Identity

When put into a different place that is not like one's culture at all, it can be difficult to stay true to it and maintain that connection. It is hard for Kiam to remain "Chinese" when he is being immersed in another culture (North American). Throughout our lives little parts of our identities will constantly change, especially if one moves from one distinct culture to another, but it is up to us who decide how much it does change us. Kiam continues to struggle to balance the new and the old. Poh-Poh wants to see him perform family traditions and would hope to know he would still do them even after she is gone. He never gets away by speaking English near Poh-Poh without her criticizing him. She would like for him to speak Chinese all the time, but in a country where most of the citizens speak English, he knows that in order to have a successful future he will need to venture away from his old culture and become more comfortable with the new. Kiam is kind of lost with his identity because of his confusion with the collision between his family's culture and the new culture he now lives in. I believe that the way we express ourselves is greatly influenced by our identity. I feel as if Kiam does not want to disappoint Poh-Poh by saying anything negative that could slip out of his mouth about his culture, so instead he never really speaks much about it. This is probably why he tends to think a lot inside his head, because what is not heard cannot be judged or ridiculed. If we repress our thoughts and questions about our own identity, how will we truly know who we are and where we belong?

I think when we are able to hold onto our identity no matter where we go or what we do, that is when we will know who we really are.