s2e1

Today is the start of Season 2, Episode 1 of the book club. They are reading "Messy Roots" by Laura Gao and will interview her at their school. Valerie, a 9th grader, finds the book relatable as she has experienced racism both in America and England. She also struggles with her identity as a biracial person. The drawing style in the book is different from the previous book they read, but Valerie prefers it. The book discusses culture shock and Valerie shares her experiences of conservative attitudes towards sexuality in Taiwan. Other members of the book club also share their experiences of culture shock in different cultures. Valerie mentions how her parents are more open about sexuality, while others have had more conservative upbringings. Overall, the book is relatable and sparks discussions on various topics. Hi! Today is going to be the start of Season 1, Episode 2. No, Season 1, Season 2, Episode 1. No, Season 2. Every book is a new season. Alright, this is going to be the start of Season 2, Episode 1. The book we're reading is Messy Roots by Laura Gao. And then the next episode will be our book club interviewing her in front of the middle school at our school. Very excited. What was your guys' thoughts on this book? I think this book... I mean, hi, my name is Valerie. I'm a 9th grader. I'm the youngest here. But, like, I think Messy Roots itself is... I don't really relate to this book because, like, I... I am an Asian, and then I've, like, been to England. I've been to England and there for a while. And then, people say, like, racism is just in America, but sometimes, like, it happens everywhere. It's not just, like, in America. And sometimes you just feel like you don't fit in, and you want to change your name. And when I first went to England, people called me by my Chinese name. But, like, later, well, I started using my English name, or French if you want to call it. So, yeah, it's very relatable. I also think that this book is very relatable because you can see that she struggles a lot with her identity. And, like, who she is as a person. And I struggle with that, too, because I'm biracial. And, like, there's, like, those, like, beauty standards. Like, in page 49, there's this section where she compares herself with, like, the hot people. Yeah, with, like, prettier... People in the shows and stuff. Supposedly someone who's, like, prettier than her. And, like, because, like, every country has, like, different beauty standards. And, like, I sometimes struggle with that. So, yeah, she's very relatable. Okay. Do you guys like the style of drawing in this book? Because I feel like comparing it to the first book we read, The Best We Could Do, I feel like it's quite different styles, but then also similar in some ways. Well, I think it really, like... Well, honestly, it's my opinion, but, like, I prefer this style over the one in The Best We Could Do. Because The Best We Could Do is more, like, cold. There's more war. It's more what's happening in the world. You see hues of black and red. And in this one, like, you can see, like, her emotions. And she's happy. Or, like, there's a Chinese style. There's a lot of red and yellow. Like, New Year's. Or, like, maybe when she's in America, there's more blues and greens and... Yeah. Mm-hmm. I also like the style of drawing in this book. I think it's very well done and beautiful. Let's start talking about chapter one. If we look at the page image on page 18, have you guys ever felt the way that it's described in the drawing? It's people in America talking about and, like, generalizing people in Asian countries. Like, have you guys ever had experiences like this? So, yeah. Like, my Chinese name is Yongxin. I call it Yongxin. And people will call me, even though I didn't write my English name, like, they don't call me Solei. They call me Yongxin. I was like, ahem, it's Solei. And then the teacher is always like, yeah, they give me a high five. Aw. And I... I'm not really sure if I can, like, do this because I've been in... It's okay. Yeah. I've been in, like, Asia basically my whole life besides, like, the year where I was in Bolivia. And that was in first grade, so I don't really remember any of that. I do remember some sort of, like, racism towards the Asians. They were, like... It was typical, like, pulling on your eyes to make your eyes smaller. Those kind of, like, mocking the language. Yeah, that's what I remember. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm not Asian, but I have witnessed that kind of stuff. Like, just casual racism. Even in my, like, my family in England and family in America, they'll, like, just... If we see an Asian person, they'll just, like, do something. And I'll be, like, bro, what are you doing? You're weird. So, yeah, I think I've also witnessed, like, casual racism like that. What do you... I think this book also talks a lot about culture shock. Can you guys share some experiences about you guys having culture shock? Let me give an example. Okay. So, a while ago... Okay, I think the main... The most... Like, if culture shock was a spectrum, and, like, the highest that I've experienced would probably be... You know how people here in Taiwan are a little more conservative and, like, more traditional? And you don't really hear, like, a