Du 1

Hillary Du

AP English Literature

Mr. Gallagher

October 13, 2009

College Essay

I have always labeled myself as a person of two ethnicities, never one over another. As if

being Chinese-Vietnamese were one race, I never forgot to introduce that I was both. The most

interesting thing about this is that I am proud to be neither - not completely Chinese and not

completely Vietnamese. If any criticisms came up then I would stand still unable and afraid to

utter a word in defense.

I once overheard my grandaunt talking to my mother. She is known to speak without

thinking sometimes, but I was surprised when I actually heard her tell my mom, “You would be

nothing without your husband.” For some reason, she looks down on my mother because of her

identity. The Vietnamese are commonly seen as unworthy and weak in the presence of the

Chinese. I walked by without saying a word, afraid of being scolded and being called

disrespectful. My mother attempted to defend herself by asserting her role in the upbringing of

my three sisters and me. It didn’t work and I soon got to hearing about how I must grow up to

show how strong a person with Vietnamese blood can be.

I must.

Du 2

It has long been determined by my family that I will someday become a doctor,

specifically my three sisters and myself. My 爺爺 grandfather always expects the best of his

grandchildren, but is there more behind the fact that it is only us, my sisters and I, that have to

become doctors? The Vietnamese are commonly stereotyped to be less intelligent. Is this to be

considered a challenge? I want to become a doctor not only because for myself, but also because

of the fear of ending up being something less than expected. And if I follow through accordingly,

I will be known as his Chinese granddaughter that has made it to the top. My mother wants me to

become a doctor as a way to prove that I can do it, and that I can beat the odds as a Vietnamese

girl. Either way, the other half of me is completely forgotten in both case scenarios.

I have unknowingly and perhaps even set myself up to become the center of a tug-of-war

between two ethnic groups. I keep wondering about the outcome of my future. Will I be praised

for my accomplishments? Or will I simply become a conversation topic in which my race

becomes more prominent than what really matters?

My whole being, my whole future has come to carry two cultures on my shoulders.

I am now choosing to define myself differently. I am no longer just that Chinese-

Vietnamese girl, embarrassed of where her parents came from and what kind of people she is

classified under. I am renewing myself into a person that doesn’t discriminate and I will stand up

for what I feel is right. My name will not become a trophy for the sake of ethnic pride.