ADVANTAGES OF BEING ASIAN AMERICAN

or some the only downer to being Asian American is being lumped with all the whiners.
     The problems that afflict us? No different from those faced by all Americans, they argue. Vincent Chin? Won a barroom fight and was ambushed in the parking lot by a pair of drunken sore losers with a baseball bat. Happens to white guys too. Media stereotypes? Would you rather be cast as a beer-guzzling milquetoast with a spare tire and a perpetual sunburn? Not to mention being unable to jump, dance or multiply.
     Weigh the trivial irritations against the big advantages, exhort the upsiders. Like being raised in two-parent families that provide emotional stability, a solid educational foundation, a multi-cultural perspective and healthy eating habits. Like being seen as innately more intelligent, diligent and honest. Like having a full head of hair past 30 and never having to shave your back. Sure, the new immigrants have a rough time, they concede, but compare apples to apples. The Census Bureau stats show that U.S.-born Asians do as well as any group and better than most.
     So what's your take? Are we getting a raw deal or are we just too busy complaining to appreciate our many advantages?

(Updated )

I think AAs are very advantaged, but a lot of them seem to b**ch and moan about every little thing. AAs have good educations, high degrees, good jobs, really high incomes, live in good neighborhoods, for the most part don't do drugs. Okay maybe some whites in America don't like AAs but for the most part I think you're pretty successful, and should just be happy about it. What else do you want, to have an entirely Asian senate and house, and president, have 50% of the population be Asian, have 50% of all college populations be Asian?
?
   Monday, April 22, 2002 at 08:35:01 (PDT)
Asian Americans have almost an economic paradox with Whites. I just think most Asians have done what any American is expected to do, work hard, and live the American dream. And i wish all AA happyness and success.

WM input
   Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 21:52:06 (PDT)
Australian accents are sexy! Especially from cute blonde boys! Oh sorry lol
asian girl
   Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 21:42:14 (PDT)
"Talent beats Experience and mostly wins":

Wow...I think your intense jealousy against asians has obscured your perception of us.

"That's good, because Ms. Kwan had a thirstful lust for winning the gold; she overestimated her skating abilities and underestimated the others. She was the biggest asian choke artist in the Olympics!..."

Michelle Kwan did long for the gold medal, but after only receiving the bronze medal she stated that...she did the best she could have done, and she had no excuse. This doesnt sound like a person who is underestimating others abilities. Also, the reason why she was perceived as a potential gold medalist is b/c she was the top figure skater for over 6 years...obtaining streaks of awards (6 consecutive world metals, 4 national titles, AND a silver olympic metal in nagano). THIS is why she was in the spotlight, NOT b/c she possess excessive pride.

Even after she fell during the long program at salt lake, the audience was still cheering her on...which tells me that AMERICA loved her! Could this be the reason why you despise her?

"Ms. Kwan's problem is also shared by many other Asians. They think that by having a better work ethic than Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics it will give them an advantage..WRONG, as Ms. Kwan has proved it! "

Your choice of words are interesting.
The truth is...YOU (not we) think we have an advantage b/c of our work ethnics. We are at a disadvantage simply b/c we are not white. AA must work hard to be successful in america.

"Some people are just more talented than others; a less talented person trying to work hard to oust a more talented individual is just wasting time and energy."

I sure hope you're not a teacher or parent...your kids would have no motivation to strive for their best. Talent is not only possessing a knack for a skill...more importantly, its a result of years of hard work and determination. Asians are not born more intelligent than other ethnic groups, but yet statistics have showed us to be more accomplished. Can you still use your theory to explain this?

"Yes, most Asians can combine the best of both worlds..What's stopping them are their parents! In fact, if Asian parents were more lax with their children, they can do much more in this country."

Wrong again! What's hinders AA is NOT our parents...its the challenges of integrating two opposing cultures. Asian parents stress hardwork and achievements...this is why we ARE successful!

"Most identity crisis issues involving Asians stem from their parents' strict and overbearing demands, which also lead to array of other problems such as the AA gender divide and the self-hating Asian/Sellout issue."

Again, you make it sound as if the AA parents and culture are full of negativities. Most AA parents are deeply caring...and this is exactly the reason why they are strict. They may not display much physical affection, but they show their love by the things they do for us. If you believe asian parents are the problem...then why is it that the identity crisis in asia is not as common as in america (particularly AF) when in both countries the parents possess similar ethnical values?

Unfortunately, this is an overdue response. I'm surprise other AA havent replied to your absurd comments yet. Know this: Before you attempt to analyze asians and the asian cultures, put your haters attitude aside...you just might get a little closer to understanding us.

be
   Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 13:36:35 (PDT)
i think that there are so many advantages in being an aa but there are some disadvantages as well. for example the simple fact that there is a certain streotype presented in society today of aa's...like we're suppose to be quiet, timid people who read books all day, or all we can ever do is own chains of restuarants......however through all that i am damn proud to b an aa!!!!!!!!!! there is nothing in the world i would rather be
remi
ne438@yahoo.com    Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 16:11:01 (PDT)
Kiwi Fella,

There are already Indian Reservations in the US.
FOP
   Friday, April 19, 2002 at 12:24:12 (PDT)
Asian australian from the "really" deep south:

You've used several quotes from Pauline Hanson's maiden speech in parliament six years ago. That speech sparked controversy and a lot of opposition and exposed what a simplistic and utter and complete moron she was.
How the Howard government won the last federal election is debatable. However, remember that the last Queensland state Northern Territory elections were both won by the Labor party who outspokenly denounced the narrow views of the One Nation party who were seen as nothin but a dying breed of shit stirrers. And both governments used multiculturalism as one of their platforms.

Americans are more politically correct but the thing that bugs me about it is that people can't be honest about their opinions and so they hide their real views inside. The important thing is that people have freedom to express themselves and Australians will say things in front of your face - warts and all.

If asian progress here means wanting a website like this, then get some sponsorship, expertise and viewership. There are also at least a dozen asian newspapers here.

It's an individual thing how you view and tackle racism.

P.S. Watch for Big Brother weeknights on channel 10, 7pm, there's a cool asian guy called Damian. He's a bit of a ladies man and i think that's what will get him stuck.
Another proud asian australian
   Friday, April 19, 2002 at 10:17:19 (PDT)
Asian Australian from the *really* deep south,

hey man i have to agree with u I got the hell outta "Oz aka rednexland" when those damn racists voted for that neonazis pauline hanson ...christ i didn't have a great opinion about white australians to start with but to vote for that scumbag is a clear message for me to get out ...i hear things ain't much better even now she's out for asians.....another thing that i hate about ozzies is that annoying accent it's just as bad as a southern accent
former oz
   Friday, April 19, 2002 at 04:36:43 (PDT)

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