We grow up with labels forced upon us and labels we put on ourselves. When I was growing up, I identified myself as a "second generation" Korean. We'd use this term to identify ourselves as different from our parents' generation that were born and raised in Korea. Dave grew up labeled as a 1.5 generation because he was born in Korea and raised here.
Yet, using these terms, I've realized excludes the tens and hundreds of generations that have preceded me. Those who have experienced oppression, war, and even abundance in the divided Korea and the united Korea before 1945.
Through this family history project, I realize my identity and culture does not only come from my parents' and grandparents' generation, but from a rich history, tradition and culture that goes beyond. I hope that the third generation, Joseph, Elliott, Edward and Sharon, and hopefully more to come, realize this important fact.
This marks the end of Jiea and my interview with our grandparents. I'd love to interview more family members and record more stories.
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