Many Amerasians struggle with identity crisis as they feel the pull of two
cultures
By Christina Ko, Seoul bureau
Andy Dunaway / Stars and Stripes
Rebecca Nanfito, 17, and Jeff Dolley, 17, say Amerasians often feel pulled by the demands
of two cultures. |
Rebecca Nanfito is a 17-year-old girl who, at a glance, could be mistaken for an
all-American brunette. However, Rebecca is half Korean.
And with her half-Korean blood, Rebecca faces the test of juggling her Korean
mother’s expectations and values with her American concepts and social life.
"I’m expected to do more around the house, do good in school and be an
obedient Korean daughter," she said.
Despite the clash, Rebecca does not see herself as more American than Korean.
"I’m Amerasian," she declared.
With centuries of immigration, overseas traveling, war and globalization, biculturalism
was an inevitable phenomenon.
Between 1951 and 1964, approximately 14,027 Korean immigrants traveled to America. A
steady increase of new immigrants emerged after 1965, averaging about 33,000 per year,
according to the 1995 U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Annual Report.
The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 brought many Amerasian children into the Korean
Peninsula. Born during a devastating war period, many of these Amerasians were abandoned
by both father and mother, left to alien treatment by the homogeneous Korean society.
Though Amerasian children were the offspring of both American men and Korean women,
neither country seemed willing to fully address the situation.
In 1982, the United States passed the Amerasian Immigration Act, allowing Amerasian
children born between 1950 and 1982 to find a new life in the United States. Officials
opened the door to these children from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea
(Cambodia).
The hidden histories of Korean Americans and Amerasians live on in youths who
continuously battle the hardships of biculturalism.
Some Korean-Americans and Amerasians tend to experience anti-Korean sentiments when
they are younger, especially soon after starting school.
"When they (Amerasians) are in Korea, many of them do hate Korea and the culture
because they are hurt by the fact that they are not accepted by Korean society," said
Amerasian Christian Academy director James Kang-McCann. "However, when they move over
to the U.S., they want to hold onto the Korean pride they have. Deep inside their hearts,
they are Koreans."
Amerasian Christian Academy is an independent institution educating Amerasian foster
children. It is in Tongduchon, near Camp Casey.
"Back in the States, my then 7-year-old daughter didn’t want to eat Korean
food in front of her friends," said Bill A. Kile, whose wife is Korean. Kile teaches
computer-based classes for Science Applications International Corp. on Osan Air Base.
"She hid toys or books that had han-gui (the Korean alphabet) on them when
her friends came over to the house."
Jeff Dolley, 17, remembers experiencing racism when he was in elementary school,
leading him to temporarily hate being Korean while living in America.
"My house got egged once," recalled Jeff. "It happened because my mom
was Korean."
After living in South Korea for more than half his life, Jeff now embraces Korean
culture. He says it is an essential ingredient to shaping his entire being. However, while
he does not identify as being more Korean, neither does he identify himself as more
American. "I have my own race," said Jeff. "Amerasian pride, baby."
Rebecca also expressed discomfort with slight encounters of racism.
"It upsets me when I go out with my mom [in America] and people talk down to
her," said Rebecca. "She understands and speaks English. People shouldn’t
talk to her like that."
Rebecca, who was visiting Korea for the summer, described how people go from guessing
that she’s half Filipino to Hawaiian to Chinese to Japanese.
"Some people, when I tell them I’m half Korean, they say, ‘Oh, well
that’s the same thing as Japanese,’" said Rebecca. "And that is so
wrong."
Like Jeff, Rebecca could not single out one side to define her complete character.
"I’m just Amerasian," she said. "I connect better with other
Amerasians because we’re raised the same way."
Jeff, as part of the 2001 graduating class of Seoul American High School at Yongsan
Garrison, and Rebecca, as a student who went to SAHS until moving to Nebraska three years
ago, recognize the vast differences of life in the United States.
"All my friends here are Korean or half Korean," said Jeff. "I want to
have some Asian friends when I go to college, but I know the Koreans there are going to be
much different. I know I’m going to have completely different types of friends."
In Nebraska, Rebecca hangs out mostly with Caucasians. "I do have some Asian
friends, but it’s just different," she explained. "I miss my [Asian]
friends here."
Whether the children are international school students or Amerasians, their parent or
parents will bestow various levels of Korean culture onto them.
"I want to make sure my children have pride and respect for Korea," said
Miweon Nelson. "They have to value the Korean side of their blood."
One of the main aspects on which many Korean-American and Amerasian children agree is
Korean parents’ emphasis on high achievement — musical talent, valedictorian
selection, Ivy League school acceptance and financial success.
"I remember my mom always made me take piano and violin lessons," said
Rebecca.
The pressure to excel academically is a common theme with Korean parents. A 1997 child
development study by Hyun E. found that Korean parents tend to strongly believe academic
activities are more highly valued than play.
"My wife would like to see both our children go to Ivy League schools," said
Kile. "My expectations are more realistic. I want them to go to college. …
I’ll be just as satisfied with a good, solid education."
Jeff says he is grateful his mother was more lenient in terms of academics. "All
my friends would be so stressed by their [Korean] parents’ pushing," said Jeff.
"I don’t believe in that."
Michael Nam, 20, who formerly attended Seoul Foreign School, remembers numerous clashes
with his parents regarding school. "Grades," said Nam. "My parents were so
obsessed with Harvard, it drove me crazy."
Besides academics, Korean parents may try to infuse certain aspects of the
culture’s social rules, whether the children agree or not. "American kids talk
back to their parents," said Rebecca. "But in Korea, I think kids are expected
to be quiet and take it all in. I talk back [to my mom], so I that’s a problem."
Jeff admits that his father has a greater influence over him than his mother.
"Sometimes my mom and I have a hard time understanding each other," said Jeff.
"My mom was busy learning English, so she had no time to ever teach me Korean."
Rebecca wants to learn Korean, even if she has to start now. "It’s sad that I
claim to be Korean, but I can’t even speak the language," said Rebecca.
"It’s a part of me, you know?"
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