Race and Identity Crisis
I read a news article on sex/identity among Asian-American Men. The gist of the article is that Asian-American Men are viewed as submasculine/un-romantic, and because of racial stereotype, Asian-American Men are less successful in interracial relationship, as an example is given by the lone Asian-American contestant on The Bachelorette, where he was rejected without having a one-to-one interview with the Bachelorette. Furthermore, the article mentions that Asian-Americans inspire to become blonde and have blue eyes.
Pop culture and mass media indoctrinate minds, particularly those minority seeking for acceptance and wanting to conform. But why is it such a critical issue for Asian-Americans, males or females, to seek identity that they view as lacking? Why do we tend to read articles about how angry the Asian-American men are, as if they feel inferior in this world, do they just feel miniscule in America, or are they split as to whether they are Asians or American?? To partly answer the last question, extreme opposites are visible in public as some embrace solely their Asian culture, while others embrace the American (White) culture. It seems like the people stuck in the middle are confused. But then again, why can't there be a happy medium?
I think one main reason for this conflict is due to the fact that they allow race/ethnicity stereotypes to define them. Instead of defining one's own character, it is much easier to embody the pre-existing definitions, or to accept them as is without challenging these definitions. Sometimes, it is okay to accept these definitions, for Asians, it's good at math and science, because if you are good at it, you should be proud and not let people diminish it. In turns of changing people's view about how unromantic Asian men are, changes their views and believe that you don't have to be. I know my argument might be self-contradictory, and I agree to a certain extent. But self-contradiction is a problem one faces when trying to define "self." It is important to remember that you have to be comfortable with who you are. The rest will fall in place.
I read a news article on sex/identity among Asian-American Men. The gist of the article is that Asian-American Men are viewed as submasculine/un-romantic, and because of racial stereotype, Asian-American Men are less successful in interracial relationship, as an example is given by the lone Asian-American contestant on The Bachelorette, where he was rejected without having a one-to-one interview with the Bachelorette. Furthermore, the article mentions that Asian-Americans inspire to become blonde and have blue eyes.
Pop culture and mass media indoctrinate minds, particularly those minority seeking for acceptance and wanting to conform. But why is it such a critical issue for Asian-Americans, males or females, to seek identity that they view as lacking? Why do we tend to read articles about how angry the Asian-American men are, as if they feel inferior in this world, do they just feel miniscule in America, or are they split as to whether they are Asians or American?? To partly answer the last question, extreme opposites are visible in public as some embrace solely their Asian culture, while others embrace the American (White) culture. It seems like the people stuck in the middle are confused. But then again, why can't there be a happy medium?
I think one main reason for this conflict is due to the fact that they allow race/ethnicity stereotypes to define them. Instead of defining one's own character, it is much easier to embody the pre-existing definitions, or to accept them as is without challenging these definitions. Sometimes, it is okay to accept these definitions, for Asians, it's good at math and science, because if you are good at it, you should be proud and not let people diminish it. In turns of changing people's view about how unromantic Asian men are, changes their views and believe that you don't have to be. I know my argument might be self-contradictory, and I agree to a certain extent. But self-contradiction is a problem one faces when trying to define "self." It is important to remember that you have to be comfortable with who you are. The rest will fall in place.
