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3 Generations: Perspectives on the Chinese Immigration Story
CJ Liu interviews author Anna Chao Pai about her book “From Manchurian Princess to the American Dream.” Anna shares the story of her mother’s immigrant experience. She began her life as a Manchurian Princess where she had several cooks, a personal tutor, and lived like royalty. She then moved to the United States where she had to live the life of an ordinary person and learn how to cook, speak English, and more.
Anna immigrated over at age 4 with no memories of her former life. Chinese culture values girls less than boys. CJ and Anna both had the freedom to explore their lives. Anna explains how her brother only had three professions that their parent’s allowed him to pursue. As a result, their older brothers had their whole lives mapped out. Women do have a set of expectations, but it is of being caregivers. Their main goals were to be married to someone else. CJ shares her father and mother’s immigrant experience. They also had a limited choice of occupations given the language difference.
Watch the video to learn more about the Chinese immigrant and first generation experience. While CJ and Anna are 30 years age difference, the cultural story that they share is very similar. Both touch upon what the next generation of Millennial’s experience.
3 Generations: Perspectives on the Chinese Immigration Story: YouTube Video
More on Anna Chao Pai
Anna was born in Beijing, China and immigrated to America in 1940. Fleeing the Japanese, her family went from being important, high-ranking officials and warlords, to refugees of war and ultimately suburban life in America. Her mother was not able to assimilate to American culture – going from a Manchurian Princess to suburban mom was not easy.
Anna went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Sweet Briar College, a master’s degree in embryology from Bryn Mawr College, and a Ph.D. degree in genetics from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She taught at Montclair State University in New Jersey for 28 years and retired as Professor Emerita.
She’s the author of a new book entitled, From Manchurian Princess to the American Dream: An Anecdotal Memoir of Two Immigrant Lives. Visit www.frommanchurianprincesstotheamericandream.com.
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