One Chinatown (3 generations Share Their Story Of Culture And Perseverance)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- This is a story about family, the struggles they face, the good times they experience, and the memories that they create. Change is not necessarily a bad thing if the core remains.
This story is told through the eyes of:
An immigrant from Hong Kong, China (My Grandmother)
First Generation Chinese American (Esther Tow - My Mother)
Second Generation Chinese/Italian American (Myself)
This video was made to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). But it's not just a story for Asians, it's a story for all families.
What is your story?
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www.tiktok.com/@michael.nicas...
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/ michael.nicastro
#APAHM #supportchinatown #Chinatown - บันเทิง
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I'm so very moved by your generous sharing of your family's personal stories and your different generational perspectives. Michael's cooking segments with PoPo reveal genuine mutual affection for each other that it just make my heart swell.
Hey, Nancy thank you so much for your kind words. I wish you and your family the best as well. I'm sure you also have a special story! Have a blessed, safe, successful 2021.
The story is for all immigrants, to honor the past and evolve the future. Please share with your parents and grandparents and you will open a treasure of memories.
Inspiring! This is the story of so many Asian AMERICANS. More people should hear this. Thanks for posting.
Thank you!
Michael, Thank you for creating this wonderful video!
I’m a new subscriber to your channel;It started with you and popo demonstrating char siu, and you got me when you spoke Chinglish with popo💞
I too am an immigrant, arriving in the Midwest at 5 years old in the 60s, along with my parents and 5 siblings.
I also struggled with assimilating the Chinese and “American” sides! I was embarrassed that we were not like “The Bradys”, where dad went to work in an office.
Instead, I was mortified to let my friends know when I couldn’t play with them because I had to work in the restaurant in grade and high school .
Your story is the stories of ALL immigrants!
I’m thrilled you’re all thriving👍🏻💞
Love the line, intersection of Mott/Grand 🥰
Looking forward to seeing more content 😍
Hey thank you Jennie for your kind heartfelt message. I can already imagine that you had a rich experience with ups and downs. I'm proud of you! Thank you for your support and sending you and your family good energy!
Thank you so much for enlightening us on the evolution of your family history in relation to Chinatown. When I lived in New York (Bronx) and worked for a UN Foreign Mission, my hangout every weekend was Chinatown....I'd do Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner then pick up 5 sticky rice dumplings (if I were to catch the lady on Grant Street in time) for my weekly ration. I never felt so at home as I did in Chinatown. My dad's Asian (Chinese) and I'm of mixed heritage like Michael. Thank you Michael, Esther and Popo...
O wow growing up in the Bronx must have been a rich experience for you! The same lady on Grand street, I think she is still there, if it's the same lady. Wow we have that in common!
Beautiful story ... thank you for sharing! Happy to hear your mom speak toisan because my grandfather was from that part of china too! My family still speak toisan at home..
Ooo wow! Thank you for your support! Happy that this resonates. Sending you and your family good vibes
What a great story. Thank you for sharing. We’re in Toronto Canada but our roots are also from Toishan and Hong Kong. I love the videos of you & your Paw-Paw. So special.
Hey Jn C, thank you for your kind words! Small world, I have never been to Toronto, but I hear the Chinatown is very nice. It's nice that we can connect from all over the world. Yeah I'm very happy that I have the opportunity to spend time with her and learn from her. I feel like I did not appreciate her and Chinese culture when I was younger, but it's never too late. All the best to you and your family. - Michael
So thankful for the last generation of Chinese immigrants like your parents and mine. I grew up in NJ and it was a treat to visit NY Chinatown by PATH and later by car. It's difficult to believe the tolls now at over $13? when I last looked.
Indeed I agree with your sentiment. Change is inevitable in a way. Good things to come. Wish you and your family well!
Wow!!!! You guys are so shining, inspiring and simply beautiful. Goosebumps! Very, very well done!👏🏼
Thank you for your positivity. Sending you good vibes to you and your family!
Beautiful story…. This touched me all the way from Montreal Canada!
I was born in Chinatown, we moved to Bayside Queens at age 3 and like your Grandmother our family went back and forth from Queens to Chinatown. My folks owned a garment factory so I understand all her stories! We relate very well! I’m like your mom… first generation! We relate! You connect us all…the ABC first generation to our folks and the new generations!
Great content Michael!
Hey thanks so much for your message it made me smile! Seems like we can all relate. I'm sure it was hard for you and your family but some of those moments are the most special. Bayside queens and chinatown it's like similar to Long island. Have a great day and wishing you and your family well!
Amazing pieces of art collaboration!!!!!! Such a grateful moment to hear stories like this!!!!!
