Discrimination Against Asians

Discrimination Against East Asians
The Stereotypes and Racism East Asians Face

"CHINK EYES... ANTI-SOCIAL... DISCRIMINATION..."

Whether in the media (such as TV, the internet, ads etc.), in school, or in a small community, any racial group can fall victimization to stereotypes. Being a minority group in the United States, many East Asians face stereotypes/discrimination based on the following:

1. Their physical appearance: A person commented on this blog, expressing his/her dislike of the phrase "chink eyes" and the way people stare at him/her. The most common physical stereotypes include the short height, "colored" versus white, and the "slanted eyes."
2. Affirmative action policies in colleges: Affirmative action policies refer to policies in order to benefit an "underrepresented minority"  in areas of unemployment, education, and business. In order to create diversity, most colleges pick applicants based on their race. Princeton sociologist Thomas Espenshade found that Asian-Americans, all other quantifiable factors being equal, needed far higher SAT scores than students of other races to gain admission to top schools (Mace). The unfairness is obvious.
3. Being "anti-social": One comment on the blog read "[people] stereotype that all [A]sians are nerds, antisocial, and not fun to talk to." 

Now let us help you combat these stereotypes through awareness of these East Asian cultures:

• East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore are Confucian Heritage Cultures (CHC) where particular cultural traits deriving from Confucian values are prevalent to varying degrees. In CHC traditions, the individual, or “sense of self” exists in terms of the webs of relationships between and amongst individuals. Other Confucian values that influence the educational traditions most commonly discussed in the literature include: the importance of education; respect for authority; and motivation for achievement (Ho, Holmes, Cooper).  These cultural morals may lead to the "anti-social" stereotype.
• Statistics have shown that many East Asian students are dictated by their culture in learning and are perceived by their Western teachers as role learners, unable to participate in classroom discussion, overly respectful of the teacher, and academically unprepared for studying in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States where critical thinking and inquiry are a directive of education.

What other stereotypes do you here against Asians? What else do you want to know about the Asian culture? Share your story about facing Asian stereotypes; let your voice be heard.

Works Cited:

Mace, Frank. "Linsanity and Affirmative Action." Linsanity and Affirmative Action. Harvard Political Review, 5 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 May 2012. <http://hpronline.org/united-states/how-linsanity-makes-a-case-against-affirmative-action/>.

Check out these other sites:

1. http://hmongstudies.org/ThaiCulture.pdf
2. http://www.seattlecolleges.edu/facultydevelopment/documents/PDF/Vietnam%20Cultural%20Background.pdf
3. http://www.minedu.govt.nz/~/media/MinEdu/Files/EducationSectors/InternationalEducation/ProvidersOfIntEd/InternationalismClassRoomStrategies.pdf

Comment Collage

Their Voices Were Heard
Now Let Us Hear Yours


We made a collage of all the comments that you posted. Read the colored phrases to get the bigger message. 


IT HURT ME WHEN PEOPLE LAUGHED... / I DIDN’T SPEAK MUCH ENGLISH… I COULD ONLY SIT THERE AND HOLD BACK MY TEARS…/ WHEN I GO TO EAT SOMEWHERE WITH MY FRIENDS PEOPLE STARE AT US AND CALL US CHINESE OR ‘CHINK EYES’ AND IT FEELS SO WEIRD. / LIKE BEING ADOPTED MEANS YOU’RE LESS LOVED... / AT MY SCHOOL, PEOPLE ARE EXCLUSIVE TO ASIANS…/ [BUT] THIS DISCRIMINATION IS BORN OUT OF IGNORANCE…/ I HOPE THAT MAYBE SOMEDAY PEOPLE WILL TRY TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER AND BE ABLE TO EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS. / PEOPLE MADE FUN OF MY ACCENT…BUT EVENTUALLY I REALISED THAT IT IS PART OF WHO I AM… / #1, SHE SHOULD BE PROUD OF HER HERITAGE, AND THAT #2, AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY IS IN NO WAY INFERIOR TO A BIOLOGICAL ONE, JUST DIFFERENT.   


We have all been discriminated against. Now let your voice be heard. Comment below and share any stories of the time you have been discriminated against.

Poll Results

Poll Results
What did you say?


