真心痛，美國華人父母對自己小孩說不出的話,中英對照版

獻給我們華人子女們的一封信                 劉龍珠律師

當你們的父母第一次踏上美國的土地時，他們帶來的不僅僅是行李和護照。他們帶來的是希望，是幾代人的重量，是延續家族榮譽的責任，更是一個夢想，希望他們的孩子，能過上比他們更加光明和自由的生活。

我們父母的犧牲

對許多父母來說，「美國夢」並不是奢華的象徵，而是生存的意義。我認識一些父母，他們從清晨忙到深夜，在餐館里洗碗到雙手因熱水而裂開。我認識一些母親，她們在工廠的縫紉機前一站就是十二個小時，腰背彎曲，雙眼酸痛，只為了讓孩子有錢買午飯。我認識一些父親，他們夜裡開出租車，穿行在危險的街區，默默祈禱能平安回家，只為了家人能交得起房租。這些並不是遙遠的故事

，而是無數在美華人父母每日真實的犧牲。

他們為何忍受艱辛

他們為什麼要忍受這些苦難？並不是為了自己。他們並不是為了在這里繼續受苦才離開祖國、文化和熟悉的生活。他們是因為你們而來。他們希望你們能坐在教室里，而不是工廠里；希望你們能說一口流利的英語；希望你們能自由成長，擁有追夢的權利。

他們付出的代價

他們付出了代價，只為你們不必再付出。每一滴汗水、每一個不眠之夜、每一次默默忍受的屈辱，都是他們為你們未來所付出的定金。他們放棄了安逸，只為了給你們更多選擇；他們吞下了委屈，只為了你們能昂首挺胸；他們背負了生存的重擔，只為了你們能夠專注成長。他們所打的仗，並不是為了自己，而是為了讓你們繼承勝利。正因他們的犧牲，你們如今才能站在這里，去追求知識、抱負與成功，而不用背負他們曾經的重擔。

拒絕平庸與美國夢的真諦

然而，太多時候，我看到這一代的孩子們在浪費這份禮物。太多人滿足於平庸，告訴自己「差不多就好」。可平庸並不是你們父母來美國的目的，他們來是為了讓你們追求卓越。

「美國夢」不是睡前的童話，也不是虛構的神話。它是真實存在的，只要你們願意付出努力。不要被那句空洞的話迷惑——「我只做讓我快樂的事」。如果你們每月都要為房租發愁，每天都在擔心下個月是否能付得起賬單，你們真的會快樂嗎？如果冰箱是空的，如果父母年老多病你們卻無力幫助，你們真的能安心嗎？如果你們甚至不敢談起成就，因為心底明白根本沒有什麼可說，你們真的會自豪嗎？真正的快樂不在於短暫的享樂，而在於建立起一種穩定的生活——不必為生存擔憂

，能夠自豪地抬起頭，因為你們實現了自己的潛能。

 

通往成功沒有單一路徑

但我要告訴你們一件重要的事：追逐夢想沒有固定的路徑。沒有唯一的地圖，也沒有統一的公式。你們每個人都有不同的天賦，不同的禮物。有的人會成為醫生、工程師、企業家或社區領袖；有的人會創造藝術、開創事業，或在法庭上捍衛正義。我成為律師，是因為我有熱情和能力，而後過去二十年裡每天工作十四個小時，才走到今天。這並不容易，其中有過無數的疲憊、拒絕與懷疑。但我始終相信自己。這份信念和自信，就是我的第一場勝利。若沒有它，我永遠不會邁出第一步。

請思考查理·柯克（Charlie Kirk）的生命歷程。他並非出身優渥，也沒有繼承財富或人脈。他從一無所有開始，憑藉信念和比別人更努力的意志，一步步走出來。年輕時，他也曾面對拒絕、懷疑，還有那些告訴他「你永遠不會成功」的聲音。但他沒有退縮，而是把這些阻力當成動力。他從零開始，建立了自己的聲音、舞台和影響力。他奔走演講，他組織活動，他為自己堅信的事業投入了無數的時間和心血。他用一生證明：在美國，你的起點，並不決定你的終點。

查理·柯克的一生就是紀律與遠見能帶來成就的證明。他沒有把青春浪費在平庸和短暫的享樂之上，而是把自己全然投入到建設比他個人更宏大的事業中。他啟發年輕人獨立思考，承擔責任，珍惜讓這個國家強大的原則。如今，在他離世之後，共和黨承認他是社會的基石之一——一個其影響與遺產將傳承數代的人物。

