Panel discusses Asian stereotypes Thursday
Asian men are defined by more than stereotypes of martial arts, computers and math.
A crowd of 70 people listened to members of the Asian Cultural Organization and Men About Change dispel popular myths about Asian men Thursday in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
“I have no idea how to use chopsticks,” said Greenville freshman Mark Gustin. “I don’t fit those stereotypes.”
Gustin was adopted from Korea by white parents when he was an infant, and said social sites are more his focus than learning Karate moves.
“I know how to use Facebook and that’s all that really matters to me,” he said.
Panelists discussed the prejudice they have confronted from their Asian heritage, including people complementing how well they speak English and being called slurs like “chopsticks.”
Gustin admitted tackling a stranger who called him “Captain Soy Sauce” in a mall.
However, most of the panelists said they ignore the offensive remarks, or politely correct the speaker.
Lansing senior David Vang said Central Michigan University and ACO offer both Asian and non-Asian students an opportunity to explore diversity.
Vang is Hmong, a member of a nomadic ethnicity originating in Laos.
He said coming to CMU has exposed him to a variety of Asian cultures.
The panel also discussed values in the Asian community.
Mount Pleasant senior Nick Paik said his values coincide with those of mainstream America.
“If it wasn’t for how I look, I might as well perceive myself as white,” Paik said.
Audience members questioned panelists about interracial dating, career choices and how they separate themselves from media stereotypes.
Auburn senior Nou Her criticized some panelists who said they ignore racially insensitive jokes from their friends, saying it only encourages their friends to repeat those jokes to other Asian Americans.
She prefaced her comment by relaying how a grade school teacher made her take English fluency classes because her parents were immigrants and did not speak English, even though she is American.
The panel discussion concluded Asian Pacific Heritage Month at CMU.
