How 'Hillbilly Elegy' Resonates with My Personal Experiences.
"I think you look similar to JD Vance—the face shape, the eyebrow arch, and the beard," I said to my regular client, who claims to be neither Democrat nor Republican.
"I don’t know about that. He and I certainly don’t have the same political views," he responded.
"Ha, he attacks China while you like Chinese."
"I think all the 'attack China' talk is just that, talk, to win voters."
I agreed with his explanation; otherwise, JD wouldn’t have an Asian immigrant wife. His recent speech at the RNC certainly drew a lot of attention. Out of curiosity, I read JD's book 'Hillbilly Elegy' and watched the film on Netflix. The book is bland to me, but the dramatic effect in the movie made me cry several times. I was particularly touched by his loving Mamaw, who is quirky yet selflessly supports her grandson.
JD Vance claims to be of Scottish-Irish descent, which amusingly reminds me of the client who gave me fake cash while asserting he was Irish (if he said real). I don't usually associate ethnicity with behavior; every group has its share of excellent individuals. Despite my own encounters with discrimination due to my Asian identity, I strive to be open-minded.
Another book, White Trash, delves into the origins of white people over the past 400 years, unveiling a legacy of contempt within the white community. Modern examples of "white trash" might include squatters occupying someone else's home. This raises the question: is it innate pedigree or acquired education that differentiates people? JD's journey clearly provides an answer.He is undoubtedly the pride of his hometown, his success showcasing the possibility of upward mobility for white people from similar backgrounds through education.
I feel truly sorry for him being abused by his mom, as I also have an unstable mother who can be volatile when unhappy and super nice when she's in a good mood, as if nothing happened. My father, while calm, always sides with my mother and tells me to tolerate her outbursts. Later, I gradually found peace through reading.One of my white clients once shared that he was abused by his mother as a child, yet he is incredibly kind, at least to me. It seems women are more prone to losing their temper. As I've grown older and met more people, I've noticed many have experienced mental breakdowns, with some even spending time in mental hospitals. I understand it's not easy to stay calm all the time. Sometimes, people just want more or feel the need to prove themselves. When desires exceed abilities or stress surpasses tolerance, mental breakdowns can occur.
