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  • Essay / Born Chinese American in ABC by Gene Yang - 636

    People always seem to change themselves because they want the approval of others and worry about what others think of them. They're not happy with who they are, maybe their appearance, or maybe their race worries them, either way, people try to change who they are. In ABC, author Yang reveals many common stereotypes about Chinese people and the difficulty they might have integrating. Chin-kee, one of the main characters, is very stereotypical and has a huge impact on Danny and Jin's lives. Jin Wang, the main character, struggles to fit in due to his race and the stereotypes associated with it and changes himself to fit in. Chin-Kee is loud, obnoxious, and can't speak properly because of his Chinese accent. He is very stereotypical of a Chinese coming to America. He visits his cousin Jin Wang and Chin-Kee just tries to fit in but embarrasses him everywhere he goes. Chin-Kee speaks in a very stereotypical manner due to his accent and poor knowledge of English. When he comes into the house he is loud and annoying. His luggage is Chinese take-out containers and he drops “Harro Amellica” to his cousin (48 years old). The stereotype that all Chinese people eat Chinese food is represented here through Chinese takeout bags. Another stereotype is the way he speaks, people think that all Chinese people have a speech problem and can't speak properly. Chin-kee just wants to fit in with his cousin and doesn't know what "normal" means. While his cousin also tries to fit in, Chin-kee makes it difficult for him as he embarrasses him everywhere he goes. When the two eat lunch at school, they receive many strange looks from other people, as Chin-kee's food is strange and nothing they would normally eat...... in the middle of 'a paper......there are so many things that he transformed himself from a Chinese-American boy to a real American. All the stereotypes about his race made him want to change. The author tells us that we need to be more accepting of new things and new people. That we must stay true to ourselves even if we don't like who we are. Chin-kee tries very hard to be friends with his cousin and fit in. He always embarrasses his cousin and his race. Jin Wang, being a Chinese American, has a hard time fitting in because of all the stereotypes about him and his race. The author reveals that people will always have stereotypes and be racist, it's just human nature. People do this because they are insecure about themselves, so they make fun of someone else to make themselves feel better. It is difficult for people to change who they are but must stay true to themselves..