Photograph by Robert Scheer
Vivian Shan
By Tim Persyn
As she blends Chinese and American cultures in her everyday life, Vivian Shan derives strength. That was one of the messages in the recent Saratoga High School graduate's honorable mention-winning essay in the "Growing Up Asian in America" art and essay contest sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Community Fund.
About 1,500 young people between the ages of 6 and 22 participated in the contest. Shan entered the ages 12-17 category.
"I wanted to share what it is like to come from a mixed culture," said the 17-year-old Shan. "Some might think that having another culture might impede with American culture--I think it helps (me)."
In her essay, Shan describes how she has embraced both American and Chinese cultures. "Though I live an American lifestyle--I drink Coke more than I drink tea, I wear jeans instead of chi paus, I speak English better than I can speak Chinese--my moral set of values and principles are based upon the Chinese philosophies my mother has taught me."
Like Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club, Shan's essay centers on the Chinese game of mahjong, which Shan said is similar to cards. By describing game pieces, Shan recounts the journey her mother took from China and then describes how her mother's ancient culture has been an influence.
Shan's essay contains some compelling moments, such as when she describes her mother's experience: "Flying from Taipei, Taiwan, in 1971, the east wind guided my mother's plane to San Francisco, California. I believe the east wind carried with it all my mother's dreams."
These dreams included the hope of sharing in the prosperity of America.
In the United States, her mother passed Chinese culture on to her daughter, who then developed a perspective on balancing the sometimes competing influences of Chinese and American culture.
Shan describes her balance of cultures in her essay. "I have the sympathetic and generous spirit of the American people and the assiduousness and determination of the Chinese people to guide me in accomplishing my goals."
She commented in an interview on the benefits of having two cultural backgrounds. "I have two different backgrounds to judge principles."
But the attachment to two cultures can also present obstacles.
"Sometimes people don't know where you are coming from," Shan said. This can be especially apparent in situations where Shan has internalized aspects of Chinese culture and then must deal with the American culture that surrounds her. For example, she wrote, "Unlike Americans, who are quick to voice their opinions, I have learned the importance of listening."
Summing up how she feels about the ambitious task of living within two cultures, she said, "Sometimes I feel frustrated. But in general I think I've done well in blending."
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, June 19, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved