20世紀初父母由中國廣東省移民到越南，從此流落該地。我在那裡土生土長，根據法律我屬於越南的公民，身分非常清楚，半點也不含糊。
當年的中國移民多半為了改善生活而背井離鄉，前往南洋各地謀生，並沒有打算在異鄉落地生根和永遠告別老家。他們很多仍心懷祖國，希望賺够了錢衣錦還鄉，光宗耀祖。這是早輩華僑內心的期望，同時亦是他們的奮鬥目標。
初到越南的中國人為了方便互相照應，喜歡聚集在一起生活，逐漸地自成一角，與本地人和其他外族甚少往來。他們自辦學校，用中文授課，傳授中華文化。很多華僑子弟都認識中文，却忽略了學習使用越文和法文。華僑來自中國，很自然地認他們的子孫是中國人。這種根深蒂固的思維延至今天不變，土生土長的華僑以保持中國人的身分為榮。我便是在這種環境下成長的，亦以血緣作為身分認同的根據。
法據時代的殖民地政府從不強廹外僑歸化越籍或法籍，華僑因此可保留中國籍的身分。這種權利延續到獨立後便終止，越南政府開始對公民身分有較明確和硬性的規定：土生土長的人自動成為越南公民，外僑要申請入籍才可成為越南人。華僑對這種突然的改變未能及時適應，並感覺處處受到排斥而產生離心力。
非公民身分的華僑再不能享受法律賦予的公民權利：例如不能選舉、不能當公務員、不能從事某種行業……有辦法的華僑因此紛紛找尋出路，盡快離開越南。沒有辦法的華僑唯有遵從法律，歸化越籍而成為公民。我當年選擇了離開，從此和出生地一刀兩斷。
離開越南之後，一直在香港居住。環顧四周都是同一膚色、說同樣語言、過着同樣生活的同胞，把自己當作中國人而成為他們一份子之意識與日俱增。十六年前又從香港移居到加拿大，生活雖然改變了，身為中國人之思維定向却一成不變。
黄啟樟 2011/8/25
2011/9/22 加拿大商報
David:
ReplyDeleteOf course, we are very proud of our Chinese ethnicity. However, one thing worth considering is that China now doesn't recognize dual nationality. When you visit China using your Canadian passport, you are indirectly giving up your Chinese citizenship. To put it point blankly, you are not a Chinese citizen but only racially Chinese. .
In Hong Kong, holders of non-Chinese passports are now asked to announce their citizenship. Be they foreigners or Chinese. However, this requirement has not been seriously promoted yet.
The principal of our Mun Lun School was born and raised in China though he's now a US citizen and holds a PhD degree from the University of Hawaii. Subsequently, he tends to lead our students into believing that "我是中國人,我愛中國" business. Now what would happen when they grow up finding that they are now considered Americans, not only by Uncle Sam but also by China. Too much of this, therefore, would confuse the hell out of them.
This leads me into recalling the old days when the Chinese were discriminated in America. At schools, all students were required to recite that they were Americans and to pledge allegiance to the US. But when they grew up and entered the adult world, they were clearly told that they were Chinese, not Americans.
The British colonials were much smarter. People born in their colonies were never told that they were British. At least this was true back in my era.
What I believe is that we should be very proud of our Chinese background as well as the Chinese culture. Lacking such pride and knowledge will make some guys who grew up here something like some Afro Americans. They lack any background to be proud of!
Joe