Week 25 of #TWmemorymondays! This memory is yet another small depiction of a bigger systematic issue. Ok let's get into it.

I have a memory of going to a dim sum place with my family and a white family. I was probably ten or so. It was our friends' first time having dim sum, and it was exciting for them! Before meeting them at the restaurant, my family was talking about how the white family would like the food...what we order for them to try.

I remember that the white family were the only white people in the restaurant, and even though they were excited...they were a bit nervous. Everytime a dish would come, they would ask what would be in it, and decide if they would be brave enough to try it. Everything was such a novelty, and my family would try to convince how good everything was.

Then it all led to the chicken feet dish. Would they try it? Would they like it?? So some of them mustered enough courage to try it, and with a surprised face, they said it was actually pretty good! Everyone is relieved.

Bringing white people into our world most often had this tone. We all are somewhat nervous how the white people will react to our culture and food. And there's this celebration that happens when they like it.

That initial suspicion and nervousness of the white people is just another byproduct of systematic white supremacy and xenophobia. White culture is what is "normal" and the standard. Anything outside of it is scary, threatening, and other. Whether it's authentic Chinese food or an accent, the first reaction is negative. Just because it doesn't match your definition of comfortable or delicious doesn't make the thing disgusting or ugly.

Let's all catch our gut reactions and question our assumptions - because it could either hurt people or embrace them.
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#TWmemorymondays: A painting inspired by a memory every Monday of 2018. Connecting abstract art to real life. Week 25/53. 'Dog' / 8x8 in / mixed media on paper