"Both-And" and "Neither-Nor"

I read this article recently for class for the program I'm working with. Ringo Ma's "'Both-And' and 'Neither-Nor': My Intercultural Experiences" is a short article about his experiences with fitting in with both American and Asian cultures, but at the same time, not fitting in at all. He describes being blatantly stereotyped against, and while this was written awhile ago and societal ideas of different cultures certainly have changes, I do also see my own experiences reflected in his. 

Because my sister and I were born in the USA, we're definitely Americanized and identify with American culture and customs. But at the same time, we never really fit in, expected to do well in school and play a musical instrument and do martial arts. We don't do well in proving those stereotypes wrong...but it's not because of "being Asian." It's because of parenting and personal interest--a misunderstanding which I think is an inherent flaw especially in stereotypes against Asians. However, Asians are "lucky" in that many stereotypes are positive. 

Going back to Ma's article--being an "intercultural" person, as he calls it, is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It makes one more open to other cultures, whether just learning about it, observing it, or immersing oneself in it. As technology grows and the world shrinks and as the media becomes more and more of a factor in shaping cultures' perceptions of each other, this is extremely important. However, as Ringo Ma says (and I agree with him), intercultural people fight the "both-and," functioning in both cultures, and "neither-nor," being simultaneously rejected from both cultures. 

Taiwan is RY and my second home. We're lucky in that we've been taken back there every year or so, so we've never completely lost touch of our ethnicity. As we grow older, however, we've noticed differences in treatment and expectations of us as we travel, and almost everyone we encounter can tell we're American from the way we walk. So, even before we speak, we're pegged as outsiders and can never fit in. 

It's both a privilege and a struggle, but we try to make the most of it.

RL