My research question is: “how does being a first generation Chinese-Canadian compare with being a Chinese immigrant in terms of identity?” With this question I hope to find the extent to which differences can be found between the two generations. Moreover, I wish to learn how growing up with exposure to different cultures can affect Chinese-Canadian identity. Either through narratives or self reflections, each of the three excerpts highlighted the presence of self-questioning with regards to feeling different from Canadian-born citizens. There was a shared phenomenon wherein each individual of focus felt as though they were no different from others until they reached a certain age. In one excerpt, a boy couldn’t understand why Santa Claus hadn’t brought him any gifts- when he asked his grandmother, he was told that Santa doesn’t come to Chinese houses. A common sentiment between first generation Chinese-Canadians is that of clashing cultures. These individuals feel as though they have to play a balancing act between their parents strong Chinese values in contrast with colonial Canadian, or Western values. As a second generation Chinese-Canadian, I have been able to witness these differences between my father, his relatives, and his parents. In his book titled “Being Chinese in Canada”, William Dere writes of his life growing up as a Chinese-Canadian. In the given excerpt, he illustrates the injustice he experienced from the persecuting Canadian Government with the Chinese head-tax. While European immigrants were granted entry into Canada tax-free and encouraged to bring their entire families, Chinese families were only allowed access for just one male to enter at the cost of $500. Dere’s family instilled in him a strong moral of working and studying hard, but these qualities were overshadowed by the racism he experienced later on while growing up in Quebec. “Presenting Diversity and Negotiating Identity: Narratives of the Chinese in Newfoundland” by Mu Li is an accumulation of narratives from Chinese individuals living in Newfoundland. It explores the definition of “Chineseness”, but ultimately arrives at several conclusions as Chinese descendants come in a large variety. For example, there are some overseas Chinese individuals who were born in China but moved away, while there are also mainland Chinese who were born there and continue to live there still. It is noteworthy to mention that Chinese culture can change over time. Under this notion, a sizeable gap would be created between the overseas and mainland Chinese that now live in Canada. In the article “Ethnic identity among Chinese Canadian youth”, Catherine Costigne addresses the difficulties that Chinese-Canadian youth face, specifically surrounding the tug of war they are required to play between Chinese and Canadian cultures while they grow up. The article concluded by noting that Chinese-Canadian youth possess strong ethnic identities that are largely imprinted onto them by their parents’ Chinese values. This goes to show just how significant the parents’ roles are in defining one’s ethnic identity in regards to determining its strength or weakness.
All three of these excerpts encompassed very similar topics within Chinese-Canadian identity- each expressed by their own means how the identities of individuals were heavily impacted during instances from their youth, whether it was by parents, friends or community. Authors:
Dere and Li explored how variables such as discrimination, bias, and blatant racism affected the outcome of identities, while Costigne focused on individuals who belong in a more present and progressive version of Canada. Something I found really interesting while researching into this topic was how there were many similar instances and occurrences of blatant hate and racism towards Chinese and Indigenous people. The Chinese suffered large and blatant acts of racism which entailed countless riots and protests over the Chinese before and after the head-tax price had been lowered, as well as soon after its removal. Each of the three excerpts gave strong responses to my question on identity and furthermore managed to exhibit similarities and differences between first generation and immigrant Chinese-Canadians, affirming that there are differences between said groups in terms of their views on how to live life, yet conclusively all managed to retain a strong sense of ethnic identity.
References:
Dere, W. G. W. (2019). Being Chinese in Canada : the struggle for identity, redress and belonging. Douglas & McIntyre. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat02755a&AN=cul.b1205968&site=eds-live&scope=site
Costigan, C., Su, T. F., & Hua, J. M. (2009). Ethnic identity among Chinese Canadian youth: A review of the Canadian literature. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 50(4), 261–272. https://doi-org.ezproxy.capilanou.ca/10.1037/a0016880
Li, M. (2018). Presenting Diversity and Negotiating Identity: Narratives of the Chinese in Newfoundland. Journal of Folklore Research, (3), 51. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.capilanou.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.559523496&site=eds-live&scope=site