Season 7 Episode #1: "Find Your Roots: Don’t Deny It"

One in a Billion

Are you denying your roots if you ignore them? Why should one’s culture be a forethought and not an afterthought? Who defines your cultural identity?

Dr. Elaine Shiang is a retired Chinese American medical doctor at MIT with over 35 years of experience. Episode 1 Don't’ Deny It is her account of her family history in China, their journey to America, her parents’ influence on her and her advice for the next generation.

Elaine is a mother of three adult children - Andrew, Margaret, Irene. All of them were born in the greater Boston area, including Elaine herself. However, Elaine was introduced to the Chinese language early in her childhood and even lived in Taiwan for three years. That experience, she says, exposed her to the wider world and a greater appreciation of the value of embracing your roots.

Elaine also talks about her late husband Dr. Frederick Pei Li who came to America as a refugee. Dr. Li, a Chinese-American physician, was a pioneer of population cancer genetics. For more about Dr. Elaine Shiang, click here.

Music used:Acoustic Fingerpicking 3 by Independent Music Licensing Collective Acoustic Fingerpicking 8 by Independent Music Licensing Collective Brand New World by Kai Engel Undercover Vampire Policeman by Chris Zabriskie Youk Ra Lom Ai Oh by Les Cartes Postales Sonores Asianna by Jean Toba The Lullaby of the Free Hell by Koi-discovery One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy

Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives and experiences. It is a one-on-one in-depth interview show with Asian “Root-finders” seeking to remember the diverse and profound influences of their parents and grandparents. This educational series is designed to promote and preserve the legacy of the countless contributions - as well as unforgettable struggles and sacrifices - of our ancestors who paved the way for us today. For more info: Email [e-mail]