他的旅程提醒我們，偉大從來不是被給予的，而是靠鬥爭、堅持和勇氣贏得的。查理·柯克 初只是一個普通的年輕人，但因為他拒絕放棄，拒絕袖手旁觀，他成為了一個領袖。他的人生向你們傳達一個信息：你們同樣可以從無到有，你們同樣可以成為基石，不僅僅在你們的社區里，更能在整個國家裡。

發現你自己的力量

你們必須找到自己擅長的東西。不要追逐別人的夢想，而要追逐你們自己的。如果你熱愛數學，就去追求；如果你擅長溝通，就不斷磨練；如果你天生是領袖，就勇敢站出來。但無論選擇什麼，都要以紀律、勇氣和決心，去超越別人對你的期待。因為如果你們自己都不去努力，就不會有人替你們努力。如果你們拒絕嘗試，你們永遠不會知道自己能走多遠。

尊重父母

后，我想和你們談談「尊重」。在我們的文化中，尊敬父母是根基，不是過時的觀念。父母有時看似苛刻，要求你們超出自己的極限，顯得不近人情。但請停下來想一想：這是因為他們不愛你們，還是因為他們想保護你們？有些年輕人因憤怒而加入幫派， 后虛度一生在牢獄里；有些年輕女孩過早追求所謂的獨立，離家出走，結果未成年便懷孕，背負起沉重的人生。這些悲劇並不少見，往往是因為孩子們將父母的管教誤解為壓迫。

有一句話說，尊重必須靠贏得。這在許多人際關係中確實正確。但請你們想一想：在這世界上，如果有誰已經當之無愧值得你們尊敬，那不正是你們的父母嗎？還有誰會為了你們而離開故鄉，放棄熟悉的語言與生活，跨越半個地球忍受孤獨與歧視？還有誰會為了你們拚命工作，直到身體酸痛，卻依舊咬牙堅持第二天再出發？如果這些都不值得尊重，那麼還有什麼值得？

讓父母為你們感到驕傲

讓你們的父母為你們感到驕傲。太多時候，我聽到年輕人抱怨說：「我的父母只是想控制我。」但是請停下來想一想：他們真的是要控制你們嗎？還是他們在引導你們，讓你們不要迷失、不要軟弱？他們並不是付出一切，只是為了養育一個虛度光陰、無所作為、整天抱怨、只會成為別人負擔的孩子。他們希望你們能夠自己站起來，成為一個有生產力、受人尊敬、能幹有用的人。他們希望看到你們成長為一個能為社會增添價值的人，而不是拖累社會的人。父母每天早晨醒來，並不是想著如何限制你們的自由，而是憂心如何保護你們不至於失敗，如何讓你們做好承擔責任的准備。當他們督促你們時，是因為他們知道生活會比他們更嚴厲地逼迫你們。當他們要求你們守紀律時，是因為他們知道如果沒有紀律，你們只會陷入懶惰。他們希望看到你們的成功，不僅僅是因為你

們可以過上好生活，更因為等他們年老疲憊時，他們能帶著驕傲說：「那是我的兒子，那是我的女兒。」

華人子女們，我懷著深情與急切告訴你們：「美國夢」不是天上掉下來的，它必須靠你們去爭取。父母已經給了你們根基、機會和起點。現在該由你們去繼續搭建未來。尊重他們，比你想象中更努力地去工作，發現自己的天賦，相信自己。不要滿足於平庸，要追求偉大。

劉龍珠律師的的致辭

今天我站在這里，並不只是作為人群中的一個聲音。我是被培養出來的，是從小就在這些價值觀中成長起來的。這些不是書本上的道理，也不是偶然間學來的理論，而是家族代代相傳的原則。

尤其是我的叔父，世界敬仰的佛教大師星雲法師，親自教導並傳承給我的。他是一位精神領袖，教導人們慈悲、紀律與奉獻。

從他那裡，我學到真正的力量並不是財富或地位，而是為他人付出的犧牲。從他那裡，我學到尊敬父母、生活自律、服務社會，不是陳舊的傳統，而是永恆的價值。 從他那裡，我學到領導不是為了追求榮耀，而是為了肩負責任。

