Yanwen’s blog

On Monday, I wrote about bilingualism. My sister and I discussed why Chinese immigrants in America seem more eager than other immigrant groups to assimilate into mainstream American culture.

This conversation took me back to the 1980s when I studied deconstructionism in a literary criticism class and later applied these ideas in an American history class. Although I struggled with some non-English names, I remembered key terms and examples.

One important concept is binary oppositions, such as good and evil, yin and yang, male and female, mainstream and marginal, central and outlier. There is no yin without yang, no good without evil. In these pairs, one is usually privileged over the other, like male over female or main over marginal. Deconstruction aims to subvert this hierarchy by demonstrating how the subordinated term is integral to the privileged term's meaning and how the two are interconnected. For instance, there is yin in yang and yang in yin, making their positions fluid and interchangeable.

Let's apply this idea to the concept of assimilation into mainstream American culture and society. Perhaps we should deconstruct the binary opposition between mainstream and marginal culture. In this pair, mainstream and marginal cultures are interconnected, like yin and yang, and are parts of a whole.

So, what does it mean to assimilate? Does it mean becoming the dominant side of the pair? Speaking perfect English? Completely abandoning one's own minority culture and language to immerse oneself exclusively in "100% American" culture? Raising your kids like an average American family? By the way, what exactly is American mainstream culture? Not eat Chinese food?

If we deconstruct this binary opposition, we see a fluid pair where ethnic minorities like the Chinese and mainstream American culture influence each other. Deconstruction encourages us to be open and inclusive, recognizing the mutual influence and dynamic relationship between different cultures. In fact, deconstruction of binary oppositions helps us see the continuous exchange and mutual enrichment in today's multicultural world.

By practicing deconstruction, we can move beyond rigid notions of assimilation and cultural identity. Instead of viewing cultures as dominant and subordinate forces, we can appreciate the dynamic and evolving interplay between them. This perspective allows us to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society where diverse cultural influences are not only acknowledged but celebrated.

On two occasions yesterday, this saying surfaced in my life: "好汉不提当年勇" (hǎo hàn bù tí dāng nián yǒng): a hero doesn't boast about his past glories.

It's not a good practice for anyone to dwell on his or her past achievements, especially for retirees.

First of all, bragging never digests well in people's stomachs. Remaining humble about one's previous successes is always a strength. No matter how great you were in the past, there's always room for improvement and for continuing to strive for a better you.

Second, self-bragging always implies telling people that we have something in our past that is better than you, that we need to bring it up to impress you. This is disrespectful in conversations and interactions. And remember true strength lies in humility, not in bragging.

Third, honestly, nobody is truly interested in hearing how great you were in the past. Your past laurels are not relevant any more if you stop being that glorious. Psychologists might want to know your past in order to understand your present. I think of Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. There is a pathetic sense of out of touch with the realities.

Fourth, let bygones be bygones. Eye on the present and future. Focus on what you can contribute meaningfully today. Psychologically and mentally, I believe a forward-looking attitude is more healthy than backward-looking one.

Finally, an old hero not mentioning past glories is a sign of maturity, humility, respect, and forward-thinking, with the emphasis on continuous growth and adaptation.

For people of all ages, it's essential to move past whatever past we have endured, knowing that our worth is not solely defined by past achievements but also by ongoing actions and attitudes. e.g. people forget your brilliant college GPA after you turn 25.

More importantly, by focusing on the present and future, we continue to live fully and meaningfully and to inspire those around us.

Yesterday, our Hispanic neighbor had a lively party celebrating Father's Day. Their gatherings are always rich with Mexican culture. Their 9-year-old boy, born and raised in the U.S. like my children, speaks perfect Spanish with his relatives and friends and seems to thoroughly enjoy his Hispanic heritage.

Their celebration brought back memories of gatherings I once attended in Kansas, except that the Chinese children spoke English among themselves, and most of the ABCs (American-born Chinese) couldn't speak Chinese and communicate with their parents in English.

I talked to my sister about this, and she asked why ABCs can't speak Chinese. "It's so easy for them to grow up bilingual," she said. "Why didn't their parents speak Chinese to them?"

I recalled a conversation with a friend when my son was little. He said, "Our children won't go back to China when they grow up. What's the use of learning Chinese?"

I guess there were many Chinese parents who shared this view back then. They had not anticipated the rapid development and incredible changes taking place in China over the past two to three decades.

I shared my observations with my children. My daughter shared this with me, most of the second generation of Korean immigrants can speak Korean. Perhaps Chinese are more eager than others to assimilate.

