Comments on: Asian adoptees have a unique perspective on cultural heritage

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:08:34 +0000

Ted, I have to say, you sound overly sensitive and defensive about your Canadian heritage. Nationalism and race are separate though interlinked inssues, and I can be a very proud and patriotic American (I love my country!) and, at the same time, point out its faults. I don’t think it’s thin-skinned to point out issues of race and ethnicity in America — these are issues that were dismissed or ignored for far too long, and someone has to start the conversation if mainstream media and the mainstream (white) population won’t. That’s exactly why I’m proud to be one of a group of AAPI bloggers who voice our thoughts on these issues.

Actually, Ted, you should blog. I think you’d have a lot to say, and all voices are important in the dialogue.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:57:12 +0000

Joy, I could see where you are coming from and I see that your sensitivity as an American Asian has made you think the way you do. I am 4th generation of a very rich Japanese back ground.
I also am a True Canadian so please do not twist my meaning of crap and refer it to my Canadian heritage.
I as my Father and Grandfather our proud to be Canadians first.
I just don’t get you and Gil being so thin skinned in living in our great land, and pointing out every little insignificant incident that goes across your feeling , boo hoo to you.
Just get on with your life, and stopped the whining, and be grateful for your life in this great country.

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:45:50 +0000

Well put, Joy. Thanks much for commenting. And you’re right: to deny our ethnicity and to accept the mainstream’s idea of American (or Canadian) social values is to accept Euro-centric values. That’s the core of our plight as people of color: that we’re judged by white standards i a largely black-and-white world, and Asians fall into the margins and aren’t counted at all in the racial discussion. And then adoption adds another layer of complexity….

By: Joy Hoffman

Joy Hoffman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:17:20 +0000

Ted, I appreciate that you want to acknowledge North American culture as rich and cool too – because it is. But as Gil noted, whether or not we see humans as the same, people in our country are not treated the same. In this context, we are forced to think about race, culture, and our various affinities all the time. You also wrote, “who really gives a crap on your race. You should think like Americans or Canadians” which causes me to think that maybe you don’t just think North American culture is rich and cool, but “right.” Our country was built off of people from other countries coming over and building new and exciting lives, finding freedom, and pursuing of the “American Dream.” I find it interesting that although our country consists of an eclectic group of people populations who all identify with different countries of origin, that a Euro-centric perspective is taken when we acknowledge “American culture.” I grew up with “American” parents. I grew up in predominantly White neighborhoods. I fit right in because my family was White and people gave me what I’d like to refer to as the benefit of the doubt. However, as I grew up and was physically away from my parents and family, OTHER people pointed out all to intentionally that I was Asian. If I wanted to fit in, I had to “prove” I was American. The international Asian students in college were seen as “other” but I was okay because I didn’t have an accent and I “acted White.” I even had friends tell me that “You’re not Asian; you’re White. That’s why we get along so well.” The message I received was “Don’t have any connection to your Asian identity because you will not be accepted.” But I look in the mirror every day and see Asian or Korean. It is who I am. It is an important part of my identity. It is certainly not the ONLY part of my identity, but to ask me to ignore it or push it aside all in the name of being American is not fair. My race and ethnicity are not crap as you put it. Our identities are a mixed bag, which is why our country is so amazing. Rather than asking people to set aside parts of their identities, I think we should embrace them. We can do this AND appreciate North American culture, values, and affinity.

By: Gil Asakawa

Gil Asakawa — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:09 +0000

Hey Ted, absolutely! I’ve celebrated my American side all my life, as a rock critic and even writing “The Toy Book,” a history of American toys of the Baby Boom era. I’ve written about favorite TV shows, movies and all manner of western pop culture all my career. You make a great point, and I’ll try to find ways to weave that into my Nikkei View conversations in the future.