Continued Summer Reading9/29/2019 The author of the article brings up a very interesting point that makes me rethink the details in the book that I read about. He mentions in paragraph four that the conflict in the book is “not a battle between the medical culture and the Hmong culture, but rather Hmong customs and American law” (Richards). Because when I read the book, it seems pretty straightforward and obvious to me that both sides are unsatisfied with each other’s methods in terms of medicine, and the setting takes place in a hospital. Therefore, I assumed that “medicine” is the root of the problem. However, after reading the article, I found out that law is even before the medicine, which serves as the foundation of the United States. Then, I suddenly felt sad because any customs feel small in front of law, especially Hmong’s. But it also explains why Lia’s doctors send her to foster care and things like that: they are not selfish but following the law which is inevitable in that case.
I think a more journalistic approach would have done less to honor the story of the Lee family, since journalism sometimes tends to care more about facts than emotions. However, such an intimate story like Lee’s needs a lot of emotions in order to convey its authenticity. The audience needs to know more than who, what, and where, they also deserve to know how the family truly feels in the story. Without a book format, journalistic approach distance the story itself from the readers and may only serves as a surface understanding to the story. Although the book is quite long and sometimes repetitive, I think it is powerful at the same time- unveiling examples and most importantly, let readers understand more about Hmong culture in an intimate way rather than an encyclopedia’s way. The book not only stresses the fact, but also let the audience think more profoundly- for example, when they talk about the sacrifice of dogs and how it is illegal in the U.S., it makes me wonder that if, within a nation, the most powerful group gets to define its law and culture, instead of every member being equal. There are lots of examples like this that are thought-provoking. Therefore, in order to honor the story, it is necessary to try to recover the details as much as possible, like what Anna Fadiman did.
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I find The Spirit Catches You And You Fall Down rather sad but still hopeful. The whole book covers a lot of information regarding cultural differences, which is my favorite part of reading, and it certainly shows me how significant effects cultural differences can create. A big focus in the book is how diseases are portrayed in American and Hmong culture. In American culture, diseases are described as straight scientific problems on the human body that can be treated by the straight scientific method- medicine. However, the Hmong people think that diseases are related to higher ground- a spiritual matter that God grants to the people. Therefore, there is the saying of “The spirit catches you and you fall down”. This fundamental difference on this simple term generates more problems, as the two cultures are not able to break the gap or believe on the other side. Before reading the book, I’ve experienced lots of cultural differences. However, every time when that happens I blame the “misunderstanding” on myself because I think since I’m a “foreigner” who comes to the U.S., I should be the one who opens wholly and accepts the outcome even when it’s terrible. However, after reading Lia’s story, I found that cultural differences should be borne by both sides of the table to understand each other and solve the problem truly. Lia’s tragedy is a failure to do that. Throughout the course, I can’t control myself thinking that, if there is even a little bit more understanding on both sides, would Lia turn out to be totally different? However, the tragedy has happened already. But thanks to the book, now the public has a better understanding of Hmong culture, and hopefully, both sides can create more opportunities for understanding in the future.
Another significant part I find interesting is the current American medical system. This book gives a lot of insight on this topic, and I went from knowing barely anything to at least something. I think this book points both good and flawed side of the medical system. For the good side, I find myself being fascinated about how dedicated the doctors are. Lia’s doctors, Neil and Peggy, spend a large amount of energy on her that even when they are off shift, they have to be there for Lia when she has emergencies. I think this is especially valuable because they actually care so much about their patients. Another valuable part is that the hospitals take in Hmong patients no matter if they have money or not, which shows an exceptional understanding of the medical system to people in need. However, there are flaws in this system too. First of all, the medical system tends to think medicine is the source that solves most problems, so that they prescribe patients so much of them, In Lia’s case, too much that cause side effects. To say it in another way, when the doctors detect Lia’s blood to see if she has enough medicine, I feel like the doctors are not treating Lia as a person, but a piece of crop. Regardless that the situations vary between patients, they have to prescribe what they think is the most “scientific” dosage. Also, it seems to me that everything has to go to the legal stage, which in a Eastern perspective, is a lack of “human feelings.” The doctors ignore how much Lia’s parents love her, and how much time they spend on her. They only focus on what the poor parents do wrong. Though, in the end, they regret sending Lia to foster care, the mistake has already been made. I feel like the medical system can improve a bit on those two angles, though I am certain that all doctors want the best for their patients. |