Thank you all for voting on the polls! Here are the results:


Where Do You Think Your Culture Originates From?
Out of 76 votes,
10 said from "where you were born."
39 said from "where you grew up."
27 said from "where your family/ancestors are from."


The poll results must imply that your environment really plays a part in what you think of as your culture. Let us learn more about our environment to understand others.


Why Have You Been Discriminates Against?
Out of 87 votes,
20 said "for my race."
8 said "for my religion."
12 said "people do not understand my cultural morals."
14 said "for my disabilities/weaknesses."
14 said "for reasons not specified above."
19 said "I have not been discriminated against."


The result reinforce the fact that many people still suffer from discrimination for their race. However, it is great to hear that not many of you have been discriminated against. Maybe our society is heading towards a less racist place.


Thank you again for those who participated.


Continue to share your stories by commenting below. Also, please take the new poll on the right. We hope that the poll results show the positive progression of our society towards a less racist place!

The Definition of Discrimination

The Definition of Discrimination
What does it mean?


Look at the picture below. Which apple would you pick to eat?

For those of you who enjoy red apples, you may pick the very top red apple without even considering the other green apples. You may immediately associate red apples as delicious and green apples as sour and ignore the green ones. You may not even ask, "What if the green apples happen to taste better than the red?"; instead, you may downgrade the green and prefer the red.


It is our very nature to judge things based on their appearances. We judge people no differently.


It is important to know the very definition of discrimination in order to prevent it. According to the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination Article I, discrimination is defined as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life". (Taken from: http://usyd.academia.edu/SenthorunRaj/Papers/229980/Just_Joking_Is_Racist_Humour_a_Form_of_Vilification)


Yes, we prefer the red because of its color and its association to sweetness. Yes, we nullify the green by restricting them as being more sour than the red. Yes, we treat them as unequals.


Yes, these are just apples, but what if we did the same to people?


Next time you meet a person, don't judge them first. Step back and ask yourself, "What if I gave this person a chance?"


Ever felt judged by your own appearances? Share your story by posting below.

Pamphlet

Pamphlet Preview

Advertising the Blog

What's Your Story?

Let Your Voice Be Heard.

http://letushearyourstory.blogspot.com/

            Ever been misunderstood for having a different cultural background? Ever wanted to voice it out? Most of us have been through this experience. This is why we created a blog so that you would be able to share your story about what you think can be done to erase the ethnicity-based stigma. Many suffer from racism every day, and we feel that one of the ways in eliminating racism is by spreading culture awareness. This blog includes interesting articles about the topic, and fun polls for everyone to take so we can express our opinions about the issue.

* * * * *

If you are a student at LAHS and you want to see the rest of this pamphlet, visit Room 503 and ask where to get one!

Images that We Used in the Pamphlet:

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http://www.stockfuel.com/details/34820/sad_man_silhouette.html 

http://www.clker.com/clipart-23650.html

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http://www.vector-clip-art.com/2011/06/world-peace-clipart-061011.html

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 http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/UNC/UNC265/bowl-icons-noodles_~u29003170.jpg

Discrimination Against Adoption

Discrimination Against Adoption
What Most of Us Don't Know


First we will like to thank you, the public, for posting interesting comments on your story. Due to the many comments about adoption that we heard from you, we will like to spread awareness about the discrimination behind adoption. 


Most of us don't really know about adoption. Some of us even sympathize on adopted kids. But is there really something to sympathize about?

Family is family, adopted or not.

An adopted individual posted a comment on our page, disliking it when people perceive that "being adopted means that you're less loved." Most of us view family as a group of individuals with similar physical traits, but indeed, there can be a family with two completely different races. The same individual said that "[it] is a form of discrimination [to] how their recognition of being different from other families." So remember, it is discrimination to perceive a group as less fortunate just because of their different races.

A parent of an adopted child gives us their point of view of adoption. This parent tries to teach her child "to know #1, she should be proud of her heritage, and that #2, an adoptive family is in no way inferior to a biological one, just different." He/she emphasizes on the child's culture and the beauty of being different, which we found important to show to the public. It is not inferiority to have a different cultural background than your parents, but yes, different.

