Sai Yat Ling - Week 3: The Chinese American Warrior

     Recently, my dad asked me an interesting question; What makes someone American? At first, I was confused because I had no answer. However after a day of thinking I finally gave him this answer: "Someone who is American is a person living in America who conforms with the American culture". In my opinion, I believe that I am American; I have the "American" mindset and I speak the English language. At the same time I am ethnically Chinese and I believe that its essential that I preserve that part of my identity as well. I know that there are many Chinese Americans that completely forget about their culture. For example, one of my cousins doesnt even know how to speak chinese! In some way I think it's important to acknowledge and preserve your heritage because it is a way of paying respect and tribute to what you origionally were. It's always going to be a part of you no matter what you do, the language you speak and your skin tone are always going to show. 

    Having said that, I believe that I am ethnically chinese but American at the same time. I share many valuable parts of each culture. I speak chinese and I believe in indivisualism - a key part of the "American" Mindset. To be honest, I am very proud of this. I am not ashamed in any way whatsoever. I love America and I love my Chinese Heritage at the same time. God Bless America and god bless our troops! 




Comments

  1. Varin ParekhSeptember 30, 2026 at 7:07 PM

    Greetings, Sai. Your admiration for our country and it's diversity is truly wonderful, and I really am glad that you take no issue with your ethnicity. However, I strongly reccomended you reevaluate the idea of "American culture". What is "American culture"? Is it our continued practice of giving freedoms and rights to persons of all kinds and types, or is it our believe in this type of political/economic system? I'm very curious, because those who feel that an American must "believe in American culture" actually has roots as an exclusionary phrase, for example, many used it to admonish people who believed in era-opposing ideals like anti-Slavery. It's seen as a blanket statement, and many who use it seem to mean that not believing in their definition is "un-american". However, seeing as how you indicate your belief in equality no matter one's ethnicity, I am curious to hear your definition of "American culture". More positively, you're acknowledgement of individual language and physical aspects are very progressive and much appreciated. I took enjoyment from reading this short but sweet blog post. Keep up the good work!

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  2. JosephSeptember 30, 2026 at 9:07 PM

    Hi, Sai, your explanation about being and American identity is truly accurate in my opinion(also closely related to the timed write that we are writing about). Although you did not specify a lot about what American “culture” and “mindset” you were talking about, I assumed it is the idea of being hardworking and resilient. I would say that being an American would mean a sense of pride and chasing the two mindset that I have talked about. Your point of our country's diversity as a part of American identity is what I truly believe in. People used to say that America is a huge melting pot which means that people assimilate into a common identity. This seems a bit outdated and more of a propaganda poster which does not reflect reality. I would say that America is a salad bowl; people could bring in different ingredients as in different cultures and mix with others to create an amazing cohesive dish. Your ideal of preserving your own culture in America fits right into this salad bowl metaphor! I really liked that you continued to showcase your passion for our country through your anaphora at the end of passage and great reading of your work!

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  3. Qinwei WuSeptember 30, 2026 at 9:45 PM

    Hi Sai Yat! I think this question brought up by your dad is a very ambiguous question. I think everybody would have a different opinion of it. I think what makes someone American is someone who is born in America, has grown up there, or holds citizenship. I agree that you should also preserve the culture of your ethnicity. I think it’s interesting how people refer to someone who is both Chinese and American as “Chinese American”. They tend to put ethnicity first. I think it's also important to “acknowledge and preserve” the culture of your ancestors. I like how you point out parts of yourself and associate them with being “Chinese” and “American”. For me, I think that I am Chinese because my ancestors are Chinese, and I am American because I grew up in America and I primarily have American identification. I’m glad that you are proud of both of your identities! Also I hope you get into the army as you mention that in every blog post.

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