lot of people talking about culture shock. You know how people here in Taiwan are a little more conservative and, like, more traditional? And you don't really hear that much on, like, your private life, especially in terms of sexuality? So then I think people who are from, like, European countries or in America, they're more open to discuss things like this. Which, of course, there's nothing wrong with it, because at the end of the day, we're all doing, like, the same thing. But also we just don't openly discuss them. So I think I have heard that one of the... Two people having a conversation, and it's about marriage. So, two adults. And the wife has said that the reason that they wanted to get married sooner is so they could do it. So they could have sex sooner. Because I think they're very religious. So that's why they had to marry. But then hearing this here in Taiwan, even if it's from, like, someone who has an origin in Taiwan, just hearing about it is, like, a really huge culture shock. Because we don't discuss things like this. Even with our parents. We never had the... what is it called? Birds and bees? Birds and bees. Yeah, the birds and the bees discussion. I've never had that with my mom. And she doesn't discuss... and she doesn't even know that much about it. So, like, if there are words that are about, like, sexual words and stuff, if I ask her in Chinese, she doesn't know what they mean. In Chinese, even? Even in Chinese. She doesn't really know what it means. Because her parents are very traditional. And so she wouldn't discuss that. And she doesn't have anybody to discuss them with. And she doesn't like it, I think, also. Because I think people here are just a lot more conservative. So I think that's a really big culture shock for me. Yeah. I mean, I can talk about how mine's, like, the opposite. My parents are white. So we're very... I'm the one who doesn't really feel comfortable having talks like that with my parents. But they've definitely, like, when we'll be watching a movie, even with my... How old's my brother? Ten? We'll be watching a movie with my brother, and they'll be, like, having sex on screen. And he'll be, like, and my parents will be, like, Oh, yeah, that's what you guys are going to do later. And it's just, like, I'll stare at them, and I'll give them side-eye. Because it's just, like, can you stop? But, yeah. I get uncomfortable by the talk, but my parents are definitely very open about it. And even my grandparents will just be, like, make jokes. Like, even, like, dirty jokes. Sexual jokes that I wouldn't even think of. And they'll just, like, laugh, and it'll be funny. But, yeah. Yeah, definitely people in, I think, certain cultures are just much more conservative. I think it also has to do with religion. Like, in Egypt, it was very Muslim. Nobody ever talked about sex. Even, like, with my close friends, we wouldn't speak about it at all. So, yeah. Very, definitely very different. Because, like, in my family, it's just, like, a mix of cultures. So, like, sometimes I'll get, like, culture shock from my, like, Hispanic side of the family. And sometimes I'll get culture shock from my Asian side of my family. Because, of course, Asians are considered to be more conservative. Well, in, like, Latin culture, people are, like, more open to, like, physical touch, emotions, and all that stuff. Like, here, your way of greeting would be, like, usually just, like, hi. Like, maybe, like, wave your hand. Or, like, a little bow. Something like that. And then, like, in Bolivia, it's, like, you just hug the person, kiss them on the cheek, and be, like, friendly. Like, hola! You know, like, yeah. It's just, like, everyone's more open about it. You say, like, when you get on the bus, you say good morning to everyone. But, like, here, when you get on the bus, you usually just, like, sit down and, like, savor your soul. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, in my family, my mom went in, like, she grew up in Argentina. So, she's, like, she always said, I love you. And then she's always so expressive with herself. And then I always eye her, like, I'm, like, not doing it in public. And then, like, we watch, like, you know, sexual movies. And then she always be, like, oh, you know, like, that person is so small. And I'm, like, mom! You know, stuff like that. Whoa. Yeah. And then, like, you know, like, I have, like, a Costa Rican friend. And then we ask each other, like, what size is yours? And then, like, some people here don't feel comfortable talking about that. Like, I don't know if it was for my mom. I don't really care if people ask me that. But just some people, like, Asians, I'm more comfortable with it. So, yeah. Yeah. I have another example. I think you would like this one. Oh, yay. Because it's about you. You know, when you first came in to our school, and then I was, like, I was looking because you were in the same class as me in INS, which was also taught by your dad. I would look, I would watch you guys interact, and I would be, like, damn, how come I never interact with my parents this way? I would see you guys interact, right? You would be able to post him on Instagram. You would be able to do, like, TikToks with him. My parents, they hate taking pictures, especially if it's