Celebrating Chinese-American Heritage With Lucy Liu

WONG:
Moving to New York where some middleschoolers got a special lesson in what it means to be Chinese from a local celebrity. Here's a look at their time spent with Lucy Liu.
Growing up Chinese in a non-Chinese country, its hard to stay in touch with your culture. But its one thats truly meaningful. So you should be proud to be Chinese, because being Chinese rocks!... and Im not the only one who thinks so.

[Lucy Liu]:
I think the most important thing for kids to recognize is that its something to be proud of!

Film star Lucy Liu is speaking to students at the school M.S. 131, in Manhattans Chinatown. Its at the event What Is American Music? The Asian Influence.

Local kids hear the Chinese-American actress share the profound effect that Chinese culture has had on her, since she was growing up like them, right here in New York.

[Lucy Liu]:
I grew up not really knowing what I had until much later on as I was growing up I discovered that it was something that really opened up my eyes and made my world bigger instead of smaller, understanding the language and understanding the culture.

Before autographs, photos, and chatting with the days star guest, the kids are treated to a performance featuring members of top chamber orchestra the Orchestra of St. Lukes.

The tunes and accompanying dances are by successful Chinese-American artists. And it seems Chinese tradition is something that everyone, young and old, can appreciate.

[Lucy Liu]:
Also it helped me embrace my family because instead of resisting my parents and them to sending me to Chinese school every weekend, I was able to embrace it and embrace them as well which was a very strong moment for us as a family.

There are kids here with a lot of different backgrounds, but everybody gets the message that your culture is something to celebrate!

And, lets assume shes watching, some of the youngest kids here have something special they want to say on camera:

[School Kids]:
Ni Hao Lucy Liu!

Schools out and everyones relaxing! But these kids learned a lesson that they wont soon forget.
This is Katharina Sammet, NTD, New York.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• ntd
• china
• america
• culture
• heritage
• new york
• lucy liu
• hollywood
• actress

[lukebccb]

I'm still trying to understand why the white boys fawn over this girl and consider her attractive.

Oh well, white boys don't know any better.

[emkplayboy6]

every race should be proud of what they are and who they are, we are all special!

[shirusubemonaku]

that asian news anchor at the beginning is australian

[TheBfwal1]

@EnglishEthnicPride2 I have no issue with also high-lighting the role the Chinese had in the building of America. A larger part than most realize or want to acknowledge. It was not just the white people.....

[EnglishEthnicPride2]

Great!

I hope that one day we will see celebrations of Scottish-American heritage and English-American heritage.

After all, these were the people that created the US.

[lightlife123]

OMG..lucy liu is the such a sell out! I guess that 's what being a chinese american is! haha!

[Soulmatesymk]

beautiful and nice