"Tonight I forget I am Asian"
"Tonight I forget I am Asian."
That's a line out of the book, Catfish and Mandala, by Andrew X. Pham. It's a great story, about his journey from California to Vietnam - on his bike - everyone should check it out.
Anyway, that line really stuck with me, and I've been thinking about it a lot. Unsure if it's a "good" thing or "bad" thing or maybe, neither... this idea that we can forget our ethnicity.
On one hand, it's an intricate part of who we are - being Asian/Asian American speaks volumes about our culture, about the people who came before us, the sacrifices they made. Why should we forget it? Why should it be a good thing to forget it, even if it's just for a moment?
On the other, it's so intricate, it shouldn't ever actively be on your mind. Just how you forget, "Oh, I'm a man/woman." It's like breathing - it just happens, it just is. There should be no conscious thought about it.
I think living in the western world forces you to confront the fact you're different on an everyday basis - we measure ourselves not necessarily by what we are, but what we are not. Which, again, I'm not sure if negative, positive, or neither.
This post is convoluted, but I explained it the best I could. Maybe other people's two cents could clarify the issue?
That's a line out of the book, Catfish and Mandala, by Andrew X. Pham. It's a great story, about his journey from California to Vietnam - on his bike - everyone should check it out.
Anyway, that line really stuck with me, and I've been thinking about it a lot. Unsure if it's a "good" thing or "bad" thing or maybe, neither... this idea that we can forget our ethnicity.
On one hand, it's an intricate part of who we are - being Asian/Asian American speaks volumes about our culture, about the people who came before us, the sacrifices they made. Why should we forget it? Why should it be a good thing to forget it, even if it's just for a moment?
On the other, it's so intricate, it shouldn't ever actively be on your mind. Just how you forget, "Oh, I'm a man/woman." It's like breathing - it just happens, it just is. There should be no conscious thought about it.
I think living in the western world forces you to confront the fact you're different on an everyday basis - we measure ourselves not necessarily by what we are, but what we are not. Which, again, I'm not sure if negative, positive, or neither.
This post is convoluted, but I explained it the best I could. Maybe other people's two cents could clarify the issue?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by D on -
Tonite I forget that I am Asian???
I can forget. Only when I am self-consumed in some kind of strenous thinking 'activity' AKA work/study.
You are right. Most of the time "the western world forces you to confront the fact you're different on an everyday basis."
Why? Because 'the man' wants to let you know who is in charge. That's all. heh.
Sticky rice.
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Permalink Reply by D on
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The thrist for dominance runs deep... Feeling empowered 'motivates'. Motivation is key.
"THIS IS SPARTA!!!" What a great line! If you are macho... That is why cops are cops. "Hello commisioner Gordon."
Well... not everybody can be 'pig' cops...but willing/wanting to be authorative figures in other regards.
What can you do? Hmmm... there are only a few options and none of them satisfy 'everybody' justly.
It is all about 'dependence' and how you 'look' at 'it'.
Background info here:
Dependence = From 'the man's' point of view it is generally accepted that Asians take advantage of the 'American' system (education, economy, creativity). We Asians depend on 'somebody' to feed our appettite. "I love buffets!"
Does this 'add' or 'substract' from the American 'system'?...
Where is 'my' contribution?... Steven Chu, David Suzuki, etc. The people John talks about. These people 'look' 'Asian mainstream'. Not tooooo 'chinky'? :D!
Therefore, I am 'Sticky Rice'.
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Permalink Reply by D on
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Western sociology and East-Asian sociology...
I play some 'ping-pong' and badminton.
PING-PONG! 'Sounds' fun!
For many 'Western people', they 'sometimes' do not understand why 'other peoples' don't just 'behave' like them. Why can't everybody just get along??? Simply, why isn't everybody 'white'?
Well, can everybody be the 'same'? What would that involve 'doing' =D? Would that create 'equality' or 'inequality'?
Well some 'people', just 'stick out' from the crowd and this occurs with 'all peoples'.
Mao Zedong understood this IMHO. What did he actually do? From Wikipedia... heh, "Many Chinese also believe that through his policies, he laid the economic, technological and cultural foundations of modern China, transforming the country from a backward agrarian society into a major world power."
Simply, Mao made 'China' 'competitive' internationally.
'Taoism' had limitations against other "-ism" and could not thrive. Thus, 'Maoism'.
Western-style thinking emphasizes on the individual. It works to promote personal growth in 'all' aspects of life. How come? Maybe it is a 'white' thing... heh... The saying: "He/She can do what he/she wants because he/she is white"... it has no limits... Set 'sail' anyone?! The new-world!
However, East-Asians have a 'community-based' understanding of life for the well-being of the individual. Taoism in three words: 'compassion, moderation and humility'. This may reflect most people of Asian descendents. Therefore the 'people' are 'limited'. Cultural revolution anyone? Let's take a great leap forward! Out with the old, in with the new! Simply, 'widespread social and political upheaval' is necessary to 'move' these 'people'.
I think people of colour (in this case East-Asians), thinking is more community-oriented well-being == 'nationalistic'. Nationalism, serves promote pride and motivation for some 'people'. Maybe 'race' does to...hmmm....
Nationalism may be beneficial and detrimental...
But the only way to 'satisfy' is take the 'humanistic' approach... 'Save the world! Make it a better place!' Hi MJ!...or "look at links in previous post..."
Sticky Rice man!
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