Summary of "Master Lee: Chink" – The Moth Podcast

Introduction

In the episode titled "Master Lee: Chink", the storyteller Master Lee shares a poignant and raw account of his childhood experiences growing up as a Chinese-American in an overwhelmingly white community. Recorded live at The Moth main stage in 2008, the story delves into themes of identity, racism, resilience, and transformation.

Childhood in Connecticut

Master Lee begins by setting the scene of his upbringing in West Hartford, Connecticut—a predominantly white town with only a handful of minority families, including his own Chinese family, a Japanese family, and a Black janitor family. He recounts the initial instances of racism he faced, highlighting the stark isolation he felt:

“I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, this all white town. ... later a Mexican family moved in and I was made fun of like a lot. Cause I was Asian and I was weird.”
[02:55]

Experiences with Racism and Bullying

The narrative intensifies as Master Lee describes persistent bullying, particularly from a boy named Chip Unsworth. Chip's derogatory use of the term "Chink" becomes a catalyst for recurring physical confrontations:

“This kid yelled out, hey, you Chink. And I literally looked around for the Chink.”
[03:10]

Master Lee explains how these encounters evolved from verbal taunts to physical battles, revealing the internal struggle between wanting to fit in and the urge to retaliate:

“If a kid calls me Chink, I'm just gonna try to kill the other kid.”
[04:00]

He shares a vivid memory of a particularly harrowing incident where Chip and his friends surrounded him, chanting and spitting on him, an act of dehumanization that left him feeling both humiliated and helpless:

“And then they started spitting on me. ... It’s humiliating, shocking.”
[07:25]

Escalating Conflicts

Master Lee's story takes a darker turn as he reflects on his coping mechanisms amidst ongoing abuse. He recounts drastic measures taken to escape the pain, including a moment of destructive rebellion during a school play:

“On opening night, ... I set the trash can on Fire. ... Then I set the second trash can on fire. ... I had this moment of guilt.”
[09:10]

This act of arson was a cry for help, a manifestation of his internal turmoil stemming from continuous conflicts at school and at home, where his parents were also embroiled in their own disputes.

Influence of Bruce Lee and Transformation

A pivotal moment in Master Lee's life occurs in 1973 when he watches Bruce Lee's film "Return of the Dragon" in Connecticut. This experience serves as a turning point, igniting a sense of empowerment and altering how he perceives himself and his capabilities:

“I was sitting there ... Bruce Lee was not only fighting the whites, he was kicking ass. ... He was beating up the white people. Let me repeat that. Before Bruce Lee, there was no star of an Asian movie in the States.”
[11:00]

Master Lee describes the profound impact Bruce Lee had on him, transforming his self-image from a victim to someone with agency and strength. This newfound confidence led to a shift in how his peers treated him, granting him a level of respect he had never previously experienced:

“The next day in school, I was treated with a new respect. ... They would ask me if I was related to Bruce because my name was the same. I'd always say yes.”
[12:20]

Conclusion

Master Lee concludes his story by reflecting on the long journey from his troubled youth to his current identity as Master Lee, co-founder of Talking Stick. He emphasizes the lasting influence of cultural icons like Bruce Lee in shaping one's path and overcoming adversity:

“And it's taken me 25 more years to become masterly.”
[13:25]

Through his narrative, Master Lee offers a compelling exploration of the challenges faced by minority youth, the impact of representation, and the resilience required to forge one's identity amidst pervasive discrimination.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Isolation and Racism:

  “I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, this all white town. ... later a Mexican family moved in and I was made fun of like a lot. Cause I was Asian and I was weird.”
  [02:55]

• Vowing Retaliation:

  “If a kid calls me Chink, I'm just gonna try to kill the other kid.”
  [04:00]

• Dehumanization through Spitting:

  “And then they started spitting on me. ... It’s humiliating, shocking.”
  [07:25]

• Destructive Rebellion:

  “On opening night, ... I set the trash can on Fire. ... I had this moment of guilt.”
  [09:10]

• Empowerment through Bruce Lee:

  “Before Bruce Lee, there was no star of an Asian movie in the States. ... he was beating up the white people.”
  [11:00]

• Gaining Respect:

  “The next day in school, I was treated with a new respect. ... They would ask me if I was related to Bruce because my name was the same. I'd always say yes.”
  [12:20]

Final Thoughts

Master Lee's story is a testament to the profound impact of representation and the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity. His journey from a bullied child to a respected storyteller underscores the importance of cultural icons in shaping personal identities and fostering resilience.