it should not determine the outcome of feeling yourself as an Indonesia) If people say me "Cina" or something like that, although it hurts, but hey, you cannot please anybody, even someone who has the same ethnicity as yourselves.
As I explore my interest regarding the issue, I can share a lot of experiences in terms of inter-cultural communication. The most important value for me is to embrace my heritage, but I prefer my nationality as Indonesian. Currently some of closest friends are Javanese, Sundanese, and Arabic Indonesian. We had this kind of conversation, and they experience the difficulties to blend because they don't always know what will happen when they interact with someone who has diffrent background. From the discussion, four of us are blended each other because each of us has the willingness to accept each other. Everybody has their own experience regarding this issue I think, I face the difficulty to know several Chinese Dialects (Hokkien, Teow Chew, Mandarin) as I grew up in a multicultural environment. Because of that, when I heard someone called "t***" or "fan***", I instantly got the person to shut up. I know it is impolite to even tell th person to shut up because of what he/she said, but I do value that racist comments will do backfire you. This may be hard to believe, but because of the treatments that I experienced, I consider myself as an Indonesian.
Trust me, I think there should be some evaluations that might be helpful:
1. Always put in your mind that humans are equal (I know this is the hardest, but trust me it works)
2. Understand where you live at. I don't say that you cannot practice your traditional beliefs, but remember that it is important to embace the value where you live at.
Hopefully this will bring the different perspective towards this issue. Thank you.
Hey guys, thank you for making these videos. There seems to be a lot of support out there for minorities and people who are descriminated against. I notice that Asians however, seem to hold back in silence and not speak up as much as other groups and it's nice to watch other Asians like me. Asian looking that is, but born and raised in other societies. I wish Asians were represented more in normal tv or movie roles. A causcasian friend from NZ said it's because people don't want to watch Asians on tv. A French friend has a small baby clothing brand and features almost exclusively blond haired blue eyed babies to model. She says they sell more. However she used a Chinese friend's half Asian baby once (because of lack of other available models) and I noticed she got thousands of likes on Instagram as opposed to 50 to 250 for her other photos. I think there is just an ingrained prejudice that even our so-called open minded friends don't even notice. Anyway, I deviate .. thanks for the videos and keep them coming!!!!
The identity crisis on Indonesian Chinese was worsened because in the past (1965-1998) the Chinese was forbidden to use Chinese language, letters and banned all Chinese culture because of political turmoil at that time led by Suharto ( the general turned dictator), Chinese schools were banned for life and the properties nationalized. they even didn't allowed Chinese name and forced the local name. The generations born after 1960's were couldn't spoke Chinese (except for a few) and were unjustly discriminated. I couldn't speak/read Chinese Mandarin and Fujianese and had no Chinese name.
THIS! Thanks for bringing this up ;)
***** after 1998 the situation is much better, Indonesian has real democracy and Suharto is demoted. Chinese culture allowed to flourish, nowadays a lot of Indonesian learn Chinese and Chinese New Year is an official holiday! We now have a better freedom than the past. Our Governor of Capital City of Indonesia (Jakarta) is Chinese now! BTW Indonesian Chinese is the third largest of Overseas Chinese in the World at 7--8 millions people reside in almost 300 millions people nation (Indonesia).
Henry Ezra Ong Glad to hear times have changed (:
Glad i still have my Chinese name..
Wow..Mia melts my heart everytime...Keeper, fellas.
Wow !! Great discussion & relatable !!! Thanks guys!! I hope my kids have a better experience
Hello guys I am sad to say I am sooo late to your channel. As I binged watched several of your episodes I came across you were cancelled. Noooo I fell like I found a new friend (s). Your content is spot on family, food, East vs west. Etc. but for this segment I visited hk after college n you know what the biggest shocker to me was that everywhere I when I was the majority. Btw I grew up in the south. I still have many vids to catch up just want to say thank you I thought I was the only one who fell this way.
