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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WHAT FOBs THINK OF AMERICAN-BORN ASIANS
y FOBs we mean anyone who has ever been called an FOB. -- "fresh-off-the-boat", anyone not born here. In other words, half the AA population. Even the 2 million AA who immigrated as kids and speak English like -- or in some cases, better than -- native-born Americans rarely escape the sting of being dismissed by American-Born Asians (ABAs) based on real or imagined differences.
The stereotype of the hopeless FOB who just doesn't get American culture is all too familiar. But intra-Asian prejudice is a two-way street.
No less insulting are the images held by FOBs. ABAs are the descendants of the lowliest of peasants forced to flee their homelands to become indentured servants, sniff some FOBs. Born and bred to accept second-class status in a white society, sneer others. Slackers who don't know the meaning of ambition and sacrifice -- and who lack the guts to do anything about it in any case.
FOBs run the socio-economic gamut. A significant minority (perhaps a tenth) are highly successful trans-Pacific business families seeking a safe haven for their fortunes. The vast majority are engineers, scientists, physicians and academics braving the uncertainties of new lives for a chance to work hard for more money and better opportunities. A few are refugees and illegals risking their lives to escape hopeless, grinding poverty.
It's safe to say few FOBs feel in any respect disadvantaged relative to American-born Asians. In fact, given a dozen years most do as well or better than ABAs financially, if not socially. They can be excused, then, for harboring some less-than-flattering assessments of ABAs. By the same token, in their struggle to acculturate, FOBs often come to appreciate the trails blazed by the ABS, or at least, by their ancestors.
Assuming you're FOB or straddling the FOB-ABA fence, what's your image of ABAs? Let's hear the good as well as the bad.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:55 AM)
Proud ABA,
From the quality of your argument, I'd say the only thing you've ever played is yourself. And I would guess that you are merely projecting your own sense of constantly being played by people who see your craving to be seen as a "real American". They toss you a bone and you wag your tail. Typical ABA mentality.
Now tell me why it's so hard for you to take having me, an FOB, come to this site to expound my views. Let me guess? Because you harbor the delusion that only U.S.-born Asians are Asian Americans?
In fact, my slow-witted friend, the majority of Asian Americans are FOB.
Goldsea obviously recognizes acculturated FOBs like yours truly as an important part of its readership or it wouldn't bother having this page. Read the title. You're the one out of line coming here to spout your hypocritical nonsense. On the one hand you proclaim mutual respect, on the other you assert your more-American-than-thou status in the pettiest fashion.
Why? I'd say you're smarting at seeing so many newcomers earning more money and respect than you and your community-services crowd. As I said, you fit perfectly the mold of the underachieving bore who hankers after second-class status while trying to acting superior to FOBs who, in fact, are likely to be your superiors. We FOB aren't impressed.
In any event, I'll start taking you seriously when you start addressing the point made in my original post. So far all you've managed to do is serve as Exhibit 1 to my case in chief. Cite me some example of ABAs who have succeeded on the scale of Charles Wang, Jerry Yang, Bill Mow, Pehong Chen or a hundred other FOBs. You guys don't have the balls to make it big.
1st Class FOB
Thursday, November 08, 2001 at 07:32:33 (PST)
But based on pop. stats there should be 2 brilliant ABAs for every 3 brilliant FOBs. says the 1st Class Fob.
I don't have the means nor the time to find evidence to rebut that statement, but I do know this: If that statement is true, 1st Class Fob certainly isn't included in category of "brilliant FOBs".
My grandparents are "FOBs", my parents are "FOBs", and many of my friends now are "FOBs". In my opinion, if there are any distinguishing characteristics about FOBs that makes them more brilliant than the vast of us, they would be their ability to be truly modest, to always know the appropriate times to keep cleverly quiet, to observe and understand beyond the superficial, and, as Jackie Chan put it, to stand back and let others "make an ass of themselves".
1st Class Fob, however, has failed to display any of those characteristics. I believe he should belong in the category of "Fallen FOBs".
(just a note: many ABAs also hold the characteristics i described above. when we do, however, i believe that they were probably taught to us by our Asian parents and/or grandparents--whether thru lecture or demonstration--rather than by observing the white culture.)
ABA in the process of getting her J.D., up and in your face
Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 19:41:54 (PST)
Proud Chinese:
It must be very difficult for an FOB like you to even sound smart. Marchiavellian??? You mean Machiavellian. But you know what, you should talk to another 15 FOBs or your ESL teacher to help you out. That is the wrong use of the word, but good for comic relief.
You have a typical FOB mindset. Intelligence, in terms of academic achievements, is important up to a certain point. But intelligence alone, without other intangibles, like communication skills, people skills, leadership skills, and social skills, may limit your career development.
Perhaps you are in a career where those intangibles are not as important. That's fine. I was talking about my field and how those intangibles are very important. That's why I am not concerned a FOB can displace me in my field simply because I have yet to meet a FOB who has those intangibles highly developed.
I currently manage several FOBs, who have more academic degrees than me, simply because I have those intangibles plus I also have more field experience. There is no amount of academic achievements that can make up for lack of real life field experience.
I don’t need a FOB like you trying to tell me about Civil Rights? Get Real! I've forgotten more about American History than you will ever know about American History. You read about it, while my ancestors lived through it. Racism is part of the American fabric as it touches everyone. An FOB like you may not have the courage to stand up and speak out against Racism. Be glad and appreciate that there are Asians who do stand up for your rights. You need to do some homework and really appreciate how much work Asian Americans have done regarding Anti-Hate Crime legislation, Anti-Immigration Laws, and other groundwork to protect other Asians. Go check the Hate Crime websites and organizations like Asian for Affirmative Action and you will know there is plenty of Racism against Asians. To belittle the existence of Racism in America against Asians and others is to be blind to the truth. Chinese immigrants were already in America in the early 1850's. Many of the Civil Rights battles from early Chinese immigrants, lay the foundation for the future of the American Civil Rights Movement.
I don’t care what White people think about me. I respect people who respect me, regardless of whether they are Asian, White, Black or whatever.
Lastly, you should at least pick a topic that you really know something about, so you might have a fighting chance against me. Otherwise, you will just be battling First Class FOB to determine who between you two are the most moronic FOB.
Proud ABA
Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 14:45:12 (PST)
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