Multiple Ethnicities In Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior By Amy Chua

Growing up, having more than one ethnic background can have a bittersweet effect on one’s life. Amy Chua, author of “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”, is a prime example of a woman that has one ethnic background. Chua is a mother who gave birth to two daughters and she raised her children as a typical Chinese woman would. She has one voice and she does not stray away from it, even though she is living in the USA. Zadie Smith, author of “Speaking in Tongues”, has a British father and a Jamaican mother, and this makes Zadie Smith a biracial woman. Smith grew up Willesden in London and as she older, she left her home town for Cambridge. Due to the change, she developed two voices, her old and new voice, and she was able to change her voice depending
However, being a mixed race allows one to adapt and to their ethnic background allows them to interact with numerous of people. Flexibility is the ability in to anything, to be open-minded and can change their mind without being stubborn about the topic. Having multiple ethnicities can help one become flexible because they grow up with numerous of customs and it is easier to listen to each culture and determine which course of action to follow. “For Obama, having more than one voice in your ear is not a burden, not solely a burden-it is also a gift.” (Smith 251). By “having more than one voice” means Obama was listening to everyone despite their culture and where they came from. A “burden” means having this heavy weight on one’s shoulders. One will not have a moments peace if they are carrying the weight of their country on their shoulders. This idea means that Obama is able to listen to everyone, soak in their own opinions without being objective and it can have a negative effect or even a pleasant one. He was able to use his gift because he is biracial and throughout his life, he did not listen to one culture at a time. He listened to everyone, which allowed him
This does not mean that people with one identity is stubborn and does not listen to anyone’s opinion but their own. However, there are quite a few of them whom do not listen to other ethnicity groups for instance a Chinese mother. Chua was pushing her daughter Lulu to hard on the piano and her husband, Jeb, told her that “‘maybe Lulu really just couldn’t do the technique- perhaps she didn’t have the coordination yet, had I considered that possibility’ ‘You just don’t believe in her,’ I accused.” (55). Chua’s husband has a western parenting style and he believes that Chua was pushing their daughter to her limits and she does not believe that she has pushed Lulu to