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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?
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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.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:55 AM)
Asian American female,
Is it in cliff note format?
AC Dropout
Friday, April 26, 2002 at 12:13:33 (PDT)
to "Get a hotel room"- There is nothing wrong with holding hands in public, or giving a quick kiss hello or goodbye. This is quite different from making out on a park bench or touching each other all over, which is pretty tacky. But there is nothing wrong with a loving couple showing a little affection!
geez
Friday, April 26, 2002 at 10:22:58 (PDT)
GET A HOTEL ROOM:
How do AF's show they dig a guy?
Any others are welcome to respond also.
Animalobolic Asian
Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 13:30:37 (PDT)
AC Dropout,
You've completely misunderstood. Edward Said's "Orientalism" is a way of thinking - a study in critical thinking. Just read the book, Sweetheart. And stop trying to get the gist of everything.
Asian American female
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 21:05:03 (PDT)
MLK has a good point. AF dont need to do that type of stuff to show she digs a guy.
GET A HOTEL ROOM
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 18:49:35 (PDT)
"And all this time, I thought it was because we AFs are not really into peepshow type stuff where we get to turn other folks on who are publicly ogling us."
That's the point exactly--more conservative about PDA. Could be from family or individuatl sensabilities. Either way, it is common. Nothing wrong with that in the least. I prefer private displays of affection myself.
As far as hanging with a guy, female friends hang with their guy friends too--even Asian female friends. It doesn't mean they're crazy about them.
Experienced Fella
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 12:31:37 (PDT)
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