UGGS and Sourpatch Kids

     If you were to ask younger me what her favorite candies were, she would probably say those coffee candies. The same ones that were sold at the local Vietnamese market, or those chocolate sticks that she and her brother shared since it was a two in one package. They were both completely different sweets, yet every time I ate them they tasted like home. When I was in kindergarten I would have to wait in the classroom to be picked up afterschool. There was this one kid Allen (fake name) who would also always be in the classroom waiting to be picked up. One day, I spotted this bright yellow packaging in the side pocket of his backpack. Didn’t think anything of it. Then this one kid asks him, “can I have some of your sour patch kids?” What’s a sour patch kid? Allen proceeds to grab that yellow bag out of the side of the backpack and tear it open to hand this kid a “sour patch kid”. When I first saw these, I really thought they were erasers. I mean how could something be so unnaturally bright but also edible! The next time me and my mom were at the store, I spotted the same erasers that Allen had given that kid. I asked my mom if I could have some. Later I realized that they were edible, and fell in love with taste. Just like how Victor fell in love with the taste of Diet Pepsi. Honestly, the phrase “white-washed” kinda stings when somebody calls you that. I mean nobody wants to be seen as if they were more white than their actually ethnicity. Like just because I’m wearing UGGS, does not mean I want to be white. And just because I wear shorts and a hoodie does not mean I’m a VSCO girl? I feel as if people are quick to assume things. Whenever somebody wears UGGS, isn’t it just because they’re comfy and cute? That also goes for a simple hoodie and shorts, maybe they just don’t feel like dressing up. Ever thought of that!




Comments

  1. ToroSeptember 22, 2024 at 12:03 PM

    I like your snarky approach to discussing the idea of cultural assimilation, since those who value their heritage tend to look down on others who do things differently. I also agree with your thoughts on how people are quick to judge, since most people only ever get a surface level view of each other. From those surface level experiences, we assume that people fit into certain groups without ever having the chance to confirm otherwise. Ones expression and dedication to their culture is often more than others will ever see from a first glance.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2024 at 1:29 PM

    I like how you began with a personal anecdote and finished with social expectations that every non American student has to deal with, when I lived in New York I loved those chocolate pop things.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AmberSeptember 22, 2024 at 6:59 PM

    I enjoyed reading through your blog, your snarkiness throughout adds to your voice/tone and the past to present reflection of yourself, tying what seems to be a harmless memory to an issue society has today (whitewashing/stereotypes), is really impactful and makes us wonder what groups we might fit in based on what we do or say or wear and why.

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