Identity-KiAnna McKinley

“Hunan Province is famed for producing fiery leaders and spicy dishes. Hunanese locals brag that their cooking- based on simmering, stewing, and steaming- is one of the eight great regional cuisines of China…Hunan may be poor and inland, but it prides itself on having produced a disproportionately high number of warriors, revolutionaries, and political leaders…Truth be told, there was little else going for this town in China, so its boosters had seized upon the identity of the general as their means to economic salvation…Watch what the workers in American Chinese restaurants eat. In general, it is not what they are serving to the customers. It is, however, more representative of the Chinese diet” (68-74).

            The quotes show the loss of the Chinese culture in the point of view of the native Chinese, and how the Americans have put their personal twist to the Chinese dishes. Also, it reveals the history of how the Hunanese’s lifestyle by explaining having the pride in the many battles, soldiers, and political leaders. All in all, these quotes have a connection that revolves around both the concept culture and identity. In the perspective of the Chinese are not really in truly benefitting from what the Americans are, and they notice that their everyday/years old tractions, customs are being altered in symbolization of their culture.

As I continued to read in chapter 5, I noticed how the Chinese’s reaction and explanation on the Chinese American made dish “General Tso’s chicken” was not existent to them was really interesting. This made me realize a bit of a personal connection to my own family’s cultural identity, and how it became to be. Finding out the history, and background information from my great-grandmother, most of our dishes that were made were not of her Native American roots. The dishes made came from the influence of the south, for an example; my three times great grandmother was a companion and she traveled around the country, trying to provide for my second times great grandmother. One of the places she went was to New Orleans, which she used the technique of creole cooking, along with her knowledge of the way she cooked back in Galveston, Texas.

            Another connection I had made was that realizing that my family does not have any personal ties/affiliation to just one country, or ethnicity, with this there was a huge cultural split that occurred in my family. For an example; with most African-Americans as well as Native Americans like my three times great grandmother, were deprived of the cultural aspects of who they are. Due to the mixing of the different races, there is really in truly no just one culture in our bloodline. This most likely happened because of the European settlers that came to America, changed the way of life for both the Native Americans and the Africans.

            

          What I learned from these lines was pretty much how the author was able to gather information about General Tso himself and get the first hand perspective upon the dish that is so popular in America, which the Chinese never even heard of. It showed how America, takes control over another country’s centuries year old dishes. I found that really interesting to compare that to America’s personal history in the various wars that occurred many years ago, as well as the current event with other countries.