Are You Serious #7

A teacher seriously asked me if I was going to have an arranged marriage. Not only is that beyond annoying, I don’t think it is appropriate coming from a teacher either. It became such a joke in our class that my friends, who are East Asian, started joking and telling her that girls get married when they’re 15 in their countries. And even though I didn’t think I could have a lower opinion of her after that, she made it happen when she really believed what they were saying. Personally, I just find it ridiculous that this assumption is typically directed at South Asians, in spite of the fact that many other cultures engage in the same practice, but I guess I have to attribute it to the widespread association of the Indian culture with arranged marriages. I really shouldn’t take the comment as personally as I did, but my reaction was mainly attributed to her attitude that she was educated and culturally aware, when she clearly wasn’t. I’ll take ignorance over ego any day, as long as you know it too J

Video Bar: K-POP

It's been a while since I posted on my blog, let alone updated the video bar. Since I was mentioning the recent increase in the availability and popularity of kpop in America in my last post I decided it was time I introduced you guys to kpop music. The videos in the bar and all of the videos on Billboard100KpopMnet's Channel23 have english subtitles. Although they may not be the exact same, they help when listening. Now it's your chance to discover your favorite kpop artist and there are PLENTY to choose from!

Clockwise from the upper left: Girls' Generation(SNSD), TVXQ, 2NE1, BigBang

Asian American and Pacific WHAT!?!?

First off, I just wanted to say sorry for not posting for so long. I was thinking about ending the blog, but I guess notJ, so back to the point.        

Ironically, one of the things that spurred me to create this blog was the lack of attention given to May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. I know it’s a long title, but that’s no reason to not pay attention to it. Just like Black History month, and Hispanic Heritage month, it is a time to honor one of the minority groups that has made significant contributions to the United States of America.

I usually find that there are no special television programs or information provided in schools about Asian Heritage month, unlike when it’s Black History month or Hispanic Heritage month. However, this month I was surfing through ON DEMAND and noticed the Asian Heritage section. To my surprise it as was filled with Asian music and specials and… Jackie Chan movies! Now I have a tendency to exaggerate, because it really wasn’t a lot, but it is progress if you ask me.

BUT…I will take a second to nit-pick, because in the music section there was a whole lot of K-pop, and a little Bollywood, but nothing else. I find that to be a little insulting to other Asian countries like China and Japan. (And I’m not going to lie; I take it as a slight against other languages spoken in India, but that’s just me) Anyway, it’s nice to see that Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month is finally getting some of the recognition it deserves.

To learn more about Asian-Pacific American Heritage month you can visit http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Japan: Nuclear Update

For the first time since the evacuations residents were allowed back to their homes. Although it was for only two hours and residents had to wear hazmat suits to protect them from any radiation in the area, this is the first step to normal; they were only allowed to retrieve a single bag worth of items. However there are talks about allowing owners to retrieve their pets from the area. As of now many pets are just scavenging the area, having been left behind due to the evacuations after the threat of a nuclear disaster. Hopefully this is a sign that Japan is on its way to rebuilding.

Guest Blogger #3: Indira

Q: What is your name? (First name is fine)

My friends call me Dee

Q: Where are your parents from?

My parents grew up in Southern India, in Tamil Nadu. My father came to the states for graduate school and when he married my mom in India, she came along with him.

Q: What was your upbringing like? Do you think your background was a significant influence in your upbringing?

I was raised in a loving Indian household, and many of the morals and values I hold originate from Indian culture and tradition. However, around the time of middle and high school, I became increasingly aware that I was straddling two different worlds in a sense. At home my family was very traditional, but at school, I wanted to be like the average American and fit in with my peers. It wasn’t until late high school and college when I found my balance as an Asian American growing up in what was a predominantly white American community. Currently I am proud of my Indian roots and have found a comfortable way to incorporate my culture into an American lifestyle.

Q: Where did you grow up? Were there other Asian students when you were going to school?

I attended my town’s public school system which was primarily white middle-class students. I had no Indian friends, but there were a few East Asian students in my class. Most of my friends were white, but I never felt uncomfortable being a minority. If anything, I sometimes feel uncomfortable when I am surrounded by other Asians because of the pressure to be knowledgeable about my Asian roots when I consider myself to be very americanized.

Q: Did you ever experience racism? If so, was it more common in your youth or as an adult?

