Funny thing is, I’m writing about this exact same concept on my Unit 1 essay. Fresh Off The Boat was a childhood favorite T.V. show of mine and my family’s because of the fact that we could relate in so many ways. It was offensive, funny, and the most relatable thing for my immigrant parents and their children.
Eddie, the main character, pictured above, is your typical Asian American Tween, indulged in the most American thing, Hip Hop. Eddie loves rap, basketball, and anything that would supposedly make him “gangster”.
I want to make this a shorter blog because I want to focus on one specific scene. The importance of this scene is its relatability. Of the many asian friends that went to my high school, I believe that we have all experienced something like it. Displayed above, Eddie takes out a container of Chinese traditional noodles. Excited to dig in after hours of waiting, he is faced with many racially motivated comments. The following week, he begs his mom to take him to the grocery store to buy lunchables. I love this part because I remember all the kids with their “make you own pizza” lunchables.
This scene is important to the concept of a double identity because while Eddie is Chinese at heart, he would do anything in the world to be like his white friends. He surrounds himself in American culture and lunchables(apparently) to fit in and be like his white friends. As the show goes on, Eddie transitions from middle school to high school, but has this other identity he has to put on while he goes to class.