In the good old days (10-15 years ago) the cultural implements that were indicative of young Shan men who migrated to Thailand looking for work were, the Shan language, tattoos, bitter tea, cheap cigars and not an ounce of body fat. The Shan youth now growing up in a multicultural environment like Mae Sai share none of these cultural similarities. Those who have lived for more than a few years in Thailand speak Thai with their friends, wear their caps, sideways, often have a pierced ear, and now some even wear glasses with blank lenses because that makes them look like Korean movie stars. While some learn
traditional Shan dance, many are becoming adept at break dancing as it is taught in the Thai schools they attend. Cultures change and youth will always be the targets of the promoters of change. In all of these changes how many will dare to ask the terrifying question, "Who am I?" For if all of the cultural implements that identify them are borrowed from other cultures and countries will they be able to recognize their own personal worth? Who will make the effort to befriend them and lead them to the place where they can recognize themselves as being created in the image of God and created for greater purposes than simply to imitate the latest models of what the "modern Asian youth" is supposed to be?
In the good old days (10-15 years ago) the cultural implements that were indicative of young Shan men who migrated to Thailand looking for work were, the Shan language, tattoos, bitter tea, cheap cigars and not an ounce of body fat. The Shan youth now growing up in a multicultural environment like Mae Sai share none of these cultural similarities. Those who have lived for more than a few years in Thailand speak Thai with their friends, wear their caps, sideways, often have a pierced ear, and now some even wear glasses with blank lenses because that makes them look like Korean movie stars. While some learn
traditional Shan dance, many are becoming adept at break dancing as it is taught in the Thai schools they attend. Cultures change and youth will always be the targets of the promoters of change. In all of these changes how many will dare to ask the terrifying question, "Who am I?" For if all of the cultural implements that identify them are borrowed from other cultures and countries will they be able to recognize their own personal worth? Who will make the effort to befriend them and lead them to the place where they can recognize themselves as being created in the image of God and created for greater purposes than simply to imitate the latest models of what the "modern Asian youth" is supposed to be?
