From "The Question: Multiracial Asians and the Issue of Identity" (an excerpt)
by Scott Watanabe
A typical conversation involving a mixed race Asian goes like this:
"What are you?"
"I'm sorry?"
"God, this is so embarrassing."
"What is?"
"I don't know how to ask this."
"Try."The key to the issue is in the question: not "Who" or "What." Essentially, the person is asking, "How can I fit you into my limited world view so that I may feel secure?" The answer, obviously, is that they can't. And if the mixed race person decides to answer the question it usually doesn't help much anyway. The impetus for the question is the corollary to a universally recognized truth: Familiarity may breed contempt, but unfamiliarity breeds suspicion. That's precisely the reaction mixed race Asians provoke.
[. . .] There is no set scenario that defines the experience of mixed race Asians. They have no census box (though we're working on it). There is no sweeping generalization to make about them, no nutshell in which to place them. The only thing other people know for sure about them, white, black, Asian, etc., is that they are "other". And from that observation they make assumptions.
In reality, the only term that applies to all mixed race Asians without exception is this: "individual". Some were born here and others overseas. Some grew up in big cities, others in small towns. A good deal have parents who are divorced, and still more have parents who are together. Many have come to terms with their ethnic heritage. Others have not.
That's the truth of it. Unfortunately, in spite of the truth, there is also a big fucking truckload of myths, suppositions and bald-faced lies.
Found at riksha magazine.
Since 1993, riksha has been dedicated to promoting artistic and literary works by and about Asian Americans. riksha is a Chicago-based organization, however we are interested in work from around the U.S. and overseas. In conjunction with our artistic/literary bent, riksha spreads the word about relevant social issues that impact our communities. We also stage performances and lend a hand in a wide range of community organizations.
Um, I found their site while looking for an address for Earwax Café. Really, it only looks like I have an odd obsession with the Asian community in Chicago.
Meg Lee Chin is playing at Peabody's in Cleveland tonight, BTW.
Speaking of such, today I saw Lynda Berry speak at a bookstore lunch hour thingy. She more or less came out as part Filipino (mother is from the Philippenes). I'm glad she's dealing with race stuff in her latest book. She is a very funny lady!
Whilst trying to enjoy a tasty beverage downtown some time ago, my wife's friend was approached by a wife beater-wearing hillbilly. She politely declined his offer to "find a dark closet and pretend they were blind". He persisted. She refused. Her friend is Korean-American, born in Korea to an AWOL serviceman and a korean mother, then adopted by suburbanite americans. In any case, the hillbilly became so agitated he asked "why don't you go back where you came from?" Sensing that this last comment put the hillbilly in danger of his life from a number of male comrades, my wife's quickly responded with "St. Paul?"
"Just remember: wherever you go, there you are"
-Buckaroo Banzai
Laura, do you recommend any Lynda Berry to start with for those of us unfamiliar with her?
CSCWebmaster, do they import the hillbillies up here, or are they from some part of the state I haven't visited yet?
Seeing as I've only ever been in the Twin Cities, some of the 'burbs, and the stretch of I-94 heading for Wisconsin and points east?
I think I have a couple of old lynda barry books I can send out, Aaron. They are buried somewhere, and I think one of them is missing some pages, but they're, um, free. I'll see if i can dig them up if you'd like.
Send Lynda Barry *and* stompy boots!
Hell, now Laura's going to make fun of me again, isn't she?
Ooh! Ooh! Rob Schneider, star of such stately cinema as "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo" and "The Animal" and the upcoming "Harv the Barbarian" (once you start reading at the Internet Movie Database, you just can't stop) is also half-Filipino (his mom, who was on a special Mother's Day edition of "Saturday Night Live" and actually said, "Very few people know..." She was a gas!).
">http://us.imdb.com/Name?Schneider,+Rob
Also, new R&B singer, Amerie, whose big single is, "Why Don't We Fall in Love," is the daughter of a Korean mother and an African-American father.
">http://www.sonymusic.com/artists/Amerie/