Sometime in December, many people notice a small but telling shift. At the checkout counter, in a bank lobby, or at the end of a customer-service call, the familiar “Merry Christmas” is increasingly replaced with “Happy Holidays.” For some, it barely registers. For others, it feels symbolic—like a quiet departure from tradition. When did thisContinue reading “From “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays”:What a Simple Greeting Reveals About America Today”
Tag Archives: Culture roots
Thanksgiving and Chinese Americans: Family, Identity, and Belonging in a Cross‑Cultural Life
— A Collective Footnote to the Question: “Who Are We?” Every Thanksgiving, scenes inside Chinese American households take on a layered quality. At the dinner table, parents try to translate “grateful” into the right shade of Chinese;children explain the meaning of Friendsgiving in fluent English;relatives struggle with the turkey but still insist on adding aContinue reading “Thanksgiving and Chinese Americans: Family, Identity, and Belonging in a Cross‑Cultural Life”
Thanksgiving: A Lesson in Belonging for Chinese Immigrants in America
From a Dinner Table to a Cultural Insight In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, supermarkets across the United States begin to feel different. People who rarely cook are pushing carts full of spices, college students are animatedly debating who will bring dessert, delivery drivers are shuttling turkeys in and out of loading zones, andContinue reading “Thanksgiving: A Lesson in Belonging for Chinese Immigrants in America”
When “Sharing” Meets “Boundaries”: What Toy Stories Reveal About Chinese and American Parenting
A viral social media post recently sparked heated discussion: “American parents teach children to be selfish, while Chinese parents teach them to be generous.” The comment came from a simple observation—whether parents encourage children to share their toys. Yet behind this everyday scene lies something far more profound: two distinct ways of understanding the relationshipContinue reading “When “Sharing” Meets “Boundaries”: What Toy Stories Reveal About Chinese and American Parenting”
When Economic Structures Shape Emotions:The Social Logic Behind “Filial Respect” and “Independence”
— How culture reflects the economy beneath it It is often said that one of the biggest differences between Eastern and Western cultures lies in how they view the elderly. In Chinese culture, respecting and caring for elders is considered a moral foundation. In the United States, independence is seen as a virtue and aContinue reading “When Economic Structures Shape Emotions:The Social Logic Behind “Filial Respect” and “Independence””
Looking Far, Remembering Near — Reflections on the Double Ninth Festival in America
Every year, on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the Chinese celebrate the Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival)—a day symbolizing longevity, remembrance, and the continuity of life. For Chinese living in the United States, this day is not only a traditional festival but also a bridge of emotion—a way to stay connected acrossContinue reading “Looking Far, Remembering Near — Reflections on the Double Ninth Festival in America”
When Lights Illuminate the Desert Night — The Asian Lantern Festival Returns to Las Vegas
By Voice in Between As the autumn breeze sweeps across the desert and night slowly settles over the city, the sky above Las Vegas is about to glow once again. On Saturday, October 11, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Asian Lantern Festival will return to the College of Southern Nevada (Charleston Campus), bringingContinue reading “When Lights Illuminate the Desert Night — The Asian Lantern Festival Returns to Las Vegas”
From Worship to Appreciation: The Evolution of Chinese Moon Culture
The Origin of Moon Worship: Reverence for Nature Long before the emergence of organized religions such as Buddhism or Daoism, the ancient Chinese had already turned their eyes to the moon. In a world where people lived in rhythm with the natural cycles—tides, crops, and light—the moon was seen as a mysterious and powerful force.Continue reading “From Worship to Appreciation: The Evolution of Chinese Moon Culture”
From Chang’e to the Harvest Moon: Where Chinese and American Moon Traditions Meet
Under the same moonlight, we find our shared sense of togetherness The Same Moon, Different Stories Every Mid-Autumn Festival, people look up at the bright moon and think of those far away. For Chinese communities, this sentiment runs deep — from the legend of Chang’e flying to the moon and Wu Gang chopping the laurelContinue reading “From Chang’e to the Harvest Moon: Where Chinese and American Moon Traditions Meet”
Mixed and Multidimensional: Breaking the Binary, Creating New Forms
Identity & Ethnicity Series · Essay 5By Voice in Between Introduction “My dad is a Chinese immigrant, my mom is white American. We celebrated both Lunar New Year and Christmas growing up, and our kitchen always had both chopsticks and forks.”“I never felt like I had to choose a side.” In today’s America, more andContinue reading “Mixed and Multidimensional: Breaking the Binary, Creating New Forms”
