Now I ask you - would this face scare you if you were the opponent in a game of hoops?
Sunday we went to an IU women's basketball game. It was Kenzie's first experience at a live sports event, and she was enthralled. The Lady Hoosiers were pretty darn good - they won against Illinois, and they really gave us a show! And she got to see what the cheerleaders do at a game.
I kept pointing out the Asian women who were involved - Kim Roberson, #35 on IU's team - was one person I pointed out to Kenzie so she could see a positive role model. Also, I saw a couple of Asian girls in the cheerleaders, to which I made sure she saw that as well. When I asked her if she wanted to do cheerleading when she got older, she shook her head no. I think she'd rather be shooting hoops. I hate to dissapoint her - so I didn't say anything - but I doubt she's going to get tall enough to be able to play on a team. But I'm sure she'll figure that one out on her own sooner or later - so I don't have to say anything....
All she can talk about now is going back to the next game (which will have to be a Sunday game - the weekday games would keep her up too late).
3 comments:
hey julie,
i think kenzie would be good at martial arts, gymnastics, dance, and possibly soccer. lol, i say try them all and see what sticks=)
I won't limit her at all! I think martial arts should be MANDATORY for all girls - gotta know how to protect one's self from the meanies out there!
I want her to have all the opportunities that I never got to get involved in... and I want her to live and love an active life-style, so she won't end up like me. (Well, I used to be active until I went back to college at the ripe old age of 29... then my social life sort of ended when trying to keep the grades up!)
It is good that you point out positive Chinese/Asian role models for Kenzie. You probably will teach her about the history of the Chinese people in the States, their contribution through the centuries as well as the less palatable treatment inflicted on them. Simon Schama, a British historian, recently wrote a book on America with acompanying documentary. There is a chapter that detailled the huge endeavor by Chinese railroad workers who subsequently were villifed, driven out of town and country, and beaten up or worse. Those brave and hardy men were not even allowed onto the finishing group photos. And many of them perished during the construction phase, doing work that no other would do. Learning about her own heritage would strengthen her self-esteem and confidence. I was brought up in colonial Hong Kong, and even though I had solid grounding in Chiniese culture and tradition due to my family background, there was still heavy indoctrination infused into my blood that we Chinese are second rate and the political masters are better. It took me a long time plus living in the west to get over this inferiority complex.
Post a Comment