Those prices reminds me of our weekly restaurant treat in the late 1950’s. A lunch of chow mein for my mother, my little brother and me costed $1.00. That was my favourite because of the crunchy, saucy noodles.
Wow I really like your cooking videos and the ones ur popo does it with her signature Cheh & get out of my way.. mixed fusion methods of cooking does represent your own character and ur way of embracing your culture in your own unique ways. The pandemic may have kept our social lives with friends or colleagues away but the bonding at home is priceless memories. Sometimes I find the interaction between your popo and you like a “ couple “ bickering “ n that adds depth to the conversation and cooking experience n somehow the food on the table at the end still looks good. Keep up the good videos going it’s a nice n heartwarming to see such content these days. I didn’t know the story behind the Chinese American Asians in-depth but the sharing was good on how lives were like back then and the challenges faced . it’s always nice to have mixed cultures more food choices and best of 2 worlds. Our parents generations indeed are like ppl who have enduring perseverance and resilience. Ppl of our generation now fight a different war now against the current pandemic environment.
Thank you very much for your sincere message. I resonated with what you had to say. I appreciate your support. I am personally wishing you and your family the best!
A great video showcasing 3 generation's experiences and their take on their own experiences. Keep up the good work!
This is an amazing video. I can mirror your mom's experience growing up and living in NYC Chinatown. We did live on Grand and Mulberry. I too felt like an outsider in both worlds. Most of my Chinese friends spoke fluent Hoisan wah...I spoke spatterings of it. We went to the same restaurants and stores. We did not go outside of Chinatown as kids. Seldom did we even go pass Columbus park. Crossing Canal Street was a big deal for us as kids! I will show my mom this video. She and your poh poh may know each other! My dad also was in the laundry business. Very similar stories.
That's amazing! I'm happy that this resonates. Sending good energy to you!
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. This story of your 3 generations sounds so familiar to me. It can be applied to my family in UK we're all descendants from Hong Kong immigrants.
Appreciate your message. Wish you and your family well! - Michael
I enjoyed listening to your family history. My 8 grand children is a lot like you Michael. Bi-culture. I share your story with them. Thanks for posting.
Wow that's so interesting. Appreciate your support. Sending love and positivity to you and your family - Michael
Im so glad I found you on TT and now here. What tremendous stories, much like my own. Im 1st generation too and I was so envious your mom taught you Chinese, but you went to school to learn, so proud of you. Btw mom, that newspaper store, was it on Mott street? We called it Bettys bc of the owners daughter, they were a family of "Tom", a distant "cousin". Also do you remember the only pharmacy on Bayard, the pharmacist was a Caucasian woman named Susie, anyone remember the name of the pharmacy? I like to do some research on it, thanks again, great videos!!
Small world. I will ask my mom and grandma! All the best to you and your family! Sending you positive energy.
Thank you for sharing your family History! grew up on long island as well ( at age 14) I did go to school in the city on 14th street catholic school till 9th grade, and then went to JR high in a ALL WHITE SCHOOL !! it was a culture shock!! and that was the first time I tasted racism!
Wow I'm sure it was a tough experience for you at times and you have grown from it. Sending you good vibes happy holidays! - Michael
What a great video. Great editing. Thank you for sharing your 3 generation story. It parallels my up bringing and experiences in Montreal. I've mentioned in your previous posts that I'm toisan so there is so much of your popo and mom's story that reflects my upbringing. I have nieces and nephews who are Chinese/ Canadian and I see you in them as well. You are wise beyond your years and your outlook in life and dedication in learning about your heritage in both Italian and Chinese is very uplifting and inspiring. Your parents and family must be super proud of who you have become! Keep this going. I am thrilled to have found your channel and subscribed. 😊👍
Thanks M I'm truly touched by your words! I'm happy that you could relate to my families story. We all are very similar!
Great video, this is very touching
Great representation! Keep up the videos !
Thanks Samantha! Appreciate the support.
Great video!
I loved this video! I felt like you guys were telling my story too. So many similarities and shared experiences. Thank you for sharing. 😊 Can't wait to see more.
That's great I'm glad you could relate. Wishing you and your family the best!
Nice family story
Thank you wish you well!
Life is tough, tkx for getting over it with grace, great example
Appreciate you!
Wow!! Great video!
I love this ! I'm proud to be Chinese !!! Thanks for this ! Happy Chinese New Year !
Yes! Happy New Year, wish you well!
So sad to see nyc change so much in a such a short time
Great video! Brings back a lot of similar memories.
