Not even a decade old yet, my father’s lifestyle was completely uprooted, when, in 1971, his parents made the decision to leave everything that they’ve ever known in hopes of creating a life for themselves here in the United States. Since they came here without many material things, their food and their cooking would be what sustained them.

My father and his family first moved to Rochester, New York, where they faced immense culture shock. Being one of the only Asian children in the neighborhood, my father often found himself to be the odd one out. Meanwhile, his father would work in a restaurant in order to financially support the family, one of the few job opportunities available at the time.

Then, at around 1975, my father and his family relocated once again, this time moving to Chinatown in New York City. Although still not quite like home, my father and his family found themselves more at ease, now in a more familiar environment.

Through all of this change, what remained constant for my father was the food in his life, represented by this rice steamer. Not only was food a source of income for the family, but it also was what brought the family together while feeling like outsiders in a new land. Even though their place of origin was on the other side of the world, they were still able to adhere to their roots while navigating their lives in the US, which promised new identities, new opportunities, new experiences.

– Emily

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