(Ignore)ance

When I first heard of this word, I thought ignorance meant "not wanting to know". Since it has the root word of "ignore", the verb, which means to neglect, pretend someone or something is not there, not paying attention. There is intention involved in ignoring. I assumed ignorance was defined along the same lines, but I assumed wrong when my teacher in 4th grade told me it means simply "not knowing", instead of "not wanting to know". It was a hot, sweaty day after that recess when I learned of what that word meant when we were talking about history and its importance.

A student raised his hand and asked the teacher about the phrase "ignorance is bliss".

"Why do we have to learn history when my parents tells me this all the time?"

The teacher replied, "There are some things that we ought to know, and there are some things we ought not to know. History is important because it will help us understand the mistakes we ought not to repeat."

No students asked anymore questions after that. I wanted to know what those "things" were. Why do we need not to know these "things"? I wondered if these things could ruin my life? Isn't knowledge power? How is knowledge dangerous?

I had those questions throughout middle school and high school. Instead of following that phrase, "Ignorance of bliss", I followed the term "Knowledge is power". The computerized, internet age was beginning to pick up speed as computers, internet access became more and more accessible, more people were able to connect to each other, post knowledge on the web. Being the computer geek I was in middle school, I learned so much through the internet: from computer hardware, troubleshooting to glowsticking (raving) to insight on Hip Hop history, culture. I fed on knowledge and knowledge fed on me. In part, the computer, internet contributed highly to my identity: what was AzN? Counter-Strike? Import Cars? Import Models? How much "pryde" could I convey through my Xx's and Oo's in between, in the ends of my screen name?

Now that I am in college, some of the things I learn about society, human condition, institutions, the ills of history empowers me, yet at the same time, makes me more cynical. Sometimes, it hurts to know. It hurts to be able to deconstruct, destabilize your own reality, your family's reality. It hurts to know that you have agency coming from a environment where being dependent, sheltered was all you knew. It was so easy. Now it's so hard.

“Know history, know self. No history, no self.”–Mel Orpilla

Hey Arnold! Hey Mr. Hyunh (Huynh)!

I should have posted this earlier on, like during the Holiday season. I've been wanting to share this episode with people for a long time now. It's the Christmas Special of Hey Arnold! from back in the late 90's. What makes this episode so controversial is that the story centralizes on the Vietnamese character of the story, Mr. Hyunh's, history; themes of war, displacement, and "leaving family behind" (in Mr. Hyunh's case, he stays behind in Viet Nam giving up his daughter to America, to American G.I.'s hands while the helicopter flies away). It's pretty darn touching.



When I first watched this episode, I didn't know what to think. "Could this my family's story as well?" I didn't ask my parents back then about their history. I was either in elementary school or middle school. My mind was still focused on video games, computers, riding my bike around, pokemon, etc. Now, when I watched it for the first time since then, I get butterflies and tear-eyed. It really hits home. I thought the people behind Hey Arnold! had an innovative idea of displaying race on screen in such a "multicultural way", while taking place in an urban setting.

The characters in the show are all from different racial, ethnic backgrounds; from the immigrant-filled house Arnold lives in to his friends at school playing football, baseball on the streets. Of course, Arnold, the main character, is white; the show is from his perspective, centers him as the protagonist. He unites Mr. Hyunh's war-torn family at the end. Gran Torino anyone? Last Samurai anyone? etc. etc. It is a common racial formula depicted on screen. But hey, this cartoon was way ahead of its time capturing the diverse composition of city-life I still think. Check it out, ya'll.

note: When I first watched Hey Arnold! I thought he looked so much like my dad's friend, Mr. Tai. lol