<p>Will all of the posters on this thread who are offended by stereotypes do me a favor? The next time anyone comes on this site and complains that athletes, legacies, developmental admits and URMs are not deserving of a place in the class at some u because they are stereotypically not academically competitive enough, will you please come to their defense? Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Galosien – Historical linguistics sounds interesting. Unfortunately, I’ve never spoken or read in any other language other than English. My 2 children, who are most definitely math/science types love learning foreign languages – more than English!</p>
<p>Also one of my sisters-in-law is from China and she speaks Chinese to my niece and nephew so that they will at least have exposure and hopefully learn to speak Chinese. My husband’s mother is from Italy but his mother never spoke it and consequently he speaks no Italian.</p>
<p>I suppose the study of Historical Linguistics includes the exploration the political and cultural reasons for language change or disuse - does it? For example, the Irish had (and still have) a completely different language then English – Irish Gaelic. However, because the Penal Laws and other laws the primary language of the country became English. The Anglicisation of Irish culture and language was not entirely suppressed, however, and the language still is spoken today in certain parts of Ireland. All children in Ireland must learn Irish Gaelic although primarily English is spoken. They also have the Book of Kells in Ireland…an ancient manuscript…but it is written in Latin.</p>
<p>Anyway…this is for another topic I suppose!</p>
<p>Zoosermom – I’m not sure just exactly what ethnicity or ingredients are used to make Wonder Bread but the Civil War story sounds interesting. The stories that are out there are the best part of genealogy. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and The New York Times are digitalized and I found lots of information about my ancestors from articles in these newspapers. The NY Times archive is fully available and The Brooklyn Daily Eagle is fully digitalized through 1902…</p>
<p>As to the OP, I’m kinda lost as to the stereotype at play. Certainly, people in general, regardless of ethnic or other background will rush to the gate, the head of the line, etc. when a limited opportunity faces them. The examples of sporting events, concerts, retail sales, etc. is endless. Can’t conceive of what that aspect of this has to do with being Asian or of any ethnic group.</p>
<p>If the stereotype at play is more about the rush being to the calculus class, then I suppose that, sadly, there is an “Asian stereotype” attached to that and I further suppose that seeing a stereotype seemingly come to life before your eyes would generate some reaction and for which there would be no harm if, as the OP seems to state, it is understood to be a stereotypical circumstance and taken as nothing more than that and not acted upon as anything more than that. </p>
<p>To this end, I think the original post went to fairly great lengths to clarify that no ill intent was meant or being expressed, sort of like the circumstance when one laughs at a slapstick situation (person falling on the ice sorta thing). </p>
<p>Moreover, simply recognizing it as the manifestation of a stereotype (and generating here 22 pages of discussion) is not a bad thing as perhaps it leads to recognizing the stereotypes we all deal with and the foolish labels they lead to and the power words can have in attaching those labels without bothering to look behind the same.</p>
<p>“Can’t conceive of what that aspect of this has to do with being Asian or of any ethnic group.”</p>
<p>It only has to do with Asian in that (a) everyone was Asian but my family and (b) it reminded me of things I’ve read here. That’s really all it was Bullwinkle. the recognition of something in my real life that made me think of CC and wanted to share. You can (collectively) analyze and dissect, but I’m not that complicated. It’s just that simple. I’ve read scores of posts about “Asian parents” and couldn’t relate at all. Something happened in my life that was relate-able and I came back to chat about it.</p>
<p>In hindsight, if I hadn’t used the “s” word in the original post, perhas there would have been no controversy. If I had titled it “I was thinking of CC today” no one would have given it a second thought. The word stereotype is so loaded that people brought their own emotions/thoughts/baggage to the thread without really reading or trying to understand what I was saying.</p>
<p>I was wondering how, but I knew you’d find a way to put a negative spin on my post. Try reading the entirety of my post rather than dissecting it. I was trying to be supportive of your position. But, as you have in other posts you have stereotyped me as some leftist you can never agree with. I’m done wasting my time with you. You just don’t get it.</p>
<p>What is a Wonder bread-bland family?</p>
<p>"I was wondering how, but I knew you’d find a way to put a negative spin on my post. Try reading the entirety of my post rather than dissecting it. I was trying to be supportive of your position. "</p>
<p>I took it as supportive and was trying to respond in kind. It was you who mis-read my post not the other way. I was agreeing with you, which is why I used the term “collectively” so you would know that I wasn’t thinking specifically of you in that regard. I’m sorry that you misunderstood, but you did. Obviously, I didn’t phrase that lost post the way I intended, but I wish you had asked for clarification before going off on me.</p>
<p>I have no idea what upset you in that post, I really don’t. I looked at it again and was just explaining what my frame of mine was to add further clarification. Obviously, I’ve thought about this a great deal. Perhaps you could point out what the problem was so I will know in future.</p>
<p>“What is a Wonder bread-bland family?”</p>
<p>Family has been in America so long that there is no connection to any other culture. we don’t celebrate any of the New York “days” (St. Patrick’s, Columbus, etc.), we have no ethnic traditions or foods. We’re just all purpose American and an old friend has said that my family is as bland as Wonder Bread. New York is pretty ethnic, as is Staten Island, so I always felt a little left out!</p>
