Young Chinese-American Explores her

Heritage; A Look Into the Future

     Sophomore Jessie Tien throws her hair up into her signature “messy low bun” in reminiscence of her mom doing her hair for her first Chinese New Year at 5 years old. Jessie grew up in a multi-cultural home in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio says that she’s always been intrigued by her parent’s heritage. The high schooler particularly intrigued by her grandparent’s immigration story from China.

“I think that sometimes I wish that I knew a little more about my culture” said Tien.

Jessie’s family always indulged in Chinese treats and cuisine, but she never really knew the story behind it. Jessie shares that her parents weren’t entirely immersive for either culture, and they juggled both cultures evenly.

Growing up with Confucianist Values, and the hard-working American spirit, she was always raised to present humility and appreciate what she has. “That’s something that’s always stuck with me in all that I do”, said Tien.

Chinese New Year is one of the many traditions and customs Jessie participated in with her grandparents enhancing the rich culture behind her descendancy. “I remember shopping for a silk Qi Pao with my grandparents and never wanting to take it off’ said the high-schooler in description of a traditional Chinese New Year dress.

While unlacing her shoes at her friend’s houses she’d often feel excluded, like an outsider. “Growing up, I often felt like the odd one out, taking my shoes off at every doorstep” said Tien. Tien shared that she often asked her dad why that was customary, and his answer was never “definitive or conclusive”, often just “because we’re Chinese”.

Jessie shared that she’d like to have kids in the future, likely educating them the same way her grandparents did. “I wouldn’t want my culture to get lost amongst generations” said Tien. Jessie said that she hopes to do more research and give her kids resources to understand