這些價值觀塑造了我、養成了我，並讓我註定要將它們繼續傳承下去。正因如此，今天我呼籲大家：與我團結在一起，不只是跟隨一個人，而是跟隨一位與你們有著相同故事、相同奮斗和相同夢想的領路人。讓我們共同守護尊敬、家族榮譽和堅持不懈的文化價值觀。

如果我們共同堅守這些價值觀，就沒有克服不了的障礙。只要我們不忘本源，就沒有任何挑戰能夠抹去我們所建立的一切。讓我們帶著自豪向前邁進，把過去的犧牲化為未來的力量，向世人展示：移民的子女不是軟弱的、不是迷失的，而是團結一致、勇敢無畏、註定要以勇氣來領導前行。

「美國夢」依然存在，它正等待著你們。加入我吧。

 

Letter to the Children of Immigrants 

Long Z. (David) Liu 

Sons and Daughters of our Immigrant Community, 

When your parents first set foot in America, they carried with them more than just suitcases and passports. They carried hope. They carried the weight of generations past, the responsibility of continuing family honor, and the dream that their children, you, would live a life brighter and freer than they ever could. 

The Sacrifices of Our Parents 

For many of our parents, the American Dream was not about luxury. It was about survival. I know parents who worked from dawn to midnight in restaurants, washing dishes until their hands cracked from the hot water. I know mothers who stood for twelve hours behind a sewing machine in a factory, their backs bent, their eyes strained, all so their children could have lunch money for school. I know fathers who drove taxis through dangerous neighborhoods at night, silently praying they would return home safely, just so their families could pay the rent. These are not stories from far away. They are the daily sacrifices of countless immigrant parents in America. 

Why They Endured Hardship 

And why did they endure this hardship? It was not for themselves. They did not leave their homeland, their culture, and the comfort of a familiar life just to struggle here. They came because of you. They came so that you could sit in a classroom instead of a factory, so that you could speak proper English, so that you could grow up with the freedom to dream. 

They Paid the Price So You Would Not Have To 

They paid the price so you would not have to. Every drop of sweat, every sleepless night, every humiliation silently endured was a down payment for your future. They gave up comfort so you could have choices, swallowed their pride so you could walk with dignity, and bore the struggles of survival so you could focus on growth. The battles they fought were not theirs to win, but yours to inherit. And now, because of their sacrifice, you stand at a place where you can pursue knowledge, ambition, and success without carrying the same burdens they carried. 

 

Rejecting Mediocrity and The Truth About the American Dream 

Yet, too often, I see children of this generation wasting this gift. Too many are content with mediocrity, telling themselves that being 「decent」 is enough. But mediocrity is not what your parents came for. They came for greatness. 

The American Dream is not a bedtime story. It is not a myth. It is a reality for those who are willing to work. Do not be fooled by the empty phrase, 「I』ll just do what makes me happy.」 How can you be truly happy if you live paycheck to paycheck, constantly anxious about whether you can pay next month』s rent? How can you find peace if your fridge is empty, if your parents grow old and sick and you cannot afford to help them? How can you be proud of yourself if you avoid talking about achievements, because deep down, you know you don』t have any? Real happiness is not found in temporary pleasures. It is found in building a life where you don』t have to worry about survival, where you can hold your head high because you reached your potential. 

No Single Path to Success 

But I must tell you something important: there is no single path to this Dream. There is no exact map, no formula. Each of you has a different talent, a different gift. Some of you may become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, or leaders in your communities. Some of you may create art, build businesses, or defend justice in courtrooms. I became a lawyer because I had the passion and ability, and then I worked 14 hours every day for the last 20 years to get to where I am today. It was not easy. There were nights of exhaustion, rejection, and doubt. But I believed in myself. That belief and that confidence was the first victory for me. Without it, I would never have taken the first step. 

Consider the life of Charlie Kirk. He was not born into privilege, nor did he inherit wealth or connections. He started with nothing but conviction and a willingness to work harder than others. As a young man, he faced rejection, doubt, and the voices of people who told him he would never make a difference. But instead of giving in, he used those obstacles as fuel. He built his voice, his platform, and his influence from the ground up. He traveled, he spoke, he organized, and he gave countless hours to the cause he believed in. He showed us that in America, where you start does not determine where you end up. 

