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 it's tragic that Asian success has become virtually synonymous with corporate success. Capital gain is such a shallow aspiration. Asians should definitely contribute more to cultural and political life in the West. How come so few Asians in the West aspire to be influential artists and intellectuals? How come so few Asians dream about changing society? Is there an Asian equivalent of Said or Chomsky? I think Asians in the West need to waste less energy focussing on discourses about Asian/Western identity. All it does is continue an essentially Western discourse that problematizes the Asian presence. Perhaps it is a conspiracy to divert us from larger issues and making a much bigger cultural impact. Hell, let's publish earth-shattering critiques on every issue pertinent to society. Lets make waves. Let's paint pictures, sculpt sculptures and take photographs for the elite galleries. Let's make music for the world to hear. We as Asians need to stop talking so much about ourselves and turn the mirror back on the West. We need to seize the West. After all, Western culture and society is our own in all its powerful glory. We have adopted it, it belongs to us. Or are we just too conservative and money-minded to care...?

Amy Tan gives me the shits
   Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at 02:28:18 (PDT)
"You'll say anything to cling onto your "blame the AA parent" theory, wont you?"

"Some children succumb to these forces and break down. Other children harness these demons to achieve unparalleled success."

You ever ponder why some Asian kids with parents of Asian Immigrant background do better than others or failed in expectations??? AC is giving you a hint or a thought....

"I am assuming you put yourself through kindergarten (diapers are expensive you know, and I'm sure you went through a ton load of them...and continue to do so to this very day...what with all the crap you've been spewing around), worked your way through elementary school (cooked your own meals and paid for your own room and board), and highschool (paid for clothing, food, car payment, electricity, gas, sewage, etc.) and then put yourself through college, all with no monetary or emotional support from your folks."

Yes, to a certain degree, I paid my for my college education! My parents never gave me any emotional support in my endeavors, now does that answer your question???

talent.....
   Monday, April 29, 2002 at 14:02:39 (PDT)
Cringe,

Relax . You're only flinching at the statement , because you know that is what your subconscious really wants .

Soon you will come to terms with the yuppie values .

Ignore the subliminal messages .
AC Dropout
   Monday, April 29, 2002 at 09:54:59 (PDT)
MLK,

I'm glad you enjoy the humor. You have my deepest sympathy on your plight. Good Luck with the climb on the corporate American ladder.

Actually, over this weekend I was contemplating the benchmarks in which people are measured in life. Then came to realise I've been out of HS for 10 years and College for 4 years. I have to prepare for some school reunions soon. Sometimes I feel that I should just say I'm a florist, this way I won't feel as if I'm bragging to my classmates.

My writing makes me appear older than I look, because I am able to draw on my various experiences in an organized manner. Although I'm somewhat baffled by peoples conclusions, since the posts are drafts, full of grammatical and spelling errors. However, in person I'm told I appear younger because of my constant satires and jokes.

Perhaps I should never meet any business associates in person and just send memos in the future. This would resolve some of the issues I have running a company. I still have a few more years before I hit the big 3-0, maybe at the 3-0 stage my age will no longer be an issue in the business community.
AC Dropout
   Monday, April 29, 2002 at 09:50:47 (PDT)

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