Matthew, a middle-schooler from Portland, Oregon, got in touch with me over e-mail. He shared with me this amazing song that he wrote and performed, inspired by American Born Chinese.
Thanks so much for sharing your talent, Matthew!
Lyrics
I’m the new kid in school
I just want to be cool
But the cool kids are cruel
Play me for a fool
Jin Wang’s my name
Jin Jang’s not the same
My surname’s not a game
I feel so much shame
I’m human like you
True my eyes aren’t blue
But I have just two
You know that I do
Black or blonde hair
Dark skin or fair
Why should you care
What clothes I wear
REFRAIN
Sell your soul
If that’s your goal
To fit in
To fit in
Take my soul
My only goal
To fit in
To fit in
A childhood toy
Brought me such joy
I want to transform
To my true form
Asian self I fled
Turned dumplings to bread
Afro style on my head
Not fitting in I dread
Amelia I admire
Sets my heart on fire
I start to perspire
More soap I require
You must set her free
I disagree
Anger burns in me
So I kiss Suzy
REFRAIN
Sell your soul
If that’s your goal
To fit in
To fit in
Take my soul
My only goal
To fit in
To fit in
I won’t shed a tear
Would be insincere
Being you I fear
You need to disappear
I crossed the line
Took what wasn’t mine
My dream was a sign
As Danny I’ll be fine
Living life as a lie
I have to try
Jin-Wang good-bye
Now I must die
The Monkey King’s real
Said Danny’s ideal
My true form can reveal
Now I must heal
REFRAIN
Sell your soul
If that’s your goal
To fit in
To fit in
Take my soul
My only goal
To fit in
To fit in