11 Susan Mao
The video tells the story of a Chinese mother during the COVID pandemic, who was unable to reunite with her son and his son’s family. For the first time in years, she was finally able to fly from China to America to visit him and her daughter-in-law of European descent. Despite initial warm welcomes, the mother’s limited proficiency in English and her daughter-in-law’s inability to speak Chinese, cultural incompatibilities started to brew. When her son was forced to go on a last-minute business trip, this pushed the situation over the tipping point. Through pain, tears and arguing, over time, they learned more about each other, but more importantly themselves. Through this journey of self-discovery, they learned about mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance. They began to cherish each other more than ever before and was taught the meaning of the foundation of USA: that we all belong.