Are Asian Stereotypes true? That is a question that has become a raging debate between Asians and non-Asians in America. Comedians always bring up the subject about Asian stereotypes since it makes a great source of comedic material. However, Asians are often ridiculed for these stereotypes and these labels tend to be a catalyst for other cultures to fully understand the Asian culture.
Asians are Bad Drivers
Asians are known to make the best cars in the world (e.g. Lexus, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai etc.,) but to say that they "can't drive" is a negative stereotype.
I wonder who is test-driving these cars on the company's test track? It can't be an Asian right?
It's too bad that one Asian driver may have started the negative stereotype with an accident that led a non-Asian to proclaim that all "Asians are bad drivers." The debate is a hot topic on discussion forums on the internet with Asians and non-Asians arguing whether the stereotype is true or false. There are even some Asians who agree with the negative label, telling about some of their experiences with friends and family members. Most of the blistering comments come from non-Asians directed mostly towards Asian females and old drivers.
Insurance companies cannot release information on Asian drivers or any culture and which group is the leading cause of accidents since it is illegal and discriminatory.
Couldn't we just peek at the insurance statistics just to end the debate?
Nah.
This is an argument that won't come to an end soon.
Asian Men have SMALL DONGS!
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| (photo by methodshop.com) |
The negative stereotype about Asian men having small gentalia is a derogatory label and goes way "below the belt," no pun intended. This issue is a stigma that plagues all Asian men and is constantly talked about by stand-up comedians and the media.
This is also a hot topic among Asians and non-Asians on the internet! On most discussion forums, non-Asian women have come to the defense of Asian men. In one forum, one woman remarked how her ex-Asian boyfriend was bigger than her non-Asian boyfriends. In contrast, non-Asian men have used their observations in bath houses and gym lockers, as well as Asian porn films, as PROOF of the stereotype.
American women say "size doesn't matter" but American men look at their manhood with a sense of pride if they have a big schlong or become embarrassed if they have small one.
In reality, not all non-Asian males are well-endowed and not all Asian men are small either since studies show that it all depends on a man's height and build.
Statistically speaking, Asian-American and Asian men are getting bigger and taller year after year.
That means . . . well you can figure that out.
Asians Can't Speak English and Labeled Anti-Social
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| (Photo by Jess Damen) |
America is a land filled with immigrants and Asians are no exception. Years ago, like the Europeans before them, Asians did not speak English and found it difficult fitting-in to the American culture at first. Being a part of a new culture was difficult, especially for the older generation. While the younger generation assimilated easily into society and learned the English language, the older generation had a harder time adjusting.
Like all immigrants before them, they were often ridiculed for their accent, their unique looks, and ignorance towards the new culture in America. Most Americans, who mock these foreigners, obviously forgot about where they came from and the difficulty their families had when they first arrived into America as newcomers.
The U.S. is the most accommodating country in the world for new immigrants. They have speakers of every dialect or reading material in a certain language to help them. Unlike most foreign countries, an American would be lost on most international continents if they didn't know the native language.
Most newcomers in America would be dubbed "anti-social" if they find it difficult to settle in.
If only Americans could put themselves in an immigrant's shoes and see how it feels like to be labeled an "outcast."
Asians are CHEAP
Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash
What culture doesn't like to have a good deal when buying something? Every culture is notorious for having shrewd business people in their group.
Who doesn't like to save money on everything you buy?
This trait is not regulated to Asians!
Every culture wants to make money and save money at the same time!
Asians Don't Know Sports But they Know Martial Arts
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| Asians DO what they do best--martial arts! (Photo by Japanworld.info) |
NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin is helping to destroy the myth of the negative Asian stereotype in basketball and in sports in general. There is a stereotype that Asians are too short and weak to play any sports but the emergence of Lin and other Asians in other sports has changed that perception.
And, no, not every Asian knows martial arts!
In basketball, former Houston Rocket center Yao Ming was an anomaly at 7 foot 6 inch and did well in the NBA before injuries slowed him down and forced him to retire. Despite Yao's emergence, there was still a belief that Asians could not play the athletic positions of forward and guard in the NBA. Lin helped change that perception in the 2011-2012 season with the New York Knicks and proved he belonged in the league by averaging 13 pts and 6 assists for Houston during the 2012-2013 regular season. While there are lingering doubts about his skills, Lin is an important cog of the Houston Rockets.
The NFL has a few half-blooded Asians like Will Demps, Haruki Nakamura, Hines Ward, and Chris Gocong, and pure-blooded Asians like Tennessee Titans lineman Eugene Amano and former Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Dat Nguyen and former New England Patriots offensive lineman Eugene Chung. There are not many Asian football players in the NFL but it takes one player at a time to change the negative perception.