Awesome video, love the story
English teacher showed us this video for our unit about Chinese immigrants today. These people are especially selfless and I have lots of respect for my Chinese peoples
🇺🇸🤝🇨🇳
Wow that’s amazing! That really means a lot! Thanks for letting me know! I wish you and your family the best
Very well done. Great story.
You guys are so supportive of each other despite the challenge of our Chinese ethnicity in a western culture. I admire your strong bond of family. My husband and I came from Malaysia with an 8yo son in the early 80s. Your struggles resonate with us. God bless you all, you're doing America proud. Continue to learn from and love each other. We have 3 lovely grandchildren of mixed Chinese Australian
Oop..mistakenly sent before i finished.. Chinese-Australian traditions.
I'm glad our stories can resonate, it really makes us feel connected in a way! Greetings to you and your family in Australia. Wish you health, wealth, and happiness.
Great lovely family story!
Thank you, sending good vibes to you and your family
I get a kick out of you and your Paw Paw bantering back and forth in your videos, especially her very direct pragmatic Cantonese manner. It reminds me of my parents, aunts & uncles, and Paw Paw.
@@ellamaesf Haha thank you that makes me happy! Yeah I'm happy now I have the time to spend with her and my family!
I love the story from 3 generations. Sharing family life hardships, feelings, and growth makes everyone more bonded and have a better understanding of one another. We all appreciate our lives better when we don’t forget where we came from. You need to embrace who you are , appreciate family values and always be humble. Thank you for sharing your stories. Being of Chinese decent I can relate. I don’t speak Chinese but I did go to Chinese school until I got into a car accident when the teacher was driving the students home. My mother used herbs to heal me, but I never went back.
Sorry, this is so long.
Wow, that's deep Norma. Yeah for me I think food allowed me to understand the culture even though I can't really speak the language. I like what you said "embrace who you are" Yeah I realize that I want to pass these traditions down to my family, they might not be the same but at least there is a spirit behind them.
dam, cool insite on what life is like for asians in america
great video of generational stories so typical of other chinatowns and immigrant groups. My paternal grandfather ran a restaurant and everyone lived upstairs. I grew up going to chinatown every weekend for scouts and kungfu class. Was great place for shopping and eating. Now the traditional chinatown is almost dead here because people are scattered and asian stores everywhere now.
I see those must be profound memories! Yeah I know what you mean. Seems like the little simple things brought so much joy back then
Michael, love this short video, keep up the good work and help me said hi to Popo,
Thanks Lewis! all the best to you and your family.
TKS michael,yr mom n popo for yr sharing .
Thank you! I hope it was relateable or inspiring :). All the best to you and your family!
Hi Michael, it's fine that you has makeup your mind to speak Cantonese not in your childhood, because at that time you're too young to think of the future, but you're still young, and by living with your grandmother is a value, she speaks both Cantonese and English that you can understand to learn from her while you're at home. My grandson's back ground is just the same as you, but he's only 3 years old now, I hoped that he someday will have the same routine that you has now.
Great! I'm sure he will be just fine! :). The biggest thing I think is him taking pride in his culture. My mother due to her upbringing did not embrace Chinese culture and it would not be prevalent in me without my popo.
good job Michael, came here for your poh poh's cooking vids, im going stay for the content!
Thanks billy. All the best to you and your family!
Three generations stories like POPO most。😂May your family live happily and stay safe👍👍👍
Popo is the queens. Without her nothing would be possible.
Your video was recommended to me from Facebook, I clicked it, and I loved it! Such a good video and thanks a lot for all the work you put into it! Keep up the good work please, will always support you! Believe you are going to be growing very fast and achieve whatever goal you have in your life! Supporter in NYC 😊
Hey Elva, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad this video resonated with you! Best of luck to you and stay safe.
Michael Nicastro thanks for replying Michael! I have been watching all your videos this afternoon! Love them all! I graduated from city tech and my major was hospitality management. Love cooking too so we definitely have things in common. Looking forward to more videos from you definitely! 💪😄
Michael Nicastro by the way, grandma is so cute and still going very strong! 👍😄
@@elvayoo5076 Ahh very cool! Do you focus on hotels or restaurants?
Michael Nicastro I was focusing on hotel, worked in hotels for a very short period of time and then been doing logistics/freight forwarding afterwards. However, Cooking is the biggest interest in my life though😊.
Every generation has their own struggle and challenges
Yes very true! It also puts in perspective how grateful I am for my life. Sending you and your family good energy!
Lop Jop Po (7:06) does not mean "dirty store". It means "variety" store. It means a mish mash of stuff, not selling one thing in particular (i.e. cell phones). I think you are confused. "Lot tot" means dirty. The Associations were so cool and a great concept back then. That's what the Chinese community did back then. It's the established community helping the newly arrivals from China, Hong Kong, etc. They'd would welcome you and help with things like interpretation, translation, job search, have social events so that the members can spend time to get to know each other, etc. When someone in your immediate family passed away, the members of the Association would come out to show their support, from emotional to financial. I remember when my parents belonged to those Associations.
