LI: To understand we make judgements based on stereotyping, assumptions and prejudices
Today we went over a story called “Bok Choy for Reading.” The story talked about how Chinese immigrants, like Ah Sum, were treated badly and unfairly judged in New Zealand a long time ago. It showed that many people didn’t see Chinese immigrants as equals and often had negative ideas about them just because they looked different or came from a different culture. The story also taught us that it’s important to understand and care about people who are different from us, even if we don’t fully understand their situation. Showing kindness and empathy is the right thing to do.
After reading the story, our task was to write a letter to Ah Sum to thank him properly. When we visited him in his hut, we didn’t have the right words to express how grateful we were, so now we need to take the time to say it the right way. This exercise made us think about how important it is to be respectful and thoughtful when talking to others, especially those who might have helped us or who are going through tough times.
What I found most interesting about the story is how it revealed that even though a long time has passed, there are still challenges and unfair treatment faced by people who are different, especially because of their race or background. It shows that racism and prejudice are still problems today, not just in the past. The story made me think about how important it is to treat everyone equally and to stand up against unfairness whenever we see it. It reminded me that kindness, understanding, and empathy are needed now just as much as they were back then.