Identity of Asian Adoptees | Asian American Poll

IDENTITY OF ASIAN ADOPTEES
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:26:04 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Assuming you are Asian American, which best describes your feeling toward Asians who grew up in adoptive white families?
I can relate with them as I do with other AA. | 27%
They put me off by seeming more white than Asian. | 22%
I make an effort to be understanding of their situation. | 19%
I am unsure how to relate to them. | 32%

Assuming you are an Asian adoptee raised by a white family, which best describes your own feelings?
I feel perfectly comfortable around Asians. | 18%
I make an effort to fit in with Asians so I can reclaim my proper identity. | 38%
I have all but given up trying to fit in with Asians. | 27%
I am comfortable around Whites and see no reason to be with Asians. | 18%

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

Okay this poll was hard because when i grew up in the midwest with my white family, there were only white people around so of course i wanted to fit in, but i moved to California for college and the diversity and asian population shocked and overwhelmed me. Instead of being ashamed of my roots, i love learning about all the asian lingo and ideas of my original culture. I would just like to say that i embrace american culture because without it i probably would have lived a miserable life as an orphan. I love my parents so much and do not feel cheated that i do not know my biological parents. They are a blessing from God and to this day i sing like my mom and am stubborn like my dad. Their love for me is truly thicker than blood.
Ohpleaze Thursday, January 03, 2002 at 01:05:19 (PST)

Hmm, seems that there's an error for the inspiring story. Well, it's on the Chicago Tribune website and it's under Health Section I believe and is a Dec 23 article titled "Overcoming".
Happy Holidays Tuesday, December 25, 2001 at 22:33:58 (PST)

Here's an inspiring story about an Asian adoptee who seems to have more things on his mind than his identity. Please read this:

www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/ chi-0112230279dec23.story?coll=chi%2Dleisurefamily%2Dhed
Happy Holidays Sunday, December 23, 2001 at 20:54:08 (PST)

I'm a Korean adoptee. I was adopted by two white parents, and they are willing to go the extra mile for me. They love and support me. They even encourage me to learn about my culture.
nan Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 16:41:12 (PST)

Colorado
Ok, have it your way. It's pathetic to see an AA like you who does not know jack sh*t about your own culture. As described your "American" culture, it's not even a culture of its own, instead consists of Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, and etc. One solution to your miserable-confused-lost-superficial life is to intermarry with a WF and pray for your children not to look like Asian.

AsianExtremist Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 05:15:57 (PST)

As an Asian adoptee, I sometimes feel "cheated" that I do not know my own ethnic heritage. But the love my family holds for me overcomes that. I do not see myself as white. I see myself as a Korean raised in America-an Asian American by environment. I do want to visit the land of my birth and other parts of Asia, and my parents support me 100%.

adopted asian american chibi_nikki@hotmail.com Wednesday, November 28, 2001 at 07:31:54 (PST)

I think the answer to this poll is greatly effected by personal experience. I have experinced many Asians shunning me because I do not speak the language. As it shows with the first poll, there are many Asians out there who don't know how to relate to us (we're HUMAN BEINGS!) or they don't really like us because we're more "white" than Asian. I will admit that I don't have a huge interest in my Asian culture, but that is because it's not necessarily MY culture! I was raised in America, my culture is that of my family and friends. The only part of me that is Asian is my physical appearance, and I don't see why so many people think that I should have to be interested in my Asian culture! My "roots" - that is something that is greatly obscured by adoption in a mixed race family. I intend to learn my Asian language but I think it has to do with the fact that I'm tired of language being a criteria for Asians accepting me.
Colorado Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 18:48:44 (PST)

Asian American:

You forgot all the Arab American Congressmen who went and hid under the bed and did not even accompany President Bush to the mosque back in September. John Sunnunu, Nick Rahall and Ray Lahood all hid from the public. Spencer Abraham along with George Mitchell and Mitch Daniels were in the news but did not reveal their Arab identities and criticize Anti-Arab and Anti-South Asian incidents. Chris John, being basically from Louisiana paraded himself as an Ango Saxon (good old boys) along with Richard Ayeoub (the State AG), Susan Haik (the state election commissioner) and Mr. Konick the Orleans County District Attorney (who frequently panders to whites by railroading blacks. Most of the convictions he got of black people have been overturned by the Supreme Court. He is a crook of the first order. None of them had anything to say when another part Arab, Rep. Coookesy made anti-Arab remarks. The Arab Americans and part Arab Americans who look white (1/3 of the population of Louisiana) all bathe in their whiteness and deny their heritage. Some even are card carrying members of the KKK as you said.

One congressman, Darell Issa finally revealed his true Arab identity after he was thrown off Air France at the Dulles Airport outside Washington after the airline stewardesses got wind of his last name and his destination and refused to fly with him on board. Till that time he was also parading in his whiteness.

Asians can try all they want, but they will have that unique look, ie., they would not look white, however desparate they are. They may have been adopted by white families, but they would still look different. For betraying their own cause and mixing with the white society and becoming literally white, no one can beat the Arabs, particularly the Lebanese and Syrians as you say. How in Allah's name can we ever get a Palestinian state while the Jews maintain their identity and we Arabs try to become White Anglo Saxon?!!! Can anybody tell me?
Arab American, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 13:02:45 (PST)

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