2008 Woodie Awards
Panel discusses stereotypes over lunch
By: Sara Fortino
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
Chesterfield senior Lia Mackey knows people have many stereotypes about Asian American culture.
But she doesn't represent any of them.
"A lot of people expect me to be a certain way because of the way I look, and a lot of times I don't fit into that," Mackey said during Wednesday's Soup and Substance luncheon in the Bovee University Center.
Mackey said she was adopted by American parents and was never exposed to Asian culture.
"I like to think of myself as being American," Mackey said. "I became more Americanized as a result of the people I hung out with."
Three Asian-American students and one psychology professor sat on a panel and discussed stereotypes assigned to them
Sterling Heights senior Joe Her considers himself a culturally aware Asian American.
"All my culture I got from my grandma," he said. "Asian portrayals and stereotypes are still there but I think that (society is) trying to integrate more cultures."
Grand Blanc junior Jessica Porritt said diversity is very important to her.
Mackey and Porritt both pointed out the shock they felt coming to such a diverse college.
"I didn't identify myself as being Asian until I got to college," Porritt said.
Both said they were American and didn't necessarily identify themselves with one specific other ethnicity.
Her also emphasized the importance of diversity.
"I think that learning different cultures is a privilege," he said.
Lansing sophomore Julius Bryant attended the lecture for a scholarship requirement but liked the topics discussed.
"I thought it was interesting to see stereotypes of different races," he said.
Bryant said there are cultural barriers that any race will experience and he related to that the most.
news@cm-life.com
But she doesn't represent any of them.
"A lot of people expect me to be a certain way because of the way I look, and a lot of times I don't fit into that," Mackey said during Wednesday's Soup and Substance luncheon in the Bovee University Center.
Mackey said she was adopted by American parents and was never exposed to Asian culture.
"I like to think of myself as being American," Mackey said. "I became more Americanized as a result of the people I hung out with."
Three Asian-American students and one psychology professor sat on a panel and discussed stereotypes assigned to them
Sterling Heights senior Joe Her considers himself a culturally aware Asian American.
"All my culture I got from my grandma," he said. "Asian portrayals and stereotypes are still there but I think that (society is) trying to integrate more cultures."
Grand Blanc junior Jessica Porritt said diversity is very important to her.
Mackey and Porritt both pointed out the shock they felt coming to such a diverse college.
"I didn't identify myself as being Asian until I got to college," Porritt said.
Both said they were American and didn't necessarily identify themselves with one specific other ethnicity.
Her also emphasized the importance of diversity.
"I think that learning different cultures is a privilege," he said.
Lansing sophomore Julius Bryant attended the lecture for a scholarship requirement but liked the topics discussed.
"I thought it was interesting to see stereotypes of different races," he said.
Bryant said there are cultural barriers that any race will experience and he related to that the most.
news@cm-life.com
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