MOM&I: What would you say has impacted the readers by participating in a culturally based book club? Throughout these many years I have heard over and over again from all walks of people and age groups the following statement. They would never have read any of the books that I have selected in this book club. But they are glad they read a book outside their norm. The books have enriched and expanded their perception of the world their co/workers, children, families and neighbors live. As well as their perception of how people view them.
MOM&I: What do you mean about how people view them? The THEM is what you and I call ‘AMERICANS’ What or how Americans think, say, Do, believe and live. When you open a book such as ‘Native Speaker’ by Chang-Rae- Lee as well as ‘Digging to America’ by Anne Tyler this is a Korean Theme book. Not written by a Korean writer but diffidently a serious Korean issue. ADOPTION! You just may get a lot more then you bargain for.
MOM&I: Can you give us an example? Ann Tyler’s digging to America’s novel gives us two perspectives of those who are born here and those who are still struggling to fit in. Maryam Yazdan, who is Iranian. Her fully assimilated son and daughter in-law adopt a Korean baby. There is an additional family from Baltimore, American born family, who also adopt a Korean baby. This story is much bigger then two families intertwining as each view raising Korean children differently from each other.
22 PEOPLE October 2010
MOM&I: How so? Korean children that have come to the US could grow up to be culturally displaced adults. It’s not easy for anyone to understand a foreign culture that they’ve never been a part of. The bottom line is what we must continue to keep in mind that we are all unique and different. It’s very unique to see someone like Henry Park in” Native Speaker” who can assimilate into the culture without too much difficulty.
MOM&I: What have you learn about Korean cultural after reading these two books? As in all cultural books that I have read and shared, I want to be adopted by them. I want to learn the language. Hear their music, eat their food. In the Native Speaker the author brought me block by block store by store to the very essesense of Korea Town. But most of all I am passionate to share that we can learn and Expand our humanize together. Drinking my new acquire drink is not so bad either; I love barley tea with Kim chi on the side.
MOM&I: What have you book club members learn about Korean
cultural? They diffidently know what Kim chi is! We not only read the book by we also experience the food. We have a clearer understanding about your holidays, Lunar New Year’s Day. One thing I would not Enjoy adopting is being a whole year older. 60 years old is coming soon enough!....
MOM&I: Have you acqui re a personal relationship with a Korean family? Yes, I have. When my granddaughter and I attended the local library I meet a young mom and daughter since then we have developed a very nice friendship. Our relationship did not happen over night. But my persistence and her determination to assimilate in to American cultural drew us together. So now you know of course I am now known as halmony(할머니), grandmother.
MOM&I: Do you plan to select other Korean books? Absolutely I already have a current list. I hope to find a story line about current immigration growth and I would like of course to hear from the adopted Korean adult’s stories.
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