This Chinese teapot has been in my family for as long as I’ve been alive and represents my family’s cultural identity as my parents brought it with them when they immigrated to America. Tea is a common staple of Chinese culture for the people have been enjoying the beverage for over a millennia. The drink is hailed by the Chinese and other cultures as a brew of leaves and other miscellaneous ingredients that cures a variety of ailments. My mother and father, along with their parents and my two older sisters, purposefully left China because my parents felt it would open up new economic opportunities such as better paying jobs. This is not an uncommon reason to emigrate from a country. Many of my family friends have also immigrated to America for such reasons. It is most likely that someone you know has also immigrated for economic opportunities. The only aspect that is unique about my family’s experience is that my mother decided to bring the teapot with her, as it had been one of their only prized possessions, and she had hopes of selling it in America where it would’ve been more unique and valuable. However, once landing in Boston and settling into German town, my mother soon gave birth to me, and she didn’t have the time to ever sell it. She was too busy raising a family while trying to remain economically stable. Nowadays the teapot is more of an antique than an actual vessel to store tea. Of course, this does not nullify its cultural importance to my family or me.

– CC

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant