|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
The White Stuff: Whiting Wongs & Wonging Whites
hey're our neighbors, buddies, allies, enemies, clients, bosses, employees, lovers and spouses. Many of us have more daily contact with Whites than with other Asians. Consequently, we often feel we know them better than they can ever know us. Maybe that's at the heart of our frustration as Asian Americans. They are as ubiquitous and pervasive as the air we breath while to them it seems we are eternal curiosities, outsiders, exotics.
Bridging the gap?
|
And so we sometimes find ourselves lashing out with nasty generalizations about the people we blame for all that seems wrong with American society and, more specifically, our place in it. They are ignorant, shallow, boorish, smelly, sneaky, treacherous, malicious, dumb, weird -- in short, all the labels we feel have been so unfairly slapped on us.
But even as we hurl such epithets we cannot forget the countless acts of kindness, warmth, generosity, friendship, passion and love that we have enjoyed from these very same people. As our anger and frustration subside, we recognize that our fates are inextricably intertwined, not merely in sharing a world, a nation, a society, an economy, a culture -- but often in sharing even our most intimate lives. One in five of today's Asian American marriages are to Whites. And contrary to the imbalance of the past, the ratio of new AM/WF marriages to new AF/WM marriages is steadily approaching unity.
So we naturally have a strong interest in decoding the other side of the equation. Understanding is a two-way street. Fortunately, there are Whites who have enough interest in us as individuals to share their perspectives on us and on their interactions with us. This page is for those who -- as corny as it may sound -- have chosen to serve as bridges.
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:55 AM)
Uma is not Asian - her father is an American ordained Buddhist monk and considered one of the foremost authorities on Buddhism - but not an Asian man. Her mother is Swedish.
I never thought she was pretty. All that space between her eyes...freaky...always thought she looked like a space alien.
Poo
Tuesday, April 02, 2002 at 06:16:41 (PST)
still curious white person,
Only thing I can really think of is that he might have been teased or bullied when he was young and is now trying to disassociate himself from his culture. If he doesn't live in an area where there are lots of Asians, that might explain why doesn't have many Asian friends.
If you're interested in other cultures, have you considered attending any events like movies, talks, discussions hosted by Asian assn', European society, etc. at your college/university (if you're a student)?
Asian Dominatrix
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 14:37:25 (PST)
I am an Asian American living in an extremely white area. I think it would be hard to stereotype race relations between whites and Asians because it varies so widely.
Some of what I see is pretty funny, like when people speak loud and slow to my mom, not realizing that she has lived here for 27 years, and that just because she speaks with an accent doesn't mean that she hears that way.
I've dated a lot of whites, and been married to one; and have never really had a (racial) problem with any of the women I dated. However, their parents usually weren't too accepting of our relationship. Some of them have changed their attitudes towards Asians after meeting me, others have told my mom to go back to Korea. I believe they are a product of their times (Vietnam War, World War II era) and their environment (ignorant parents raise ignorant children).
There are a ton of racist whites, just as there are a ton of racist Asians. Ignorant people exist in all cultures. Things are slowly changing, though. Every year, less and less people ask me if I know kung fu. I can't remember the last time a woman expressed surprise that I wasn't "small". Most of my friends have developed a taste for kimchee and kimpop.
I have noticed that my co-workers always want to set me up with "their cute "asian" friend", whether she's Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc....not realizing that the difference between say a Japanese and a Chinese can be as profound as the differences between those cultures and a Caucasian one. That irks me, and it happens quite frequently.
I work at a college, and I have talked most of my co-workers into taking an anthropology course. That's one of the best ways that I know of to dispel the myths associated with particular "races" (human is a race, caucasian, black, asian are not).
JohnnyRico
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 13:25:58 (PST)
Re: SK's comment, do other white women really feel jealous of AFs? I say stop focusing your energy on being envious of others and start focusing on yourself and your own beauty.
WF
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 11:43:33 (PST)
To SK:
I am sorry, but your post made me laugh !!
I really have serious doubts that you are a white woman, and if you are then you are just pathetic.
People who are secure with themselves also have respect for others. It is people who lack self esteem who try to use others as a scape goats fostering racism etc.. - this to cover their own self-loathing.
Hayley
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 10:58:55 (PST)
In MHO No one is superior/inferior because of gender or background. I am very proud of my Celtic roots, and feel that everyone has the right to be as proud of their heritage. Every race on earth has some "skeletons" in their closet. Race has no impact on my choice of companions. I find men attractive for a variety of reasons. Tall, short, thin, chubby, Asian, German, whatever. If you are fun, kind, laid-back, look at life as an adventure and don't mind 6'tall women, then we will get along fine!
Irish War Maiden
goldy_kelly@lycos.com
Monday, April 01, 2002 at 10:53:49 (PST)
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|