I believe bias-related incidents are prominent in our society, but not always clearly noticeable. It is something that only time and knowledge can change.  I feel lucky in that I have not been subjected to any harmful acts of racism, and that any targeted acts towards me were few and far between.  

Q: Overall, how do you think that the reception towards Asian Americans has evolved?

I believe that as time goes on, Asian Americans are becoming more accepted in our society. We are a growing population in America and with time, America will truly become a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. The stereotypes that follow Asians are still extremely prominent, but then again it is human nature to categorize individuals.

Q: How do you think being an Asian American has shaped your life? Was it an advantage or a disadvantage?

Growing up I was sometimes ashamed of my cultural background since I never seemed to fit in with the “cool kids.” However, as time went on, different experiences have made me realize the value of my diversity. I love being Asian and the different perspective it gives me. Most of my current friends are plagued with curiosity instead of judgment and are extremely respectful of my beliefs.

At the end of the day, I don’t view being Asian American as an advantage or a disadvantage. It’s just different. Everyone is human no matter what background they come from, which means we all need the same basic needs. In the long run, it really doesn’t matter what we look like or the traditions we choose to practice. Whether your family has been living in America for many generations, or you’re fresh off the boat of some foreign country, everyone has something different to bring to the table.

Senior Project

This blog has turned out to be surprisingly fun in spite of the fact that it is for my Senior Project and I HAVE to do it in order to graduate. Part of the requirement that needs to be filled is to collect evidence. This is why I would like to hear from you about what you think about my blog. Do you think it was a good representation of the concerns of the Asian American population? Did you feel as though you’ve learned something? Have any of your opinions or beliefs been changed by this blog? If so, how and why?

These are just some questions I’m tossing out there to get feedback from you guys. Please comment with your opinions. You can either comment directly on this post or on the separate tab that I’m also posting this on. *Also, vote in the poll.

JPLEASE READ & COMMENT ON THIS AND OTHER POSTSJ

"Changin' Asian" #2

Usually people tend to be under the impression that all Asians do is study, which is far from the truth. Just like with any ethnic group it varies from person to person. Lately a lot of Asian American dancers have burst onto the scene and earned recognition for what they do.

On the most recent season of “America’s Best Dance Crew” (ABDC) an Asian American crew was victorious. Poreotix was declared the winner of Season 5. The crew consists of six members: Matt “Dumbo” Nguyen, Can Nguyen, Charles Nguyen, Lawrence “Law” Devera, Justin “Jet Li” Valles, and Chad Mayate. Their innovative style focuses on popping, choreography, and robotics, which is why their name was Po-reo-tics. Their signature is wearing shaded glasses for all of their performances.

Even for those who don’t follow ABDC, you might recognize the group from several other places. If you’re a Belieber or just suffering from a case of Bieber Fever you might recognize them from Justin Bieber’s music video for the single “Somebody to Love.” Even more recently they were in Bruno Mars’ music video for “The Lazy Song.” However, these boys don’t just dance; they also have a sense of humor.

They were featured in the video “Best Crew vs Poreotics” on the YouTube channel nigahiga in which they were jokingly challenged to a dance battle against some guys who could not dance. They ‘beasted’ the competition in their signature way. They were also on an episode of Disney Channel’s “Shake it Up” where they showed off their playful, nerdy side.

Poreotix is proving to the world that Asians don’t just spend their lives with their noses in books; they can tear up the dance floor.

"Changin' Asian" #1

Ok, so this is a new segment-esque addition to the blog. It will focus on Asian Americans who are challenging Asian stereotypes by entering unexpected fields, and succeeding. So for the first installment of “Changin’ Asian” I’m profiling one of my favorite people: Jeannie Mai!

Now I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that many people have no idea who she is. However, I am a personal fan of her style; she is the host of the show “How Do I Look?” on The Style Network. Even though it is actually a makeover show, the real show is Jeannie Mai. The host goes through several chic outfits in a single episode. She has a keen sense of fashion and a winning personality that have made her a success.

Her father was a Vietnamese immigrant and her mother was Chinese. She was born and raised in California among several family members that her parents had brought over from Vietnam. It was this large family that encouraged Mai’s cheerful and bright personality that helped catapult her to television personality status. However, she first got her start as a makeup artist for several celebrities and the connections she established helped to make a name for her as a style expert.

