|
|
|
|
|
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)
As a hispanic girl, I have to ask why do aa care so much what white people think of them?? get over it
cubana chica
Thursday, April 04, 2002 at 12:59:29 (PST)
SK,
We all have feelings of insecurity at one time or another, and for those who say they don't...well...I don't think they are being honest with themselves.
I'm a white female, and I don't share you and your friends views regarding Asian females. People are people regardless of skin color, and you are going to find good and bad in all varieties. Just as you're going to find dumb and smart; pretty and ugly; graceful and clumsy; and so on. So don't be so hard on yourself. You've probably got more going on for you then you realize.
In your earlier posts you presented yourself as being honest and direct about how you felt, and you got a nasty comment for being brave enough to show your vulnerability. Let me tell you, a persons character can usually be judged on the compassion and understanding they show for others. It's these people who usually try and make themselves feel better by attacking others. Give yourself a pat on the back for not being one of those. Take care.
Twinkie
Thursday, April 04, 2002 at 12:37:45 (PST)
Ac - Don't know what exactly constitutes an authority. I guess he is particularly learned in the study of Buddhism. Uma websites even talk about how the Dalai Lama stays with her father when he is in the states.
One thing I find interesting is how sometimes a person of one race can almost know more about ANOTHER'S race - with the exception of what its like to BE that race, of course, than they know of their own. But history, culture, language, politics - sometimes these things have been studied by , lets say, a Black man, regarding, lets say, Japanese culture. And it may result in the black man technically " knowing" more about the Japanese culture than the Asian man. Its interesting I think, that one can be textbook knowledgeable but never be able to bridge being the race you've studied, while one can be of said race, and perhaps know very little about the history and threads that makes up the tapestry of your heritage. What's your thoughts on this concept AC?
Poo
Thursday, April 04, 2002 at 10:19:42 (PST)
"I was raised in a culture where the elderly are often put into retirement homes."
Unfortunately, happens in all affluent cultures...that is the way it is. It is not a black/white thing. I am also sorry to say that some elderly prefer it that way. They should have a choice.
"where kids are just as likely to drop out of high school as they are to finish"
You are right on the mark about this. The Economist magazine reported this week that in Gaston County 40% of the workforce did not finish high school. Again this is not a black/white/other thing. 32% of the whites in Monroe, LA finish high school and they are proud of it too. Meanwhile, 95% of the whites finish high school in North Dakota, Vermont, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Interstate gap between whites is twice as wide as the white/minority gap which no one wants to talk about. While NC and Louisiana education systems are as bad as any in the Third World, the systems in Vermont and North Dakota are as good as any in Asia.
"and where basic respect is almost non-existent."
True. But, it is becoming that way in Asia, particularly in South Asia.
"I futilely love Asian men, in fact, I tend to date them more than any other, whenever the rare opportunity presents itself."
Good for you. These guys must be lucky.
"Yet, they manage to balance this with an aura of sensuality."
Actually, Asians tend to balance work and domestics chores better than whites.
Asian American Male
Thursday, April 04, 2002 at 08:12:52 (PST)
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|