Charlie Kirk』s life is proof of what discipline and vision can accomplish. He did not waste his youth chasing mediocrity or temporary pleasures and he committed himself to building something larger than himself. He inspired young people to think critically, to embrace responsibility, and to value the principles that make this nation strong. And now, in the wake of his death, the Republican Party itself recognizes him as one of the cornerstones of our society, a man whose influence and legacy will be felt for generations. 

His journey reminds us that greatness is never handed down. It is earned through struggle, persistence, and courage. Charlie Kirk began as one ordinary young man, but because he refused to quit, because he refused to live as a bystander, he became a leader. His life is a message to you: that you, too, can rise from nothing, that you, too, can become a cornerstone, not only in your community, but in this nation. 

Discover Your Own Strengths 

You must discover what you are good at. Do not chase someone else』s dream. Chase your own. If you love math, pursue it. If you are gifted in communication, sharpen that skill. If you are a natural leader, step forward. But whatever you choose, pursue it with discipline, with courage, and with the determination to go further than anyone expects. Because if you do not put your mind to it, no one else will. And if you refuse to try, you will never know how far you could have gone. 

Respect Your Parents 

And finally, I want to speak to you about respect. In all of our cultures, respect for parents is a cornerstone. It is not old-fashioned, it is the foundation of family. Your parents may seem harsh at times. They may demand more from you than you think you can give. They may appear strict, unwilling to compromise. But stop and ask yourself: is it because they don』t love you, or is it because they want to protect you? Some young men, out of anger, rebel by joining gangs, wasting their futures behind bars. Some young women, seeking independence too quickly, run away, only to end up pregnant before adulthood, burdened by struggles they never anticipated. These tragedies are not rare, and they happen because children mistake discipline for oppression. 

There is a saying that respect must be earned. And that is true, in many relationships. But think about this: if anyone in the world has already earned your respect, is it not your parents? Who else would leave their homeland, their language, their comfort zone, travel halfway across the globe, and endure hardship so you could have opportunity? Who else would work until their bodies ache, endure discrimination, humiliation, and loneliness, and still get up the next morning to provide for you? If that does not deserve your respect, then what does? 

Make Your Parents Proud 

Make your parents proud. Too often, I hear young people say, 「My parents are just trying to control me.」 But pause and think: are they truly trying to control you, or are they trying to guide you so you do not grow up lost and weak? They did not sacrifice everything to raise a child who will waste away, doing nothing, complaining about everything, and becoming a burden on others. They want you to stand on your own feet, to be productive, respected, and capable. They want to see you grow into someone valuable to society, not someone who drags it down. Your parents do not wake up every morning thinking about how to limit your freedom; they wake up worrying about how to protect you from failure and prepare you for responsibility. When they push you, it is because they know life will push you harder. When they demand discipline, it is because they know that without it, you will drift into laziness. They want to see you succeed, not only so you can live well, but so that when they are old and tired, they can look at you and say with pride: 「That is my son, that is my daughter.」 

Sons and daughters, I tell you this with love and urgency: the American Dream is not handed to you. It must be claimed. Your parents gave you the foundation, the chance, and the opportunity. Now it is your responsibility to build upon it. Respect them. Work harder than you think possible. Discover your gifts. Have confidence in yourself. Strive not for mediocrity, but for greatness.  

Message from Long Z. Liu 

I do not stand here today simply as another voice in the crowd. I was built into this work, raised from childhood with the values that guide me today. These were not lessons I read in books or theories I picked up in passing. They were the living principles passed down to me by my family, and above all, by my uncle, the great Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who is respected around the world as a spiritual leader and teacher of compassion, discipline, and service. 

From him, I learned that true strength is not found in wealth or status, but in sacrifice for others. From him, I learned that respect for parents, discipline in daily life, and community service are not old traditions; they are eternal values. And from him, I learned that leadership is not about seeking glory, but about shouldering responsibility. 

I was raised into these values, shaped by them, and built to carry them forward. That is why I call on you today: rally behind me, not as one individual, but as a leader who shares your story, your struggle, and your dream. Rally with me to preserve the cultural values of respect, family honor, and perseverance that Master Hsing Yun himself taught to make sure they continue to guide not only us, but the generations that will follow. 

If we stand together in these values, no obstacle is too great. If we remember who we are, no challenge can erase what we have built. Let us walk forward with pride, turning the sacrifices of the past into the strength of the future, and showing the world that the sons and daughters of immigrants are not weak, not lost, but united and determined to lead with courage. 

The American Dream is alive. It is waiting for you. Join me.