We can all be "Tang Shirley", but can we be "Tony"?

Cassandre 2022-04-23 07:01:15

The time when the Green Book was produced is very far away, but Tang Xueli's story is very recent.

Tang Xueli, who was beaten outside and could only secretly wipe her tears when she returned to the hotel, and put on a black primer, does it look like you who were bullied among your classmates and hid in the bed and cried? Tang Xueli, who "has no access to the toilet" and can only "find a new way", doesn't she look like you who had to swallow your voice after being scorned in a foreign country?

Therefore, even if it has nothing to do with skin color or sexual orientation, each of us may encounter all kinds of "isolation" and "rejection" in our life, becoming that "minority" or even "alien".

When we accept this fact, sympathize with Tang Xueli and even comfort ourselves, have we ever thought that if "Tang Xueli" also appears around us one day, can we act as that "Tony"?

Not the heart of the Virgin, but a human being who should respect others equally. Self encouragement.

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Extended Reading

Green Book quotes

  • Dr. Don Shirley: Yes, I live in a castle, Tony! Alone. And rich white people pay me to play piano for them because it makes them feel cultured. But as soon as I step off that stage, I go right back to being just another nigger to them. Because that is their true culture. And I suffer that slight alone, because I'm not accepted by my own people 'cause I'm not like them, either. So, if I'm not black enough and if I'm not white enough and if I'm not man enough, then tell me, Tony, what am I?

  • Tony Lip: [Writing a letter to his wife] Dear Dolores, how are you? I am fine. I'm eating real good. Hamburgers mostly. So don't worry about me not eating good. I saw Dr. Shirley play the piano tonight. He don't play like a colored guy. He plays like Liberace, but better. He's like a genius, I think. When I look at him in the rear-view mirror, I can tell he's always thinking about stuff in his head. I guess that's what geniuses do. But it don't look fun to be that smart. I miss you very, very much.

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