Asian Contribution to American Culture | Asian American Poll

ASIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:19:55 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Which of the following is the most important Asian contribution to the building of America?
Building the western half of the transcontinental railroad | 32%
Turning the western deserts into fertile farmlands | 12%
Reviving crumbling urban areas into vibrant commercial centers | 23%
Providing hi-tech talent for Silicon Valley & other technology centers | 33%

Which of the following is the most important Asian contribution to American culture?
Asian restaurants | 34%
Design aesthetics | 9%
Spiritual philosophy | 10%
Martial arts | 22%
Educational emphasis | 25%

Which of the following is the most important Asian contribution to the American economy?
Motivated students for the educational system | 41%
Talent & ideas for the digital revolution | 34%
Energetic, aggressive entrepreneurs | 8%
High-quality, low-cost imports | 17%

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WHAT YOU SAY

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

Hi,

I am a 20yr old white guy from CA. I think Asian Americans and Jews have made a far greater contribution to our society than any other minority group in American history. Generally speaking, I believe Asian Americans are very industrious, fastidious and civilized people who have added an indispensable cultural flavor to American society. My kindest regards to all those AA's who have made this country a more interesting and fruitful place to live in
William Schroeder Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 09:28:45 (PST)

A depressed Indian, don't you have some anti-american protest to atend.
Proud White Saturday, November 17, 2001 at 22:30:25 (PST)

I fully support my Indian brothers and sisters. I gotcho back guys.

Korean Freedom Fighter Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at 20:58:01 (PST)

I think there is more than just contributions we have made to the American Society, we have also helped it become the most diverse and the most powerful nation in the world by giving it our intelligence and our hard work. Be it the field of science or technology, South Asian have been the biggest part of the prosperity that these white Americans boast to be theirs. And what do we get in return? Hatred, humiliation, and discrimination, which still does exist. I strongly believe it is time America realises that the nation that stands today is not solely of the bloodless(white) race, but of the all the cultures of South Asia that have made it the America that it is today.

A depressed Indian Saturday, November 03, 2001 at 15:04:01 (PST)

24 Karat GOld:
wut about all the indian accomplishments...buddhism the number system...and many others...y do u fail to realize the greatest acomplishments of all???? i think u r a bit prejudice against other ASIANS...south asians R JUST AS ASIAN
NDN gUrRrRrRRRrr!!!!!! Friday, October 26, 2001 at 18:41:06 (PDT)

Since I am a movie fan, I'd like to say that the contributions of Asian countries to Western cinema has been truly immense. Akira Kurosawa's films have inspired many. Kurosawa's Seven Samurai was re-made into the Magnificent Seven, and George Lucas has openly stated that Star Wars was based on the Hidden Fortress. Bruce Lee and Raymond Chow practically invented the martial arts movie genre. Even to this day, practically any action movie worth its salt will have a climactic fight scene involving martial arts. John Woo took action movies and gun fights to a whole new level, inspiring directors like Tarantino.

     Some ancient and not so ancient Asian (Far East) and Asian American contributions to America and the world:
     *Chinese discovery, invention, or origination
     Animals & plants: goldfish*, Japanese bobtail cat, Japanese spaniel, Panda Bears*, Pekingnese dogs*, Siamese cats, Shar Pei dogs* Shih Tzu dogs*, Chinese trees & plants* (aster, azalea, camellia, chrysanthemum, Chinese persimmon, gingko tree, tea rose, peony tree), Japanese bonsai trees.
     Art & Design: architecture (I.M.Pei, Ki S Par etc.), asian antiques, artwork, blue & white chinaware*, Chinese & Japanese furniture, and accessories, Chinese & Japanese lacquerware, Chinese rugs, chinoiserie designs* in fabrics, chinaware etc, Feng Shui*, Japanese flower arranging, Japanese interior design, and gardening.
     Asian Languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.
     Fashion & makeup: cheongsam dresses*, fashion designers (David Chu, Han Feng, Josie Natori, Vivienne Tam, Vera Wang etc.), jade jewelry, makeup (Shiseido, Shu Uemura etc.), Mikimoto pearls.
     Food & other
     Food: Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese, Pekingnese, Shanghainese, Szechwanese, Taiwanese), Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese etc.
     Other Chinese contributions: brandy, chopsticks, fruits (apricots, grapefruit, lemon, orange, peach), ketchup, noodles ("spaghetti"), soybeans, stir frying, tea leaves, whiskey, the Wok.
     Entertainment, hobbies, & games: chess*, dominoes*, Chinese & Chinese American films (see tan-supaman's comments below), mah jong*, karaoke, kites*, origami*, playing cards*, modern yo-yo (Filipine).
     Health & medicine, recreation:
     Acupuncture*, Chinese exercise and meditation, Chinese medicine & herbs (ginseng, tiger balm etc.), Japanese shiatsu massage, martial arts, medical contributors (Dr. David Ho, aids researcher, '96 Time Man of the Year etc.), study of the circulation of the blood*.
     Religion & philosophy: Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism*, I Ching*, Shinto (Japanese), Taoism* etc.
     Materials: asian bamboo, asian jade (Burmese jadeite, Chinese nephrite, Korean serpentine), cast iron*, coal*, "German" silver*, gunpowder*, porcelain*, paper* & printing*, & bookbinding*, silk*, steel*.
     Other Chinese inventions (A to Z): abacus, agriculture, (row cultivation), ceramics, Chinese calligraphy, compass, decimal system, eyeglasses, helicopter rotor & propeller, horse collar, matches, multi-staged rockets, odometer, paper money, seisomgraph, suspension bridge, toothbrushes, umbrella, wallpaper, wheelbarrow, zinc in coins.
     Other Japanese contribution: cars, electronics, electronic games (Nintendo, Playstation 2 etc.), first consumer quartz watches, first felt tipped pens, motorcyles, toys (Pokeman etc.), Uda-Yogi directional antenna,, etc.
     People: AAs in the US military (past & present), all AA success in the US (arts & sciences, computer, & software industry, education, entertainment, politics, sports, TV etc.), Bruce Lee, literature, music (Yo Yo Ma, Seiji Ozawa, Vanessa Mae, Midori, etc.) Nobel Prize Laureates (both Asian & AA), US transcontinental railroad (labor).
24KaratGold

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