Somewhere Between

Somewhere Between

Last weekend I saw the documentary "Somewhere Between." It talks about the stories of four teenagers who are adopted from China. It was really interesting to see the differences between the girls' stories.
The movie was really well done, but I would have liked to see more of the social interactions between the girls within their schools and communities. I wish the film could have emphasized more on the concept of the banana that based on first impressions people judge us upon our outside which is Asian. But culturally we were raised by white parents and we don't conform to the racial stereotypes of Asians. 

Then there was a girl from Philadelphia named Ann, who actually came out to the screening and participated in a question and answer session with the audience. It was interesting because she told the audience that now shed to is studying Chinese and wants to be an adoption social worker but in the movie had little interest in her adoption. Ann seemed to be the girl I related because of her easygoing attitude towards much of the ignorance about adoption. 

Fang from Berkeley California Fang remembers the day when her cousin brought her into the city and abandoned her on the streets. Because Fang was not brought to the orphanage as an infant her mother learned Chinese previous her adoption. Interestingly she is from the same orphanage as me. Fang has continued to speak Chinese and has visited over 20 times. Fang got to the point where she travels to China by herself and helped another family when thy went to adopt. Fang is really interested in knowing about her biological family and each time she returns to China she wants to know more.

Haley's story was completely different from Fang's. Haley is from Nashville Tennessee where she is "the only

Asian person within 500 feet." It was really interesting to hear Haley's connection with Christianity and the church. She said that even if she hadn't been adopted she would have found a way to become christian even in China. She said that god had a path for her to become christian.Haley ends up finding and meeting her biological family on a trip to China. Haley also wants to be the "first Chinese person to play in the Grand 'Ole Opry." She also competes in beauty pageants like her older sister who is not adopted. Geographically where you live can determine who you end up becoming. 

Jenna, from Newport Massachusetts was the final girl and it was interesting to see her opinions about how she identified herself as a first generation immigrant. Jenna is somewhat of a perfectionist and does multiple sports while attending a prestigious academy in New Hampshire. Her mothers are the ones to remind her to breath and take a break.