In a seminar on the state of Asian-Pacific-American affairs at the University held on Tuesday, April 19, Daisy Rodriguez, assistant dean for Asian and Asian-Pacific-American students presented the results of a survey conducted this spring on the opinions of the APA community. According to the survey results, 51 percent of APA students "have experienced or witnessed discrimination against APAs."
Aside from the struggle to eradicate racism against Asians at the University, certainly a laudable and worthy goal, one must consider the motives and ideology of the APA leaders as a whole. In a concerted endeavor to have an APA voice heard, the leaders of the APA community have inadvertently or maybe even intentionally left out the opinions of some within their own community.
One of the more disturbing statements Rodriguez made during her speech consisted of her commitment to working with students who think they're white so that they feel "comfortable in their own body by their third or fourth year." When asked to clarify this in an interview following the presentation, Rodriguez stated that she thought it was a "danger" when Asians didn't identify with their Asian heritage because they won't understand why society discriminates against them. Julie Chen, Vice President for Administration of the Asian Student Union echoed these sentiments, finding it "personally disheartening" that APA students don't recognize their minority status and the "structural oppression" they face. She was careful to explain that she did not imply that APA students were "victims," but that they should realize they come from a background not "equal with whites" due to disparities in available resources in order to reach a "place of empowerment."
It is both narrow-minded and insulting to disparage Asian students for identifying more with white culture than with Asian culture. To say that this "poses a problem" as Rodriguez did is sanctimonious and judgmental. Some APA students at the University have been raised in a very Westernized culture with little influence from their Asian heritage, just as students of Italian, French, German, Irish and other descents have varying degrees of ethnic emphasis in their youth. Others prefer to focus less on their ethnic identity and more on their overall personal identity -- their upbringing, beliefs, values, talents, hobbies, interests etc. -- some of which can bring about discrimination as well.
Rodriguez noted that some students in the survey wanted to be identified simply as "human," not "Asian," "American," or "Asian-American." One survey respondent wrote, "Emphasizing and promoting awareness in regards to Asians only causes Asians to feel alienated from the rest of the community. Promotion of those excessive number of clubs only makes us a laughing stock." Another shared, "programs that tend to single out students by race leads to increased segregation."
When Rodriguez read these comments, there was visible hostility among audience members (all Asian, except for one reporter.) The lack of tolerance of alternative viewpoints within Asian community is alarming. The dismissal of differing views only discourages an atmosphere conducive to progress. The concerns of these APA students are just as real and valid of those with differing views. Furthermore, one must ask, if Asians are supposed to see themselves primarily as Asian, how should they expect others in the University community to view them? This may even further Asian stereotypes, as others see Asians simply as members of a racial group, and not for individual uniqueness independent of race.
Rodriguez did note that it is necessary to find a balance between strengthening Asian cultural groups and encouraging APA involvement in mainstream organizations. This is a step in the right direction, as it takes into account the opinions of both sides.
Additionally, besides the needed improvement of relations between various racial groups on Grounds, which ASU President Drew Austria saw as a "two way street for cohesive unity," it is also imperative that there is harmony within each group. In my experience here at the University, the Asian community segregates itself into sub-groups. I had no idea such categories existed until I arrived at the University. I've gotten weird looks from other Asian students, who have asked me "Are you mixed?" and "Are you a 'FOB' ("fresh off the boat") or a 'twinkie'?"
In the grand scheme of things, I fail to see how this really matters. Chen said that this "self-selection" occurs because some people don't feel comfortable outside of their comfort zone. It is natural for people to gravitate towards those with similar cultural backgrounds, (and there is a diverse array of ethnicities within the APA community), but when the Asian community segregates, or as Chen says, "self-selects" into sub-Asian groups, how can we expect to make any advancement in integrating different racial groups?
I am Asian, yes, but first and foremost, I'm a human being, an American, and a member of this University community, and while I certainly value my Asian heritage, I would like to be identified by other characteristics than just solely my race. Unfortunately, this is either a minority view within a minority group or one cast aside by the leadership. Until we start focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, our objective to eradicate racism and will fall on deaf and ignorant ears.
Whitney Blake is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.
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