I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

I am a first generation American. Like many Koreans, my parents immigrated in the early 1970s and started out working in NYC as business managers (delis/pizzerias). My sister and I were born in NYC and grew up around the business. Helping out occasionally on weekends. In consequence, we inherited that 1970’s Korean Tiger Economy spirit of work-aholism from our parents. (Our parents continue to work/act like it is still the roaring 1970s)

I am irreligious, which I find to be a major handicap to being closer to the Korean-American community where the church seems to be the center of the community.

Perhaps like many of you (Korean Americans), I am in a culture that exists between two radically different ones (east and west). I find it challenging to make decisions that agree with one, but disagree with the other. As you know we’re not quite Korean and not completely quite mainstream American (or maybe you’re lucky enough to be more American than me). I regret the cultural barrier that exists between my parents and me. I also regret the language and cultural barrier that exists with my grandparents. Since I live in America, I hope to become more American.

Having moved away from a more Asian high school (NJ) to a nearly all white (PA) high school during my all important adolescent development period, I recognize I have some friendship/social skills issues, but that’s not to say I don’t have friends. I just don’t make them as easily as some of my friends.

I joined the Army Reserves after high school – in an attempt to connect with a larger organization and understand other people. It was fun and challenging.

After 7 years of “higher education,” I work as an engineer. I have a bad habit of being secretly comparative with my peers and secretly have doubts about my abilities (in the workplace setting) and worry about the expectations of my management (probably a product of my upbringing and my need for authoritative approval).

Although I am constantly being told by my parents that if I don’t find a Korean woman, marry, and have children that I would be a failure, I know better (at this age and time in life) than to let them control my emotions with their agenda. If you’re Korean American, I wish you good luck! I hope you find your place in life.