Ethnicity in America

Ethnicity in America

American culture demands conformity at the cost of ethnic identity. Different ethnic groups can come together to unify, yet will always be unique in different aspects. The story “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan is a great example of how American culture demands conformity at the cost of ethnic identity.

In the story “Fish Cheeks” a teenage Chinese girl, Amy invites an American minister and his family for Christmas dinner but is worried that the boy she likes will think her customs are weird. “My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping them into a dozen or so plates of food. Robert and family waited patiently for the platters to be passed to them.” This shows readers that despites being “Americanized”in culture Amy's Family all fall back on their roots like during dinners. The American guests saw this behavior as strange and different but respected it because they also have their own ethnic traditions.

The loss of ethnic identity is shown in the aspect of “Americanization”, it is also shown as differences in cultures. “At the end of the meal my father leaned back and belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking. It's a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied, explained my father to our astonished guests.” This is also evidence to readers that there are obvious difference between the two cultures. One cannot be truly itself without seeing differences between themselves and others so some cultural identity is lost. When the minister saw Mr. Tan belch at the table he was taken back a bit. He did however understand that it was a sign of respect and also managed to give a little burp of thanks to Mrs. Tan.

At the end of the dinner party after all of their guests left the narrator's mother gave her a gift to make her feel more American. “After everyone had gone, my mother said to me ,’You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.’ She handed me an early gift. It was a mini skirt in beige tweed. ‘But you must always be chinese. You must be proud to be different. Your only shame is to have shame. “ This shows readers that despite having major cultural differences with Americans, they take pride in Chinese heritage. This is not only a lesson for the girl in the story (Amy) but for all readers. It's ok to conform to American culture to fit in, but one must never forget who they are and where they come from.

American culture does demand some conformity at the cost of ethnic identity but not entirely. This is due to the fact that most ethnic households practice their traditions regardless of what the “American” neighborhood thinks. I know this is true because of my own foreign ethnicity. There is some loss of identity due to conformity but I always know who I am, especially at home.