People can be so ignorant about interracial dating...

[Raerae]

Maybe she is being real. Why are we so conscerned with making sure everyone acts, "race" appropriate anyways? Is it so offensive for someone to have their own interpretation of a culture? And blend it with their own?

I like eating with chopsticks... But I'm not asian... I guess I should stop pretending...

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Originally Posted by SingFrAbsoltion I understand where Beauty_Mark is coming from, it's one thing to like and respect another culture, and another to obsess about it and pretend to be something you're not.

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Maybe she is being real. Why are we so conscerned with making sure everyone acts, "race" appropriate anyways? Is it so offensive for someone to have their own interpretation of a culture? And blend it with their own? I like eating with chopsticks... But I'm not asian... I guess I should stop pretending...

But are you eating with chopsticks to maintain the image that you're Asian? Are you doing it because you want to be Asian?

Probably not.

I have a feeling this girl was probably increadibly annoying. Like almost a "wankster" (white person acting like a black gangster) except giving a false, annoying interpretation of Asian culture.
Ick... like something like that wouldn't get on your nerves too?

 

[SingFrAbsoltion]

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Originally Posted by Raerae I like eating with chopsticks... But I'm not asian... I guess I should stop pretending...

So do I. As I said before my boyfriend is Asian and when we go out with his family I eat their food with chopsticks. However I do it because I respect the culture not because " z0mg I can eat with chopsticks i'm so asian lolz"

If you read the original post, she said that he girl's understanding of the Japanese culture came from Anime! Her boyfriend was Korean and she slipped Japanese in every second? She probably wouldn't know the difference between Korean and Japanese if it hit her in the head.

From the sounds of it she was a stupid little girl who thought that anime is all there is to Japan, and just dating asian guys to look cool in from of her other anime loving buddies.

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost You're Asian, Arab, Black, White, Indian, Mixed Heritage, *insert whatever I forgot here* by birth, upbringing, or citizenship. End of story.

Your making a common mistake and mixing race(birth), with culture (upbringing) and nationality(citizenship). Which are three similar/related but also very different things depending on the context. I'd also say that with globalization, these words are becoming even harder to define as ease of travel has allowed for migrations and mixings of people never before possible.

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Example: I can respect Iranians as much as I like, I've vacationed in Shiraz and Tehran, and my sister-in-law is Iranian, and when I'm in Iran I make it a point to blend in as to not be viewed as Eurotrash... but I'm not Iranian no matter what. I'm Arab/European (Bahraini/Italian) by birth, upbringing and citizenship. I wish people could just appreciate who they are and their own culture.

The only thing your really guarenteed by birth, is your race. You could become a citizen of Iran if you really wanted too. You could assimilate into Iranian National culture (the broad culture shared across the nation, which is different than the local culture), have pride in your new country, and raise your children in the local/national iranian culture. At that point, I'd have a very hard time saying than someone who was "born" in Iran, is really any better than you are. Thats really splitting hairs, which a lot of people like to do when it comes to who's a better ________. Blood is so muddy at this point, that I doubt most if anyone is really a "pure blood" anymore of any race, unless they live in a very isolated rural area.

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost But are you eating with chopsticks to maintain the image that you're Asian? Are you doing it because you want to be Asian? Probably not. I have a feeling this girl was probably increadibly annoying. Like almost a "wankster" (white person acting like a black gangster) except giving a false, annoying interpretation of Asian culture. Ick... like something like that wouldn't get on your nerves too?

I dunno... I order so much food from this Thai/Japanese place that the different people answering the phone know me by now. I'm pretty Asian =p

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by SingFrAbsoltion So do I. As I said before my boyfriend is Asian and when we go out with his family I eat their food with chopsticks. However I do it because I respect the culture not because " z0mg I can eat with chopsticks i'm so asian lolz"

I eat with chopsticks because it's fun, and realistically, I'd prefer it given the option (assuming the cusine is prepared in such a way that chopsticks are a viable alternative to a knife/fork)

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If you read the original post, she said that he girl's understanding of the Japanese culture came from Anime! Her boyfriend was Korean and she slipped Japanese in every second? She probably wouldn't know the difference between Korean and Japanese if it hit her in the head.

Genetically there probably isn't much difference.

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From the sounds of it she was a stupid little girl who thought that anime is all there is to Japan, and just dating asian guys to look cool in from of her other anime loving buddies.

Assuming this is true, why does this bother people so much?

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Assuming this is true, why does this bother people so much?

Because it's annoying as hell most likely

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost Because it's annoying as hell most likely

Right... I got that...

But it's annoying because it bother's people.

So I'm asking why does it bother people when someone colors outside of the lines of their predefined little steriotype?

As far as Wanksters... So? With how mainstream black gangster culture is now, is it really suprising that it appeals to men who aren't black? That type of hyper masculinity isn't really present in white america.

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Right... I got that... But it's annoying because it bother's people. So I'm asking why does it bother people when someone colors outside of the lines of their predefined little steriotype? As far as Wanksters... So? With how mainstream black gangster culture is now, is it really suprising that it appeals to men who aren't black? That type of hyper masculinity isn't really present in white america.

