Chinese or Asian?
I was born in the U.S., but my parents are from Taiwan. The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin, and the written language is Chinese.
Yesterday, in anticipation of Chinese New Year, I was showing my fourth graders Chinese calligraphy and teaching them how to write some characters.
As students were happily duplicating the characters with black tempera paint (in place of real ink) and paintbrushes (in place of actual calligraphy brushes), I overheard what was becoming a heated argument between two of my students.
I was the subject of their conversation.
Student #1: “She’s Chinese. She said so, and she’s teaching us how to write Chinese.
Student #2: NO!! She’s Asian. I know it!
Student #1: Nooo!! She’s Chinese.
Student #2: Nooo, she’s ASIAN!!
Student #1: Chineeeese!!
Student #2: AAAAAASIAAAANNN!!!
I walk over to diffuse the situation.
Me: My gosh, guys, I’m BOTH!!!
Stunned silence from both kids.
Student #3: China’s in Asia. Duuuuhh.
Clearly, I’ll need to focus some attention on geography.
