Curtis Chin's memoir pays homage to his family's Chinese restaurant
Nov 15, 2023
auto_awesome
Curtis Chin, co-founder of the Asian American Writers' Workshop, reflects on his upbringing in a Chinese restaurant in 1980s Detroit, highlighting its role as a safe space for a diverse clientele. He discusses being a gay Chinese-American, navigating identity, embracing diversity, and his fear of coming out. The chapter also includes a discussion on his memoir and the origins and popularity of regional Mexican music.
Curtis Chin's memoir illustrates how Chinese restaurants can serve as inclusive third places that foster a sense of community and belonging.
Growing up in his family's Chinese restaurant, Curtis Chin learned the value of empathy and problem-solving, shaping his worldview and helping him navigate his identity as a gay Chinese-American.
Deep dives
The Value of Third Places
Third places, such as coffee shops and local bars, play an essential role in fostering community connections and interactions outside of home and work. Curtis Chin's family restaurant in Detroit served as a unique third place that welcomed people from all walks of life. This Chinese restaurant became a safe space for diverse individuals, offering more than just delicious food. It provided a sense of belonging and community in a city facing numerous challenges.
The Power of Curiosity and Acceptance
Growing up as a gay Chinese-American in 1980s Detroit, Curtis Chin experienced the complexities of identity. He learned to navigate between racial and cultural boundaries, finding solace in the diverse community that frequented his family's restaurant. Through his father's example as a Chinese waiter, Curtis learned the value of empathy, pleasing others, and solving problems. Despite initially fearing rejection, Curtis eventually embraced his sexual identity and found acceptance within his family.
The Importance of Kindness and Connection
Curtis Chin's memoir, 'Everything I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant,' highlights the significance of kindness and connection. Chinese restaurants serve as spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together, fostering conversations and connections that transcend societal divisions. Curtis believes that if people took the time to engage with those around them, even through simple conversations, the resulting connections could help bridge divides and promote a more unified society.
There are lots of things Curtis Chin, co-founder of the Asian American Writers' Workshop, learned at his family's Chinese restaurant: how to be curious, how to be kind, how to create community. His new memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, recalls Chin's upbringing as a gay Chinese-American boy in 1980s Detroit, and how the family business served as the ultimate safe space – not just for him, but for everyone in the city. He tells NPR's Ailsa Chang about the diverse clientele that frequented the restaurant, and how it continues to shape his worldview today.