I am from . . .

I am from 

shadows and alleyways

the sound of washing tiles - 
the clicking sound of the mah jong tiles on friday nights
you can hear it on any street or alley in Chinatown

I am from

everyone knows who you are by what you do, 
what you say, and how you act

you can't get away with doing anything bad

elders sitting at the back of my grandpa's store - watching
and watching over us

I am from 

always work hard, do your best work,

phai siu, phai siu - quick hands, quick hands-
don't waste time

I am from 

honor your parents, obey your parents

we take care of our own - don't trust outsiders

don't tell strangers your real story - 
we might get deported

I am from 

the housing projects,
everyone lives in one or two bedroom apartments
no matter how many generations live together 

lots of kids and noise all over the streets spilling into the night

family is everything, and 
what you do always reflects on family,

so do it right! and never talk back!

I am from 

gold and jade, cultural symbols, of strength, 
resiliency and brilliance,
treasures you can carry with you.
 I am named pure jade

I am from the heart of Chinatown

Yesterday I coordinated an exercise for the young journalists workshop and had them finish the phrase, "I am from . . . " I've facilitated this exercise many times, and I write one each time, to help me connect, to help me remember where I am from. 


Dr. Beverly Tatum wrote in an article titled, The ABC approach to Climates of Engagement on Diverse Campuses.  She searched for a way,  to Affirm the individual's identity, to Build community, and to Cultivate leadership.  And she wrote about this exercise and how this helped her students be aware of their own and each other's culture and identity.  


This writing activity and the sharing of the story with each other is what I have come to call the sharing of our sacred story.  Something happens to us when we can tell and share our sacred story.  Try it.