From: maridai@ecs.comm.mot.com (Marida Ignacio)
Subject: Asian <> Asian-American
Organization: trunking_fixed
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 16:45:36 GMT

Ok, since this is SCAA, what am I doing here?  I am a Filipino (thus, Asian)
and should not be sticking my nose in this newsgroup, right?  NOT.
This is so because, my kind is referred to here from time to time (maybe,
more than a few times) that I figured, I must express an Asian point of view,
my way (rather than let somebody put words into my mouth.)

I have read threads here that discuss, in a sarcastic and in an intentionally
vicious, prejudicial contempt mode, the separation between Asians and Asian-
Americans.  There has been effort too to identify the borderline kinds with
Nth generation classification.

To those who are prejudiced against Asians just because they are N>2nd
generation Asian-American, let me tell you this:

1]  Without your Asian ancestor who came here in America, you wouldn't even
    be born here at all, pinheads.  I am not demanding too much for you
    to stick with me.  I don't need you.  I came here and have been going
    through adjustment by myself, I don't need your constant whining to
    worry about besides my own.

2]  For those Asian-Americans who do not want to associate themselves with
    Asians for reasons that include forcing America to *see* the difference
    between As and AAs and to consistently live and adopt this attitude:
    "Ah, there's an American, all right (referring to AA)" and "Ah, he/she
    is Asian..." - I am very much in favor and would even be proud of my
    ancestry than be associated with an AA who is *ungrateful* and
    *prejudiced*.                                        

3]  For those AAs who worry because even at N>2nd generation, they still
    have features or evident traces of Asian ancestry in their looks -
    wake up and go down to earth.  You are too superficial, you do not
    have any calcium (confidence) in your bones as to feel ashamed of how
    you look and let this be a prime factor in *facing* others.  You are
    too shallow as to perhaps, because you yourself, judge others by their
    looks.  "Attitude covets attitude." " Do not do unto others what you
    wouldn't want others to do unto you."  You look at yourself and America
    *this way* and America waves the same look at you.  You practice
    prejudice, and I say it is a form of racism - being prejudiced of the
    Asian race, and America (and the world) becomes *psychic* and feels
    prejudice towards you too.

    You do have a *big* attitude (psychological) problem.  The point is,
    you contribute *a lot* to how others would look at you and I tell
    you, isolating yourself from Asians is not a solution to your problem.
    You are, (not Caucasoids, Negroids, other Aborigines) nobody else's,
    your own responsibility.  So, grow up and do yourself a favor by doing
    your part of the bargain.  *There may not even be an offense intended
    for your defensive attitude and remarks.*  Maybe then others (other
    race) will accept you for yourself if you accept yourself for what
    you are first (unless you really despise yourself that is why you
    want to identify with another race).

4]  You make a big deal about the question "Where are you from?", all
    because you want to oblige America to stop being intimidating and
    *force the hope* that *that* question will just mean where did you
    live previously and *not* what is your ethnicity.  You are just wasting
    too much effort on very trivial issues and the problem with this
    effort is it in turn creates a storm that disturbs and destroys
    instead of actually being constructive.  In short, you cause bad
    commotion.  (Haven't you realized yet, Dear Abby is playing upon this
    kind of bad commotion - what for? for intrigues and publicities -
    to keep the column up.)

5]  You label yourselves like a commodity (i.e. rice: long grain, short
    grain, etc.).  You brand yourselves; put yourselves into profiles, etc.
    This kind of attitude is very contributory to racism.  I'd rather
    not contribute to the conflict (or division).  Instead of shouting
    "Racist, racist!"  (you even call each other this too, that is why
    it can never stop or subside.  BECAUSE YOU KEEP BRINGING IT UP!),
    chill-out and say, "So, you've got preferences.  (I wouldn't even bother
    to ask why unless I want to make a mountain out of an ant hill) I've
    got mine too.  I guess everybody does as an individual."  Deep inside,
    believe this and respect this existing in everybody.

Well, about the *ones* who call themselves *kings* and *queens* of the land,
don't worry.  They too will have their time to wake up and realize what
they are missing down here on earth.  But don't make it too much *your*
responsibility to force them.  Worry about more important matters other
than making America treat you as equal or someday, put you on a pedestal.
(This shows you sublimating.)  Is that all what life is worth to you?

P.S.  The above is addressed to AAs who are prejudiced against Asians only.
      I did not do this to start a thread or a flamewar.  Like most who 
      post, I too would just like to express my own opinion.
 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american