 One rarely sees Asian Americans in such a position and career as Jeannie Mai, but she has made a name for herself, which is why she is my first choice for “Changin’ Asian.” Feel free to leave your own suggestions of Asian Americans that are changing stereotypes and breaking out into different fields.

Guest Blogger #2: Lynn

            As an Asian-American, I often get judged by the typical Asian stereotypes in school. It’s already pre-expected that I should excel in classes such as math and science, which ironic because those two classes really are my favorite subjects. Chances are, you would most likely catch me carrying an AP Biology book and a heavy backpack wherever I go. However, my two classes that I have most interest in are actually the classes that I struggle most with. With that being said, I can easily break the “Asians-being-so-good-in-math-and-science” stereotype. But what is even more ironic is that I really do feel like a “typical” Asian.

            Asians are industrious, multi-talented, and (will be) successful in their lives. Asians tend to push themselves more, which is where the “nerdy” look started developing. As for myself, I am currently taking 4 AP classes in my senior year, the year where everything was supposedly “less stressful” and more fun. Talk about overachieving.

            In addition, Asians are not only stuffing their noses into books, there’s a good possibility that a majority of them are musically gifted. My parents put me in violin lessons starting in 3rd grade, the flute in 4th, and lastly the piano in 5th. To this day, I still keep in touch with all the instruments I play, which made me feel confident in my decision of minoring in Music Theory & Composition in college. On that note, I plan on majoring in Pre-Medicine Studies and becoming a successful doctor in the near future. Now that’s typical.

            I enjoy my hectic Asian-American life. I like telling myself that I’m unique and that I stand out from others. For starters, I’m 4’11.25’’. Apparently, everyone thinks I would be quiet and shy. I’m exactly the opposite much to everyone’s surprise. I’ve tried starting to count how many people who said exactly this: “You’re really loud for a small person.” For the record, I’ve stopped counting. I also stay active by playing sports instead of going home and doing homework as anticipated. Being on a Varsity Swimming&Diving and Tennis team builds up more character and reputation for myself.

            It’s not advised or encouraged that a person should be judged by their stereotypes of their background or by their looks. Just a tip, be careful with what you think, because that often leads to what you say. Take time to actually get to know the person; there’s so much more to what’s just on the surface.

Video Bar: Takin' it to Taiwan

So, after a long time I've finally changed it up with the Video Bar on the side panel. Now it features songs from popular Taiwanese artist Jay Chou. He is a super famous singer/songwriter, as well as actor, throughout Asia. While he may not be as well known in the States, some people might recognize him from the 2011 Hollywood film The Green Hornet where he played Kato, the sidekick.

Are You Serious? #6

Mmmmm...curry!

One of the stereotypes that I find just plain weird is that Indian people smell like curry.

I don’t know, I guess it’s supposed to be because we eat curry a lot…but it’s still weird.

Anyway, I guess it is a pretty common stereotype because one girl seemed to take it very literally. When my sister was at work one day her coworker just came up to her and literally sniffed her (which is just plain creepy) and then she just says “You smell good!” as though she was surprised. My sister just looks at this girl like she’ s crazy (which she just might be) and the girl’s only response is “I thought all Indian people smelled like curry.” Now I’ve heard people use it as an insult, but I never thought that someone would take it so literally. I bet she was the one born that minute.

Guest Blogger #1: Joanna

Hello, my name is Joanna Tso and I am an Asian-American living in Connecticut. Being an Asian-American is an awesome feeling and a privileged circumstance. Of course, being an Asian living in an American society does have its advantages and disadvantages. For example, being Asian sets you apart from other ethnic groups and you feel special in your own cultural way. Being different is a unique attribute and not being ashamed of it is very important. Although, many people today make fun of how my Asian colleagues speak, it doesn't bother me a bit because it takes a lot of courage for one to learn to speak an entirely new language. The reason why most Asians even move to the US is for better life opportunity and for many, they feel like they have achieved their dream and they are living in the new world. On the other hand, by being an Asian-American, I am able to speak two languages fluently. My first language is Cantonese which is a dialect of the Chinese language. Secondly, I can speak English very well which I learned in Kindergarten and from my older sisters. Although I was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Connecticut at a very young age, I still feel like I have embraced both the Asian and American culture, and that is the most rewarding feeling of all.