on social media. I would not be able to do all these, like, TikToks and stuff, like, drown in you, like, in the afternoon. It's so funny. And I think it's really fun to see it. Also, like, the usage of words. So, if I cussed at school, she wouldn't know about it. My mother or, like, my dad, they wouldn't know about it. But you get, like, open when you're allowed to be able to cuss. He cusses at you. You cuss at him. And it's so funny. And it was, like, a huge culture shock to me because whenever Mr. Bailey would say, like, what the fuck or, like, something like that to you, and you would call him a cuss. And then I would be, like, my jaw would literally drop. And I was, like, wait, is that, like, am I? You know, in the beginning, I had to, like, hold myself from, like, cussing in front of him. And then, like, the more classes I started taking from him, the more I'm, like, okay, maybe I'm allowed. Yeah, yeah. He, like, doesn't care at all. Yeah. Yeah, but it's also, like, the same with people in America because we can bleep it, but the word cunt in, like, America, it means a lot worse than it does in England. So, I'll, like, get in trouble if I call my brother a cunt in front of my grandma and grandpa. You'll get in trouble. Yeah, of course. Of course I would do. But I'll always be, like, oh, you're such a little cunt. And then he'll, like, laugh because it's just, like, a funny word. It's, like, the same as bitch or something. But then my grandma will be, like, were they? Oh, my God. I'm going to tell your parents. I'm, like, they don't really care. Okay. But, yeah, I get that. Okay, we can talk about Chapter 2 now. I think this chapter talks a lot about, like, the relationship with her brother and, like, how they're, like, very, very close. I think she also covers for her brother or something. Why do you guys think that Laura and her brother are so close? I think maybe because he's, like, the only person she knows that can relate to her in, like, emotional ways. There's, like, many different ways because, like, they both grew up together with the same parents. So he's just someone that she can connect to better. I would say it's because, like, moving to a new place. Her brother's, like, the only other person who's, like, well-trained, so they're sort of on the same boat. Yeah. I just want to point out, I really like the, what do you call it, the rule thing for the DISS, Deception for Immigrant Sibling Solicitors. I loved it a lot because it was, like, if one of us hides something, we hide it. Like, both of us have to hide it. But if we find out something about our parents, we've got to share. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was relatable, very relatable. Yeah. Okay. Does anyone else want to say anything? Okay. Do you guys have any siblings? No. Yeah. What's your, you have a brother, right? I have two. Riley and Ryder. Riley and Ryder. My knockoff. Okay. No, actually, you're the sibling. For the people that don't have siblings, what kind of siblings do you want? Like, brother, older, younger, sister? I want, like, an older brother. Love and Midnight. But, like, I do have an older brother, but, like, I'm not going to explain it. It's like, you know, when your parents divorce, and then, you know, like, and then, you know, another parent, and so on and so forth. But, yeah, I have, like, two older brothers. We're, like, really fat and 30-something. Oh, all right. Oh, my God. That was a very good one. And then they have, like, kids and something. So, yeah, we don't relate much. But my second older brother, he's 5'2". Oh. Okay, so, when I was a kid, every year, my dream was to have a little sister or brother. Like, every year, like, my birthday wish was, like, I wish I could have a little brother or sister. Aren't we the only people that don't have siblings? Yeah, I think that's how it works. Like, when I was 10 years old, I realized that my dreams were never going to come true because my parents were already old. So, I was, like, I had, like, a mental breakdown. I cried. And then I went to my mom. I was, like, I don't think I'll ever have, like, any siblings. And then after that, I continued on to, like, complain. Like, why didn't my mom give me, like, an older brother or sister? Because, like, you know, I just... I think you have a little pet. Yeah. No, but, like, it's different. I have no one pet. That is just me. It's different. But you can't talk to them. I can only talk to my, like, dogs or something. They'll just, like, look at me weirdly. Ever since I was small, I've been begging for an older brother or an older sister. For as long as I can remember. Ever since I was, like... Okay. Wait. How do you get an older, older... Exactly. You're a born person. Exactly. That's why I was, like, can I just, like, go back and wait a few months? I wanted my parents to adopt one for me. I wanted to have one. I literally wanted to go with you. Oh, my God. No, but it just feels like... It feels nice knowing that you have a companion. This is going to sound really depressing, but it feels nice to have, like, someone to, like... It's like an additional blood-related friend that you have at home that you can discuss all the things with. And I kind of want one that's, like, a little older, like three years older than