Little China Boy
Lost Identity in Little China: Michael Seyer's Poignant Journey
Lyrics
Lost my name back at home
Feeling disconnected from my identity in my hometown.
Off the plane, the kids all know
Upon arriving, locals easily recognize and label me.
Hard to read and hard to speak
Struggling to understand and express myself.
Hard to be when all they see
Difficult to exist when people only see stereotypes.
Not cut from the same cloth
Not fitting societal expectations or norms.
Boy, this kid's so damn lost
Expressing the disorientation and confusion of this individual.
Who brought that yellow boy?
Questioning the presence of this Asian person.
They all call me "little China boy"
Being referred to as "little China boy" by others.
They all think that I'm the China boy
Perceived solely as a representative of China.
They all call me "little China boy"
Continuing to be labeled as "little China boy."
Little China boy
Reiteration of the identity as a "Little China boy."
Found my way some blocks ago
Having recently discovered a sense of direction.
Was just a phase, but I won't go
Although initially considered a phase, choosing not to conform.
It ain't free to simply be
Emphasizing the cost of authenticity in a judgmental society.
Not for you and not for me
Acknowledging the challenges of being true to oneself.
Not made from the same broth
Not sharing the same cultural background as others.
Boy, this kid's so damn lost
Highlighting the continued confusion and feeling of being lost.
Who brought that yellow boy?
Questioning the origin of this person with Asian heritage.
They all call me "little China boy"
Enduring the label "little China boy" from those around.
They all think that I'm the China boy
Perception persists that this individual is solely Chinese.
They all call me "little China boy"
Continued reference to being "little China boy."
Little China boy
Reiteration of the identity as a "Little China boy."
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