Baseball has the biggest population of Asian players like Yu Darvish (Texas Rangers), Ichiro Suzuki (NY Yankees), Shin Shoo-Choo (Cincinnati Reds), Hiroki Kuroda (Yankees), Ryu Hyun-Jin (L.A. Dodgers), just to name a few. Current Asian players are just as big and tall as their non-Asian counterparts. Years ago, Asians were valued as pitchers but Ichiro changed the perception that an Asian player can play in the skill positions as well.
Asians excel in many other types of sports like boxing, golf, bowling, soccer, and various Olympic sports!
Asians may be few in certain sports but thanks to a change in diet and a positive perception of sports in Asian-American households, they are making great strides to produce the next Michael Jordan or Joe Montana or Mickey Mantle.
Asians eat CATS and DOGS!
Asians in Southeast Asia are notorious for eating domesticated animals such as cats and dogs. It is an acquired taste for some and isn't strange like other cultures famous for eating muskrat, rabbit, possum, insects, kangaroo, horse, and other animals.
Every culture has an unusual food.
Why should Asian cuisine be treated any different?
Hollywood, The Leader of Asian Stereotypes
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| Ken Jeong is a fine actor but Hollywood has pegged him into Asian stereotype roles as a "funnyman and buffoon." (photo by flickeflu.com) |
Many Americans believe these labels and beliefs which are fully "supported" in films and television. Hollywood has found a way to pigeonhole Asian actors into roles that play to these stereotypes.
Can you blame Asian actors, who don't have many roles to choose from, accepting these acting jobs that tend to belittle their Asian heritage?
Most Asian actors on film and tv play the stereotypical "funny man or village idiot." In other roles, they are cast as villains.
Despite hearing continued protests from Asian organizations and supporters over the years, Hollywood continues to cast non-Asians as Asians in films/TV and place Asian actors in stereotypical roles.
ASIAN STEREOTYPES: Some Compliments!
Despite all the negative stereotypes listed here, we had to include some "good" stereotypes too!
#1 Asians are HARD WORKERS
It's a great compliment that someone labels Asians as hard workers. That's way better than calling a certain race "lazy and stupid." However, let's be real here. Not every Asian is a hard worker, especially in this age of "don't work harder, work smarter." Believe it or not, there are a few Asian slackers out there.
#2 Asians are GREAT in School
Asians are praised for their studies, which is a good thing. The Asian-born kids are praised more than the American-born Asians. However, NOT all Asians are whizzes in academics. Don't be disappointed if you run into an Asian, who can't solve a math problem to "save his or her life."
#3 Asians Excel in the Medical Profession
Not every Asian works in the medical profession. There are Asians working at every corporate level and every industry you can think of. Yes, Asians have come along way from being gardeners and laborers, and have grown to become bona fide professionals.
#4 Asians are well-educated and have High Incomes
Although Asians make up only 5% of the American population, Pew Research Center found that Asian households have the highest income when compared to other racial groups and deemed the best educated group in the U.S..
When Will Asian Stereotypes End?
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| A diverse group of young students in America. (photo by timeinc.net) |
For every hard-working and successful Asian, there is a lazy and indifferent Asian. For every highly-educated Asian family, there is a family of Asians at the poverty-level. The stereotypes vary, with some Asians breaking from the norm.
Like all immigrants before them, Asians came into the country with nothing. Some just came with just the clothes on their back. And, like all immigrants, many worked hard at their jobs so that their children could live a better life. Others had the entrepreneurial spirit and became successful business owners.
Since the beginning of time, there has always been backlash whenever a new culture arrives in the neighborhood. HATERS create these stereotypes to put down the "new culture" and that's common for all races who come to America.
Call it America's way of welcoming a new culture.
Asian stereotypes will never end as long as haters are still around.
Only good and positive people can look past the stereotype and know the real truth and the beauty of the Asian culture.
I agree there are a lot of negative Asian stereotypes that have become common practice in society through the use of media content to prove its legitimacy. The question is how long will people continue to let media content determine how they view another race, will people ever want to find out for themselves? I like the points that you have made about Asian drivers, I stated similar facts in my blog "Judgement Avenue". I agree you can not single out one race while driving on the road, what about everybody else; driving mishaps have no color or origin of race behind them only personal character. This is what I feel stereotyping comes down to; it is not about the stereotype that a race or gender can carry but instead it should be about an individuals character make-up, that is what makes people tick not the stereotype. You can not let a few bad apples effect the rest of the group, every race has it problems and issues but that does not mean that everyone in that race is the same and has the same type of problems, it is all about the character. I have a blog going on stereotypes also, if you would like to check it out here is the link, http://javenue432.blogspot.com/.
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