Are You Serious? #5

Well, actually I had forgotten about this one until a friend recently brought it up again.

We had a substitute in World History class that day and we were learning about Hinduism. When the sub goes over the instructions for the day she decides to add that if anyone needs help they should just ask me. My response is looking at her like she is crazy, and saying ‘I’m Catholic.’ I feel like being Indian has forced me to say that way more than necessary. Now if someone is Caucasian nobody bothers to ask their religion, but if you’re Asian the assumptions are all out. If you’re Indian you are by default Hindu; if you’re Chinese you either follow Confucianism or Buddhism.  

                It’s actually one of the more common stereotypes I get. A lot of people ask me my religion the first time we meet. Ironically that is typically poor etiquette, but when you’re Asian that whole personal-info-thing goes out the window.  I can’t even begin to say how funny it is when people freak out when they see me eat meat. It’s that ‘Oh snap!’-moment because they think I just broke my religion. But I have my own fun with it. Sometimes I freak out like I really did just commit the cardinal sin by eating meatJ. Oh, but it’s all just for fun.

The Irony of Movie Casting

Justin Chatwin as Goku

It would be really easy to just do a post on the countless number of Asian stereotypes in film and television, so that isn’t what I’m going to do (at least not right now). Instead, I’m going to be annoyed with really poor and just plain random movie casting. So it’s one thing to create a character for the sheer purpose of fulfilling a stereotype, but it’s a whole other thing when a role is essentially designed to be filled by an Asian, but isn’t. Although there are times when this can actually work out well, that isn’t always the case.

One of those fails would have to be the live-action film adaption of Dragonball Evolution. Not only was the movie a critical and commercial failure, it also had some of the most bizarre casting ever. I know this is coming from someone who grew up watching the anime, so maybe I just so happen to take extra offense to the poor casting, but anyone can see that it was BAD.

Since, it’s adapted from a manga and all of the characters are Japanese you would think that the casting directors would take a logical approach to this, but they didn’t. Now it’s one thing to leave the whole thing Asian and maintain the casting accordingly, or switch it up to accommodate a different cast. However, this movie didn’t take either approach, it took both. The cast was a bizarre mix of Asian American actors along with several Caucasian actors. Not only is that weird, but how is it that Goku is not even Asian!? It’s not even like Justin Chatwin looks similar, it was just a fail at casting. Who really thinks it’s a smart choice to have most of the supporting characters portrayed by Asian American actors, but then change it up with the main character? This is one of those times when not fitting the Asian template didn’t work.

However, I won’t say that it always turns out poorly. The Forbidden Kingdom starred Michael Angarano alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Now typically I would be opposed to the random introduction of some scrawny little American boy into a martial arts’ film, but it worked. It was actually an entertaining plot, and a well-executed one (both of which were untrue in the case of Dragonball Evolution). And yeah I get that Asians in a martial arts’ film is pretty stereotypical that isn’t really the point of this post; this is about straying from the typical casting in Asian-geared films. The irony is that attempts to not be stereotypical can actually be worse than sticking with the original.

Japan: Nuclear Update

The issue with Japan's Fukushima- Daiichi power plant has escalated. The nuclear threat level has been raised from 5 to 7, on the international scale. This is the highest evaluation and puts the problem on level with the greatest nuclear problem in history. People are still encouraged to evacuate the surrounding towns due to fears of radiation.

            There was another aftershock this morning, as well. Surprisingly, there have been more than 900 aftershocks in the past month. The recent problems in Japan have caused international concern over nuclear safety. Even in Connecticut concerns have been raised over the security of nuclear power plants. The tragedy in Japan has brought new attention to the dangers of nuclear power.

Japan: UPDATE

Today another earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck Japan. It was strong enough to knock out electricity in surrounding areas as well as cause landslides. Even now efforts are underway to rescue people trapped by the landslides. In addition to these troubles there is still the nuclear threat. The Fukushima power plant continues to pose a threat to neighboring towns as radiation continues to leak. The extent of the evacuation has already been extended. It has been exactly one month since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake first struck Japan and things don’t seem to be looking up.