I want to sincerely thank you folks for discussing this widespread topic of identity crisis that all ethnicities feel in different countries! If I may, I would just like to add something to this discussion that I have seen throughout my 17 years of life in Hawaiʻi (aka Hawaii) lol. I want to speak about this because things are VERY unique here. I was born in the Philippines, but I am not full Filipino. I am Hawaiian, Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Filipino (this fact ties in with the uniqueness of Hawaiʻi). One would think that growing up in a more Western country, you would feel this stage of identity crisis. I never did, though. I fell that this might be because it is hard to find full blooded Asians here; most of us here are of very mixed heritage, which is why I have mentioned my ethnic background. The vast majority of people here are Asian, but those who are full Asian are of a smaller percentage than Asians who are mixed. For example, a lot of my friends are Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Thai, as well as multiple European and Polynesian heritages. I have not met too many people in Hawaiʻi who have had an identity crisis, whether they were born abroad or are local. I just wanted to add something to this discussion. Thanks again for speaking about this topic! Ke aloha nō (much love)!
I would also like to add that for the most part, all of the ethnic groups have kept their cultures very strong. So whereas Asians may hang around with other ethnicities, they still feel very strongly connected to their own culture and heritage.
Great topic, eloquently addressed.
Thank you for bringing this up. I am a Korean-American.
When I went to Korea and Japan, I am no longer seen or taken as "Asian." I was seen as just another "human-being."
Then, it hit me. I realized what I was missing in my entire life.
It felt really good. Just walking around, people seeing me as another human-being, not as "Asian." so liberating.
I never thought of it as an identity crisis before but you guys pretty much described how I feel.
Being half Thai/Chinese born in Thailand, moved to Spain but now living in England.
I never really fitted in anywhere. When I went back to Thailand, most people think I'm a foreigner. In England, people think I'm a foreigner even though I have been living here over half my life. Then when I was on my year abroad in Spain(I study Spanish and Chinese), people just get really confused when I told them I'm British (because technically I am) and then I confuse them even more when I start speaking in Spanish...(I was living in a part of Spain that didn't have a lot of Asian people). In China, people were just confused as to why this Chinese looking girl doesn't speak Chinese/very terrible at Chinese... Oh the confusion I have caused over my life story :')
I love what you guys do, especially being an Asian guy who grew up in US. WIsh you guys were doing this 10 years ago as I'm a bit older than you guys are...
Woo Indonesia!!! I was wondering why her accent sounded familiar... now I know why.
Totally identify with this problem! My parents have spent a lot of energy in making sure I can read and speak Cantonese despite being Canadian. My Chinese is better than the majority of Chinese born Canadians. When I visited East Asia, I didn't fit in there because my Chinese wasn't as good as theirs and I was fairly Western. It's definitely a weird in between. I am interested in learning about the cultural history. So, I took a few East Asian studies courses in university, trying to fill the gap. I've come to a point where I know I'm somewhere between the two cultures. I've accepted it and will still continue to try to learn more.
Thank you so much for this video! I can related a lot with this topic: My parents are both chinese, I was born in an french island. Sometimes I think I am not "chinese enough" to fit and to get along well with my family who is very traditional; but at the same time I am not "french enough" to fit with the other people. Now I am studying in a smal town in France where people don't meet a lot of person like me, with a mixed culture. I am always treated like an alien, and it is very tiring. (sorry my english is bad)
Hi! I'm British Chinese and totally embrace my identity! I think we're a blend of East meets West and so we get the best of both worlds! I think being able to appreciate both cultures fully and mix freely between the two is a wonderful thing - it enhances an individual's open mindedness and cultural awareness, so be proud of it :)
I consider myself as indonesian,but my mother is arab, chinese, dutch and sundanese (one of native ethnic group in indonesia) descendant. I don't know about my father's ancestors very well, but I think he isn't 100% indonesian also. Both of them are moslem. People always thought that I am pure chinese or even half japanese since I was a kid! Even when I lived in Japan, no one considering me as Indonesian, they said if I am Japanese or not (I am not lying) Sadly, my mom doesnt look like me at all, she got middle-eastern DNA : pointy nose, large eyes with double eyelids, etc. So, I always targeted to be bullied since so young by they-called-pure-indonesian because I got this east asian DNA in indonesia (not all Indonesian are bad) Idk what i am belong to :"( sorry for my poor english
Here's something:
I grew up in SF and my family is super not-Asian... like we even fail to celebrate lunar new year. We used to as kids, but such traditions have lost their value over the many generations! I feel like I understand western culture wayyy more than eastern cultures and I'm half chinese and half Filipino... I'm so obsessed with chinese history and culture, but I feel like this is much less of a mmm exploration of my cultural background. More like I'm a westerner interested in China's impact / existence? Who knows... It's weird.
