Frances Wang

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her time between Ann Arbor and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is a contributor for New America Media's Ethnoblog, Chicagoistheworld.org, PacificCitizen.org, and InCultureParent.org. She team-teaches “Asian/ Pacific Islander American History and the Law: Perspectives on A/PIA Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs” at the University of Michigan. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific American and multicultural issues. Check out her Web site at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888@gmail.com.

Articles by Frances Wang:

Introduction to 'Adventures in Multicultural Living' Column, The Project Explained

It all started when my husband first asked me to marry him. I said, "Under one condition, that we never live in the Midwest." I knew from experience how hard it can be to grow up as a minority, and I knew I wanted my children to grow up on the West Coast or in Asia so that they would not have to grow up as minorities, and so that they would not a...Read More

The Obon Dance

We went to the Obon Dance at the Puna Hongwanji tonight. I love first walking up to the temple grounds, totally transformed by the strings of lanterns glowing in the night, the tall yagura platform calling everyone's attention to the circle. It is always great watching the elegant old ladies from the Japanese dance schools in their matching kimon...Read More

The Teahouse

Spent the morning with Linus Chao, renowned international artist and official "Living Legend of Hawaii," at his home halfway up the volcano. My daughter Mango is taking art classes with him and his wife this summer. Four hours of Chinese art in the morning with Mrs. Chao, a little lunch, then four hours of western art in the afternoon with Profess...Read More

Culture of a Kiss

We went to an art exhibit opening and reception last night at Wailoa Art Center. Afterwards, Little Brother pouted all night because he saw me kissing the artist, "that man." He cannot kiss me ever again, he says, and he rubs and rubs his skin with his shirt, to wipe off every last kiss that I give him. I try to explain that, actually, I was kiss...Read More

Culture on the Volcano

Sometimes I find myself categorizing our lives into "School," "Sports," "Music," "Science," "Arts," and "Culture." I want to make sure that we are living balanced lives, that I am exposing the children to a little of everything, so that they will grow up to be well-rounded, like the old Renaissance ideal. It is refreshing to be reminded that life...Read More