Our hearts go out to Japan as they continue with efforts to rebuild in the wake of so many tragedies. However, they aren’t in the clear. Especially with today’s earthquake the fault lines in Japan are undergoing a great deal of stress, which poses the threat of more earthquakes and aftershocks in Japan’s future. One danger is the stress on a fault line relatively close to Japan’s capital, Tokyo. An earthquake in Tokyo would inflict severe damage on Japan’s economy, infrastructure, and resources. In spite of the damage that has already impacted Japan, there is still reason to be wary for the future. Either way, my fingers are crossed that these fears go unfulfilled and that Japan recovers soon.

Are You Serious #4

There’s socially awkward, and then there’s telling someone ‘I like the color of your kids.’ Albeit this is from a good 15 years, or so, ago, I find it hilarious. When my parents first moved into the neighborhood a woman actually said that to my mother. LOL, it might just be me, but hey I’ll take a compliment where I can get it. Either way, it’s more of a sign of changing times that just 15 years ago that was the kind of reaction a South Asian family received, but now it isn’t unusual.

(Btw, I’m not the baby in the picture. Whoever she is she’s adorable, but I was waaaayyy cuter! J)

Another Aftershock for Japan

     Our prayers are with Japan in the wake of yet another tragedy. Thursday night Japan suffered from the effects of another aftershock.  Initially measured at magnitude 7.4 it was later downgraded to 7.1. It’s a relief that no serious damages were reported, especially considering it came from around the same area as the March 11^th aftershock that claimed the lives of over 25,000 people and spurred the recent nuclear crisis. After the extreme devastation that has struck Japan recently, this aftershock just adds to the problem. Although it didn’t cause much severe damage the aftershock still had its impact. Goods were knocked off of shelves in stores and multiple nuclear power plants temporarily lost power. Many buildings were shaken—some damaged—and many areas were left without power. Due to the tsunami warning several people went to stores to prepare in fears of a repeat of the events from March. Luckily, there was no tsunami and the warning was soon removed. Considering the threat that this aftershock posed to a mid-recovery Japan, it’s a relief that there was so little damage. Our thoughts are with those in Japan as well as their family and friends around the world.

The Short End of the Minority Stick



The 'Minority Stick'



We all know affirmative action is intended to promote equal opportunity, but that doesn’t mean it’s effective. Minorities are often given preferences with jobs and universities often having racial quotas. However, in the U.S. this mainly applies to African Americans and Hispanic Americans. In spite of the fact that Asian Americans are also a minority group they don’t receive the same benefits that other minority groups do. Does affirmative action really level the playing field?

I doubt it; I see it is reverse racism. Now African Americans and Hispanic Americans are being given preference solely based on race, not ability. If equal opportunity is what affirmative action is trying to promote they should think about focusing on ability rather than race. Often times the needs of poor European Americans and Asian Americans are neglected in favor of upper-class African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

Since I’m an Asian American I’m technically part of a minority group, but I never receive the same benefits as one.  When colleges have racial quotas students are no longer competing against every other student; they are now competing against people in their racial group. The problem with this system is that preference is being given to race as opposed to hard work, which is hypocritical of what America is supposed to be. Hard work is supposed to be worth more than race, but affirmative action brings that into question. I don’t think it’s fair that some students are deprived of spots that they deserve all in the name of equal opportunity. Not only is the system unfair from the ground up, but it is also biased in favor of African Americans and Hispanic American, whereas the Asian American group is not entitled to the same benefits.

Feel free to leave your own thoughts on affirmative action. Are you ‘for’ of ‘against’?

Video Bar

So, I actually decided to put up a Video Bar. This is an amazing act considering its me — technology challenged me— that is. Right now it has a couple of recent-ish Malayalam film songs. I was trying to pick specific songs, but it wasn't working so you're just going to have to make due with what's there. Anyway, you should check out the songs. I think I'm going to change it up every now and then and have different languages and different styles of music (all Asian of course). Either way I'm starting off with my own bias and going with Malayalam music (even though these aren't my favorite songs). You should check them out, along with the blog, and stay tuned for when I change up the videos.

Are You Serious #3

Now this is a really common one, so shout out to anyone that has ever had this happen to them.

Some Random Person: Oh, so you’re Indian. Do you speak Indian?

