Bill Wang - Week 6 - Miso Soup
Miso Soup
America is the melting pot of the world.
Recently, in my History class, I’ve started learning about immigration to the U.S.: the hopes and dreams of people who’ve crossed sea and land, and the soups that they bring; the horrific living conditions within the massive ships, infested with pests and disease and stench; the detaining of immigrants at islands; and the deportations.
Yet throughout it all, a single phrase, brought up from the recesses of my mind, like how a bug escapes from inside a stopped vehicle only to smack against a windshield once the vehicle begins to accelerate once more to the detached amusement of spectators, has been, essentially, living rent-free in my mind.
It's some rather odd imagery. I, being the hungry beast that I am, have always thought of it as a soup. Specifically, the really salty miso soup that this one Sushi restaurant that had a conveyor belt to serve food gave out for free. Sadly, the sushi restaurant closed a long time ago, but it was too expensive anyway. The miso soup was given out in some sort of teacup-mug hybrid, which was an oddly aesthetically pleasing way of serving soup. I really miss the restaurant, though, all things considered.
In soup, all the ingredients come together to make a whole. When the ingredients are combined, they reach their peak potential and create something better. That miso soup that you see in your aesthetically pleasing mug/teacup hybrid served at an overpriced but dearly missed sushi restaurant is literally, objectively America.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso_soup)
Especially during the 19th century, U.S. immigration exploded, making it a hotspot for people seeking riches, religious freedom, and the chance to participate in democracy: to make a change.
The term, appeared as early as the late 18th century, but was popularized by a play named “The Melting Pot” but Israel Zangwill, in which the main character, a Russian Jew, wishes for a country in which ethnicities “melt away,” similar to how miso paste melts away in boiling water.
Others have equated this metaphor to the creation of steel, in which carbon and iron are
melted together, creating something stronger. However, I would like to mention that there is a tastier, and saltier alternative to this metaphor.
Modern America is defined by the immigrants of the past, and it remains important that we honor their legacy, hopes, and dreams through our respect for each other, acknowledgment of their hardships, and reverence for the country that they built with one another.
All in all, in an increasingly divided America, we must acknowledge the profound impact that immigrants had on our country, the railroads, the bridges, the government, and oriental restaurants with similarly oriental soups, created through the usage of a distinctively flavored paste.
(more about the play https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Melting_Pot_(play) )
(more about the history of the term https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_pot)
(Can you guess what my favorite soup is?)
Hi Bill. The metaphor you used comparing the United States to miso soup is so creative, unique, and eye opening! It’s very interesting how you latched onto the phrase “The Melting Pot” to enhance the meaning of your personal experience with miso soup. Not only does it create an entertaining read, but it also artistically captures the essence of diversity in American society. I feel that your blog also illustrates the perception many have of US’s association with freedom and diversity, with immigrants, motivated by a powerful hope, overcoming dangerous conditions to get to the US. This really resonates with me because my parents had similar stories. They crossed the ocean in hopes of a better life while their remaining families stayed in Taiwan. My family’s experience in America is like miso soup: a mixture. My father received a master’s degree, worked various jobs as an electrical engineer, and provided well for the family. I’m not aware if my parents faced any instances of racial discrimination. Yet, American society has also provided a great deal of financial anxiety and cultural pressures. Overall, I feel my parents’ stories fall in line with the pattern you illustrated, with immigrants searching for better lives and contributing to technological developments and diversity in America.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill! I have also recently been learning about immigration into the US, so I easily understand the ideas you conveyed about people assimilating into American society. I appreciated the metaphor you made comparing America to a soup in which all the components of the whole coalesce into their best form. That metaphor was especially engaging due to the personal experiences related to Miso soup that you shared—they added a personal touch to the blog post which augmented the entertaining unexpectedness of the comparison. However, there may have been more detail you could add to the metaphor, since (especially in the late 1800s when immigration was at a peak for the era) immigrants from ethnic groups were often discriminated against and were forced to live in small communities with people of the same race or religion, causing them to maintain their own culture instead of assimilating into American society. This may represent how, even in a soup, some ingredients are still separate from each other, and they may retain their own taste and texture. On another note, I agree with your concluding point that the hard work of immigrants in building America should be honored—after all, they are the ones who performed much of the manual labor to construct the railroads that led to so much of the US’s economic success.
ReplyDeleteAmerica. The structure of your article kept me very interested as you started with a personal story that involved Miso soup, connected Miso soup with America, and then explained how America is like the soup. The story got me hooked into your article, the connection had me wondering how the two are connected, and your explanation was very informative. I agree that America is “a Melting Pot” as there are so many different people of different cultures that have immigrated here for the idea of the “American Dream.” Inevitably, the different people with different cultures were bound to merge together creating the different ingredients in one bowl of soup. I think we as Americans are lucky to be able to live in a place that has so much cultural diversity as we are always able to experience different cultures and learn new things which expands our knowledge. For example, if I were to be living in India right now, I would not have been able to try Mexican food one day and then Chinese food the next. Living in America effectively expands our horizons and introduces us to new things and experiences.
ReplyDeleteHi Bill! Your approach in weaving together elements of history, personal experience, and imagery to effectively convey the impact of immigration on our country is truly captivating! I found your use of the metaphor of miso soup as such a creative and visually engaging way to illustrate the concept of the melting pot. Much like the diverse ingredients in a soup, immigrants from various backgrounds and cultures contributed to the rich tapestry of America, adding their unique flavors to the mix. The historical context you provided about the term "melting pot," including its origins in a play by Israel Zangwill, also adds a layer of depth to your piece. Understanding the historical roots of this concept is crucial in appreciating the United States as a melting pot shaped by diverse cultures. Moreover, your concluding paragraph regarding the profound impact of immigrants on America, from infrastructure like railroads and bridges to the vibrant restaurant culture, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of recognizing the contributions of those who have come to this country seeking a better life.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE MISO SOUP. I admire how you conducted this metaphor, including both the looks, taste, and cooking instructions. My dad loves the term "melting pot of culture" to describe America. Like the smooth almost creamy miso soup, you smoothly weaved in ideas of history, personal stories, and imagery into a flowly passage. I think I know which conveyer belt sushi place you are talking about, is it the one with the silly sushi people as mascots? If so my brother loved that place growing up. We would always go since his favortive food was sushi. I hope the mixing of people become more and more like putting miso paste in hot water, melting away into a blend of equality. But for now just the chunky bits of seaweed and soft tofu in a more majority of the savory unami soup is good enough.
ReplyDelete