Thoughts on racism

Read this:
http://www.8asians.com/2010/08/18/chinese-fire-drill-thoughts-on-racism/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+8Asians+%288+Asians%29

I think it's fascinating to have these kinds of reflections on racism and being "Asian" from the perspective of Lani Valapone Cox, who is part Thai and sometimes referred to as "American". Her so-called American-ness is a lot more mutable because her being "American" is seemingly belied by her perceived foreign-ness - the fact that she looks "Asian". Just what kind of "Asian" depends on who is looking at/evaluating her.

I've also thought that in a lot of ways, it is just that much harder for people of multiple ethnicities to find some sort of foothold on a culture. In her post, Lani refers to a moment where she finds herself at a part, positioned between a number of Thai women, and a group of Caucasian women. She judges both.

As much as I sometimes loathe the term "Asian" - because of the way it make it seem as though my actual ethnicity is barely worth nothing-, I find myself falling into the trap of referring to not only myself but others as "Asian". I too, am guilty of using this simple, all-encompassing term to the point of abuse. I, too, am guilty of cracking jokes about Asian stereotypes that ultimately must damn me and those that "Asian".