<p>"Of course I do ! But the reality of my life is that idiots would shout at my s walking in one of one toniest(Sheridan Rd in Winnetka) street of Chicago to “Go home !” or that my neighbors, hopefully well meaning, keeping asking questions like "No, I mean where do you REALLY come from ", when the answer to their question “Where are you from ? " was, somewhere right here. Right now, in this great city I am living in, supposedly tolerant, my h can’t indulge in his favorite hobby of fishing because Asians hobby fishing were beaten up.”</p>
<p>Munchkin, Yours is an experience that all American of asian descent share at one time or another, and one those who are not of asian descent would ever understand. We are probably the only group in this country that are forever viewed as foreigners. Somehow, we are just less Americans than other groups. I once jokingly responded to the question “where am I really from” by telling the person that I was born in an Indian Reservation. You should see the expression on this person’s face. Now that was amusing.</p>
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<p>:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:?</p>
<p>It seems that people are determined to misconstrue both Zoosers words and intentions. I just don’t get it.</p>
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<p>Are you saying that you don’t have any idea as to the country(ies) of original that make up your family’s history, Zoosermom? It’s hard for me to fathom the concept that a person could have no ethnic background whatsoever. Even if everyone from your family came from England, that’s a particular nation of origin with a distinct ethnic flavor. Since America was founded by people of English decent, much of what is thought of as “generic” American culture has roots in its English origins. There are plenty of Americans of British decent who are avid Anglophiles. They embrace and research all things English, and feel as proud of their ethnic background as any other group of people. What qualifies one as having no ethnic background? Everyone comes from someplace.</p>
<p>No, I’m sorry. I know that on my father’s side the family came from Scotland in the early 1700s and from Germany around the time of the Revolution and all settled in the heartland. On my mother’s side, the relatives came from Holland also in the 1600s and settled in Manhattan. What I mean is that the crossings were so distant that we have no connection or traditions. I come from a neighborhood where people celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with a parade with a donkey, although the neighborhood is very Irish otherwise. I’m just saying that we didn’t celebrate any special holidays or traditions or food. I am, however, honorarily Puerto Rican and am glad to be able to eat the food!</p>
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<p>LOL, so I am not the only ones that get asked such an odd question. I was also complimented how well I speak. :rolleyes:
I think not just Asians get treated like this. I think people of Hispanic (I hope I am using the correct term ) descent probably share the same experience too. I mostly don’t mind when people asked where I really came from, if the occasion is appropriate I will explain the Chinese Exclusions Act and the head tax in Canada, if not I’ll just get factual. This is my home for better or worse. </p>
<p>One neighbor who asked the inappropriate question actually became good friends, their question came from lack of knowledge, not ill intent. But if I decide to take offense I probably would have missed out knowing some nice people. </p>
<p>LOL at the Indian Reservation, I think we share the same racial stock with native Americans. When we were at a pow wow many years ago, some natives spoke to my hus in native American, thinking he was one. He was also invited to join their dances. Ummmm, no, he does not know the dance to stamp down the grass to build a teppee, lol.</p>
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I have a friend, living in one of the more ethnic towns in Westchester, who said it was pretty funny to feel like a minority when you’re a WASP.</p>
<p>Zoosermom- I’m Asian and I know that your story wasn’t meant to offend anyone. However, it wasn’t amusing to me because I would not have liked to have been one of the parents you described and have learned that my behavior reminded you of some stereotypical Asian behavior that you had heard about on CC but had never before witnessed.</p>
<p>“However, it wasn’t amusing to me because I would not have liked to have been one of the parents you described and have learned that my behavior reminded you of some stereotypical Asian behavior that you had heard about on CC but had never before witnessed.”</p>
<p>I never thought of it that way. That was very insightful. Hmmmm. Food for thought.</p>
<p>I’m Asian. I didn’t think the anecdote was amusing at all. </p>
<p>If this was somebody close to my family telling the story, I guess I would find it pretty funny. But this felt like some stranger was just using the anonymity of the internet to take a cheap shot at my own parents, among others, and say things he/she probably would not have the nerve to say directly in public. Maybe I’m being too serious and should just “lighten up”. Whatever. I don’t have a problem with other people finding it funny. It just didn’t appeal at all to me.</p>
<p>Munchkin, Frank Wu’s book “Yellow” may be of interest to you. I can hardly think of a more broadly educated American in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson than Wu. I just finished reading Jefferson’s complete writings published by the Library of Congress when I read “Yellow”. The two share much in common in their style and their approach to society and humanity. I have never met Wu but always think that it would be such a pleasure if we do cross path. Wu’s book is available through Amazon.com</p>
<p>Prostrate yourself now, Zoosermom. Perhaps offer to cut out your own tongue…</p>
<p>“LOL, so I am not the only ones that get asked such an odd question. I was also complimented how well I speak.”</p>
<p>Sure, you’re not the last one. When my D was 10 or so…</p>
<p>Coach to my D: Where do you come from?
D: (kind of what?) Um… I am from <where we=“” live=“”>
Coach: Yeah I know, where were you born?
D: Atlanta, Georgia
Coach: Um, but what’s your nationality?
D: (really confused now) America?
Coach: What’s your parent’s nationality?
D: Same as me, I think.
Coach: Where do they come from?
…</where></p>
<p>He apparently can’t believe that there are Americans who are not black or white! Man, such an idiot educator, but he’s good at sports and is forgiven :-)</p>