What’s So Funny About Asian Culture?
*From an Asian-American Appreciation Assembly
America is a melting pot of many cultures, diverse in many ways- that’s what makes us truly unique. We have a month to celebrate black history, the movies to focus on Latino heritage, and but the moment Asian culture arises, it’s nothing but a joke.
Fan dances, white rice, Korean pop culture, and Lunar New Year. So much beauty, and much more in the Asian culture. The culture that values family, hard work, and honor. Yet, we are not known for any of that.
We are known for being a number, being a brain, molded by others to be someone we aren’t.
It has been edged into my head, and many other Asians, that we’re nothing more than a kid that’s good at math, that we’re nothing more than someone who eats dogs, that if we don’t get straight A’s, we don’t qualify as “being Asian.” Because I don’t get to define myself- you have already defined me.
Asian culture, history, and values are the one of the most misrepresented lessons taught in the classroom. The culture is rich with history, some even I don’t know enough about. Think about it. When was the last thing you learned about Asians? Was it how to say the typical phrase, “Gong Hay Fat Choy?” which is to wish someone great vitality, but school probably taught you that it means to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese.
But the moment we speak with confidence in our native tongue, others around us mock what we say. The moment we wear traditional clothing that embodies the beauty of our own, there are stares and chuckles. The moment we bring our own lunches, we get the question, “Is it dog?” The moment we try to have pride in our culture, we get shut down.
Now that’s not to say that it is entirely on the faults of others. I have been guilty of not truly wearing the skin that I’m in. I have pushed away my culture, masked my identity, and become the person that they told me I am. We may not have been strong enough to withstand the comments and the smirks, but the grassroots didn’t start with us- it started with you. We have been taught shame.
Too many times we are called chinks. Too many times we are laughed at. One too many times. It is often said, to get respect, you must earn respect. If a simple Asian-American appreciation assembly cannot elicit respect for my culture, what gives you the damn right to demand respect for yours?
But now, I will no longer let you laugh at me. I will no longer allow you to mold me into your vision. I will no longer allow you to laugh at my culture. I will no longer allow you to hurt me, and so many others, for being Asian. Now, I will speak with pride, take strides beyond measure, and wear the skin that I’m in.
You no longer define me- I define myself. I am not your joke, I am not your icebreaker. I am Asian, and I am proud.
