As a child, the Malaysian customs and foods felt normal to me—only as I grew older did I learn their cultural significance, especially as my peers related to them through pop culture.
In middle school, my friends viewed my cultural background through characters from 'The Karate Kid' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', reshaping my African identity in their eyes.
The moment I walked into Kopitiam in lower Manhattan, the food of my childhood felt transformed into a chic experience, reflecting broader cultural shifts.
Growing up, I saw no distinction between my non-Asian friends' pursuits and my family's traditions; that split in culture became apparent only as I matured.
#cultural-identity #migration-experience #childhood-memories #food-and-tradition #cultural-perception
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