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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Underestimating Other AA
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:53:27 PM)
'm not like most Asians."
How often have we heard those words escaping the lips of fellow Asian Americans? Or even our own lips?
Typically those words are spoken to suggest that we aren't science nerds or that we are athletic rather than bookish or that we aren't sexist or submissive or materialistic. In short, we seem to utter them more to distance ourselves from stereotypes than from actual flesh-and-blood Asian Americans.
Be that as it may, the phenomenon does suggest that we Asian Americans tend to see ourselves as somehow special in many respects -- better acculturated, more sophisticated, better educated, more assertive, more honest and trustworthy, more fun-loving, more athletic, more successful than our garden-variety peers.
Underestimating ourselves?
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But wait. If every Asian American harbors the same sense of superiority, aren't we all shortchanging ourselves by collectively underestimating members of our own ethnic group?
The phenomenon is widespread enough that even some non-Asians seem to feel comfortable telling us, "You aren't like other Asians." And widespread enough that some of us actually take it as a compliment.
Are we our own worst enemies in refusing to see other AA as sharing the advantages and virtues we ascribe to ourselves? What factors lie behind this irrational assumption?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
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.]
My problem isn't underestimating other Asian Americans, it's sometimes overestimating them. I tend to assume other Asians I meet are educated, successful, proud of their heritages and warmly disposed toward me because of our shared heritage. My expectations are usually borne out, but I have been disappoined on occasions. The ones who have disappointed me are those who tend to be less intelligent/educated and have a spotty knowledge of Asian American history and demographics.
Tri-Me
Sunday, November 03, 2002 at 20:48:51 (PST)
[208.48.129.11]
ucsvt:
uhh...I know alot of Asians who:
Like America
Drink other beer other than Heineken
Drive Mustangs
Are NRA members
and have ABC girlfriends
You're not that different.
The carrot
Sunday, November 03, 2002 at 17:45:55 (PST)
[65.69.8.54]
To ucsvt:
Driving a Mustang and being a member of the NRA does not make you better than other Asians.
To rycherx,
Every time someone says that you're different from other Asians, challenge them on that. Ask them why they think that way. Then, they'll tell you an Asian stereotype. Then, you can tell them why it is wrong to stereotype people.
The only way to change people's attitudes is to challenge them. You shouldn't have to put up with those comments.
js
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 11:46:23 (PST)
[63.199.246.219]
Also, I think that sense of superiority is a manifestation of the competitive nature of asians particularly those who have acquired a taste of what the western life has to offer. I think its a form of self congratulation but their need to belittle their 'other' fellow asians only serves to highlight their superficiality. It also shows a lack of respect to asians as individuals.
I suggest we set the examples ourselves and adopt an inclusive attitude. We have to help each other much like the Jews. It is a mind set that can be changed albeit slowly.
oz asian
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 10:44:59 (PST)
[203.29.131.3]
I'm in the same situation.
I was dancing at a club.
Gal I was dancing with tells me
that you're different than other asians.
I was a little hurt.
Even with my current girlfriend, she tells me that I am different. How unfair is that?
rycherx
rycherx@hotmail.com
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 08:06:07 (PST)
[199.46.199.230]
AA self-contempt, or even self-hatred is
wide spread. It is a fact of life. The question we should ask is 'how should we deal with it?'
justin
zhu12@hotmail.com
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 03:14:19 (PST)
[150.203.2.85]
Yeah, i get that attitude from these egostical people all the time especially from my relatives of all people. They are always trying to belittle me and boast about their own successess but their patronising attitudes only serves to reflect their own insecurities and inadequacies. I roll my eyes everytime they do it but i refuse to get to be drawn into this petty display of pretentiousness because i have this quiet confidence that makes them feel uncomfortable.
oz asian
Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 23:35:47 (PST)
[203.29.131.3]
You're damn right that I consider myself different:
I actually like America
I prefer Sam Adams to Heineken
I drive a Mustang
I'm an NRA member
I have an ABC girlfriend
...did I even mention I'm an EE?
figure that one out kiddies...
ucsvt
Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 00:45:59 (PST)
[63.20.190.196]
Talks about the depths of AA self contempt. Another phenom: "You are really good looking - not like the typical Asian."
I've had women of all races describe me in that way. Most disheartening, though, is when AA women say same.
Survive
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 23:38:12 (PST)
[206.154.118.2]
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