From: clare@nynexst.com (Clare Chu Ayala)
Subject: Re: FOBs/Oreos/Twinkies/etc.
Organization: Nynex Science and Technology
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 92 13:16:18 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.054219.1353@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> c60a-zg@volga.Berkeley.EDU (Martin Guerrero-LabA) writes:
>Every so often, conflict does exist between the two groups (American born
>Asians, and first generation Americans).  I'm sure there are lots of 
>people who say this isn't true, that everything is A.O.K.  This is a
>very valid point and it is probably true too.
>
>But at the same time, I am sure lots of people might say that either 
>disagreement, misunderstandings, conflicts, exist, and it is very definitely
>present.  I was hoping that people could shed more light on the topic.
>Only in places where a relatively large group of Asian-Ams, and Asians
>can you see a little bit of this going on.
>
>Sometimes, the conflict isn't necessarily hostile, but it is based on mis-
>understanding.  For example, in one particular subgrouping of Asians (am or
>not) in America, the American born would brand others as elitists, cliquish,
>(for grouping to each other too much, speaking languages they don't 
>understand, etc.), etc.  While the first-generation MAY call the others
>"too-American" (never heard anyone say this term.)
>
>Because of this conflict, terms like FOB, Twinkies, Bananas, Oreos, were
>created.  I was really curious about real life experiences here...
>

  Since you're curious...

  All I can say is that I've never fit into any group whether ABC
  or FOB.  You see, I don't like to stick to one group.  I like to pick
  my friends myself and not have them certified by any group.  That's
  why I never joined any soriority, or race club.  But since I often
  have friends who are in these disparate groups, I can comment that
  I don't think it's so much a conflict between FOBs and ABCs as they
  really don't perceive that they have anything in common.  And you
  know what, they really don't, EXCEPT in AmeriKKKa where white people
  say, "hey you all got slanty eyes, yellow skin, so you all are the
  same, you should stick together.  Wow... you don't like-kee each otha?"

  The only "conflict" I can see is to prove to others that they are
  different, because they ARE different.  They have different experiences.
  One group grew up overseas and had to learn English as a second language.
  The other group grew up here and had to combat stereotypes they perceive
  as aimed from the other group.  The only conflicts I see is that each is
  trying to run away from the stereotype of the other.  People don't like
  to be grouped with people based on negative stereotypes.  If the greater
  society didn't try so hard to lump people into categories, I don't
  see that ABCs or FOBs would be trying so hard to distance themselves
  from each other.

  From my observations (even here on s.c.a.a. the the 5th-generation (tm)
  stuff).  Asian Americans are very sensitive to being lumped with Foreign
  born because of the racist stereotyping by the greater society.  This
  says that even if you're a 5th generation American (like Kristi), you're
  still associated with those of your ancestral homeland.  Of course if
  you're 2+ generation, you don't FEEL any kinship because you don't KNOW
  anything about any homeland except AmeriKKKa.  So you try to
  distance yourself from those who come from your ancestral homeland because
  AmeriKKKan society tells you they're no good and might land you in
  relocation camps.  (Notice that British, Scottish immigrants have no
  problem like this because 1. they're immediately welcomed to this country,
  2.  people LOVE their accents, 3.  their ancestral homeland is worshipped
  by most AmeriKKKans).

  This distancing of AAs from their ancestral homeland and people from thereof,
  causes foreign-born to feel like AAs look down on them.  Foreign-borns
  are often very proud of their homeland and their nationality.  They speak
  the language, are immersed in the culture, and when they see AAs distancing
  themselves from the culture, they feel rejected.  What they don't understand
  is that this is happening within the larger context of AmeriKKKan racism.
  All they see is that people whose ancestors came from their homeland reject
  them.  Herein lies your so-called "conflict".

  Me personally.  I don't care who you lump me with.  I know who I am and
  am comfortable with most cultures under the sun.


  p.s.  I won't even comment on bananas or twinkies and oreos.  Judy did
  a good job on that already.  :-)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asian.american