Tribute Tea - a Social Portrait for the Pandemic

Tribute tea or Gong Cha originated from ancient China, where it stood as the best of the best teas, and was used to present to the Emperor. This same type of respect needs to be granted to our elderly. During the pandemic, hate crimes and violence against the Asian community spiked around the world. Since the virus originated from China, Asians became the scapegoat for the spread of Covid-19. Elderly Asians were especially targeted because perpetrators felt that they were weak and would not fight back. This type of racism hits close to home as a Chinese Canadian who immigrated with my family from Hong Kong. Although I have been in Canada for over thirty years, I fear that people like me, my family, and even my children who are born here, will always be viewed as outsiders. It sickens me to see people that remind me of my own grandmother be the target of such cowardly violence. Many of them are pillars in their families and communities, giving up what they had back home to immigrate to a new country in order to provide support and hope for a new life. In Chinese culture, the elderly are especially respected and revered.

This narrative portrait captures a moment in my memory where I had the opportunity to pay respect to my grandmother. She was involved in raising me since my mother was working full-time before and after coming to Canada from Hong Kong. As a result, there was always a special bond between her and me.

The tea ceremony is a big part of Chinese cultural tradition during weddings. At my wedding, pouring tea for my grandmother was my privilege. It is an occasion to demonstrate the respect and gratitude that the elderly rightfully deserve. Even though she is no longer with us now, memories of her still live close to me. The pearl earrings that we both wear signify this as a treasured moment that has been the result of the passing of time. There is no place for racism and hate in our society especially towards those that cannot fight back. These individuals deserve our utmost respect.