We like to beleive there's something special about belonging to a race, culture or nation. Like all "I'm proud to be an American" and whatnot. It is probably slightly isolationist, but in an increasingly flat world it's nice to beleive you belong to something that only a limited amount of people can.

And we see this reflected not only in our cultures, races, and nationalities but into other ones too and it bothers us that the playing field can seem equal. We aren't all the same. The world isn't the proverbial "melting pot"... it's an assortment of peoples that want to maintain there own identities while still modernizing (I'm trying to avoid going back to the ME Society Thread, please ignore any similarities).

So... I think it's bothering because this Asian-Wannabe should be RESPECTING the other culture instead of trying to assimilate it into her own life in an uneducated fashion (i.e. learning about it from Anime, not knowing the differences between countries, etc..).

Also, think of the way she was described as presenting it. Would you be flattered that someone who thinks they're Asian beleives Anime is the main part of the culture and confuses the different country's cultural aspects?
It seems ignorant and insulting.

 

[SingFrAbsoltion]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Genetically there probably isn't much difference. Assuming this is true, why does this bother people so much?

I was talking about languages and cultures. It's like coming up to a Spanish person and speaking to them in French cause hey, the two countries are right next to each other, probably there isn't that much "genetical difference" there either, right? They must be the same.

And hey I like French music, now I wanna be French. I mean I know nothing about the contry, the people and the culture, but I just want to be French.

That outlook os ignorant, close minded, and pretentious. Is she the only fake person in the world? No, there are billions like her. However she is the one that we're discussing.

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Your making a common mistake and mixing race(birth), with culture (upbringing) and nationality(citizenship). Which are three similar/related but also very different things depending on the context. I'd also say that with globalization, these words are becoming even harder to define as ease of travel has allowed for migrations and mixings of people never before possible.

I know the difference, thank you very much. You don't need to explain it; I seperated race, upbringing, and citizenship on purpose. Essentially, they are all parts of oneself that help develop a cultural identity.

My point was that you have to have a genetic, cultural, or legal tie to groups such as the Caucasian race, American culture, or American country. You can't just decide to be Asian on a whim... you can obtain a citizenship in only SOME countries via application (otherwise is jus sanguinus or jus soli) but it still takes a great deal of time and assimilation into the country.

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost My point was that you have to have a genetic, cultural, or legal tie to groups such as the Caucasian race, American culture, or American country. You can't just decide to be Asian on a whim... you can obtain a citizenship in only SOME countries via application (otherwise is jus sanguinus or jus soli) but it still takes a great deal of time and assimilation into the country.

What is "Being Asian" anyways?

I'm sure you would have a very hard time defining that. What makes her values with regards to whats important any more or less valid? Because she has a double eye lid?

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae What is "Being Asian" anyways? I'm sure you would have a very hard time defining that. What makes her values with regards to whats important any more or less valid? Because she has a double eye lid?

In general, it's people of ancestry from the Asian continent (South East, Far East, and Indian Subcontinent) with the exclusion of Pacific Islanders (who choose to not dennote themselves as Asian), Russians (who are ethnically Slavic), and Middle Easterners (who are Arab, Persian, Turkish, and Kurd... among others).

But it depends on which census you go by. Like on some Pakistanis are denoted as Asian but on others (like the US) they're classified as white.

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost In general, it's people of ancestry from the Asian continent (South East, Far East, and Indian Subcontinent) with the exclusion of Pacific Islanders (who choose to not dennote themselves as Asian), Russians (who are ethnically Slavic), and Middle Easterners (who are Arab, Persian, Turkish, and Kurd... among others). But it depends on which census you go by. Like on some Pakistanis are denoted as Asian but on others (like the US) they're classified as white.

You given me the racial defenition of Asian. Were clearly not talking about that. It's pretty obvious that regardless of how hard she tries (and i doubt she is trying), she could never be genetically asian.

So I ask again, what's "being Asian."

I think thats a pretty impossible term to define because of all of the cultural complexities associated with the different groups of people under the Asian genetic umbrella.

Also, to the original poster, did she ever say, "I'm so asian!" Or anything similar? Or was she just taking bits and pieces of the asian culture (in this case probably Japanese) that appealed to her, and incorporating that into her own personal identity? In which case she's not really being asian, so much as being herself.

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by SingFrAbsoltion I was talking about languages and cultures. It's like coming up to a Spanish person and speaking to them in French cause hey, the two countries are right next to each other, probably there isn't that much "genetical difference" there either, right? They must be the same.

Actually if I came up to a spanish person in spain, i'd probably speak English. Since unlike in America, it's pretty common for people especially in europe, to speak more than one language, and lots of people speak english. And even then, language isn't as large a barrier as you would believe. At least if your speaking to someone face to face. Body language is pretty universal, not to mention descriptive language, and also handy tools like a pen and paper to draw what your looking for

But back to your topic~ If she's interested in Japenese culture, why would she take the time to learn about Koreans? And chances are, she dating her Korean boyfriend not because he's asian, and dateing asianz is so cool! But because of her specific interests, they share a lot of thing in common. Chances are they met each other watching Anime on campus anyways.