I'm a Singaporean Chinese , my wife is from jiangsu china, I visited china for the past 3 years in Shanghai and jiangsu. The locals over there knew I'm not local cuz of my dressing and appearance. But somehow they kept guessing either I'm from Guangzhou or Xiamen province lol. That's just my experience over there. And of course I experience culture shock when I was there as well. :)
I'm just a pure Chinese who wants to go around the world and fit in whatever culture is out there. But it is so hard.
I love this, but could you do one if your westerner but raised in Asian Culture? what would that be? because I was born to Western parents but raised in Asian culture!
I'm half white and half filipino. Up untill I was 10 I grew up in semi poor areas where the population was primarily Hispanic, all around San Diego county, California. My mom was filipina. Dad was white and in the navy. My step dad came into my life when I was about 3 or 4 also white and a sailor. I have lighter skin than most filipinos and really soft facial features for a boy. I remember kids would call me jackie chan. All of my friends where Mexican until middle school. I would see my dads and step dads family through the years they lived in vancouver, wa and denver, colorado. I felt the same disconnect with all of them as I felt with my filipino grandma and grandpa (who i grew up with in san diego), but they are all white. My mom never taught her 3 kids how to speak tagalog, so being a little kid and hearing her speak that language to her friends or my grandparents was a huge barrier for me. I have also never been to the Philippines or intend to go. I don't really care now, but when I was little, my mom told me stories of how she lived on her own in Manila with the shittiest lifestyle. For some reason too I have always considered my grandparents and other filipinos other than my mom, dirty. lol Which is why I guess I thought filipinos were inferior and poor compared to americans, but that was just a childish thought, don't take it serious. So I really did feel that identity crisis when I was little, and being in a poor family where the parents didn't have time to hold their kids hands didn't help. I hope people realized how much of a struggle it can be if you don't understand yourself or your surroundings at a young age.
thank you guys for the video. I think every person, who grew up abroad, would have such an identity crisis. I know that I did and a lot of my friends did too. Even though here in Europe we look the same, we still have these kinds of problems...
Identity crisis suck. I am german/swedish/french/turkish - I was born in germany, raised in germany and I feel german and I AM literally german!? Yet, bc of my turkish last name- here, I am the turkish girl- no one ever called me the swedish, the french or just german girl, just turkish and it is annoying! I am german but noone ever seems to realise that. And when I am in Turkey or Sweden or France - I am the german. Where do I belong? It's like I don't feel part or accepted of any country...
take their advice you dont have to think too much about what people said just be your self either they like it or not who care as long as you dont disturb them and vice versa :)
hmm if you have an identity crisis, I can suggest taking a DNA test
Going through identity crisis makes you a richer person... I'm into foreigners who've lived in my country for some time because I can feel they've gone through a struggle and had to find out who they are. It's much more interesting to talk to them, because they're not defined just by their friends and jobs like many guys who were born here.
Great video. I am Chinese American and it was not easy for me when I was younger since my family moved to the States after I became a teenager. It was difficult to fit in for me since the Chinese culture are quite different than the American's - from daily living habits/cuisine to interest in sports & entertainment. It took many years for me to accept who I am and find the balance between the East & the West is not an easy process for everyone.
I've resisted for too long, I need to finally post on one of these video's; Mia is one of the most loveliest Chinese beauties I have ever seen in my life!
I actually am writing a research paper about this topic in my class lol. I chose the topic of discussing Chinese-American marginalization and how different generations of Chinese-Americans view that issue, and compare/connect my experiences to that topic.
I feel like I have gone through identity crisis (probably my entire maternal grandmother's lineage too)
I'm a 5th or 6th Gen Missourian. No matter where I go, I don't seem to fit in. We look "different." We have mixed heritages of african, indigenous american, and European. Even after moving to Louisiana, I don't seem to fit in with others.
