My grandparents came to America to be accepted and make a better life for themselves in this wonderful free land. No one told them to change their skin color, accent, or heritage when they walked into the red, white, and blue country. So why is now that the Chinese immigrants are asked to change their name? For those who do not speak their language, it was said it would be easier to call upon them. They might as well had asked them to strip them from their soul completely!
Are we becoming the stereotypical "White Man's" land? The ridiculous proposal makes me wonder why do we have the lines "For the Brave and the Free" in our National Anthem? Obviously for the won Revolutionary War, but it means much more than that. We are all immigrants and we fought to come to this country for freedom and individuality. We stood our ground, came for a future, and yet, they reply, "Is it too much to ask of you to change your name?" Oh my! What we'll we wear? Should we also dress a certain way and live in the suburbs? The houses sure don't seem to argue with their identical appearance.
It's not like this is new. Sanae, an immigrant from the Philippines, was told she must change her age. As proud U.S. football fan, she actually doesn't mind. She knows it isn't fair, but if it means being two years younger, than why not? I strongly disagree. I understand it is hard to pronounce certain names, but isn't that what this country is about? We are a country full of different colors, speeches, and goals, but we all stand for the same thing in this country. Freedom is not just escaping, it is living as yourself, a person, and being able to enjoy that without the hatred others cause.
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How can changing your name make you two years younger? [In your last paragraph] Wow, I guess Sanae is a common name hahaha
ReplyDeleteYou sure do use a small font.
ReplyDeleteWell anyways, I love my unique name Pongze, and nobody better copy that, although it is possible. My name comes from the sound of my hmong name "Pob Zeb". There must be some similarities, right?
About the age, how sill Sanae be two years younger. On my father's __ it says born December 31, 1953 Died ____ and other stuff. The important thing is, his birthday isn't December 31. 1953 might also not be his birth year. How can America's __ tell you how old you are?
This is definitely the America my parents fought and risked their lives for, but I guess we have to live with it, FOREVER, and also our children, and grandchildren, and many more generations down the line.
If we want to fix it, we'd have to get an education and be a US Citizen and many more requirements so that we can influence the ideas of America/ns.
Can't an Immigrant be President? Who else would help them...
-Pob Zeb Lauj
How does that work Alysia? How can one's age change when a name is changed? Also, Alysia, not to be rude, but hundreds and thousands of European immigrants were forced to change their names too, so it is not a unique experience. My name still gets butchered to this day, so imagine how hard it must have been when my ancestors came over in the mid 1800's. And every time there is a new influx of immigrants, there will be name changes to fit in with the society they are joining. It is a sad truth, because in doing so, they lose a part of themselves. A name is who you are, and being forced to change it is hard, but it is not unique among race or social/economic standing.
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