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Published -
- June 13, 2021
- 11:00 am
Meet Chinese cowboy Bruce Wang, an international student in Texas who decided to transform to fit in.
He learned a Southern accent by watching Duck Dynasty and got a job on a ranch. AJ+ host Dolly Li traveled to Lubbock to understand how – and why – a Chinese city boy became a Texan cowboy.
How did Jin Chen’s upbringing with Chinese and Southern cultures shape his identity?
I’m a Chinese Cowboy with a Southern Accent – a statement that seems to contradict the idea of cultural identity. However, for me, it is a perfectly normal and accurate description of myself. My name is Jin Chen, and I am a Chinese-American born and raised in Texas. Growing up, I was deeply influenced by both my Chinese heritage and the Southern culture that surrounded me.
My parents were immigrants from China who came to the United States seeking a better life for our family. They brought with them the values and traditions of their homeland, which they imbued in me and my siblings from a young age. I learned Mandarin Chinese, ate traditional Chinese cuisine, and participated in cultural festivals and events.
At the same time, I was also immersed in Southern culture. I attended rodeos, watched NASCAR races, and ate barbecue. I began to develop a drawl, and my speech patterns became indistinguishable from those of my Southern friends. I even began wearing cowboy boots and hats, something that would have been unheard of in China.
The blending of these two cultures was not always easy. I often felt caught between two worlds, with one foot in each. However, as I got older, I began to embrace my unique identity. Being a Chinese Cowboy with a Southern Accent made me who I am – a proud representative of both my Chinese heritage and my Southern roots.
In many ways, my identity is symbolic of the melting pot that is America. I am a testament to the beauty of diversity and how it can shape and enrich our lives. My experience has taught me that we should celebrate and embrace our differences rather than fear or reject them.
For me, being a Chinese Cowboy with a Southern Accent is not a contradiction; it is an expression of the complexity and diversity of human identity. I am proud of who I am and where I come from, and I hope my story inspires others to embrace their unique identities too. While cultural identity may be complicated, it is something to be celebrated, for it is what makes each and every one of us beautifully and wonderfully unique.