me and not the same age. Which is, like, the perfect age because it's like you're not old enough to go, like... Riley is lucky to have me. Yeah, okay. It's like you're not old enough to be, like, in high school when I'm in, like, middle school or, like, in elementary. But you're, like, just the right so we can still be friends but not so old that you're going to be working and stuff. But I also didn't want, like, I didn't want younger siblings because my parents asked why I didn't want them. And I was, like, because they're just going to steal all the attention. I had jealousy issues. I had jealousy issues as a kid because I was, like, I can't share the attention. That's like an only child thing. I know. So, I didn't really care. As a middle child, I get no attention. My parents care about me the least. But you're an older sister. I have an older sister. I didn't know. Yeah. What does it feel like to be the firstborn? I'm actually so glad I'm the firstborn because my grandparents are kind of, like, they want boys to be the firstborn. So I didn't get the red envelope from them when I was born. What? They didn't give it to me because they want a guy. And they did, like, something. It's, like, it's kind of, like, they went to a temple. Oh, they went to a temple. Yeah, they went to a temple. And they did something that's, like, you switch this color's flower to the other one. That means that you can switch the baby from a girl to a guy. And they did that to me. No, I'm so glad I'm the first one because if I'm the second, if I'm the second child or, like, the last one, I'll get no attention because no one wants a girl. I mean, they still love me because, you know, yeah, I'm a girl now. I was going to say, I'm glad for being the first child, not because of that. Oh, because, like, usually, because, like, after you have, like, many cousins and, like, siblings and whatever, the big, your grandparents usually don't want the oldest to vote. As the oldest, this is the privilege for, like, putting up with the younger ones. I'm actually the oldest in, like, my entire family. Like, every single kid is younger than me. And I think, I think perks of being, like, an older child, I think, is that you're more, you're mature enough to have conversations with your aunts or, like, with other relatives. But sometimes you just don't want to have the conversation. No, no, no. Like, you can joke more with your aunts and stuff. Like, they prefer to talk to you and not, like, baby your other cousins and play, like, nurse and doctor and stuff. So, yeah. I can't relate because I only have one cousin in Taiwan and she's, like, 20 right now. And then there's me. So, like, family dinner is kind of awkward because there's, like, it's just very silent, like, old people, my cousins, and me. I feel you. No, literally. Like, my brother. Like, yeah, the fat brother. No, no, no. There's always, like, brothers that eat. When they eat all the time. They don't want to talk. How about, like, talking to, like, I don't know, family members? I don't know if this is, like, later on in the talk, but, like, your author does mention that the worst part of, like, the, I guess the Asian culture is that there's an absolute rule to, like, greet the, what do you call it, greet the older people. Yeah, yeah, yeah. In the, like, for every single, like. It's, like, the same system. Yeah, yeah. Whenever you go back to, like, your grandparent's house, you gotta greet everybody. That is so annoying because, like, I forget the name. You can't lose a person. And then, like, every time I go home, I can't go first place because, like, or else I'll get scolded. I have to go, like, Ni hao, ni hao, ni hao. Oh, my God. By the time I'm done, I'm already tired. We can go home. Especially, like, we're the oldest, so we have to stay with the adults. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have to talk to them about our grades. Oh, my God. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then they'll ask you, like, oh, how have you been doing? And they ask us the same question every single day. Oh, my God, how have you been doing? Oh, you look a lot taller. Yeah, I'm ranting right now. All right, let's talk about chapter three. This chapter was kind of about her experience, Laura's experience in middle school and, like, how she felt that her parents put a lot of pressure on her. If we look at the image on page 45, like, I related to this image because I've also had, like, a mesmerization with, like, girls older than me, like, playing sports, because I was like, oh, my God. They're so cool. They're so pretty. They're so awesome. I want to be like them. They score or something, and then, like, they happen to, like, take, like, the best move. Yeah. Like, they end up in the best position to, like, score, and that never happens to me. I think I just don't have the luck. I don't have the luck. And I'm like, whoa, what the heck? Yeah. Yeah, I just related to that a lot, and I thought it was kind of, like, I really liked the drawing, I think. Oh, yeah, the drawing. Yeah, yeah. The faces were, like, genius. The expressions were, like, oh, my God, they were so funny. Yeah. I think that has to, like, be credited to the illustrator of this book because, like, the facial expressions. Is that