3rd culture.
I first heard this term, strolling down a city in California, on my way to a trending dessert shop. Admittedly, I was fascinated by the name itself.
"What could that have meant?" I got the Asian part. The American too. But what could be the "3rd"?
Asian-American.
I was dumbfounded how simple the answer was. I anticipated a more complex or clever meaning behind it, I never expected it be be the combination of the two.
And that's when it hit me.
I always looked at my Asian-American heritage as just that, two separate identities melded forcibly together.
I never saw it as a fusion of something entirely new--coexisting as a separate harmonius identity.
Why bring this up, you might say?
Well, this so called "3rd culture" is the very driving force behind the show, American Born Chinese.
Now, there is a lot going on in this show. So much so, that it teeters on the edge of chaos. It juggles so many other themes and side stories around, that a small misstep could tear the whole thing a part. Like a good Xiao Long Bao. Delicate, but delicious. Risky hot soup, but rewarding flavor.
All in just 8 episodes!?
Truly a masterpiece that is worth the effort and time.
At the end of the day, it's not going to be for everyone. Asian or not.
And to that I say, more XLB for the rest of us!
I first heard this term, strolling down a city in California, on my way to a trending dessert shop. Admittedly, I was fascinated by the name itself.
"What could that have meant?" I got the Asian part. The American too. But what could be the "3rd"?
Asian-American.
I was dumbfounded how simple the answer was. I anticipated a more complex or clever meaning behind it, I never expected it be be the combination of the two.
And that's when it hit me.
I always looked at my Asian-American heritage as just that, two separate identities melded forcibly together.
I never saw it as a fusion of something entirely new--coexisting as a separate harmonius identity.
Why bring this up, you might say?
Well, this so called "3rd culture" is the very driving force behind the show, American Born Chinese.
Now, there is a lot going on in this show. So much so, that it teeters on the edge of chaos. It juggles so many other themes and side stories around, that a small misstep could tear the whole thing a part. Like a good Xiao Long Bao. Delicate, but delicious. Risky hot soup, but rewarding flavor.
All in just 8 episodes!?
Truly a masterpiece that is worth the effort and time.
At the end of the day, it's not going to be for everyone. Asian or not.
And to that I say, more XLB for the rest of us!