Ancient Chinese Secret

Racist commercial by Calgon. For more viewpoints on this ad, check out the comments on this post on Racialicious.

I'd wanted to use this blog to explore my feelings on being Asian, growing up in a largely white society. And to celebrate and examine my family history. But the thing is, Asians are secretive. In Indonesian/Chinese culture at least. One is constantly reminded that everything one does or says reflects on all one's relatives, living and dead. Outsiders in the form of therapists are unwelcome, our business is our own and should not be discussed with someone else. I'd like to be frank and honest about my version of the past, and yet I'm held back by these taboos that still have a strong influence on any action I take. It's more than will this embarrass my mother/father, but will this embarrass my entire clan? And what right do I have to do such a thing? I'm not interested in being explicit about the details, I'd like above all to be fair, but I'd also like to not feel like my feet are bound by traditional values. I'm not sure where the balance is, but I am sure that all those voices in my head are putting a serious damper on my prose.