Tag Archives: identity

Why Are Asian Americans So Often “Invisible” in American History?

Asian Americans have never been absent from American history — they have simply remained at the edges of its dominant narrative. From the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype to the “model minority” myth, and from Black–white racial frameworks to fragmented immigration histories, Asian Americans have often existed in a paradoxical position: deeply present, yet rarely fully seen.

Why Many Chinese American Families “Silently” Hide Their Past

Many Chinese American families are not without history — they simply do not talk about it. From survival strategies shaped by the Chinese Exclusion era to the quiet pressure to “not stand out,” silence became an inherited language across generations. By the time younger generations begin asking about their family past, much of that memory has already disappeared.

Is the Public Image of Chinese Americans Changing?

As U.S.–China relations evolve, the public image of Chinese Americans is becoming more complex. From a single narrative to multiple interpretations, this shift is already underway. The question is not whether the image is changing, but how it will affect their position in American society.

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 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””

Will Your Child “Age Out”? — Understanding the New CSPA Rule for Family-Based Immigration

By | Voice in Between In the U.S. family-based immigration system, “waiting” is a shared reality for almost all families. Some parents file their petitions and then wait years — sometimes more than a decade — before they can finally reunite with their loved ones. For applicants with minor children, this wait carries an additionalContinue reading “Will Your Child “Age Out”? — Understanding the New CSPA Rule for Family-Based Immigration”

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”