I feel "culture-less", what real culture have I gained from Missouri? We cannot trace our ethic cultures; most was not recorded or shared in family stories.
When everyone outside of my home asks me "what are you?" I began to question that myself. But I know for sure I'm 100% born and raised in Missouri.
Just FYI, it's my personal opinion that it doesn't matter what ethnicity you are. It's the person you are that I get to know!
Im totally with you in regards to not having that ancestrial history.....i wish i had the option of going to Africa to learn of my family's past but....would not know where to start. I hope to learn of African culture in general and mix in traditions and things from other cultures and live like that...then i will pass these things down to my kids so that they can say they knew some history of their family
I'm from Indonesia but now I live in America.
I'm kinda confused about this topic I'm not sure if I'm Asian or not cuz half of my friend sees me Asian and other think I'm from the Arab but I sees myself as Asian if that wrong plz answer back I'm very confused
Glad I watched this video since I'm a BBC I used to feel like I don't belong and still sometimes now in UK and when I went on holiday to Hong Kong 3 years ago I felt like I didn't belong there either, it's hard because we're right in the middle between both and struggle to find a place we can belong.
I am half white and half Asia. Oh the identity crisis is so real.
onewhoisanonymous That's amazing! 2.2 billion people are counting on you; keep up the good work.
onewhoisanonymous me too.. taiwanese+white
i understand your identity crisis haha
onewhoisanonymous arent east asian like japan taiwan china etc like that and chinese japanese taiwanese ancestors are white
The struggle is real. I get sooo stressed out because of it..
OH MOOD
I used to have this as well when I was younger, but it wasnt so much that the people around me wanted to put me into a category, it was more like that I couldnt "identify" myself as 100% western or 100% eastern...
Now i just embrace the fact that i am neither 100% western nor 100% eastern.. I take the best of both worlds, its an amazing feeling and experience and I am proud of my bicultural and bilingual upbringing; it makes me so much more open minded and tolerant and gives me the background knowledge to understand both east and west, so yeah, embrace your differences and take advantage of what you have. Dont let other people define who you are, but be exactly the person who you want to be, no matter east or west :)
Very interesting! But I think that what you're addressing applies to nearly all people who grow up in a foreign country. Personally I feel as though I'm going through an identity crisis at the moment - I am from North/Eastern Europe and have spent half of my life in Britain... I don't really fit in here or back at home anymore!
Such a great subject. I come in from a different angle. I'm a 68-year-old woman, a Nuyorican (Puerto Rican born in NY, raised in Spanish Harlem) and I look Asian. I want to point out that I do not look like anyone in my family. I thought I was either adopted or they mixed up the babies in the maternity ward (more common in that time frame than you would think). DNA tests from two organizations have confirmed that I have no Asian in me. In fact - shock of all shock - I'm 50% Jewish. Again, raised as Catholic. I tend to look Filipino and/or Chinese mix. When I go to Chinatown, I'm sometimes approached by people speaking their own language and feel bad that I do not understand and hoping they don't think I'm denying my 'heritage'. I have both Filipino and Chinese friends and it's a hoot when I'm with them in a group and they start to talk their own language - and I am clueless, but I take no offense. I've done the same when I am with Spanish speaking people. So, my message - just celebrate your uniqueness. Embrace it.
Well I was born in Indonesia and I live in Boston now. I classify myself as Indonesian :D.
I think it is sad that people find all sorts of reasons to judge other people. I've dealt with a lot of this going through school, university, and the work system. But for a different reason since I have social anxiety, depression, ptsd, agoraphobia and some other emotional disorders. People automatically see you as 'weird' and they tend to stay away from you because they just can't relate.
And the hardest thing about emotional disorders is that it isn't uniform to everyone. People all experience social anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders in their own way. So even two people with the same 'diagnosis' aren't really the same and can't necessarily relate. At the end of the day you become an outcast even with the outcast system. And it is something that is rarely talked about by anyone because it isn't socially acceptable to do so. So it can be frustrating.