Growing up in America was pretty hard, especially if you're from a different cultural background. Everyday I go to school with kids, who spoke English and went home to a Chinese family, where I spoke some Chinese. I've always questioned my identity. What defined me as Chinese? What defined me as American?
             At home, I spoke some Chinese to my parents and ate many different kinds of Chinese food, but I didn't think that was a problem nor did it made me different. Yet, if you asked me about history, the only history known to me was American history. Did it matter that I spoke Chinese and didn't know much about my Chinese background or history? Apparently to me, it did matter. I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to explore my roots. After hours on the internet, I learned and discovered a lot about my cultural background and history.
             Every year we celebrated Christmas as well as Chinese New Year. We kept our Eastern traditions and adopted the Western traditions. I had friends from different ethnic background; we shared similar like and dislikes. We love to wear trendy clothes and listen to Hip-Hop, but hate Rap music. I loved them for who they are, what their interest are, what their passion are and not by the color of their skin. Through good and bad times, they were always there when I needed them or vice versa. Thus, we cannot help thinking about our identities, each person needs to recognize his or her identity. This way we can share and broaden our culture with other people.
             Whether we are Chinese, Japanese, Black or White; everyone is simliar and unique in their own special ways. We should be proud of who we are and learn to love and accept each other for who they are. I am American-born Chinese. These two sides make me. Without either one, I am not complete. I am different and proud to be so. Race does not define me; I define me.
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