hot pursuit by AsianBossGirl Episode 84: 4th Generation- Between Two Worlds with Sierra Katow & Taylor Chan
Oct 9, 2020
Sierra Katow, a comedian and writer known for her engaging stand-up and podcasts, joins director Taylor Chan to delve into the experiences of fourth-generation Asian Americans. They reflect on their unique identities, focusing on the intricate balance between cultural heritage and assimilation. The duo shares captivating family stories, from immigration tales to evolving traditions like Chinese New Year. They discuss the challenges of being perceived as 'other' and their aspirations to pass on cultural legacies to future generations.
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Deep Roots Of Fourth-Gen Families
- Many fourth-generation Asian Americans trace immigration back to great-grandparents arriving around the turn of the 20th century.
- This long presence shaped multi-generational communities concentrated in places like Southern California.
Name Changes And Family Trades
- Sierra and Taylor described family name changes and immigrant entrepreneurship like herb-selling and midwifery.
- These stories came from family books and passed-down memories rather than full documented histories.
Multigenerational Social Networks
- Fourth-gen families often intermarried and formed tight social networks across generations.
- That created repeated connections like parents meeting in the same professional schools or neighborhood circles.