简爱
My Chinese Name: "Simple Love"
The characters above represent my Chinese name. My name translates as, "Simple Love”. My parents decided I should have an unofficial Chinese name in addition to an English name to preserve part of my Chinese culture. As a biracial child, duality is an important thing to maintain as it helps to construct my identity.
The name Simple Love serves as an expression of my parents love for one another and for me. My mother chose this name based off the Chinese version of the movie “Jane Eyre” (based on the book). When translated, the protagonist’s name was the same as mine (Simple Love). The character of Jane Eyre was a strong-minded independent woman who embodied many of the traits my mother wanted to see in me. For these two reasons, my parents felt this moniker was appropriate for who I was and who they wanted me to be. I am very proud of my name and I try live up to all it represents.
My Chinese Heritage
I am proud that my mother is a first-generation immigrant from Guangzhou, China (from the Province of Canton). Guangzhou is third biggest city in China with a population of almost 19 million people. The city has a history of more than 2,000 years and is currently one of the manufacturing hubs in China. In addition, Guangzhou is home to the world’s busiest airport (by passenger traffic) and known for having some of the most accomplished chefs in the World. My mother spent most of her life growing up in Guangzhou, with the exception of the time that she and her family were relocated to the remote countryside during the cultural revolution. My Aunt and her family still live in Guangzhou. My Aunt, I call her Aunt Rainbow, used to live with, and take care of, my grandparents until they both passed a couple of years ago. It was so nice getting to know all of them when I visited and when they came to the United States to visit us.
I have been lucky enough to make three trips to China to visit family. My first trip was exclusively to Guangzhou when I was five. Since that time, I've visited China two more times and I always stayed with family in either Guangzhou or Shantou.
Unfortunately, I only speak a few key phrases in Chinese, but I hope to pick it up again down the road when I have more time and when I can travel there. I can understand a bit more than I can speak. My mother is fluent in both Mandarin & Cantonese, although she can also understand some other dialects.
My interaction and the closeness I feel with my Chinese family and friends has provided me with a strong connection to my roots. As I said, I am proud of to be a Chinese American and I feel a kinship with both American born Chinese and overseas born Chinese people. I have found the Chinese people to be warm, friendly, caring, kind and giving. I am sure that my strong sense of family and community derives from my Chinese Heritage.
Mom and I at Chinese New Year
Mom and I at the Tidal Basin in DC
Me, Ye Ye (Grandpa) and (Po Po) Grandma
All photos: Torri Huske
Visiting where both Po Po (Grandma) and Ye Ye (Grandpa) worked - South China University of Agriculture in Guangzhou, China
Family Friend Awa and I
My cousin Charlotte and me