It’s an “aZn thAng”… [what the bloody hell...]
There are strange things that I have observed from a few Filipino-Americans that I consider uncanny and very much disturbing/depressing. Most Fil-Am teens [including the tweens and twenty-nothings too] have this annoying habit of taking pride in their “aZn” [translate: Asian] heritage, in a wrong wrong wrong way. Examples:
Fiendster/Hatester Fixation. It’s as if their whole lives revolve around those websites. And they do nothing but post lame blog entries and lamer comments that would make any English teacher weep buckets full of tears.
I’m not bashing the Fil-Ams, but I just find it a HUGE pity that people would stereotype us Filipinos [and Asians too, as a whole] using that rampant picture. No wonder other people look down on us. We went to this Asian supermarket in Charlotte, and as soon as we set foot inside, I felt instantly depressed. Police cars were parked near the mall entrance, anticipating possible riots. Go inside and feel welcomed by the thin layer of trash covering the walkway, dotting the tiles on the grimy “mall” floor. The so-called “mall” was a mess, to think that some Chinese groups were in the middle of a Chinese New Year program.
The other shoppers’ attitudes were no consolation, either. Rude, stupid, and idiotic. They’d shove you without apologizing and leave their shopping carts in a location conducive to blocking your path. You’d say “excuse me” or “sorry” but they’ll ignore you as if they don’t understand a single word coming out of your mouth. But come to think of it, maybe they really don’t understand English. I guess I’ve been so used to the polite shoppers in my suburban Laurinburg home that I was instantly upset by the rude people at the Asian supermarket.
So is this the so-called “Asian thing”? Ugly Fil-Ams, dumb netspeakers, slaves of mediocrity, grimy malls, and non-existent courtesy? Not to mention crab mentality [yes, we were victimized by a certain Filipino storeowner who envied us and utilized all methods of an expert "crab" on us, damn her] and narrow-mindedness?
Is this how, we Asians, want to be seen and remembered?
This is NOT the “Asian thing”. Excellent students, great intellectuals, exceptional workers, hospitable neighbors, unique and compassionate individuals… That’s what the “Asian thing” is all about.
Every move you make is watched, judged, and stereotyped. Each message you send, each word you speak. You are an ambassador of your race and heritage.
Please don’t ruin it for us.
Categorized as Uncategorized