Being thrown into an environment where the people around you look nothing like you is strange. I grew up in the Bay Area, a place full of diverse food, culture, and ideas. It’s been a few months since move in day but I’m still adjusting to the complete polarization of these two environments. I decided to compile a list of things I’m not as a young, female, Asian American.
I’m Asian but I’m not…
1. In the medical field
The truth is, I hate people touching me, I hate touching strangers, I can’t stand looking at rashes, and I most definitely don’t want to learn about the many different ways a person can get a rash.
2. “Exotic”
Bro, I’m from California…
3. Chinese
Newsflash, not all Asian people originate from China!
4. Into Anime
I can’t stand anime, don’t even mention this to me, at all.
5. Your manicurist
As mentioned in the first point, I hate the thought of touching strangers. Also, cutting and cleaning other people’s nails is gross.
6. A Perfect Student
First of all, I hate math and science. I can’t do mental math to save my life, nor can I tell you the molecular formula of glucose off the top of my head. I failed the only AP class I’ve ever taken and my grades aren’t perfect.
7. Some Piano Prodigy
I tried playing the clarinet in the fifth grade. I didn’t work out so well…
8. A Kung Fu Master
No, I don’t know how to do karate, or other forms of martial arts.
9. Socially Awkward
Yes, I know English.
10. Submissive
Do not expect me to go along with everything I’m told. I am not passive, I will get all up in your face to defend my point.
11. A Dog Eater
Dogs make the world go around, come on guys.
To think that racial stereotypes will one day not be in common practice is perhaps a bit too optimistic and maybe a little naive. However it is important to recognize these stereotypes and how others portray them. For example, the media including movies and television, feeds into these stereotypes dramatically.
But being the “model minority”, Asian stereotypes are not as terrible as other races. If we look at the Black Lives Matter movement, a worldwide social movement that started because of these racial stereotypes, it created a space in which it allowed people to realize racism is still well and alive within these countries borders while also allowing these people to fight back.
