'Identity Crisis'
Ko writes, “Daniel had been a city kid who memorized the subway system by fourth grade. Yet he still felt like he didn’t belong. Post-Ridgeborough, it had never been easy for Daniel to trust himself…If only he had the right clothes, knew the right references, he would finally become the person he was meant to be.” Although he has changed his name from Deming to Daniel, he still feels alienated. The crisis hinders him from delighting in a sense of belonging. Moreover, his self-esteem plummets because he does not highly regard his look and form.
Race
Peter ridicules Daniel for “Working in a Mexican restaurant like a common labourer.” Daniel responds, “Don’t be racist…the owners are rich and white, so you have nothing to be worried about. All kinds of people work there, all races and ages. Why, I even have an Indian co-worker, who’s at FIT, and a Black co-worker who’s going to NYU. And the owners didn’t go to college and they’re f*cking millionaires.” Although Peter dismisses his racist outlook, his tone bids connotations of prejudice against the Mexicans. He implies that his son is superior to be working in a resultant which is associated with Mexicans. Comparatively, Daniel does not endorse racism, since he appreciates the diverse individuals whom he works with, most of whom are not Chinese like him.
