Response to Caucasian Perspective

I think what you have shared with us is interesting and enlightening. But, I did not like how you automatically labeled everyone "ignorant" and said that you are not. I believe that everyone in their own sense is ignorant. Ignorant to the feelings of others, the different cultures that exist, the reason for life, the beauty in learning, etc. I am sure that you meant "ignorant" in the sense that people refuse to see how multifaceted everyone is, but it just came our extremely harsh. By also mentioning that "[you] am not ignorant", made it seem like you think are above us all. It is rare for mankind to be able to reach beyond the outskirts of ignorance. People cannot always see beyond these limits. By saying that you are not ignorant is to say that you can see and know the unknown endlessness beyond these boundaries that many people are stuck in. Sure, there are people who know more than others and are closer to the outside than the people who know few on the inside of this city, but there are very few that can venture far out. So, I thank you for sharing you perspective, and I appreciate hearing what a Caucasian person feels, especially about the silent but deadly stereotypes that a white person experiences.

a cartoon on English Prejudice in 1796

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype

A Cauc(asian) Perspective

Hmm. The typical caucasian. The first thing that comes to mind is: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/. I, a "typical" white person, fits many of these stereotypes. However, why must i conform and be defined by someone else's perception. I should not be defined by the way I dress or by the activities I partake in, but more or less, by my personality.

I attend a very culturally diverse high school. My asian friends often ask me, "Do you ever feel asian because you hang out with so many asians?" Of course, I respond "No". Why would I ever feel like I am of a different culture? It frustrates me when I do well on a test and someone remarks, "Gosh, you're so asian". Once again, "I am not asian". Asians are not the smartest people in the world. It is a stereotype that bounds people to believe in this image of a studious asian. Just because I am white, people do not think I am allowed to be intelligent. But actually, I am smarter than half of the asian population in my class.

As a caucasian person, I have noticed that many cultures and races are often ignorant. I am not ignorant and it is not right to associate me with the wrongs others that share my skin hue commit. Generalizations are wrong, as everyone is a unique individual. White people are not the only ignorant people in the world. Education is key to solving the issue of ignorance.

Additionally, just because I have blond hair and blue eyes and come from a German background, people tend to associate me with the "Aryan race". My friend often jokes with me that I am of the "Aryan race" and that I am anti-semitic. However, once again, she is wrong. I have friends of all different backgrounds, and by looking at my heritage alone, people do not know the true me. I am not a Nazi-loving crazy, but a fun-loving individual who does not rely on her background for her personality.

I will not conform the the standards of any stereotype. I am intelligent, but I'm not Asian. I am German, but I am not a Nazi. I am Irish, but I am not a leprechaun. I am Italian, but I am not a guido. I am Polish, but I am do not snack on perogies all day long. My ethnic background does not express the true individual I am and I will not be bound by any stereotypes.

I am me.

Asian Pride?

I thought that I had finished going through my phase of ethnic doubt and hate. But I still feel it here. I did not realize my dogged disappointment with my physical appearances that blatantly give away my ethnicity. Having thought that I had accepted and maybe even embraced my culture and looks, I was crushed by Miley Cyrus’ new Asian eyes picture. I was never a fan of hers, but I also never hated her…until now. In her “apologize”, she defended herself and did not bother to apologize to the people that she may have hurt. It is not the fact that she, herself, mocked Asians, but the fact that she influences the majority of the female youth around the world. By posing in such a picture, she enforces the stereotypes and the mocking of Asians. Cyrus overlooks the underlying problem in her photos, only seeing the superficial and self-absorbed problem of the public attacking her. She may be trying to protect herself, but in the end, she ends up hurting an entire racial group--one growing exponentially. She hurts me. She hurts me my making me doubt myself, again. When I thought I was strong enough to rise above racial problems, I am knocked down by criticism to me, my family, my people.

If you have not seen the picture, here it is:

http://weeklyworldnews.com/celebs/miley-cyrus-asian-photo/