CAPs Blog #1-Kate Nevanen

Finding out who you are and who you want to be is a hard, ongoing process. 

Identity is defined as, “The concept of who we are. Characteristics of identity may be understood differently depending on the perspectives that people take” (Martin/Nakayama, 170). Identity can be seen from three different perspectives, social science, interpretive and critical. The social science perspective means our identity is created by ourselves as well as my others, meaning we are made up of multiple identities. The interpretive perspective is close to the same idea but is more centered on the idea that our identities are always changing and evolving through our communication with others. The critical perspective is the most dynamic in that identity is found or shaped around society. Depending on the perspective which you see identity there are many factors or components that make up everyone’s unique identity.

Although there are many different aspects that go into identity, the international article I read is specifically about someone’s sexual identity. From BCC News I came across an article about a Hong Kong tycoon and his daughter. Why this is big news is because this is regarding an important person’s family in Hong Kong. A tycoon is defined as “A business person of great wealth and power,” (Dictionary.com). Last week Mr. Chao, property and shipping tycoon, doubled his original offer of $65 million to any man in Hong Kong who would ‘woo’ his daughter. His daughter, 33, married her long term partner in 2012 in France. Homosexuality is not illegal in Hong Kong but it does not recognize same sex unions. A letter that Ms. Chao has sent to her father has also been published in local magazines explaining her dad’s insensitivity and explaining her stance. "As your daughter, I would want nothing more than to make you happy. But in terms of relationships, your expectations of me and the reality of who I am are not coherent"(BCCNews). Ms. Chao went on to say that it is not that there are no ideal men in Hong Kong; it is just that they and that type of relationship is not for her. After her now almost two year marriage, Mr. Chao is still claiming that his daughter is single and looking for a guy who will “turn his homosexual daughter straight” (redpepper.com).

I chose this story because I think it is something that our country is currently discussing and changing in as well. Our thoughts, feelings, and laws on sexuality have changed dramatically throughout the years and will continue to change. It shows a lot about Ms. Chao’s self-identity that she was able to go against her cultural norms or even family norms and marry her longtime partner. Our sexual identity effects how we live our life, from who we hang out with to what we read and so on. By marrying her partner and communicating about it with the public shows that she firmly believed she is following her right path and doing nothing wrong. I think if more outreaches like Mr. Chao’s occur in Hong Kong there could really be a breakthrough in recognition of homosexuality, common to the United States. This issue also touches on the concept of gender identity. It tells us a lot about Hong Kong’s culture that it is a typical custom for fathers to offer money and chose who their daughter marries. To be a woman in this country means you are controlled or identified by the male presence in your life. Ms. Chao clearly stands up against gender norms for her country, and identifies herself with herself as well as another female figure. Although she grew up and was taught that she should be feminine, quiet, fragile and polite she is able to pull apart from this and create herself, her own identity. Lastly, Ms. Chao shows a sense of familial identity by sending this letter to her father. Familial identity is defined as, “the sense of self as always connected to family and other,” (Martin/Nakayama, 172). Despite what her father has done and said she will always feel a connection with him because they are family. “It would mean the world to me if you could just not be so terrified of her, and treat her like a normal, dignified human being" (BCCNews) Ms. Chao wants to connect her two family identity’s or loved ones together, her father and her partner.

We are moving together as a country when it comes to same sex marriage and this article shows that across the world their culture is also. From Ms. Chao we can learn that it is important that once you know your identity in each aspect of your life, voice it. Do not be shaped by what others wish you to be, but to be yourself. Being a supporter of same sex marriage I think moving forward when it comes to this topic we need to open our eyes and realize that not everyone’s identities are or have to be similar to our own. Find yourself, be yourself and most importantly, accept others.

This url will take you to the BCC website where you can hear audio of Ms. Chao speaking on the matter.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25940522

References

"Hong Kong Tycoon's Daughter Defends Sexuality in Letter." BBC News. BBC, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.

"Tycoon." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.

Martin, Judith N., and Thomas K. Nakayama. "Chapter Five-Identity." Intercultural Communication in Contexts. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2004. N. pag. Print.

"Billionaire Offers £80m To Anyone Who Can Turn Lesbian Daughter Straight." Red Pepper Breaking News Uganda News Gossip News Technology Museveni Besigye OPM Cranes. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014.