I believe it is rather short-sighted for first-generation parents to deprive their children of the chance to grow up bilingual. The ability to speak multiple languages can open doors to rich experiences and cultural understanding, vastly enhance cognitive development, and provide more opportunities in today's globalized world, especially when China's economy is too significant to ignore now.

By not encouraging bilingualism, parents are limiting their children's future potential and connection to their heritage. Witnessing my neighbor's celebration of Spanish culture, I was reminded of the richness and the happiness that comes from accepting one's cultural roots and the value of language as a key component of one's identity. In a rapidly globalizing world, the ability to navigate multiple cultures and languages is an invaluable asset.

As we celebrate the diverse tapestry of our communities everywhere, let us be aware of the importance of fostering bilingualism in our children. Also, parents, it’s not just about the usefulness, it’s about honoring where we come from and giving the next generation the chance to know another culture, along with the tools and possibilities to thrive in an interconnected world.

Parents, be far-sighted. Invest in your children's future with more than one language and culture. Bridge the past and present, and enrich their lives in ways that go far beyond language alone. Don't limit your children's future with your limitation.

Happy Father's Day!

There is a Chinese saying about fatherly love, 父爱如山 (fù ài rú shān): A father's love is like a mountain. This saying emphasizes the strength, stability, unspoken presence, and enduring nature of a father's love. It can also imply the height and weight of expectations that society places on fathers.

In America, these expectations often seem more fictional than real, considering the high percentage of fathers who are absent from their children’s lives.

On this Father's Day, should we reconsider the traditional weighty expectations often associated with fatherly love? Instead of idealizing a fatherly love and setting unrealistic expectations for what a father should be, perhaps the best fatherly love is simply being present in your children's lives.

Like children telling fathers:

Be present when I was born;

Be present when I fall;

Be present when I play soccer games;

Be present when I need help or someone to talk to;

Be present when I learn swimming or biking;

Be present when I learn to drive;

Be present when I graduate from high school or college and even beyond.

This consistent presence throughout the growing years helps build a sense of security and stability in a child's life. This is the essence of the fatherly love that a child truly needs.

While the metaphor of a father's love being like a mountain emphasizes strength and stability, it is the consistent everyday presence of a father that truly matters. Fathers don't need to be perfect or extraordinary; their simple presence is enough to profoundly shape and positively impact their children’s lives.

With their simple presence in the children's life, fathers can provide the stability, security, support, and love that their children need to grow and thrive. This fatherly love fosters deeper connections and will leave a lasting positive impact. Ultimately, the most meaningful and money-cant-buy gift a father can give is his time and attention.

Let us celebrate and embrace the power of fatherly presence, understanding that being there—physically and emotionally—is what truly makes a difference in a child’s life.

Friday I overheard a conversation between two retired people:

"Have a nice weekend!"

"Well, every day is a weekend for us."

"Yeah, still some days you feel like Monday."

This exchange intrigued me. How can one feel like it's Monday when retirement dissolves the structured workweek?

I asked around for insights. Some suggested that even in retirement, responsibilities and tasks like appointments can bring stress reminiscent of workdays. Others mentioned commitments, such as social events or volunteering like what I often do, which can be disruptive.

Retirement provides an opportunity to structure our own time, giving us order, stability, and predictability. Our time is either structured by external forces or by ourselves. A typical example of an externally structured life is dedicating a huge portion of your most energetic years to an institution, such as medical school, often extending well into your 30s.

Yesterday, I discussed medical school with a friend from Kansas. Without such institutions managing our time, we must discipline ourselves to achieve comparable accomplishments. A challenge for many indeed.

Some people thrive in a structured environment. I am the opposite. I struggled to sit still through entire classes in elementary school.

Here lies a paradox in our attitude toward structured and unstructured time. On one hand, we desire freedom and spontaneity, longing to control our time. Do anytime we want. We feel constrained if the structure is too tight. On the other hand, we crave structure and order. Predictability reduces anxiety and stress, making daily life manageable and great for maintaining mental well-being.

This love-hate dynamic with structure seems deeply ingrained in our psychology. Retirement allows us to craft a balance, maintaining order and stability while enjoying the freedom of an unstructured life.

Finally, finding the right balance between freedom and structure in retirement can enhance both productivity and physical and mental well-being. It’s essential to create a routine with life stability while allowing the flexibility to enjoy newfound freedom. Embrace this balance so we can lead a fulfilling and satisfying retirement life.