I'm going to limit this post to just this one article I found on CNN because I really want you to read it. It is a series of writings sent into CNN by Asian Americans who tell it like it is.
Here is one clip as a teaser: "Conan Hom from Lexington, Massachusetts (writes in)
I was born here, and I speak only English, and yet many expect me to know an Asian language. In fact I am often asked, "Where am I from? Or what am I?" When I answer U.S. (or American), I [am] told, "No really, tell me." Yet a person who's last name is Schmidt in the U.S. isn't expected to speak German? If I am asked what am I and I do say Chinese or Filipino, it's more construed to be where I was born. When someone says, "I'm Irish" we don't assume that person is born in Ireland most of the time."
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This is a very interesting perspective because it is obvious, and interesting, to see how certain races are still not considered American.
More, this shows confusing signals that our country gives to "immigrants." On the one hand we demand assimilation: to speak English, take part in the rat race, vote, buy things, etc; but on the other hand we expect that folks, such as Asians, to offer their culture at the drop of a hat.
There have been numerous studies about the stereotypes of Asians, and it is important to note that they are often seen as smart, quiet, and hard workers. Therefore, Asians are seen as a positive aspect to America. Mexicans, on the other hand, are stereotypically downgraded. They are seen as lazy, poor, etc. Therefore, Mexicans are seen as negative aspects to America.
How interesting that we have chosen to discriminate people based on their ancestral geographic location...before folks even arrive these preconceived notions are already set in place. It is sad, and it needs to stop.
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