"Being Asian is something deep inside, which is why I get so angry when I see people trying to sell it on the streets to tourists, or market it in tattoo parlors and henna shops. Suddenly, everyone is decked out in Chinese characters, and they're wearing my fucking language on their body. They are the same ones who think that just because they're reading stacks of Asian American history books, and they're eating dim sum, they're mastering Step One toward understanding the Asian American experience. (These people aren't multicultural, they're ignorant.)"
--Yell-Oh Girls!

I have taken a bit of flack from some people for this quote, so I thought I'd share my views on it. By the way, I am not the author of this quote; it is from a great book called "Yell-Oh Girls!."

Granted, non-Asian people should not be criticized for enjoying Asian food, reading books about Asian American history, or being interested in Asian culture. There is nothing at all wrong with this, so I don't necessarily agree with this woman's statement. I'm sure most white Americans know very well (or at least I hope they do) that they can never fully understand the Asian American experience because they're not Asian American, but it's great they are interested in learning about it. It would be like me taking an interest in Native American history. I know I will never fully understand the Native American experience, but I want to do my part in learning more about their history, their suffering & struggles, and their culture. It's great if you care to learn about other groups of people; it makes you more aware. So I think the woman's last statement about accusing people of being ignorant is a bit harsh.

However, the issue I have a bone to pick with is the mindless donning of "Asian" apparel-- in other words, the commodification of Asian culture. Who was the ignorant prick at Abercrombie who thought that Asians would actually appreciate those "Asian-inspired" T-shirts? Several of the T-shirts featured drawings of Chinese workers drawn in the same way as anti-Chinese propaganda back in the 1800s. Another example is the bindhi trend. For years and years, Indian Americans have endured racism and hate for wearing something very much tied to their culture. Then all of a sudden, it becomes "cool" to wear one and you can go buy one from any street vendor in Berkeley. While many people fashion the bindhi and look cool, Indians are taking flack for wearing it and not trying to assimilate into American society.

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