From: chrchan@ocf.berkeley.edu (Christopher S. Chan)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american
Subject: Re: Oriental bias against Indians ? How true ?
Date: 9 Apr 1992 15:33:24 GMT
Organization: U. C. Berkeley Open Computing Facility
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: lightning.berkeley.edu


Is anyone here familiar with the concept of multiculturalism?
I want to point out that it is no longer racist to believe in
racial/cultural purity.  It seems to me (based on many of the
feelings expressed here concerning interracial dating/marriage)
that most of the people here believe in the melting pot thesis,
which emphasizes assimilation, the creation of a uniform "American"
identity, culture, and race.  However, I think the idea that "love  
knows no color" trivializes the issues concerning race, culture,
and ethnicity.

I am a cultural pluralist.  I believe in the existence
of several separate, distinct cultures.  Before, this idea was
considered racist because it sounded like you're saying, "my
culture's too good for you," or "*X* women are too good to be
dating *Y* men."  Let me tell you, the last thing I am is a
racist.  I have long had an admiration for African American
culture (although I do think it has been turned into a trend
by mainstream media) and Chicano culture.  I would like nothing
else but to see these cultures remain in existence.  This entire
melting pot idea, and interracial relationships, threaten the
existence of these cultures in America.  Additionally, the U.S.
is cutting back heavily on immigration, so there'll no longer
be fresh supplies of other cultures.  

Additionally, with the melting pot idea, this one single "American"
culture that becomes created in the end, which is supposed to
be made up of elements from all other cultures, will no doubt be
dominated by white influences, and will take on too many elements
of the dominant host culture.  The elements that are taken from
other cultures will only be farcical representations of them (Taco Bell,
KFC's Oriental Wings, Vanilla Ice, well, you get the picture).  
Additionally, the dominance of white influence on this singular
culture implies white superiority.  Instead
of creating one giant, big culture, let's have a bunch of separate 
ones.  Of course, we may be paying a price- ethnic/racial tension.
But cultural pluralism also allows for more cultural exposure and
access, and this may diminish racial/ethnic hatred.

Someone pointed out that she was "fortunate" to have been brought
up by liberal parents who didn't mind interracial dating.  I
consider myself to be unfortunate to have been brought up this
way, as I have almost no knowledge of my own culture.  Certainly,
I identify with my Chinese heritage, but I know nothing about
Chinese culture.  Additionally, I don't want my kids to grow up
confused about their identities.  I think it's hard enough being 
both an Asian and an American.  Imagine how hard it would be to
grow up being half Asian, half something else, and American.  I'd
have to agree with Spike Lee here, that, "mixed kids grow up to
be mixed nuts." 

This is in no way meant to be a flame.  I just wanted to balance
out the picture, since it seems that most of the respondants
don't seem to mind this whole business of interracial relationships.

Chris Chan
chrchan@ocf.berkeley.edu