When another comment said that "this discrimination is borne out of ignorance because it is outside the experience of most people," we knew that we had to do something. We figured that not all of us can experience the feelings of adopted kids, but all of us can be aware of them. 

We hope that this post will spread awareness of the discrimination against adoption.

Thank you for all of you who let your voice be heard.

Please post a comment on this post and tell us your story of discrimination as well.

R.A.C.I.S.M.

What Does Racism Mean to You?
R.A.C.I.S.M.

rac-ism
noun /'rey-siz-uhm/
The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.


bul-ly
noun /'bool-ee/
A person who uses strength and power to intimidate and harm those who are weaker.

We judge, we abuse, we triumph over another's sorrow.

Racism is bullying, a sign of weakness. Don't do it; you will only be degrading yourself.

End

Ripping up

Another person’s

Cultural values

In order to gain

Superiority, to be part of the

Majority.

Now.

Speaking in a Different Language Can Sometimes Be Rude
Be aware of others; don't exclude them.


あの映画面白かったよね？また映画に見に行こう!
La película fue muy interesante. Vamos a ver una película otra vez.
那部电影真是很有趣！想要又去看电影吗？

Say you here some laughter after some group of people said the above. 
What do you feel? Feel excluded? That's normal.

We all had that experience before, whether we enter a foreign supermarket or an ethnic town. All we can see are the stares and hear the laughs, making us uncomfortable. 


So be aware of others. Try to speak in a language that they can understand. Then they will know that you are not gossiping about them. Speak so all can understand!

Had an experience like this? Tell us about it by posting below!

Fashion of the World Throughout the Years

Fashion is one of the best ways to reveal the ideas behind each culture. Here, we have collected some photos of fashion from around the world during the old times. Take a look at each one, and compare and contrast. What do the similarities and differences say about each culture?

18th Century European Dress                                         Cheongsam from China

African Style Dress

Indian Dress

Spanish Style Wedding Dress
  

                                                                                                      
          Japanese Kimono 

                                                                                              

                                                                  

                                                                              Korean Hanbok Dress                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

After seeing all the different traditional dresses from around the world, what do you think? Love to draw? Create a design that blends in various cultures from the ideas you gained from the above dresses. Submit your design to us, and share with everyone what design you think could best combine cultures of the world to create more unity in our society! 

Language Barrier

Knowing Different Languages 
Eliminate the Language Barrier


    For those who come from different countries, language is often a huge barrier in being accepted into a new home country. Because of accents, people are often teased about it. However, we must realize that respecting others' languages is part of respecting others. I really love to learn languages, and I realized that after you learn a language, you start to see the culture behind it. It opens up your world view, and allows you to see the wonders of each culture. Without further ado, let's learn some basic phrases from different languages!


English: Hello, Hi
Spanish: Hola (oh-la)
French: Bonjour
Italian: Ciao (chao)
Chinese: 你好 (nee-hao)
Japanese: こんにちは   (kon'nichiwa)
Korean: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
Vietnamese: Xin chào  (sin-jow)
Swahili: Hujambo




English: Thank you
Spanish: Gracias
French: Merci
Italian: Grazie
Chinese: 谢谢 (Xièxiè)
Japanese: ありがとう (Arigatō)
Korean: 감사합니다 (gamsahabnida)
Vietnamese: cảm ơn
Swahili: Asante




English: I love you.
Spanish: Te amo.
French: Je t'aime
Italian: Ti amo.
Chinese: 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ)
Japanese: 私はあなたを愛している (Watashi wa anata o aishiteiru)
Korean: 내가 당신을 사랑 (naega dangsin-eul salang)
Vietnamese: Em yêu anh (girl to boy) Anh yêu em. (Boy to girl.)
Swahili: Nakupenda


These are only some of the common phrases from some of the languages that are spoken more frequently. Post more phrases from different languages to teach us all! Thank you so much! Gracias! :)

Ethnic Assimilation Theory vs. Ethnic Competition Theory

Ethnic Assimilation Theory vs. Ethnic Competition Theory 
Which do you believe in?


There are two dominant theories on the relationship between cultural knowledge and discrimination. Which do you believe in?


