Final Summary/Reaction

After conducting this experiment, I was surprised by my results. When my white friend and I held the door for people at different times, I was slightly shocked to see that most people treated us both the same; however, there was one woman who was in late 50's who did not thank me. Despite that result, we both received almost the same amount of thank you's, while holding the door. I initially thought my white friend was going to receive more gratitude than I would. Thus, it was comforting that most people are not so hostile towards Asian-Americans.

In my second situation, I was not so shocked that workers at stores treated my white friend and me equally. From past experiences, workers tend to treat me just as they would treat a white person. When I would walk into a store, they would be friendly and eager to help me in finding clothes. In one particular store, one white worker was even eager in finding a whole outfit for me when I just asked for help on finding a certain blouse; therefore, I was pleased to see that workers do not discriminate against Asian-Americans.

Although it may seem that people do not really discriminate against Asian-Americans, I came across an accidental situation recently that felt as if I was being discriminated. This situation occurred when my family and I were at a dinner buffet. My mom and I were at the end of the line and a white lady stands behind us. I went back to our table to get something and then I rejoined my mom again on the line. Suddenly, the lady complained that I was cutting the line. We allowed her to go in front of us, but she kept on scowling at my mother and me. As we continued to wait on the line, a white teenager around my age did the same exact thing I did right in front of the lady. The thing was that the lady did not mutter a word to the white mother and daughter. Moreover, I felt so offended that she complained about my mother and I, but not about the white mother and daughter. 

All in all, my results of my experiences at the mall were very promising. It shows that Asian-American discrimination is not a major issue around my area; however, the situation of the buffet line proved that there is a small percentage of racism against Asian-Americans that still continue in our world today. I found this experience to be interesting and it shows where my family and I, as Asian-Americans, stand in society. 

Revised Summary/Plan/Update

This past weekend I actually went to the mall to hold doors for people of different races; however, I went in the morning and there was not really that many people. I will be going again this weekend at a more reasonable time when the mall is crowded, so I can interact with even more people of different races. I also did not get to observe the different interactions of workers between my friend and me because she was unavailable at the time, but I will be going with her to the mall this weekend to do exactly what I planned. I cannot wait to see the results of the two different interactions with people at the mall.

Strategy/Plan for Research

For my research, I have chosen to use the method of "participant observation". I plan to go to Garden State Plaza Mall to see how people will react to an Asian-American (me) versus a white American. Since many people are usually shopping for spring/summer clothes, this will give me an opportunity to see how different a worker may react based on a certain race. 

When my white American friend and I head to walk through the entrance of the mall, I will hold the door for people of different races to see how they react. I will take mental notes on which people showed appreciation for my door holding and which people did not. After, I would let my white American friend hold the door for people of different races, as well. I will observe how they react to her holding the door for them.

Next, we will head into a clothing store and see how the workers interact with us. I will walk into the store first and ask a worker of a different race to help me find a certain top. Then, my white American friend will walk into the store and ask a worker of a different race a similar question. Discreetly, I will watch the interaction between my friend and the worker. 

I predict that my white American friend will receive better treatment than I will. I look forward in experimenting with the issue of racism against Asian-Americans and truly see how different people act depending on a race.

Research Method

For my topic of racism against Asian-Americans, I will be performing "participant observation". I will go to numerous public places and see how people will react in certain situations that involves an Asian-American (me). I believe this will truly show if racism against Asian-Americans is still practiced or not. I look forward to see the actions of people and the results of this observation.

Judging a Book by its Cover

Most of us can admit that when we think of Asian parents the following jokingly come in mind:

Their kids probably have no social life.

They probably make them study 24/7.

I can't even imagine the punishment they give their kid if they got an A-.

They most likely make their child play piano, violin, cello, or all of the above.

When people hear Asian parents, many people tend to label them as the "The World's Strictest Parents", "Tiger Mom", etc. All jokes aside, many Asian parents are always trying to make their child the best they can be, but they're not the only culture that does this! As I was looking through many funny Asian memes, I found that most of the memes had to do with strict Asian parents. They are portrayed as intimidating, but in reality, they're not even that bad compared to what society compares them to.

It irks me that people almost always turn to the stereotypes when judging a person. As a result, people treat them based on their label. In this case, people end up treating Asian parents harshly because these people think Asian parents deserve it for treating their children so cruel. The assumption that Asian parents are strict and do not care about their own child is absolutely not accurate, which is unfair to the parents that do not even portray these stereotypes. My question to the people who think so horribly of Asian parents is: How would you like it if you were based on an assumption, when you are the total opposite of it? Never judge a book by its cover!

Think Before You Speak!

As I was searching for an article for this week's blog, I came across this crazy article. Recently, a college student made a four and a half minute Youtube video rant listing reasons why he would hate to be Asian.

Some of his reasons are summarized as followed: 

1. Most Asians look alike
2. If I were an Asian man, I'd most likely be with an Asian woman and I do not find them attractive
3. I suck at math
4. The only way you can be in show biz if you know kung fu or if you play an Asian mobster
5. I'd be short
6. I hate sushi and it would be “everywhere” if I were Asian. 

This situation mirrored an incident a couple years back that involved a UCLA college student ranting about Asian students in the campus library. After receiving harsh criticism, this college kid said the whole video was just a joke. Come on......you're supposed to be a mature college kid and you thought this wasn't gonna get you in trouble?! I am utterly disgusted at how inconsiderate people can be in what they verbally say. 

