My childhood…Being born into a first generation Korean family.
We, “females” must be strong and never give up!!!
Here are some of the rules that we Koreans are taught at a very young age. I’m not talking about 3rd generation and beyond. I’m talking about 1st and 2nd generation.
Some Known Rules that are stamped into Korean Traditions.
We always had to respect Korean traditions.
Learning the Korean Language First and being well versed was mandatory.
The word NO is not in their vocabulary. (For example, my husband was called the “Yes Man” he was never able to say no, or speak his mind. His mind was already spoken for…Sucks butt, but he learned how to speak his mind and say no when we met. –his parents didn’t like me very much…. obviously. I get it..)
When an elder is speaking to you, you must put your head down. (rather in America, were taught to look at the person in the eye and understand them) And let me tell you that this was the most confusing shit to me in Kindergarten. The teacher would be speaking to me and I would stare at the ground out of respect, so she would get mad and say that it is rude. And then I get home, and my father is scolding me about something and I look at him straight in the eyes and his eyes light up with rage. As if he wants to tear my eyes apart. “But daddy, I learned in Kindergarten that we’re supposed to look at a person in the eye when they are speaking to you…” but I wasn’t able to talk back, so that’s what I said to myself. Let me tell you again. It confused the shit out of me.
As you might already know, I am an Artist. I paint portraits. Nothing like the scientifically mind of DaVinci or the intricate curascuro Caravaggio, but rather an emotional painter.
What a scary position I am in. I'm about to reveal snippets of my life. I mean, this is not normal for a Korean. Especially when were supposed to be "Submissive." And I assure you that I am NOT submissive. It's probably the worst quality I have with my family. I'm what they call the "black sheep." My brother, he's the CEO of a big company that graduated from USC. Yes, he's the golden child. The Wonder boy, the son that every Korean parent desire.