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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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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:55 AM)
Hi Krasavista
let's just see how i would hypothetically measure up to your criteria
- Not have a strong "ocker" accent (mild ones like mine are fine)....no problemo
- Be proficient in at least two languages.....Thai, French and a smattering of others
- Not drink beer on a regular basis.....is everyday regular?
- Not be obsessed with either footy or cricket.....enjoy sports in general but definitely prefer watching grass grow to cricket
- Have travelled overseas.....asia, europe and the US recently
- Not appear to think that being uneducated and/or verbally inarticulate is something to be proud of....i kinda like, ya know like see your point
- Never have used the term "intellectual elite" as a pejorative.....i'm a regular SMH reader
- Believe in knowledge for its own sake....sure....nothing like a good bit of knowledge to liven things up
- Not overestimate his own intellectual capabilities....i think i know my own limits in this department
- Be able to see the merits of socialism without being a try-hard, image-driven, lefty activist....let's not get into politics
- Believe he has an obligation to look after his parents....well they looked after me
- Actually read books for pleasure....why else?
- Not dismiss classical music as "poofy"....i like really dig beethoven
- Not think being "poofy" is necessarily a bad thing.....do you mean in people or things?
- Not think that the assimilation vs multiculturalism debate is the nation's most pressing issue.....no but it's nonetheless important
- Have a sense of irony....i have a keen understanding of humourous situations where the intended meaning is the opposite of the literl meaning
- Definitely not have an "Asian fetish"....we can talk about this
- Not think it's normal to start conversations with total strangers by asking where they "come from"....agreed
- Not call women "chicks"....no i call grrls "chicks"
- Not have a habitually vacant facial expression.....this was such a problem you needed to included it?
- Have an other-worldly expression (that is not drug-induced)...again??
- Have an artistic side.....it's there somemwhere
- Believe in true reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples....would have to be better than what John Howard is doing
so there could be the seeds of attraction here.....too bad i don't live in Oz anymore!
maxdacat
Monday, June 03, 2002 at 04:13:03 (PDT)
Dear pilipinoako
Hey you've exposed me :) Yeah i knew what 'krasavitsa' means because i know Russian. How did you know what it means?
krasavitsa
Sunday, June 02, 2002 at 19:53:31 (PDT)
Kravasasvita etc...
Since I am AM and not an Aussie Anglo, none of your inferences as to me and or my motives make sense. I feel no need to defend Anglos, Aussies, or any combination.
What I do see is an Asian not at peace with herself or her heritage or culture, and trying to deflect her own lack of self worth by pinning the hatred on a grouping of men that can serve as her grinding stone. Its pretty evident and I don't need to pyscho babble. You all but say the same words yourself in your own overly verbose posting.
You think I am intimidated by you, litle child? You come here so full of seriousness and lay open your past and all your childhood woes. You return and make lists like a 3rd grader of your Prince Charming. PUHLEEZ. You are beyond transparent. You make me feel embarassed on your behalf, sister.
So if I am anything it is not defensive of men I could give a rat's ass about it - it is feeling a little ill at an Asian sister being so pathetic. Grow a backbone baby.
Dr Freud - your s*** is too puny to scare me baby
Sunday, June 02, 2002 at 15:30:15 (PDT)
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