Since this situation has occurred before, incidents like this show that racism does continue to exist in our world. Even though the college kid said it was purely a joke, the video is seen as complete racism and a huge offense to the Asian community. People need to realize that there is a fine line that exists when blurting out a racial joke is okay and not okay, but this college student completely crossed that line. Never forget that saying: Think before you speak!

What's wrong with Asian athletes, Floyd Mayweather?

You may or may not know who the famous African American boxer, Floyd Mayweather, is, but he is known for his intimidating persona. I came across this video, which consists of two ESPN personalities discussing Mayweather's remarks about Jeremy Lin, an Taiwanese-American NBA player. Floyd Mayweather tweeted, "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise." 

The two personalities strongly agree how Mayweather's remark was utterly  crude. In addition, they referenced  back to 2010 when Mayweather ranted about Manny Pacquiao, a Philippine champion boxer and Mayweather's longtime boxing enemy, in a video and said, "He should go make some sushi rolls and cook some rice." But really, Mayweather? Was that really necessary or are you just afraid Pacquiao is going to possibly beat you in a next boxing fight? 

What I do not understand is why Floyd Mayweather continues to make racist remarks against these Asian athletes. Although it may not be the norm, Asians can be good a sports, too! I believe that Mayweather should just simply praise Jeremy Lin and Manny Pacquiao for proving to the world that Asians can be stellar athletes rather than stating all these offensive remarks. Floyd Mayweather needs to take in consideration of what he says can potentially hurt someone's pride.

"Come on, do math!"

We can all admit to at least some extent that Family Guy is a hilarious and enjoyable show. Who doesn't love Peter Griffin and his immature ways? I remember watching this episode that was aired during the summer and I couldn't help, but notice how stereotypical and racist this one segment was. It showed Peter telling his daughter, Meg, that he "will do better at this job than I did on the SATs". After, the show flashbacks to Peter taking an Asian boy out instead of using a calculator and saying, "Come on, do math!".  I admit, I did laugh, but as I look back, I couldn't help but notice how racist it was. Do people really think that the only thing Asians do is math and anything school related? 

All jokes aside, there are actually some Asians out there that take these types of jokes offensive. Although it is the stereotype that Asians are smart in school, they can also excel at other things! Sure, it is funny the first time to say something to your Asian friend like, "What?! How'd you fail the test..you're Asian?!?", but if you say this phrase more often to your friend, they may take this phrase more personally every time you say it and feel degraded. 

A Racist Rager

As I was researching for this week's blog post, I came across a shocking article. It seemed that a fraternity at Duke University threw a "Asian-Themed" party. This "racist rager" required party goers to wear conical hats, geisha outfits, and any Asian related clothing. The invitations to this party also included Asian stereotype misspellings such as, "Herro" for Hello and "Chank you" for Thank you. This sparked a huge uproar on the campus. Asian student groups organized a rally against this offensive party. As a result, school officials have suspended all activities for this fraternity. 

Although I recognize that college students just want to have fun and make their parties more interesting, students need to take their actions into consideration because it can truly offend someone that could even be their fellow peers and students. Is it really necessary to throw an Asian themed party that's basically making fun of a valued culture? Why can't they just throw a themed beach party that won't be offending anyone? People need to realize that a culture is of a huge importance to people and doing these kinds of actions can make cultures feel like they are a joke to society. 

Make Me...Asian?

We may be familiar with the smartphone apps of  "Fat Booth" or "Face Swap". These apps give us the ability to make ourselves look physically funny; however, I encountered an article written this month that there was an app created for smartphone users to make themselves look Asian. This app was called "Make Me Asian".

This "Make Me Asian" app caused huge uproar with many Asian Americans and criticized this app to be "ridiculously racist", as quoted in the article. I recognize the fact that the main goal these "Make Me Asian" creators wanted to achieve was purely for amusement, but I do agree this could be possibly crossing the line towards racism. The article also stated that this app included features, such as "conical hat or a Fu Manchu mustache". Really? Are conical hats and Fu Manchu mustaches truly what make up the entire Asian culture?  Due to the harsh criticism received , Google removed the "Make Me Asian" app to prevent more future complaints from emerging. The problem is that people continue to judge other cultures only based on stereotypes. This issue needs to be fixed because this kind of receptivity of the Asian culture can cause a valued culture to feel degraded. 

Check it out!

Google removes 'Make Me Asian' app amidst racism concerns

Introduction to Racism: Asian Americans

Straight A's, strict parents, A- is equivalent to an F, chopsticks, math brainiacs...

First thought that comes to mind when people usually hear these words? Asians. 

In society today, many people associate the word, racism, with blacks; however, racism happens to every ethnicity in the world. I am not here to talk about the general concept of racism, but I will focus on the racism with Asian Americans. Asians are accepted as minorities in the United States, but as time advances, we see the Asian population greatly increasing. As an Asian myself (Filipino to be exact), I could definitely relate to the topic of Racism: Asian Americans. Many members of my family have slightly experienced firsthand the racism against Asian Americans. I chose this topic because as I said, I can greatly relate and I am interested in gaining a deeper perspective into the whole concept of racism against Asian Americans. 

Enjoy! Magsaya ka! 享受! Bergembiralah dengan! สนุก!