her? It's her and another person. Oh. It's, like, really, really well done, and you can, like, tell the facial expressions without even, like, without the text even, you can, like, tell what it's supposed to try and represent and stuff. Do you guys have any comments on Chapter 3? Whenever somebody else, they look good, I don't know why I would hate them. Yeah, it's, like, when I was, like, in 6th grade, maybe I just wanted to be, like, the A skaters. They're, like, so cool. They're so pretty. They're so good at everything. And when I'm, like, 8th grade, I'm, like, um. Yeah. Yeah, it's different, you know? It's not, like, what I imagined. I think a lot of people or, like, the majority all have, like, this fascination towards, like, upperclassmen. But whenever we see them, we just think of, like, every single, like, right now, we're sophomores? Yeah. Okay. All the juniors, the girls, they're all so pretty. All the seniors are all so pretty. And then we're just, like, why are you guys so tall? And then they all feel tall, even though they're not tall enough. But, like, when you look at them from afar, it's, like, whoa, why are you so tall? I feel, like, they have, like, a white light shining around them whenever I see them. I have an aura, like, whoa. Yeah. Okay. How do you feel? I feel, well, yeah. I mean, I look up to everyone, like, please look up to me too. No. No. Not yet. Not yet. Okay. You broke my heart in a matter of seconds. Why? I mean, like, I look up to everybody, like, older than me, I probably still do. But, like, I mean, like, everybody, like, the sophomores, like, juniors, seniors, like, every time they come, like, to see them, like, they dunk a ball, like, they strike a ball. And then when they get some awards, when they're, like, very good body shape, they're very tall, and skinny, I was like, my belly, that's so short. You know? Stop it. Okay. Let's talk about chapter four. This chapter is about Laura. Oh, we can talk about how on page 50, they're talking about, she goes to a Chinese school. I'm not sure what, like, she meant by Chinese school. Oh, I know. A strict local school. But she's in America. Yeah, it's like, you know how they're, like, Asian Americans? So, like, they have this, like, traditional Chinese school where they go to learn Chinese. I thought it was kind of like cram school. Yeah, it's kind of like cram school. I think they were Chinese, like, because, like, when they're in America, they don't, like, have a Chinese class. Maybe they do now, but, like, we didn't. Probably not. I think the languages are Spanish. Yeah, so they learn how to write Chinese. I think so. It's just, like, a school for Asians to learn Chinese. I think it's just on batteries. Yeah, that's what it said. Oh, my God, I have a quote. It's not so American, but I don't have the number, the page number. Anyway, I think her mom, no, no, it's like her mom is saying to her, that's so American, and then I'm like, oh, my gosh, I've had my dad's family say that to me. Really? Yeah, like, saying I love you constantly is very American. Really? Like... Wait, I thought your dad was the one who said, I love you. No! Really? He thought that you were the one who said, I love you all the time. No, no, no. That's my mom. Like, during your wedding day, I was just being like... Yeah, yeah, yeah. I thought your dad was like... No, that's my mom. With my mom. No, he's gift-giving. He buys me shoes. Oh. Yeah. Oh, no. Okay, chapter five, we can skip. Image on page 73, end quote. For me, what's your guys' favorite... Wait, we can skip. Okay, let's go straight to chapter... Okay, let's just skip to chapter 10. It embarrasses me every time. I've also had... Oh, so this is her talking about how she... Like, she has a friend that she met in art class, and art class is her favorite class. And she likes this friend because her friend, like, sticks up for her if somebody is being mean to her and things. So she'll be like, oh, she embarrasses me, but I admire how brave she is and stuff. Like, I think that... Oh, oh, oh. Isn't there, like, a tiny clip? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like the... Even though, like, she's American, but, like, you kind of want to connect with her. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think that's a very common experience. So, like, overall thoughts, I think that this is a very relatable book so far. I feel like this book was, like, more relatable than the last book. Because, like, in this book, there's definitely a lot more heated discussion and, like, a lot more laughter. Yeah, yeah. Appropriate. I think, like, this book club was more, like, enthusiastic. It's, like, a coming-of-age book that we can all relate to. I especially sense, like, what she's writing about is, like, the time that we're going through right now. Yeah. Despite her being, like, American, she's American. Yeah. Yeah, despite that and maybe our, like, ethnic differences and stuff, I think the general topic and theme of the book is really relatable. Mm-hmm. I think this is a very good, like, age group to read this book in. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. That's it for Season 2, Episode 1. Woo! Yay. Okay. Oh, also, can we give a round of applause to our special guest, Miley! Woo! All right. Bye. Bye.