9
Introduction
Ask a student to volunteer and read the following
The film “Way of the Dragon” was a moment for Bruce Lee to represent himself to the world. He meticulously
choreographed the fight scenes. He made repeated revisions to the script and dialogue. His desire to use contact
kicks and punches (not full contact) in fight scenes was to provide realism for the audience.
But it is through his own character in the film—the “fish out of water” immigrant—that, Bruce is telling the world, ‘you
can throw whatever punches at people, but don’t underestimate anyone.’ The character Tang Lung pushes boundaries
within himself. Watching the movie would be more fun, but it is the message of the film that we will explore: a person makes
his or her own decisions to persevere against obstacles, and draws strength from their family’s and their own experiences.
Journal Write
Give students 15–30 minutes to complete. Ask them to reflect on their answers and to explore whether they feel it is critical
to understand their own history.
Ask your students to try and answer some of the following questions:
1. How did your family come to U.S.?
2. What do you think was the most difficult adjustment they/you had to make?
3. What made them/you feel welcome?
4. What made them/you feel like you did not belong?
5. If you are Native American, what is your impression of new immigrants coming to the country?
a. To which nation do you belong? If you are living away from most of your own people, how has that felt for you?
b. If you are part of a nation from the Pacific Northwest, how has your family had to adapt or come to accept new
immigrants into the region?
6. (For everyone) How have you and your family maintained your culture, your practices, or acculturated?
7. How would you describe the treatment of immigrants today? In the media, film or television? In politics or in your
own school?
8. If you knew that moving to this country could have been this hard, would you still have chosen to move here?
9. Knowing what you know, why do you choose to stay?
Activity
Who are you?
Ask students to think about how they define themselves. Is it based on their gender, the music they listen to, their ethnic
identity, the sports they play or something else? Have them write these “definitions” in large print on a piece of white paper
(e.g. Chinese American, boot-wearing, varsity basketball player); ask them to also write down one great change they will
make in themselves, their community or in society (e.g. I will be selected as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations).
Have half of the class pin this sheet of paper to the front of their clothing and the other half on the backs of their clothing.
Ask the two groups to introduce themselves to each other. They should use words in their introductions that match the
descriptions they made of themselves. Have them emphasize one great change they will make and how they believe they live
their honest truth.
After a few minutes, ask the students return to their seats and discuss the experience:
1. What was it like being able to present yourself as you see yourself to your classmates?
2. How was it different being able to see the descriptions people gave of each other up front and only getting to see
their descriptions as they walked away from you?
3. What does living your honest truth mean to you?
4. Give students 15–30 minutes to complete. Ask them to reflect on their answers and explore whether they feel it is
critical to understand their own family history.
5. The results/observation of the students during this activity will be the starting point for their 2-hour Bruce Lee
Guided tour here at the Wing Luke Museum.
LESSON 3:
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
