Growing up in New England as an Asian-American, is a lot more difficult than you’d expect. Not financially, but socially. When your parents are “fresh-off-the-boat” or “FOB,” but raise you in a community of pastel short, boat shoe, and backwards cap wearing frat boys, blending in as a chinky-eyed, dark haired girl can be quite the challenge.
Through the years I’ve adjusted to the offensive and ignorant remarks about my race and found them to be humorous, because these statements make absolutely no sense.
1. Are you Chinese?
No, actually, not all Asians are from China, but nice try, I guess. As a young child, I couldn't blame my class mates for mistaking my ethnicity. Asians simply aren't represented enough in the media for children to recognize the different countries.
All they see is white, black, Asian, and other. With that being said, it still would probably would be beneficial if everyone took a good look at a map every so often.
2. All Asians look the same
I guess that's your opinion. Most of us have brown hair and brown eyes, but our skin tone definitely ranges so much that you'd mistake us for entirely different cultures.
I've learned to make a joke out of this idea though, because if you try hard enough, you could say the same about every race.
3. Do you speak Asian?
Unfortunately, no. I do not speak "Asian," because "Asian" is not a language. There is no universal language in Asia. In one country alone, there are different languages and variations, or dialects of one language, so this question never fails to make me chuckle. As hard as I try to be sympathetic towards the ignorant, I simply can't do it.
4. Your English is really good
I speak English well because I was born here. I am American, plain and simple.
5. What’s your REAL name?/What does your name mean?
I remember getting this question a lot. I do not have another name, aside from the one that was given to me at birth, and as far as what it means? I have no idea. It's just a name. Just as everyone's name is a name. I wish mine were a little cooler and unique, but unfortunately, it is not.
