TEDx Talks - What It Means To Not Belong | Uta O | TEDxBIS Wuxi Youth
The speaker discusses the complexities of identity and nationality when living between multiple cultures. They use the metaphor of colors to represent different cultural influences: yellow for Japanese, white for American, and blue for personal emotions. The speaker shares their personal experience of being born to a Japanese mother and a Chinese father, living in China, and studying in an English-speaking school. They highlight the challenges of identifying with a single culture or nationality, given their exposure to diverse cultural practices and languages. The speaker emphasizes that identity is not solely defined by nationality or language but by where one feels at home and can express themselves freely. They argue that belonging can be international, transcending specific national boundaries, and encourage embracing a multicultural identity.
Key Points:
- Identity is complex and influenced by multiple cultures.
- Nationality doesn't solely define identity; personal feelings of belonging are crucial.
- Cultural practices and language proficiency can vary within one's identity.
- Belonging can be international, not limited to one nation.
- Embrace and define your identity based on personal values and experiences.
Details:
1. 📘 Exploring Identity Through Colors
- The novel 'I Am Yellow White and a Bit Blue' uses color symbolism to explore identity, focusing on the protagonist's mixed heritage.
- Yellow is a significant color representing the protagonist and his mother's Japanese culture, highlighting cultural identity and heritage.
- White symbolizes the father's side, associated with western or 'white' cultural aspects, reflecting a blend of identities.
- Blue symbolizes the protagonist's personal identity and emotions, particularly his inner worries and struggles with belonging.
- The combination of these colors illustrates the complexities of navigating a mixed cultural identity.
- For example, the protagonist struggles with societal expectations, feeling pressure from both cultures, which is symbolized by his feelings of being 'a bit blue'.
2. 🌏 Personal Identity and Multicultural Experience
- The individual describes a personal turning point in recognizing their multicultural identity, triggered by a book read in class.
- Born to a Japanese mother and Chinese father, holding a Japanese passport, but having lived in China and studied in an English-speaking school, highlights a complex cultural background.
- This scenario of having a multinational background is relatable to many, including those born in one country and moving to another, or having parents from different nationalities.
- A key question posed is how to determine one's identity or nationality when interacting with various cultures daily, challenging the traditional notions of belonging defined by passports.
- The narrative could be enriched with additional personal anecdotes from others with similar experiences, providing a broader perspective on multicultural identity.
- Consider integrating a more defined separation between personal reflections and broader cultural observations for clearer understanding.
3. 🇨🇳🇯🇵 Cultural Influences and Behaviors
- The speaker's behavior is significantly shaped by both Chinese and Japanese cultural influences, with each culture contributing distinct traits.
- Chinese cultural influence is demonstrated through the speaker's tendency to overreact and use exaggerated emotional expressions, which may affect interpersonal interactions by introducing heightened emotional responses.
- Japanese culture impacts the speaker's behavior through a strict adherence to manners and etiquette, such as eating with a closed mouth, aligning shoes neatly, and avoiding prolonged eye contact, which are all practices that reflect a deep respect for social harmony and order.
- Language use also reflects cultural nuances; for instance, the speaker experiences discomfort when addressing teachers as 'you,' indicating the cultural importance of respect and the nuanced use of language in maintaining politeness.
- In specific situations, such as formal dining or classroom settings, these cultural traits can influence the speaker's interactions and perceptions, highlighting the practical implications of cultural behavior on daily life.
4. 🇺🇸 Embracing American Culture
- The speaker is undergoing a cultural transition into American life, significantly influenced by a recent trip to Hawaii, which has sparked a shift in personal identity.
- Dietary habits have notably changed, with the speaker going from being unable to imagine life without rice to enjoying American cuisine for 5 days without missing it.
- There is a growing appreciation for American desserts, though they are notably sweeter compared to East Asian standards.
- Musical tastes have shifted from being a 'Jpop Master' to embracing English songs, indicating a move away from Japanese pop culture.
- The speaker has started using American slang, such as 'bro,' which, while new and slightly awkward, signifies cultural integration.
- Despite these changes, the speaker experiences confusion about their cultural identity, balancing newfound American influences with their original cultural roots.
5. 🗣️ Language Proficiency and Challenges
- Despite holding a Japanese passport, the speaker's Japanese language skills are not as strong as a native high school student, particularly in reading and writing.
- Fluent in spoken Japanese, the speaker finds reading and writing particularly challenging, emphasizing the complexity of the language.
- In Chinese, while able to communicate in a relaxed setting, the speaker struggles under pressure and often relies on friends for effective communication.
- The speaker can read and write basic Chinese but often interprets meanings through Japanese due to the similarity in characters, which they consider a skill.
- English is the language where the speaker feels most balanced across all skills, credited to their education, though they still make non-native grammar errors.
- The speaker's thought process in Japanese sometimes hinders the expression of nuanced ideas in English.
- Cultural understanding remains a challenge despite language proficiency, as the speaker has only lived in China without full familiarity with Chinese culture.
6. 🏠 Defining a Sense of Belonging
- A sense of belonging to a nation involves personal involvement, perceived acceptance, a sense of commonality, and feeling at home, as defined by the National Institution of Health.
- The emphasis on 'acceptance' and 'commonality' raises questions about whether nations prioritize conformity over diversity.
- The discussion challenges whether nations desire citizens who are essentially the same or value the richness of diverse cultural backgrounds, like those of Chinese, Japanese, and American people.
- Examples could include how different nations integrate diverse cultures into their societal fabric, potentially enhancing or hindering a sense of belonging.
7. 🌍 Belonging Beyond National Borders
- The concept of 'home' extends beyond national or cultural boundaries, allowing individuals to feel at home in regions, groups, or specific places of their choosing.
- Belonging is not necessarily tied to a nation or culture; it is about personal values and where one feels free to express their identity.
- Individuals have the autonomy to decide their own sense of belonging, which can be influenced by multiple cultures, leading to an international sense of belonging rather than a national one.
- The speaker identifies with multiple cultures, describing themselves as 'yellow, white, and a bit brown,' symbolizing a blend of East Asian, American, and broader multicultural influences.
- People should not be constrained by traditional notions of nationality; instead, they can define their identity using any 'color' or cultural influence that resonates with them.