A message for the presidential candidates: Asians vote, too.
Tag Archive for 'asia america'
- Book on McCain and his racist remarks to be released on July 4th. Titled Gook: John McCain’s Racism and Why It Matters. I understand the bitterness that someone can have from a war, but racial slurs are not acceptable under any circumstances. But considering that McCain called his wife a cunt in 1992, I think that McCain may be less racist and more rude, inconsiderate, and insensitive (to put it very lightly). (via angry asian man)
- A (relative) old-timer expounds on the difficulties of dating when you’re a gay Asian male. In the past, many gay Asian males date Caucasian guys in America to the point where it’s “revolutionary” to date another Asian guy. Seeing how many Asian women also date Caucasian men (and also are burdened with the submissive stereotype), it says to me three things: (1) there are lots more Caucasian men than Asian men in America, (2) Caucasian men are likely to have the pick of the litter because of their social desirability, and (3) the Asian submissive stereotype is not limited to women. But still, since the gay dating pool is so much smaller, it becomes clear how straight (or bi) people have it so much easier when it comes to racial dating politics.
- The 2008 Sexies winners have been announced. What are the Sexies? They are awards for sex-positive journalism. The Sexies are not about sensationalism, but are looking for accurate and unbiased stories that treat sexuality as “something other than a problem or prurient curiosity”. (via Greg Laden)
- Buck Angel, A Man With a Pussy: LGB Without the T. An article about the divide between transgendered people and everyone else—even gay people. But the trans rights movement is on the rise. Trans people have been left out of the cultural narrative (in a positive way) for so long; it’s about time to include them. (via The Ch!cktionary)
- The Taiping Rebellion, or How the Religious Crazy Happens in China, Too. China in turmoil. Charismatic person believes himself to be Jesus’ little brother wants to spread Christianity (and overthrow the government) to end turmoil. Said person killed twenty million people. Startling history lesson. (But without the Taiping Rebellion, we wouldn’t have Mahjong.) (via denialism blog)
- Being gay may be due to pre-natal hormone levels and what that means. Homosexuality is not learned behavior, but it doesn’t seem like it’s genetic either. Theories now say that it could be exposure to hormones in the womb. If so, then homosexuality can be screened and “cured”. (via Gene Expression)
- A scientist’s reflection on how creationism is fighting for the science classroom. Creationism doesn’t belong in a science class, but that doesn’t mean that all creationists are fervent, close-minded, religious adherents.
- Advice on learning math for the mathphobe. Many ex-mathphobes also share (in the comments) their own struggles and also give advice.
- Norway legalises gay marriage. Previously, gay couples could get civil unions but not church ceremonies or could they adopt. The new law takes effect January 1st.
- Emma Grant, senior vice-president of engineering for the computer-database company Ingres, says that men and women code differently. But she says that women code more helpfully, including comments, while men write more cryptic code without such aids for other programmers. Like hell. When someone codes, he or she is supposed to provide comments and documentation. People who comment their code are good programmers. Those who don’t need to go back to Coding 101.
- Dad: So is it “get out of my face” or “get off my face”?
- Me: It’s “get out of my face”. “Get off my face” means something very different.
- Dad: Wow. That’s so confusing. It’s an American thing, right?
- Me: Yes, Dad. Totally is.
- Lorry: I keep buying bloody pianos. Do you play the piano. Amber? Wait. You are Asian American. Of course you play the fucking piano.
Get the Books
- Girls Gone Mild: Young Women Reclaim Self-Respect and Find It’s Not Bad to Be Good by Wendy Shalit
- My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
- Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Since I lack the time or money to travel to the various festivals around the country, I’ve spent my time commiserating at the Asia Society YouTube channel, where names such as Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura, actress Sandra Oh, and Senator Daniel Inouye, speak about their experiences, thoughts, and hopes as Asian Americans. The stories vary in topic and scope, but all touch upon community and the desire to have more representations, in all forms, of Asians living in a Caucasian-dominated society.
I nodded to each video, amused at the absurd assumptions—Asian Americans have to be immigrants from Asia, not born in America—and saddened at the memories of discrimination. Each story mirrored a thought or experience that I have had myself, but I especially identified with those that spoke about alienation and stereotypes.
Growing up in New Hampshire, I lacked an Asian community. Everyone else was Caucasian. All my friends were Caucasian. I was twelve before I met another person of Asian heritage who was not immediate family. I identified largely with mainstream Caucasian America, and was shocked when I learned that I was not part of that culture. I was different—nerdy and industrious, shy and submissive, a chink, a dangerous dragon lady. I was alien.
I couldn’t believe that those stereotypes were all that I was. I still don’t believe it. I won’t accept the people have the audacity to tell me who I am or who to be. I don’t want to see any more effeminate Asian men. I don’t want to see any more nerdy Asian women with large unattractive glasses. I want to see people—real or fictional—that move me, not because they are Asian or American, but because they are human.
That is what this month is for. It’s not just about the celebration of an ethnic identity. It’s about connecting Asia America to America. It’s about Asian Americans exercising the right to define themselves, as a group or individually. It’s about understanding that America—including Asia America—is rich and diverse. It’s so easy to get lost in the stereotypes. These are the times when we remind ourselves that we don’t have to listen, that we could be so much more.
I believe that the dearth of accurate representations of Asian Americans in the media and in the arts has led to misrepresentation of Asian Americans. Very often Asian Americans are perceived as highly competent, hardworking, and non-belligerent—that being the “positive” image—or they are represented as devious, inscrutable, and megalomaniacal. Whichever way it is done, these images do not fully represent Asian Americans I know. If an Asian American, or anyone for that matter, is not given a voice and language with clear expression and evidence of feeling, his humanity is denied.
– Min Jin Lee
