Throughout the graphic novel, it is shown how American culture can be embraced whilst still honoring the culture of one’s origin, in this case, Chinese. Jin Wang spends most of his childhood thus far in San Francisco, near Chinatown.
They still speak mainly Chinese in day-to-day life and feel most comfortable being near an area that lives and breathe the Chinese culture they are used to. Traditions not common in the U.S., such as the view that herbalists are a vital part of life, are maintained as displayed when Jin’s family regularly visits a herbalist in San Francisco (Wang 27).
This simple act displays how the Wang family, and many Chinese Americans in general, still hold on to the social norms of their heritage, while simultaneously merging into American culture. I believe this displays the importance of not giving up one’s past for the future, as one’s past will always be part of a person.
Jin and his friends are often subjected to either intended or unintended racism throughout the novel. They represent the xenophobia Chinese Americans, as well as virtually all foreigners, are forced to go through upon their entry into the U.S.
Whether through passing remarks that cling to racist beliefs and cliches of Chinese people and their culture, or hateful remarks spouted at them with intent to harm, Jin and those around him must go through what nobody should have to experience.
While Jin and his friends are enjoying a moment of joy and laughter after an embarrassing moment, two bullies passing by make the racist remarks “Hey, I chink it’s getting a little nippy out here” and “You’re right! I’m getting Gook Bumps” (Wang 96).
This moment, while seemingly unimportant in the grand scheme of things, puts an end to their laughter and happiness and ruins the moment. This moment represents the greater picture of what the Chinese must go through constantly in America.
I feel truly bad for the fictional character or Jin at this moment, as the horrible things he is going through are far from fiction and are grounded in reality. As far too many are subjected to this racism constantly in real life.
I find that this graphic novel in its entirety serves as a mirror into the lives of many Chinese Americans, through the lens of the fictional character of Jin Wang. There are several moments throughout both the beauty to be found in Chinese culture, along with the racism spewed at them by closeminded Americans.
It can be hard for the Chinese to acclimate to an America that is often not accepting of foreigners, even without factoring in the general hardships to be found when moving to a new place radically different from what one knows.
Wei-Chen touches on this when describing to Amelia how Jin made his acclimation process much easier, by giving him insight into American culture, and the social norms that come with it (Wang 102).
I find this moment to serve as an example of how this graphic novel is a mirror of the many trials and tribulations Chinese and other Asian Americans go through upon moving to the United States.
The Asian characters in this graphic novel are often subjected to racist stereotypes, with them being labeled and categorized by cliche beliefs of Chinese people that either has no factual basis or are based on societal standards that have been virtually extinct for centuries.
When Jin is first introduced to the class of his new school after moving from San Francisco, the first thing told by his classmates is the awful cliché of “My momma says Chinese people eat dogs.” This is one of the most common stereotypes hatefully applied to Chinese, and it’s very telling that that would be the first thing said to him after his move.
Through the lens of this graphic novel, I believe we can all better understand and recognize what Chinese immigrants go through while moving into the United States, and better empathize with the great trials these individuals are forced to endure.
