Culture Identity in Early Childhood

Three items from what people know about my culture

Family- Family is important in every culture. It’s not in only just mine but everyones. Family is a big part of my life and sometimes I feel like it’s the only thing that I have left. I see my family at least two to three times a week, we all come together for sporting games especially basketball. Being together laughing or whatever it is, is something I cherish. Beer- Family gatherings include some sort of Alcoholic beverage. The Vietnamese culture is known for drinking a lot of beer especially Heineken. All the family parties I’ve been to in Vietnam and America included beer, I believe that they drink beer because it is a sign of having a good time. If one is drinking a beer, every one else has to drink one. We always make a little speech before the cheers and the clinging of the cups before we take a sip to honor the occasion or event. My dad told me that Vietnamese people drink Heineken because it doesn’t give you a hangover the next morning. Red Envelope- A red envelope represents Chinese/ Lunar years. It is popular celebration that non asians are aware of . Lunar New Years known as Tet in Vietnamese is the time of family, joy, and the beginning of a new year. Honestly, Tet is the only time I connect with my roots. My mom and dad don’t force religion on me or talk about Vietnamese traditions as I hope they do. Lunar new years is also a time to honor ancestors that have passed.

How I see myself that people probably don’t know:

People probably don’t know the difference between the two Vietnamese flags but I wanted to add the Vietnamese communist flag. This does not represent me in any shape form or way. I put two flags on my poster the red flag with a yellow star which represents the communist movement in Vietnam. If you search the internet, the communist flag will come up. A lot of people get mistaken with the actual flag which is yellow with three strips. This flag represents the south side of Vietnam where both of my parents were born and raised. I also put the American flag as the side of me that people don't know. I was born and raised in California as many assume that I was born in Vietnam. America has a mixture of all the diverse culture and thats what I love about being in America. My friends tend to call me “white washed” meaning that everything I do and eat is very americanized. Another picture I put is myself, I see myself as very Independent. Being surrounded with a big family does not mean that I depend on them. I don't rely on parents for money or anything that I am struggling with.

2. Some of the memories that came up was the first time I visited Vietnam back in the year 2002. I think I was about four years old maybe going on five and