What it means to come from Hong Kong and how to place one's national identity in a global context dominated a discussion hosted by the Hong Kong Students Association Tuesday evening. The conversation was led by a panel of six Brown students and one Rhode Island School of Design student, all of whom have spent some or most of their lives in Hong Kong. Professor of History Evelyn Hu-Dehart also helped lead the discussion.
"Hong Kong identity is very hybrid," Hu-Dehart said. The panelists began the discussion by explaining their identities in light of their experiences. One issue raised involved tensions within the Hong Kong student community. Panel members pointed to socioeconomic differences between students who attended local and international schools in Hong Kong, saying students who attended international schools often looked down on their local counterparts, who were generally less affluent. Panelists also said Hong Kong's status as a former British colony has perpetuated a preference for individuals with British accents.
Hu-Dehart was born in China and immigrated to America when she was 12 years old, she said. Going against the desires of her parents, Hu-Dehart majored in the humanities at Stanford University before earning her PhD in Latin American studies. Though she was "practically disowned" by her parents, Hu-Dehart said she believed it was important to "live my own life and not that of my parents." Hu-Dehart said she thought her experience making her own choices in spite of her parents' expectations is becoming more common for immigrants in the United States.
The discussion moved to the issue of interracial relationships, which the panelists said can be a sensitive topic in Asian culture. Hu-Dehart noted that romantic relationships can cause "tremendous upheaval in the family," adding that her own marriage "seriously challenged my parents."
All panelists expressed a desire to return to Hong Kong at some point in their lives, though many said they wanted to pursue further education in America before returning.
Larry Au '14 noted that China has become the best represented foreign country at Brown, with the largest number of international students and applicants hailing from China. He said Brown's "internationalization effort to connect fundraising, networking and recruitment" is coming together to promote Brown's brand in China. Hu-Dehart added that most students who matriculate to Brown from China are from affluent families and attended one of a few elite Chinese schools. She called the record-high matriculation of undergraduate Chinese students a "brand-new phenomenon."