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And hey I like French music, now I wanna be French. I mean I know nothing about the contry, the people and the culture, but I just want to be French. That outlook os ignorant, close minded, and pretentious. Is she the only fake person in the world? No, there are billions like her. However she is the one that we're discussing.

Your outlook is just as ignorant as you believe hers is. Your running under the assumption based on limited knowledge of this individual that she just woke up one day and decided to be "asian" (whatever being asian is, we still haven't defined that).

I'd also say it's pretty ignorant, not to mention close minded, to look down on someone for enjoying bits and pieces of another person's cultures. Thats like saying it's ignorant to only like MAC eyeshadows, w/out respecting all of the other MU that MAC puts out. So what if someone who listened to French Music, after doing some research on it, decided they liked french fashion, and started wearing some of it. Or started useing a few french words here and there that they liked from the songs. There not "being french" their being themselves. We all struggle for our own unique identities and individuality. Perhaps instead of looking down your nose at people who are sharing some of your interests, maybe instead, find what you have in common?

 

[eighmii]

I dont know know about other places in the world.. but here in my little bubble (SE Florida) it seems like theres more interracial relationships than regular ones.. But I guess because its so racially diverse here.. Its probabley about 1/3 white 1/3 spanish and 1/3 black.. and everybody just dates everybody.

And its really not a big deal either...

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

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Originally Posted by Raerae You given me the racial defenition of Asian. Were clearly not talking about that. It's pretty obvious that regardless of how hard she tries (and i doubt she is trying), she could never be genetically asian. So I ask again, what's "being Asian."

Asians are a group of people. If you're not of Asian heritage or an inhabitant of an Asian country, you can't be Asian.
Which country of origin this reffers to differs.

So maybe this girl is interested in Asian culture... but she isn't Asian.

From UrbanDictionary.com

ASIAN 1660 up, 361 down

(Attempting to add a decent, more serious and accurate definition to the lot.)

In the United States, the most common use of the word refers to people originating from East and Southeast Asia (China, Japan, South/North Korea, Vietnam, among others). Indians and Pakistanis might be referred to as South Asians, where as Filipinos and Samoans might be called Pacific Islanders.

In England, "asian" most commonly refers to people of Indian or Pakistani descent, whereas "oriental" might refer to East and Southeast Asians (NOTE: "oriental" is certainly considered politically incorrect in the United States).

From the American Heritage Dictionary:
Asian
1.A native or inhabitant of Asia.
2.A person of Asian descent.

WordNet:
1. a native or inhabitant of Asia

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I think thats a pretty impossible term to define because of all of the cultural complexities associated with the different groups of people under the Asian genetic umbrella.

Which is why censuses need to be more specific, imo....

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Also, to the original poster, did she ever say, "I'm so asian!" Or anything similar? Or was she just taking bits and pieces of the asian culture (in this case probably Japanese) that appealed to her, and incorporating that into her own personal identity? In which case she's not really being asian, so much as being herself.

No, but her interest must be obnoxious and seem ignorant if you have a grasp on what Asian (specifically, Japanese) culture is like. Also... if it's just to keep up appearances then there is totally something wrong with it. Like, acting all "down with Japanese culture" so she can impress others in hopes they'll consider her to be "down with Japanese culture" like they are (even if they're not really Japanese and are of a different heritage).

 

[Raerae]

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Originally Posted by Emma_Frost Asians are a group of people. If you're not of Asian heritage or an inhabitant of an Asian country, you can't be Asian. Which country of origin this reffers to differs. So maybe this girl is interested in Asian culture... but she isn't Asian.

I think we already agreed on this.

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No, but her interest must be obnoxious and seem ignorant if you have a grasp on what Asian (specifically, Japanese) culture is like. Also... if it's just to keep up appearances then there is totally something wrong with it. Like, acting all "down with Japanese culture" so she can impress others in hopes they'll consider her to be "down with Japanese culture" like they are (even if they're not really Japanese and are of a different heritage).

Right but we still haven't established if she's trying to "be japenese" or is just a white girl (I'm assuming she's white) who likes anime to a point where she likes dressing like the chars, and useing words from her favorite series's. And regardless, there is nothing wrong with that.

And i'm still guessing she met her boyfriend because he likes Anime too. I know we had a Anime club in the artroom at highschool and you could watch it during lunch hour in that room with other students who were into it. Whats wrong with dating someone who shares something your passionate about?

 

[Shimmer]

Please keep the tone of the thread civil.
Thanks.

 

[astronaut]

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Originally Posted by Raerae Do you have a favorite flavor of ice cream? Or a favorite color? Or a favorite whatever?

I'm a human being and I don't think I want to be put in a similar category as favorite ice cream or colour; someone having a favorite race? I don't want to be with someone like that! Someone who put me in their "favorites list" or something. I want someone to like me for me, and even though my race might not be the overall factor, I don't even want it to be one factor... like in college admissions uh. And I repeat again, if a dude likes me for just being Asian, then that's weird and creepy. My boyfriend's white (Jewish, or ... something lol) and I don't look at him and think, "I like you for being white!"... um no.