Identity

Vietnamese Flag with an X through it

Before talking about the identity of many characters in this book, I will first define identity. An identity is a set of characteristics that make up who a person is. Some people’s identities are simple and other people have identity crises. Tuyen was born into a Vietnamese family that is very proud of their past but she prefers the life of a typical Canadian. Tuyen is ultimately left with an identity crisis. She has to chose either Canadian culture or Vietnamese culture. In the end, she rejects Vietnamese culture, which explains my choice of picture.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”

One of the many things that helps make up ones identity is the way they look. Oku is a young black man who tries to avoid being known as the stereotypical African American. The quote above represents him well. Oku may be black but he has a passion for cooking and poetry. Throughout the book, Oku reveals himself to the reader as a well rounded character; the opposite of what people would think about Oku when seeing him for the first time. Clearly, one's identity is more than meets the eye.

SLAM POEM

The poem above was one that was studied in class and discusses how this group of black teens feel. The authors of this poem feel abused because of the colour of their skin. Jamal is a character that appears rarely in the book but has a large impact on Carla’s life. Like Oku, he is black but Jamal contrasts Oku in many ways. Oku proves all black stereotypes wrong while Jamal supports most black stereotypes. Jamal says multiple times that his destiny is predetermined. He is black, which is a large part of his identity and is the reason that he is constantly accused for crimes he may have not really committed.

White, blonde man

Above is a picture of a blonde white man, someone who’s looks are the exact opposites of Jackie’s. Jackie is an african american woman who grew up with two black parents who neglected her. Like everyone else, Jackie’s identity is built from her background, her looks and her beliefs but Jackie is a complicated character because her background and her looks contradict her beliefs. Jackie tries to run from her identity by only dating white men, even though she is a black woman who grew up with a black family. 

INDEPENDENCE

A Lubaio

On top of all these characters having very unique backgrounds that helped shape who they are, they are all very independent in their own ways. For example, Tuyen expresses his independence by building a Lubaio. Tuyen builds this Lubaio throughout the book and it seems to be one of the very few things that she cares about. Tuyen is a very complicated character who neglects her family and her heritage but the Lubaio represents her dreams of becoming an artist. Through her artwork, she expresses herself and shows everyone else that regardless of what they saw, she is independent and can pursue her dreams in art.

A Bike

Carla is also very independent. She lives on her own and deals with all of her problems by herself. One of the few items she uses on a daily basis is her bicycle. Her bicycle is her main method of transportation. However it also represents freedom, as Carla is able to use her bicycle  to go anywhere she pleases. The concept of freedom in relation to her bicycle is amplified when Carla goes to visit her brother in jail. Brand emphasizes Carla riding away on her bicycle, showing that she is free which contrasts the jail that she is riding away from. 

The artist of the song I’ve chosen to represent Jackie is Tupac Shakur. Tupac raps about his father who left him when he was young. His father returns and Tupac proceeds to tell him that he’s not wanted there anymore. Just like Tupac, Jackie’s parents left her alone regularly during her childhood. This abandonment forced her to become independent and figure out how to live her life on her own. 

A strict father disciplining his son

The last example of independence that I’ve chosen is for Oku, whose father is very strict and is constantly on Oku’s case. He is always questioning him to make sure that he’s keeping up with his studies. Little does he know, Oku dropped out of school as he prefers cooking and poetry to studying. Oku’s dropping out of school was bold but it shows the reader how independent he truly is. 

BACKGROUND

Mosaic

America is the melting pot, Canada is a mosaic. Background comes before being Canadian. Even though it is generally something Canadians celebrate, we see the opposite in this book. Tuyen’s family is very proud of their heritage, but she rejects it. She ends up moving out of her house and away from her family because she does not want to live their Vietnamese culture.

The video posted above shows people who live in Toronto discussing Toronto’s nightclub scene. Jackie’s parents spent their nights in the clubs of Toronto, and in doing so neglected Jackie during her childhood. Through the nightclub scene, the author explores the lives of young immigrants and other people in Toronto. Jackie’s parent’s behaviour clearly had a negative affect on Jackie and caused her to steer away from the black community. She ultimately went on to only date white men.

Canadian flag made up of immigrant's faces

The picture seen above has faces of many people from all ethnicities and backgrounds. They are all brought together to show that Canada is a very multicultural country that accepts people from anywhere and embraces their cultures. What We All Long For is the story of four young adults and their families. It tells the story of their experiences and how they are shaped by their backgrounds.

I may be metal and have no heart
But in your life I have become a part
As I carve and carve at your tender wrist
I feel in your brain there must be a twist
Is it normal to turn to me for help?
When if I scar another they scream and yelp
Your feeling empty and rather alone
But I'm not left sitting alone in your home
In your bathroom cabinet I'm normally sealed
Although next to your heart your dreams become real
You use me to express your raw self hate
But should I be used in this way to create
The pain that you long for, you yearn for to feel
You want me for pleasure but your pain is real
What your feeling inside, it's not what you show
Unless it's you and me in the bath tub alone
You try to keep secrets from those who protect
But is it right for this secret to be kept
I know how you feel can not be ignored
But the slitting and cutting cannot be endured
I know that I that I hurt you and that's what you want
But you've gotten so pale, and withered and gaunt
I shouldn't worry, you'll stop one day
But the deep dark scars will not go away
As the scarlet fountain seeps from your arm
I really wish you wouldn't do so much harm
But how can I protect? How can I save?
When I am nothing but your trusty razor blade.

This poem titled “My Best-Worst Friend...The Razor Blade” discusses suicide. Carla’s mother committed suicide when Carla was just a pre-teen, leaving her neglectful father to take care of her and her brother Jamal. Carla’s mother’s suicide had a profound impact on Carla and Jamal. From a young age, Carla was forced to act as a mother to Jamal.  She became embarrassed of her past, and as a result, wouldn’t discuss her family with her friends.