Emerald Vang - Week 7

In "My Mother Not My Mother," by Profesor Valverde, I felt great sympathy for her life story. Her perception of mother and daughter relationships were different because of the hardships she went through, but she was still able to understand her mother to some extent. I'm sure it's harder to forgive than to understand, but I'm glad she was able to see her side of the story. I feel like a lot of minority homes go through some sort of parent issue. In Asian homes though, leaving a child, family, or loved one is not as common, thus that is why there is a lot of issues about parental affection. It can be hard to live in a home where one is not loved or one isn't shown love in a clear way. I always hear from other Asian friends and strangers that their parents don't say "I love you," but rather do things like cook for them to express their love. I understood "My Mother Not My Mother" as a mother leaving their child because they didn't know better and were young and not being able to express their love correctly because of the estrangement. Mother and daughter relationships aren't easy and I feel like it does take a long time to have that bond. This relates to the class lecture on how looking back at traumatic events change perspectives after time passes. I could feel how Professor. Valverde did not feel the same hurt emotions near the end of the reading but instead was understanding even though she still doesn't approve of her actions. It's interesting that our minds work in this way that allows us to get over traumatic or painful moments. How is this possible? To think back at something that once was painful, but not anymore?