For me, as a Korean-American, I find it a blessing that I can identify as a Korean-American, or Asian-American. There are cons to being Asian and not being White, but I am blessed because I am exposed to dual cultures and customs. There is wisdom and understanding and a way of life in the Korean culture that you don't see in American culture, and at the same time there are American customs and ways of life that I prefer over certain Korean cultures. Korean vs. American culture–different customs, different and yet similar values, oh so different but at the same time oh so familiar. I love my culture's focus on respect, on treating elders with respect, on respecting your family and filial piety, I love my culture's focus on deferential and formal respectful treatment of others, evident from the very beginning by our very standardized but proper form of greeting anyone you are meeting for the first time. I am blessed that although the way I look may invite derision and ill will from people who are short on understanding, my dual identity as a person in this world, being able to share and straddle both worlds, is a privilege, a comfort, a blessing, a learning experience, and something I don't want to take for granted. My dual identity makes me a more understanding, astute person and gives me perspective and gives me a wonderful and blessed lens which is another means of interpreting and living in this world.
Oh it's 57% that feel like they *do* belong, but that still leaves 43% who feel like they don't, which I found super intriguing. It points to the ways that we can feel marginalized not just on the basis of race, but along so many other dimensions, too, whether that's being disabled or being neuroatypical or being queer, etc. I think that feeling of marginalization can create solidarity in a really powerful way, if we will open ourselves to others' experiences and let it do so.
I think often the danger in parsing amalgamated data like this when looking at human interactions is that it can lead to more fear and anger, which in turn contributes to greater divisiveness which is what leads to a lot of these numbers in the first place. I wonder what the data would look like if separated into those who personally know at least say 5-10 Asian Americans and those who don’t. There are so many geographic places and work areas Asian Americans don’t go into. So a number of surveyed ppl do likely end up relying on media images to your point. But then there is good reason generally for people not being able to name famous Asian Americans. Yes.. maybe they’re not promoted in Hollywood, but if ppl know Asians like BTS, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh… it’s also possible that it is part of Asian American culture to not seek the spotlight or fame, to not value/respect careers in entertainment or careers generally that can’t promise security, to not ask others for money to fundraise, or to not put themselves out there publicly for fear of publicly failing.
Does this make the numbers easy to read or justifiable? No. But I think it makes them less bothersome at least to me. It allows me to more freely be myself without having to prove anything and without letting the opinions of others dictate my decisions/actions and then to confidently correct/educate others when needed. And then to root on and support other Asian Americans who might be wanting and willing to take risks, to step into the limelight and to go against the mold they were raised in so that what may be unknown for others may feel a little more known.
Cindy, I love these reflections so much! And absolutely agree that it doesn't do anyone any good to just react in fear and anger. I do think that people who live in areas of high Asian American concentration would have different responses than the rest of America, but the problem is that the rest of America is vast. And definitely agree that the goal is exactly what you describe - that we can be free to be our whole, integrated selves. I feel so fortunate to have a lot of Asian American community and feel that "querencia" or safety here. But I also remember what it felt like to have close to zero. I think this data is helpful because it reminds me we have a long way to go in terms of acceptance of Asian Americans as Americans. And that's not to discourage us or to make us change our behavior in any way. It's more of a wake-up call for non-Asian Americans (in my mind, at least!).
For me, as a Korean-American, I find it a blessing that I can identify as a Korean-American, or Asian-American. There are cons to being Asian and not being White, but I am blessed because I am exposed to dual cultures and customs. There is wisdom and understanding and a way of life in the Korean culture that you don't see in American culture, and at the same time there are American customs and ways of life that I prefer over certain Korean cultures. Korean vs. American culture–different customs, different and yet similar values, oh so different but at the same time oh so familiar. I love my culture's focus on respect, on treating elders with respect, on respecting your family and filial piety, I love my culture's focus on deferential and formal respectful treatment of others, evident from the very beginning by our very standardized but proper form of greeting anyone you are meeting for the first time. I am blessed that although the way I look may invite derision and ill will from people who are short on understanding, my dual identity as a person in this world, being able to share and straddle both worlds, is a privilege, a comfort, a blessing, a learning experience, and something I don't want to take for granted. My dual identity makes me a more understanding, astute person and gives me perspective and gives me a wonderful and blessed lens which is another means of interpreting and living in this world.
I 100% agree with this, Steve! I love that dual consciousness, the straddling of identities and borders and cultures. It's a blessing.
I was surprised that 57% of white Americans don't feel like they belong and are accepted in the US!
Oh it's 57% that feel like they *do* belong, but that still leaves 43% who feel like they don't, which I found super intriguing. It points to the ways that we can feel marginalized not just on the basis of race, but along so many other dimensions, too, whether that's being disabled or being neuroatypical or being queer, etc. I think that feeling of marginalization can create solidarity in a really powerful way, if we will open ourselves to others' experiences and let it do so.
I think often the danger in parsing amalgamated data like this when looking at human interactions is that it can lead to more fear and anger, which in turn contributes to greater divisiveness which is what leads to a lot of these numbers in the first place. I wonder what the data would look like if separated into those who personally know at least say 5-10 Asian Americans and those who don’t. There are so many geographic places and work areas Asian Americans don’t go into. So a number of surveyed ppl do likely end up relying on media images to your point. But then there is good reason generally for people not being able to name famous Asian Americans. Yes.. maybe they’re not promoted in Hollywood, but if ppl know Asians like BTS, Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh… it’s also possible that it is part of Asian American culture to not seek the spotlight or fame, to not value/respect careers in entertainment or careers generally that can’t promise security, to not ask others for money to fundraise, or to not put themselves out there publicly for fear of publicly failing.
Does this make the numbers easy to read or justifiable? No. But I think it makes them less bothersome at least to me. It allows me to more freely be myself without having to prove anything and without letting the opinions of others dictate my decisions/actions and then to confidently correct/educate others when needed. And then to root on and support other Asian Americans who might be wanting and willing to take risks, to step into the limelight and to go against the mold they were raised in so that what may be unknown for others may feel a little more known.
Cindy, I love these reflections so much! And absolutely agree that it doesn't do anyone any good to just react in fear and anger. I do think that people who live in areas of high Asian American concentration would have different responses than the rest of America, but the problem is that the rest of America is vast. And definitely agree that the goal is exactly what you describe - that we can be free to be our whole, integrated selves. I feel so fortunate to have a lot of Asian American community and feel that "querencia" or safety here. But I also remember what it felt like to have close to zero. I think this data is helpful because it reminds me we have a long way to go in terms of acceptance of Asian Americans as Americans. And that's not to discourage us or to make us change our behavior in any way. It's more of a wake-up call for non-Asian Americans (in my mind, at least!).