Me: (Looking at them like they’re crazy)

I still find it amazing the number of people that ask me if I speak Indian when they first meet me, as though it’s actually a language. The bitter sarcastic part of me just wants to say ‘No, but when I find someone that does I’ll be sure to let you know, so that you can have some company in stupidville,’ but I typically leave it at ‘no.’ There is no offense intended because it is an understandable mistake, considering that people in France speak French and people in Japan speak Japanese one could easily assume that people in India speak Indian. The hostility is more from the amount of people that ask that question, and it’s a lot.

India Wins the (Cricket) World Cup!!

It was a close game today in Mumbai. Everyone in India and Sri Lanka were kept on the edges of their seats watching the World Cup final. After winning the toss Sri Lanka chose to bat, and scored 274 runs. India needed just 275 runs to win the game, and they did it! Scoring 277 runs India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets and with 10 balls to spare. This is India’s first World Cup championship win in 28 years, and a well deserved victory at that.  The host country has done it. INDIA HAS OFFICIALLY WON THE 2011 WORLD CUP!!!

…And it’s India for the Win!

So today was the cricket World Cup semi-finals, in India. The game was between Pakistan and India, and if you couldn’t already figure out the result from the title, India won. It was 260 runs to 231, and even though the scorecard was less than spectacular this victory was about national pride.  It was a tight game, but my India won (yay!). Yeah, I know I can’t hide my bias, but I can’t get too excited just yet. Now India has to get ready for the match against Sri Lanka in the World Cup final on Saturday. Congrats India!!

The “Brain Drain”

Often at the center of stereotypes is the idea that all Asian Americans are super smart and come to the U.S. to take jobs and outdo American kids (I used to get that one). But now the tables have turned. Many immigrants that come to the United States to get an education are returning back to their countries of origin afterwards. It used to be that immigrants would settle in the U.S. and get jobs here after completing their education and while that continues to happen there has now been an increase in people leaving the country. Many doctors and researchers, even some who have spent 20 to 30 years in the United States, now want to return to their home country to use their skills. This is draining the technical workforce of America. Some companies from other countries, like China, actively seek to recruit Chinese students currently studying in the United States to convince them to return home once they have completed their education. While this is improving the future of many foreign countries, especially Asia, it poses a future threat to the United States and its level of technological development.

Are You Serious? #2

A repairman comes by to fix the refrigerator.

Guy: You’re Indian, right?

Mom: Yes.

Guy: Then why do you have so many pictures of Jesus?

Mom: Because we’re Catholic.

Guy: But I thought you said you were Indian?

Response to the Tiger Mom: When Parenting Crosses the Line

             

   Recently, the infamous Tiger Mom has created a stir, raising questions about when tough love goes too far. The news is filled with accounts of children committing suicide because they can’t handle the pressures of college. In such a fiercely competitive world is more pressure really what children need? Children already have to deal with the pressures that come from school and peers. Do they really need to have the added pressure that comes from harsh parenting?

                There is a point when tough parenting goes too far and it becomes harmful rather than helpful. The point of strict parenting is for children to be capable of succeeding in the future, but what if they don’t make it. Asian Americans are likely not to seek help when dealing with mental problems, due to the social stigma associate with them. Studies show that “Asian American women ages 15-24 have the highest suicide rate of women in any race or ethnic group in that age group. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Asian-American women in that age range” (Cohen).  This is because Asian parents are often more strict with daughters, which results in a higher tendency for females to become depressed. The model minority myth doesn’t help; it is only another source of pressure on Asian children. They are expected to succeed and that is a dangerous pressure.

Not only that, but when people are surrounded by others of a different ethnicity they begin to view beauty in terms of the other ethnicity. Many minorities begin to think of themselves as ugly and have low self esteem because they don’t see other Asians in prominent roles. There are so few Asian women in the media that it becomes difficult to find a role model. This sense of being different leads many women to seek other ways of becoming what they consider beautiful. Many undergo double-eyelid surgery to have eyes that look more European, and what they think looks prettier. This identity complex that many Asian women struggle with contributes to the risk of suicide.

Without help and support from parents, who are kids expected to turn to when they need support? It is a matter of mutual trust for a relationship between parent and child to succeed. Pressures from parents and a lack of understanding on their part could easily be doing more harm than benefit to children. Children need a balance of affection and discipline to be successful in the future.

