Another day in World History, and the first lecture that pops up on the projected image is Chinese Dynasties, the great succession of emperors and "history's most influential empires." The Zhou Dynasty comes first as my teacher proceeds with a horrible pronunciation of "Zhou" as "Joe," but I couldn't really blame him. Seconds later, a picture of Lao Zi appears dressed in silk robes introducing the concept of Confucianism surrounded with Chinese lanterns and other cultural relics. Suddenly, I hear a snicker behind me. "Ching Chong Ding Dong!" My skin prickles as eyes turn on me, some from a teasing friend, others from who knows what.
These are the moments when minorities of all sorts begin to settle into a state of displacement determined simply by their heritage, race and culture. The sinking feeling is true..."You're different." Growing up in a relatively diverse area and school district, true discrimination has not affected me with its full wrath, but nonetheless, there are certain events that prick a needle into my heart, like those below.
1. The Loss Of Asian Culture Credibility
Today, especially in urban areas such as New York and Los Angeles, Asian culture is speckled across the city in the form of banners, cuisine or perhaps fashion. Walking around the streets of NY and seeing small bubble tea shops with Taiwanese popcorn chicken, Japanese posters on the wall and yin-yangs hanging from the fans, the broth of cultures is truly amazing, but it has become another norm in American views. For example, Chinese cuisine is now characterized by the common takeout boxes, unauthentic Orange Chicken and tacky restaurant names like "Mandarin Oriental." This silly stereotype now has a "joke-like" connotation. Minorities across the Asian continent are seen as the same, but in reality, we enriched by diverse histories and customs undefinable by the common perception. Seriously, how many times have you heard someone claim "being Japanese is the same as being Chinese?" It's not, trust me.
2. The Common Stereotype
"All Asians are good at math! All they care about is grades. They have no social life, because they spent too much time studying!"
Then, people ask themselves, "Why are Asians so smart? Why are they always at the top?"
Truth is, not all Asians are good at math, and the numerous times people have asked me for homework help and taken my advice for granted has become quite irritable. Though such stereotypes have mostly positive connotations, they make us seem like we are only defined by such qualities, thus causing people to avoid asking us to join their events with an excuse of saying "it's not our thing." One of the main reasons for our outstanding academic performances is our cultural values of hard work and dedication, instilled within us by our hardworking parents who crossed overseas and worked endless hours to help us have the best life possible. It is not simply our Asian heritage that our grades reflective of.
3. The Misery And The Misunderstood
On several occasions at new events, I have never been more relieved to find a small group of Asians who can relate to my thoughts in a sea of majorities. Just having someone who has experienced this life makes us more comfortable and courageous, exemplified in the clusters of certain racial groups within one urban unit. Many times at informative events, the topics discussed are said through a majority's point of view, and because most belong to a majority group, there is never a problem with its implications; however, to a minority, the situation may be wildly escalated to an extent that another may never understand. Similarly, when we do express our concerns and feelings, others quickly dismiss it with a "that's not possible." My only advice to you is, when one speaks, listen. Aspects are never the same from person to person.
4. Don't ask me again.
I am a citizen of the U.S., and I always have been, yet some people never comprehend that there is no such thing as a place "where I'm actually from." Of course, I can tell you where my parents are from and what culture I identify with, but being from somewhere besides the United States does not make a difference in who I am emotionally. In other words, do not take advantage of my work and my gregarious personality. I can tell when someone is trying to cheat off of my paper or lying straight to my face. So next time, if you really need help, and I have an answer, ask instead of cheat, and perhaps I'll give you some effective advice. Just because we are minorities, does not mean we should be taken advantage of our personal gifts and talents.
5. It's really not that funny...
The little jokes about rice and other comments around mispronounced Chinese words may strike a funny bone in your mind, but it's truly not that funny. I understand that living in an American majority society will definitely result in some racial comments, but the constant jokes that I hear in every bit of conversation are simply not true and not funny. Just because we are Asian does not mean we have a black belt in karate; it is simply a commonly practice form of material arts infused within ancient culture. The "ching chongs" are inaccurate and completely irrelevant to oriental languages, and of course, to a native speaker, all the tonal changes and pronunciations may sounds utterly the same, which I completely respect. However, the extra teases are simply unnecessary and can strike offense to some.
Overall, every society has its problems, but sugar-coating its true intentions may be demeaning to many of those who play a role within it. I am grateful for the life I live and the people I have met.The blend of cultures in the U.S. is truly a gift, and the respect of many of non-minorities I have earned is dear to my heart. On the other hand, small and seemingly harmless remarks and notions can either make or break our trust. So, be aware and be respectful from both sides of the table.