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A Universal Space, Culture Connection

After my traditional jai choy Buddhist Chinese New Year meal, I stare at my wall reflecting on how such a terrible accident could happen on such a joyous holiday.

There, on my wall, are posters of U.S. Air Force fighter planes and space shuttles preparing to take off.

It never occurred to me, the risk that lies in the cockpits of these vehicles. I remember as a child dreaming of flying in one of these shuttles. I guess part of growing up is realizing that in order to achieve dreams, one must overcome a struggle or take risks.

I think about President Bush’s speech, talking about the challenges of technology, and how, though we wish to extend the dreams of mankind, we must understand they are in the hands of God.

Science exploration is entering a mysterious world — we do not know where it may lead us. We are like the great explorers who entered the dangerous and uncharted oceans to search for a new trade route to India and China. Many years ago it was by accident that a Chinese alchemist discovered gunpowder while trying to find a mixture for eternal life. The writings of the recipe included warnings to readers to never try this experiment.

If it hadn’t been for the continued experimentation with gunpowder, the risk and the invention of rockets, we probably wouldn’t have been able to reach the skies above us or the moon. Besides the historical note of the Chinese discovery of gunpowder, I would like to point out that the accomplishments of mankind in space are international.

I was walking around Chinatown recently and I saw this white man trying to describe his search for Chinese red envelopes to a Chinese store clerk. I thought to myself, why should the clerk help someone illiterate in Chinese culture? Suddenly, I realized that in order to overcome racism we must let other ethnicities learn and participate in our traditions. We must not be hesitant to share our culture, traditions and values with others.

So, one reason I look up to the Columbia is the fact that I see a small step towards diversity in its crew. Let us not forget that the world has long been participating in a program in hopes of completing an international space station. It is not all due to a Chinese alchemist, but due to many contributions from various nations and cultures, that have all aided mankind in reaching the skies.

As I pray over the loss of some of the world’s greatest heroes, I also pray for all the men and women who put their lives before others. In the face of the sadness, to watch a space launch makes me realize that people can leave a place of terrible death, poverty and violence behind. This gives us hope that we can overcome these terrible hurdles.

So, as I visit my relatives and grandparents to give my annual “Gung Huy Fat Choy,” I cherish the opportunity to give thanks to my elders, who strive to make a better world for me and other generations. Chinese New Year will always be a special day in my life, but as a Chinese American it will be a day of remembrance for those who risk their lives for me and other Americans. I shall never forget the faces of the Columbia crew. They made me realize that Chinese New Year is not just a holiday for Chinese to celebrate but it should be a day for all Americans to participate in.