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GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
An Asian American Culture?
he concept of a pan-Asian American identity is questioned by two groups of skeptics: recent immigrants and non-Asians. They point to the lack of a shared culture and the history of conflict among the homelands of Asian immigrants. Most often cited are Japan's recent imperialism against its neighbors and the historical resentment against Chinese domination.
True enough for Asians in Asia, but these points miss the mark when it comes to Asian Americans.
Historical animosities are meaningless to Asian Americans who were either born here or who came here at children. And the shared experience of being Asian in America is a strong glue that binds Asians to one another.
That conclusion begs the question: has this shared identity produced a distinctive Asian American culture shared across the boundaries of ancestral origin?
To the extent Asian Americans speak an Asian language at all, it is typically our ancestral tongue. Our Asian travels focus on visits to the ancestral homelands. We show a distinct preference for our ancestral cuisines. So where is the shared culture?
Perhaps the commonalities aren't as obvious as a distinctive cuisine, a traditional dress or colorful rituals, but they are considerable. What AA home doesn't harbor a karaoke machine? What AA family doesn't count its blessings by the number of degrees from elite universities? What AA utility closet isn't jammed with tennis rackets and/or golf clubs? What AA doesn't feel uplifted when another Asian of no matter what national origin distinguishes himself? What AA doesn't gripe about the media portrayals of Asians of no matter what national origin?
We AA also like one another's cuisines and company, judging by the frequency with which we routinely patronise one another's establishments. Ranch 99 and Yaohan markets, pearl tea shops, pho noodle shops, sushi bars and Corean nightclubs and barbeque restaurants are magnets for Asians of every nationality.
Do these add up to an Asian American culture? Or are they merely nostalgic remnants of ancestral cultures in the process of slipping away?
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Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:56:34 PM)
Geoff DB,
Good point. I think that's the truly unique and great thing about American culture, is that it's always changing and growing and moving along, never stagnant. Think about what the American culture was in 1900, in 1950, and today, and how vastly different it is, due in large part to different waves of immigrants.
I think what's harfmul is this "More American than thou" attitude some people have. Just because one person's ancestors arrived to America a little before another person's ancestors, does that make them "more American"? Are there degrees of Americanness? Logically we would say No, of course not, as soon as you become an American citizen you are just as American as everyone else. But I think you're right about being accepted by mainstream culture, it takes time.
curious girl
Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 19:20:19 (PDT)
curious girl:
As different ethnic groups embark on American soil they leave social impressions that become American. The Irish did it. The Scots, Germans, Greeks, Dutch, Polish and African slaves did it. Native Americans are wholely American.
As such, Chinese/Vietnamese New Year's celebrations, various Asian cuisine, Asian folklore and other Asian cultural attributes can by definition be American.
What remains is how were these cultures catologued in American history? When did they become American? Who considers such and such American? What is American about America?
Well, technically, they become American once they are practiced in America. Althouh, practically, they become American once the mainstream says so - as soon as they are acknowledged and celebrated on a large scale by various ethnic groups. Political leaders, media outlets, social clubs, educational institutions and local/state/federal legislative bodies deem certain things "American".
The challenge to my Asian American brothers and sisters is don't allow anyone to deny you your true birthright. Retain your cultural identities. Retain them as Asian-American.
Geoff DB
GeoffDB02@aol.com
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 23:59:02 (PDT)
Azn-Pride, I really enjoyed your post, and I have the same hopes for the world, but I also know that change takes a long time. Look at how long the African-Americans struggled for basic social equality. Anyway I think having open and honest dialogues on places like Goldsea is a great place to start. Some people on this site wonder why whites and other non-Asians come on here and post. Well, a lot of us are dating or are married to Asians. I'm learning a lot from reading/responding to comments and it's kind of like a ripple effect- if one person learns more about AAs and accepts them for who they are, then their positive attitude will ripple out and effect many others.
curious girl
Friday, August 23, 2002 at 06:13:23 (PDT)
Laura;
Just to clear things up. I love to see Asain non-asain couple.
[I love seeing asains living in harmony with non-asains and this is what the future should be; peace loving harmony between everyone. I want Asain to be able to associate with non-asain and vice versa. This is my dream]
Especially AM with non-AF this includes AM-BF, AM-WF, AM-LF, AM-AF, and lastly AM-mixFemale. Since the AF married out, I think it is time for a change and have an Equal presentation for the AM. Not to say that I don't respect AF, I do if the individual is worthy. MLK is alright in my book.
I am open to dating any women of any background as long as the individual is a good person. Good people come from all race. So pretty much I'm open to every one, BF, LF, AF, WF and Mix female, they are all great [beautiful]. No one is better than anyone, "WE ARE ALL EQUAL" [Race don't matter]according to Dr. King. We all need to care for each other like brother and sister. I wish the world is like this, but unfortunatly it is not. I am not navie to think that it is =(. And I am not navie to think that it will ever be. Yup I know it's Pretty sad!!
At times I've encounter people making stupid comment about people different than them and it is pretty bad. Hope the world and future change for the better.
Azn-Pride
Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 19:59:52 (PDT)
Laura;
Hey I hear ya. I'm a Asain male, 22 and loves to see AM/WF couple. I'm glad you can stay strong at those awful time you get from those who gave you dirty look. Stay strong and know that your are being supported by US if not them!!
I have always been attracted to WF as well. I guess it has to do with my upbring, being around pretty White girls all the time. Ever times I look into the eyes of a beautiful WF, I can just melt. They have beautiful eyes and hair.
I'm pretty open to whom I date as long as we can get a long and the person is a good person, this includes LF, WF.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Much appreciation!!!! Good Luck and lots of success in all that you do.
Azn-Pride
Friday, August 16, 2002 at 10:03:07 (PDT)
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