Thanks for explaining it to me.
@@MichaelNicastro It may be worth updating/editing the part about the "dirty store". I'd hate for all non Chinese viewers to really think that, that's what Chinese people do....is to go to dirty stores. That was cringeworthy! You will probably get more views from people who haven't seen the video yet, so it may be worth it to at least have the information on the screen stating that it actually means "variety store".
@@proudasiangirl576 Ok I'll look into it
Your translation is correct. My mom used the same phase for a variety store.
When I heard dirty store… I was confused. It’s variety store. 😅 or random items store.
👍👍👍💪💪💪
What a great video of multi generation perspectives. Michael you should try to add Hoisan to your language bank?! Seems your PoPo and Mom speaks it ...your family is wonderful .
Are you Hoisan? You know I have been more interested in it lately, although it's hard enough for me to learn Cantonese & Mandarin lol
@@MichaelNicastro My parents were Hoisan and I speak very broken version. You are lucky to have your Mom and PoPo to learn and practice with! Keep your awesome videos coming!
@@soozjoo Thanks Susie, that's cool that you speak it still, I know it's not as widely spoken anymore!
We Live Here/////
Nice video
Keep up please ❤️
I’m Nasa from Pho New York restaurant in Chinatown.
One day when we are available to open for dine in. We would love to invite you and your family, friends to try our food 😁.
Pho New York (Vietnamese restaurant)
Nasa Foodie hi nasa! Wow you have a channel too, can’t wait to Learn some of your recipes!
Michael Nicastro Thank you 😁
DON'T SAY WE HAVE NOTHING ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Michael, I stumbled across your channel when looking for a Chinese curry chicken recipe and am really digging it! I will now subscribe and will click the like button to help out your algorithm. It's really cool to see that you are embracing your Chinese culture. BTW, I am really becoming a fan of your Grandma. It's awesome that you are documenting your Grandma now. She's part of your family legacy. One piece of feedback though. I am from the West Coast and have never been to New York. I really am intrigue by the scenes shot of Chinatown and want to take it all in. The downside is that whoever was doing the camera work, was panning the camera WAAAY TO FAST. It's like riding on a sickie ride at the fair. Please SLOW THE CAMERA DOWN. Pan it slowly. Not only that, the camera was wobbling around. Please hold the camera steady! Your personal story about how you grew up being ashamed to speak Chinese then later embracing the language, culture, your identity literally moved me to tears. I am so proud of you being proud of who you are. Kudos to you for wanting to learn the language so that you can become closer to your Grandma and Mom!
Thank you for your support. I can tell you have watched many of my videos. I feel that you can relate to what my family has experienced and you seem like value your family and exercise dignity and honor in what you do. I'm sending you good energy and positivity to you and your family! Sorry about the poor quality video content. I film it myself and I'm learning a lot so the videos are getting better. All the best to you and your family!
@@MichaelNicastro Michael, you are so sweet. Thank you so much for your kind words and great vibes. Yes, your family is VERY similar to mine. I am first generation born Chinese and my kids are 2nd generation. I used to take them to Chinese school EVERY Saturday. My MIL (mother in law) is probably around your GM's age. My MIL will be 84 this year and a huge presence in our family.
@@proudasiangirl576 I'm sure your kids hated you for that, but appreciate it now. Your kids and family are lucky to have you! My aunt just visited us in NY recently after 2 years. She actually has been living in Oakland for 30 years.
@@MichaelNicastro I see. I hope she's safe. There's been a lot of Asian hate in Oakland recently. It's very sad.
@@proudasiangirl576 Yeah be well and stay safe to you and your family
Mike, speak chinesse motivation cos food😆
That's right! lol
We need to let the dragon fly! In Chinatown!
You are right! Embrace ourselves and our community.
Michael. You know about dragons and the Chinese culture right. The next time you go into Chinatown. Take a look at the visitor center for Chinatown. The dragon is under the roof.. we need to educate everyone about the symbolism of the dragon. This I believe is what we are all missing also.
Arthur Moy hey Arthur I see you bring up a good point. I need to educate myself more on that!
Michael Nicastro ask grandma about the dragon and Phoenix what’s it mean in Chinese culture
@@bigasianLA Will do! Thanks, Arthur - Michael
‘Dirty’? store meaning nick nacks /variety store is better translation
This is accurate. I would say… it’s variety, kick knacks or random items