Hooked me with the Chinese building the Transcontinental Railroad. Educated me about Chinese Americans in the film industry. Frustrated me with a senseless hate crime. Then completely confused me with an adoption.
Coming from immigrant stock, I could empathize with some of what the characters were dealing with. The idea that America is a melting pot - where you give away your heritage to blend in. When really, we are more of a quilt, made of many beautiful pieces sewn together.
History has taught us that identity is paramount. Who are you? How does your heritage align with mine? What is your value to society? Immigrants taking stock in who they are - their identity as human beings, not a color or country. Living in two worlds. Working, as we all do, towards the American dream. But, at what cost?
History has also shown that your value in society is provisional. Build a railroad…great. Done? You have no value in our community. Go back to where you came from. Provisional. Not unlike today. A throw away society. If you’re no longer needed, you’re thrown out like the trash.
Diversity is our strength. The many patches of the quilt create unity, understanding and respect. One patch dependent on the others to build a strong vibrant fabric, that is the United States of America.