Ethic Assimilation Theory by Milton Gordon
In his theory of the Seven Stages of Assimilation, Gordon argues that cultural assimilation occurs first. This means that newcomers start to adopt the new society's culture and customs by reducing their own boundaries and accepting new ones. By doing so, the people counter discrimination. Generally, the assimilation theory suggests that as ethnic minority group members acquire greater knowledge of the dominant culture, become socially integrated, and experience upward social mobility they should experience greater acceptance among majority group members and perceive less discrimination.

Become Socially Integrated

Feel More Accepted

Less Discrimination

More Knowledge of Other People's Culture

Ethnic Competition Theory by Nathan Glazer and Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Although Glazer and Moynihan recognize that some assimilation occurs, they argue that it is important for a culture to selectively retain its original identity and cope with discrimination instead of eliminating it. Generally, higher educational attainment, increased language competency, and greater familiarity with the dominant society leads to a heightened awareness of cultural differences and thus discrimination.

More Familiar with Dominant Society


Emphasis on Cultural Differences

More Knowledge of Other People's Culture

More Discrimination

Do you think that cultural awareness brings about unity or more discrimination in a society?


Post below on which you think is true and feel free to tell us why.

Stop the Discrimination Against Muslims Video

We want to hear your opinion.


Please watch this video below about discrimination against Muslims in America and tell us what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-Jnfg9i4IsE


Post a comment below on what you think can be done to eliminate discrimination! Also feel free to tell us your opinions on the following:

1. Do the people's discriminatory behavior offend you? 
2. Some people associate Muslims with terrorists. How can we prevent people from limiting their views of Muslims?
3. What makes you "American"?

Thanks!

Cultural Awareness: Gestures

Why Is It Important to Know Other People's Cultures?
What is considered polite can be considered rude in other countries.

Communication is key--and so is cultural awareness. Knowing one's culture can help us understand more of one's behavior. It is also important to know what is considered rude and polite in one's culture. 


One of the most common ways to offend another of a different culture is by displaying rude gestures. Have you seen anyone do any of the following gestures? Try to consider the fact that maybe they are doing these gestures because it is considered polite in their culture. 

Polite Gestures in Different Cultures:

• Slurping: Although it may be considered rude here in the U.S., it is considered good manners to slurp your noodles in some Asian countries, especially Japan.
• Slight Bow: In most Asian countries, a slight bow is preferred over a handshake.
• Eye Contact: It is polite to maintain eye contact in Canada.
• Hugs and Kisses: In Mexico, hugs and kisses are polite gestures; men greet friends with a slight hug while women lightly hug and pretend to kiss on the cheek.
• Raising a fist: Although raising a fist may be a sign of aggression in some countries, raising a fist in Argentina is considered as a sign of victory. 

Rude Gestures in Different Cultures:

• "O.K." gesture: Even though the gesture may mean "O.K." in America and U.K., it is considered insulting in Brazil.
• Pointing: Pointing is considered rude in so many countries that it is best to gesture with an open palm.
• Shaking With Your Left Hand: In Middle Eastern countries, it is considered rude to shake with your left hand since it is associated with dirtiness.
• Touching Above the Shoulders: Most Japanese people love their privacy, so it is best not to touch their shoulders, head, or hair. 
• Putting Your Hands on Your Lap: Keep your hands on the table in Austria, because putting your hands on your lap is considered rude there.

By being more aware of a culture, your view of a person may change. Hopefully this page changed your view of a person to a more positive one.


Ever experienced anything like this? Have any other gestures that should be listed above? Share your story by posting below.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

Erase the Ethnicity-Based Stigma. Say Something.

Ever felt misunderstood? Ever wanted your voice, your opinion, or your feelings to be heard? Ever felt discriminated against just because you have different morals, values, or cultural backgrounds?

We are all different and that makes us unique. But sometimes people don’t understand because they have never experienced other people’s cultures and have never read their life stories. So why don’t we eliminate stereotypes, discrimination, and miscommunications by voicing it out?

On this page, we will like you to tell us your story. Tell us what you would like others to understand. Tell us any problems you faced due to cultural differences. Tell us about any times you felt miscommunicated. Maybe we can help.

All you have to do is post a comment in this blog or e-mail us your stories or any pieces of art that represents your story at letushearyourstory@gmail.com. You can even take the polls that are on the right of this blog.

Let your voice be heard.

Together we can erase the ethnicity-based stigma.