Niles West will be celebrating its diversity by hosting International Week for the next two weeks. To kick off the event, NWN sat down with Chinese Club Treasurer and sophomore Timothy Chan and sophomore Dee Lam to discuss their Chinese culture.
Q. What are you most proud of about your culture?
A. I would say I’m most proud of the food. Though Panda Express does not count as real Chinese food, I’m proud that it’s universally accepted by all people, along with Italian food and French food.
Q. How do you feel about other people mistaking you for another Asian race?
A. It depends on who it’s coming from. If it comes from another Asian, it makes me feel like they aren’t involved in the Asian culture enough. But when it comes from non-Asians, I flatly don’t care. Personally, I can’t tell if a white person is German, or Irish, or Polish.
Q. What’s your least favorite thing about your culture?
A. What are you talking about? Everything about the Chinese culture is great. We’re the middle kingdom, remember? We think of ourselves as the ideal race. No, but in all seriousness, I can’t think of anything to say.
Q. What’s your favorite meal?
A. Barbecue duck would have to be my most favorite. On average, I think I eat it at least once a month.
Q. What is the most common stereotype about your culture?
A. Probably that Chinese people in America all have or had a family own a restaurant, and for my case it’s true. Oprah Winfrey once ate [at our restaurant] and even ordered for takeout after.
