From: ajh@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Alan Hu)
Subject: From the Stanford Daily #4
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University.
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 01:44:28 GMT

Thanks to Amit for posting the second part of the series.  I have
unfortunately lost the 3rd part of the series, which contained some
comments from adult children of interracial marriages.

On Friday, December 4, the Stanford Daily published four letters. (This
was the only response that the Daily published.)  Interestingly, the
only letters the Daily felt like publishing dealt with white/Asian-American
dating.
					--Alan Hu

Letters
[Headline] Strong reaction to interracial dating, `Asian fetish'

Gays and bisexuals have interracial problems, too

	I am disapointed and amazed by The Daily's overt omission of
lesbian, gay and bisexual issues from its interracial relationship
coverage.  The paper's failure to include these issues shows that the
news editors are oblivious of the similar interracial issues that many
lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals face.
	I would like to point out that interracial relationsihps among
non-heterosexual individuals are as complicated as those among
heterosexuals, and an adequate examination of interracial
relationships cannot treat the two community's issues as separate
matters.
	Gay Asian men are subjected to the same ``subservient,''
``innocent'' and ``exotic'' stereotypes as Asian women.  I know many
gay whites who date only Asians (often referred to as ``rice queens''
or ``eggs'').
	Some claim to be attracted to Asians because of their
dark-hair, smooth physique and youthful looks.  Others prefer Asians
because they are supposedly ``submissive and mysterious.'' I even know
some white men who treat Asians as sexual objects because of their
perception of Asians as ``amenable.''
	Many gay Asians also experience the same insecurities about
their perceived ``unattractiveness'' as their heteosexual
counterparts, given their negative media portrayal.  Issues such as
``self-esteem,'' ``internalized Asian phobia'' or ``idealization of
white men'' are definitely visible problems.
	The lack of coverage on lesbian, gay and bisexual concerns
reflects the general neglect in our society to include
non-heterosexualities as legitimate forms of relationships.
	Perhaps The Daily should expand the definition and redefine
the meaning of interracial relationships to include relevant lesbian,
gay and bisexual concerns.

Barney Cheng
Senior, political science

[I noticed the exclusive heterosexism of the articles, too.  I
remember the quote by some Asian-American guy rhetorically asking
saying, "Have you ever heard of an Asian male fetish?"  In my mind, I
was thinking, "Sure.  In the gay community.  It's the white guys with
the fetish either way."  (No, I am NOT saying all white guys have
fetishes, just to head off the flames.)]

Asian males get a raw deal in `fetish' article

	As an Asian male, I am aware of the prevalence of negative
stereotypes regarding Asian males in the media as well as at STanford.
This in itself disturbs me, but what I find even more disturbing is
the one-dimensional lack of confidence reflected in the responses by
Asian males in your Dec. 1 article.
	The responses expressed the ``typical Asian male's'' fear of
rejection from both Caucasian and Asian women as well as his
insecurity stemming from living in the boundary of two cultures.
	We Asian males do not all subscribe to those fears and
insecurities.  In fact, many of us are confident individuals who are
not afraid to ask out a woman, regardless of her race.  Many of us do
not feel excluded from interracial relationships, nor do we feel
slighted by Asian women.
	We do not feel we are overly studious and shy, nor do we
believe that we are subject to someone's belief that we possess
smaller builds than males of other races.  As any male who regularly
frequents Enicina Gym will tell you, Asian males are well represented
there.
	I do not find it important to find out why there appears to be
more Asian female-Caucasian male couples than the reverse.  In
addition, I do notfind it appropriate or constructive that Asian males
who are frustrated by the negative stereotypes bitterly place blame on
Asian females for ``betraying their culture.'' I personally believe
Asian females should ate whomever they please.
	Until more favorable images of the Asian male become more
prevalent in the media, Asian males are left to deal with the problem
of negative stereotypes.  The solution?  To fight and dispel the
negative images and the false stereotypes surrounding them.  Prevalent
attitudes are changed one person at a time.  Thus, Asian men must, and
can, change these attitudes by showing they do not conform to the
studious, shy, wimpy stereotypes that plague all Asian males.

John T. Chang
Sophomore, biology

[Ah yes, a good reply to the "typical Asian male" and "typical Asian
female" lines.  Of course, the question is, what should you do if you
are an Asian male who just happens to be studious and shy?  Should you
change yourself to fight the stereotype, or just be yourself and not
let society tell you who you should be?]

To men with an `Asian fetish': get a sheep

	I'm extremely happy that Monday's [sic] article by Carrie
Chang brought the ``Asian fetish'' phenomenon out into the open.
	``Paul,'' a person interviewed for the article, stated,
``[Asian-American women] tend to be quieter and they don't contradict
me as much, so it all works out for the better.''  This attraction to
inert subservience makes me furious.  If that's what you really want,
blow-up dolls are cheap and maintenance isn't expensive.  And I hear
sheep don't put up much of a fuss either.  At the risk of being
labeled politically correct, I think this vile enjoyment of holding
women down in a position of acquiescence sucks.
	The article about Asian male stereotypes also really bothered
me.  Kenneth Tan exemplifies the tone of the article by trying to
speak for the Asian-American male population as a whole.  ``We this,''
``we that'' ... I really don't identify with much he said.  The
community of Asian-Americans is not a homogeneous bunch of nerdy
calculator-toting computerphiles.
	Instead of whining about a problem that exists within our
community, why don't we instead attempt to solve it by showing the
greater community that this stereotype isn't always accurate.

Jeff Chen
Senior, mechanical engineering

[Oh look, it's that "whining" word again.  Personally, what bothers
me more than the occasional white guy with the submissive-China-doll
fetish is the occasional Asian-American woman with such low
self-esteem that she's happy to be a submissive China doll to the guy
with the fetish.  (No, I am NOT saying all interracial relationships
fall into this category.  (Again, I'm trying to head off the flames.)
Most of the interracial relationships I know seem quite healthy.)]

White males stereotyped as wanting `China dolls'

	It was with both interest and dismay that I read your article
on fetishes for Asian females.  As a white male who is currently
dating an Asian female on campus, I have encountered much hostility
and suspicion from those who question my motives in the relationship
and paint me as full of racial stereotypes.
	Your article, unfortunately, does little else than to promote
the view that white males who pursue and date Asian females are
sexists in search of a subservient ``China doll.''  I have no doubt
that some who are attracted to and date Asian females do so because of
demeaning stereotypes of Asian women as exotic and docile.  However,
to paint all ``Asiaphiles'' with the same brush is to unfairly make
white males guilty by association.
	When people find out that my girlfriend is Asian, many (Asian
women in particular) react with disdain and anger.  Their thoughts are
all too clear -- another white guy chasing after a ``twinkie'' Asian
woman so he can fulful his racial fantasies.  Such a reaction to
white-Asian interracial couples is itself born out of stereotypes, and
it both belittles the Asian female's intelligence and strong spirit
and insults the white male's integrity.
	I suggest that all attractions that cross racial lines be
given ``innocent until proven guilty'' treatment.  Not all white males
dating Asians are struck with ``yellow fever'' or are looking for the
equivalent of a mail order bride.

Greg Duda
Class of '91

[A reasonable letter and a good point.  Seems like a handful of losers
can tarnish the reputation for a whole class of people.  (I'm not just
talking about white men here.)]