12.25.07
Editorial: Protected Minorities
American Asians still have yet to reach that special place that I like to call “the protected minority pedestal.” There are just certain minorities in this country that are, in many ways, protected. Injustices brought upon their community are publicized in mainstream media, certain cases of racial discrimination are acted upon by individuals in seats of power (example: people get fired for making racially insensitive comments), etc., etc. I was reminded of this while reading a recent article on CNN that talked about how Will Smith was angry about how someone mis-interpreted his recent comments about Hitler. Would any of this matter if there weren’t such powerful individuals of a certain minority heritage in the seats of power in his industry? We may never know, but my guess: probably not.
Now, with regards to American Asians– we simply have not reached that coveted “protected minority” status where people are really, really, REALLY careful about things they say about us, whether they be full-on attacks against the community (often masked under the guise of “comedy”), or off-the-cuff comments that aren’t intended to offend, as was the case with Will Smith’s comment mentioned above. Tell us what you think– what do American Asians need to do in order to reach that ever-so-special “protected minority” status?
John Smith said,
December 27, 2007 at 8:53 pm
In order for Asians to reach protected minority status, they have to NEED protection. They have to not succeed socially and economically, so that they can come up with an oppression excuse to justify their failure. After that, people will tip toe around offending Asians.
Fortunately, Asians are successful in the US and don’t rely on quotas or affirmative action to be in influential positions in government, business, science, and the arts.
Look at the global political situation and compare East Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Which areas of the world are in need of excuses, and which are doing fine without them?
snowball said,
December 28, 2007 at 3:49 pm
“Asians are successful in the US”
Only through working harder to overcome White privilege and minority privilege via affirmative action in the economic sector.
However, Asians face significant discrimination in achieving our full humanity - and success in any sectors related to that including entertainment and relationships.
And is life all about money? No. Relationships and sex are, in fact, our prime evolutionary directives. So, if we fail at those, we fail at LIFE.
John Smith said,
December 29, 2007 at 2:45 am
Absolutely. The Asian dating disparity will become a significant socio-political issue in the coming years. Unfortunately, many minorities that are unsuccessful economically also do well sexually (mainly Hispanic and black men) so the interaction of economic and social success will become very confusing.
AsianAmericanPride said,
December 30, 2007 at 5:27 pm
John Smith demonstrates his idiocy agan, as if one could lump all “asians” in one grouping. It’s quite obvious that he is not only a sellout trash, but he has ingrained the notions of the cracker in his head (including the ethnic labels).
I know many poor Filipino immigrants and SE Asian and even “Nort-East” Asians who are living in the margins. Their children will never recieve special scholarships or grants, yet the children of other people of color perhaps in a situation not even 1/10th that degree would recieve close to a full sponorship from various private and public funds.
Not only in terms of direct economics, but there have been at least 2 studies in the journal of labor economics that have pointed out that Asian Americans do make more money then whites,y et when corrected for several factors (including hours worked), that it was foudn that the suppose positive disparity became a negative one.
Also the fact that Asian Americans are fair game for ethnic slander and ridicule which affects the communities sense of self and security but also indivduals.
But these issues will not be helped by sucking cracker dick like what “John Smith” would do (if he is indeed Asian American), but by supporting the increase of people of color not only demographically but polticially in the United States. The fact is, the preponderant number of institional bias, entertaintment/media bias and social racism against Asian Americans in the US is perpetuated by Whites.
But then again, I shouldn’t expect someone who thinks that the extermination/enslavement of 15% of the global population from 1600s - 1800s “=” or “
Crystal Clear said,
January 7, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I know many Chinese and Japanese who are struggling to make ends meet, working full time and working hard to go to school to make a better life for themselves. They are’nt exactly gaining any benefit from this so called “Protected Minority” status. These people I know - AM’s and AF’s as well, are first generation immigrants or are on student visas or illegal altogether. They are fighting hard to move up in this country like everyone else.
One AF I know , I have a deep respect for because of her keen awareness of APA issues even as she was in this country for only four years ….. She is living on a student visa and is struggling to make ends meet. In a discussion I recently had with her, she said that she could find a WM to marry and solve her US citizenship problem right away and sell herself out, BUT she will not because she still views herself as a woman of self worth and dignity. She can prostitute herself very easily as an Asian woman, BUT she refuses to because of her morals and concern for how others will view herself and other AF’s. I was very impressed by her statements and it got me thinking.
There are many other AM’s andf AF’s that share the same viewpoint, myself included.
I agree totally with Snowball and AsianAmericanPride, you both brought out excellent points I can relate with.
Crystal Clear said,
January 7, 2008 at 3:46 pm
“Absolutely. The Asian dating disparity will become a significant socio-political issue in the coming years.
-John Smith
I agree. Let’s hope the APA activists can bring this issue to the forefront as to becoming a significant issue in the years to come.
Crystal Clear said,
January 7, 2008 at 3:58 pm
“Unfortunately, many minorities that are unsuccessful economically also do well sexually (mainly Hispanic and black men) so the interaction of economic and social success will become very confusing.”
-John Smith
I disagree. Many minority men (black and Hispanic) may be doing well with short term relationships and one night stands but because of how poorly they are doing economically, many will not be able to marry and/ or support families, esp. if it involves another female of color.
However White men on the other hand, (and most Asian women for that matter) are doing well economically. It is possible for them to succeed in marriage and in raising families. (Of course they are not oppressed in the same way as other persons of color and sex are) This one of many reasons (aside from racist/sexist stereotypes and fetishism) why an interracial dating/marriage disparity problem exists between WM’s and AF’s . Economic success , though undeserved, since they are not under the same pressure as men of color, particularly AM’s .
But I do agree with the fact that the special interest groups influencing the political and economic systems and the media in this country will stop at nothing to try to confuse this vital subject even more.
Crystal Clear said,
January 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I disagree John Smith on your comments concerning race and sexuality.
Many minority men (black and Hispanic) may be doing well with short term relationships and one night stands but because of how poorly they are doing economically, many will not be able to marry and/ or support families, esp. if it involves another female of color.
However White men on the other hand, (and most Asian women for that matter) are doing well economically. It is possible for them to succeed in marriage and in raising families. (Of course they are not oppressed in the same way as other persons of color and sex are) This one of many reasons (aside from racist/sexist stereotypes and fetishism) why an interracial dating/marriage disparity problem exists between WM’s and AF’s . Economic success , though undeserved, since they are not under the same pressure as men of color, particularly AM’s .
But I do agree with the fact that the special interest groups influencing the political and economic systems and the media in this country will stop at nothing to try to confuse this vital subject even more.