Source:  Cohen, Elizabeth. "Push to achieve tied to suicide in Asian-American women." 16 May 2007. CNN. 2 March 2011 <http://articles.cnn.com/2007-05-16/health/asian.suicides_1_asian-american-families-asian-women-asian-american-parents?_s=PM:HEALTH>.

Who's Stealing my Mommy??

This cute little doggy is stealing the affections of the mommy chicken. This adorable scene is out of India.

Are You Serious #1

My dad meets my brother’s friend’s parents for the first time.

Dad: Hi. I’m George.

Friend’s Dad: Oh, so what’s your Indian Name?

Do people really think an Indian guy can’t be named George?

The Tiger Mom: A Crash Course in Asian Parenting

Yale law professor Amy Chua is earning infamy for her book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. The book displays Chua’s harsh brand of what she refers to as Chinese parenting. While many Americans are appalled by her parenting tactics, declaring them deploring and showing outright disdain for Chua, she holds firm. She is determined to have her children succeed in what she deems a fierce global competition. While many parents question here parenting due to the lack of love and acceptance she retorts that those are just excuses for not succeeding. She expects her children to do well and that is exactly what she demands of them. To her there are no excuses for failure, it’s all about effort. She goes on to criticize Western parenting for not preparing children for the future.

It raises the question of what makes good parenting. Should a parent be loving and accepting, or should they pressure their children to succeed at any cost?  The Western form of parenting is about raising independent and creative children; it focuses on them expressing themselves. Asian parenting, on the other hand, is about succeeding. In spite of the qualms many people have expressed about such measures they have showed results. Even psychology reports support tough parenting because it prepares children to deal with problems and successfully make decisions. On the other hand, children that are coddled are unable to make the choices necessary for the future because they are unable to handle problems themselves. Maybe Asian parenting is the way to go since Asians students are often better able to overcome disadvantages such as coming from low-income backgrounds and still seeking higher education. The drive to succeed is one that must be instilled in children, and maybe this book is just the wakeup call Americans need; it is a realization of American fears of the rising power of China. It might just be time for parents to step up their game.

Source:  Paul, Annie Murphy. "Tiger Moms: Is Tough Parenting Really the Answer?" 11 January 2011. TIME. 2 March 2011 <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2043313-1,00.html>.



The Hallyu Movement has Arrived!

South Korean Girl Group the Wonder Girls

Talent from Asia is finally getting noticed in America. The Hallyu wave has spread the influence of South Korean culture all the way to the Western World. One of the first signs was the appearance of a girl group from South Korea. The catchy tunes of the Wonder Girls caught the attention of their American audience with their single “Nobody.” Its popularity sparked interest in the girl group all the way in the United States, where they were the first Korean group to make it on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the Wonder Girls is just one example of the Hallyu movement.



Poster for South Korean film "Mother"



                However, music is not the only thing South Korea is getting recognized for. Among Tom Charity’s choices for best movies of 2010, for CNN, many were surprised to see an unknown title. This was Bong Joon-ho’s “Mother.” It topped the box office in South Korea and earned recognition from American viewers. Its unconventional story of a mother desperately seeking to prove that her mentally challenged son is innocent of murder leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. It’s clear that the Hallyu movement does not only apply to Asia, but has instead found its way to the United States with new talent that cannot be ignored.



Yay! I’m finally posting on my blog, so let's start at the beginning!

     Since this blog is about Asians a great place to start is probably with a brief history of Asian immigration to the United States. The first major wave of immigration came in the late 1800s when many Chinese moved to the United States in the hopes of finding jobs. As a result of China’s defeat in the Opium War many Chinese were living in poor conditions and when word of gold being found in California reached China many jumped at the chance. However, they were met with hostility and anger from American workers who were losing jobs to the Chinese, who were often paid less for their labor. This resulted in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 which barred immigration from China and placed restrictions on the Chinese already living in the country. This was one of the first major acts against Asians.

Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 document (source: www.ourdocuments.gov)

     It wasn’t only the Chinese that suffered harsh immigration policies. In 1917 Congress designated Asia a “barred zone,” banning immigration from all Asian countries except Japan and the Philippines. These exceptions were mainly so that the U.S. could sustain a cheap source of labor, especially since the Philippines were a U.S. territory at the time. However, even Japan and the Philippines were no exception to the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924 that restricted all immigration from Asia except in specific cases. It wasn’t until 1965 that these restrictive immigration policies were changed.