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.