Asian or Asian-American?

1. Asian or Asian-American? The Ignoramus’ Guide to Understanding the So-called “Differences” within Asians Kun Park Asia 89 Professor Yue

2. Disclaimer • This PowerPoint presentation is intended for a mature and understanding audience. • Materials covered in this presentation may cause anger, frustration, and annoyance. • This presentation is formulated from several informal interviews and observations. Nothing will be stated as a fact, but as an ideal representation of some misconceptions in distinctions between what we call “Asians” and “Asian-Americans”. • The information contained in this presentation has no attention to offend anyone, and if it does so, please view it with an open mind, because not every fact can be applied to everyone, yes? • If you still feel that you will be offended, you can leave the room if you wish. I will give you something to pass the time. • My intention is to give intriguing information to send out an awareness for the class, not to piss you off. • Last and most importantly, enjoy~!

3. What is Asian, and what is Asian-American? • There has been much speculation and debate about these two terms used by Asians all over the country. • In a general sense, people like to classify themselves as “Asians” if they were born in their native country and emigrated to America after the age of 14 (estimated from interviews). • If an Asian is born in the U.S or emigrated at a very early age, people mostly refer to them as “Asian-Americans” (substitute the specifics, too many to list here and I don’t want to leave anyone out). • Usually, Asians and Asian-Americans don’t mix well together (I am aware of the outliers). On campus, you have what people call as “FOBS” (Fresh off the Boat), and “Bananas” or “Twinkies”(yellow on the outside and white on the inside). • But what are the perceptions and differences that people characterize to label someone as Asian or Asian-American? • Keep in mind that the upcoming slides are listed as Misconceptions, which are derived from stereotypes.

4. Misconception #1: Appearance of the Asian • Asians usually like to represent themselves apart from American culture, so they like to distinguish themselves with import clothes. • You can usually spot them from a mass crowd because they look tacky in this sort of fashion. • Black, gray, and blue make up the yearly wardrobe of the Asian (no shorts allowed).

5. Misconception #1 (continued): Appearance of the Asian American • Asian-Americans on the other hand usually wear only domestic clothes. • Vests, running shoes; casual benefits come before appearance. • If it ain’t jeans, don’t bother.

6. Asians like to stay with their own “clique”. They refuse to hang out with Asian-Americans or anyone else outside of their range, because they feel that they do not “fit in” with them. “I am the best, and I am the baddest #%@$@&$%*&@# out there”. “You think you are smart? What’s your SAT score? I bet my Math section is better than yours”. Asian-Americans also like to stay with their own “clique” They refuse to hang out with Asians because they are different and don’t get along with them. “I am better than him/her”. “You think you are smart? What’s your SAT score? I bet my English section is better than yours”. Misconception #2: Attitudes of Asians and Asian Americans

7. Misconception#3: Asian Automobiles • Example using a specific ethnicity: Koreans- They drive Hyundai, Kia, Daewoo. • The ones who are well off are stuck up, and therefore drive Audis, BMWs Lexus and Mercedes. • Asians drive slow and are accident prone.

8. Misconception #3 (continued): Asian-American Automobiles • Asian-Americans drive Hondas: Honda Civics and Accords to be specific. An upgrade from Honda would be Acura. • They soup up their cars until it scrapes the asphalt, and have an exhaust pipe that you can fit your head in. • Asian-Americans drive aggressively.

9. Misconception #4: Asian’s Food • Dogs, Cats, Rats, and Rice is our four food groups. • The Chinese food at your local buffet restaurant is authentic, I promise you! • They hate American food.

10. Misconception #4 (continued): Asian-American’s Food • They can live off of hamburgers, fries, and pizza. • They think that American Chinese food is actually Chinese food. • “No kimchi? It’s ok, jalapenos will do for tonight”.

11. Misconception #5: Asian’s Music • Example using a specific ethnicity: Koreans- Koreans only listen to Korean music.

12. Misconception #5(continued): Asian-American’s Music • Asian Americans only show love for Rap, rap, and even more rap. • Techno follows next, think La Bouche.

13. The Present Problem • Asians in America have struggled tremendously since the first wave of immigrants, whom moved to this country to live their lives to the fullest. • After all this time, our numbers have grown tremendously, and we have achieved feats never thought of before. • Yet we are still missing one important factor, and that is achieving a voice of recognition and unity. • We complain that we do not earn the respect that other races have achieved, and that we are still discriminated everyday. • But while we complain, what have we done to voice our opinions? Can we truly say that we have tried hard enough to earn our recognition? • While we argue for our recognition, we lack unity within our own culture; making differentiations amongst ourselves, calling each other “FOBS” and “Twinkies”. Can we say that this is the way to achieve unity and recognition?

14. Resolutions to solve a conflicting matter • My question is: “Do we really need to make a distinction between Asians and Asian-Americans?” • Can’t we all just, get along? *’;’* • Try to step out of your boundaries from time to time. Try to take the initiative and take the time to talk to someone whom you have never talked to before. • If we’re really trying to gain recognition and unity in the United States, we should strive to help one another, and not look down upon one another as different beings. • Trying to achieve race equality in the United States will take quite some time, and the way we act towards one another at this present time does nothing to help broaden our culture values. • Asian Unity is something we ought to be proud of, not be ashamed of. So go out there and share some peace with your fellow yellows~.