Blasian or Afro-Asian?

[Filiprish]

Blasian or Afro-Asian?

Non-Blasians/Afro-Asians, please vote.

[Anaestacia]

I have no idea what you're asking. What Non-Blasians/Afro-Asians prefer to call Blasians/Afro-Asians?

What Non-Blasians/Afro-Asians have HEARD Blasians/Afro-Asians been called?

What Non-Blasians/Afro-Asians have heard Blasians/Afro-Asians PREFER to be called?

[Filiprish]

^ I'm killing many birds with one stone. I'm asking what you like for them / yourself, and introducing the term Afro-Asian under the microscope. As for me, I like the term Afro-Asian b/c it doesn't use the superficial color-racial classification, instead an ethnic-origin classification. It's a fact of life that what you label someone effects that person's well-being and experience with others, as well as your behavior towards that person. As individuals, we have the amazing power of influence. So, I do want people reevaluate, and introduce new, terminology - for the sake of being...PC. :eek:

Btw, I don't think Afro-Asian is the most superior term possible. But I think it's pretty cool and PC simultaneously, which is pretty darn exceptional.

[Anaestacia]

Gotcha.

Usually I'd just solve it by asking the person what they would call themselves, or keep an ear out for it. Similarly, some might choose "homosexual" over "gay" or vice versa. It's split really.

What about the reclaiming of "FOB" or "nigga"? They're utterly un-PC but some identify or prefer those terms.

What I want to call them is totally irrelevant but if I had to choose, I am much more familiar with "Blasian". "Afro-Asian" and it sounds like you're trying *too* hard. Then again, it depends who I'm speaking to.

[kinith]

Jerk Chicken chow mein anyone?

[Filiprish]

Gotcha.

Usually I'd just solve it by asking the person what they would call themselves, or keep an ear out for it. Similarly, some might choose "homosexual" over "gay" or vice versa. It's split really.
But a lot of Asians (still) call themselves "Oriental," so do you think it's in their best interest to call them what they call themselves? I don't think so b/c you're just perpetuating oppression. Know what I'm saying?

What about the reclaiming of "FOB" or "nigga"? They're utterly un-PC but some identify or prefer those terms.
I know where you're coming from when you mention "FOB" and "nigga," but I don't see it as a reclaiming, more like a dispelling / negating of a derogatory term. However, "FOB" or "nigga" subconsciously perpetuates hate towards oneself and (perceived, real) oppressor(s). Sun Tzu said, "Keep your enemies close," but that philosophy hasn't worked for me yet, which is why I avoid it. Maybe it's just me.
What I want to call them is totally irrelevant but if I had to choose, I am much more familiar with "Blasian". "Afro-Asian" and it sounds like you're trying *too* hard. Then again, it depends who I'm speaking to.
I hear ya, but it never pained or exhausted me to, at least try to, be PC. It does depend on how you say Afro-Asian to avoid sounding too contrived. Same goes for African American. Maybe Afroasian is better? What I wish we could come with is terminology that is used widely by both the academic and layman. We could use the consensus. Maybe that's not possible.

Jerk Chicken chow mein anyone?
Never had it, any good?

[rice cracker]

I'd rather try a little too hard to be PC than waste time explaining how my non-PCness should be acceptable when it inevitably offends someone.

[Anaestacia]

But a lot of Asians (still) call themselves "Oriental," so do you think it's in their best interest to call them what they call themselves? I don't think so b/c you're just perpetuating oppression. Know what I'm saying?


I know where you're coming from when you mention "FOB" and "nigga," but I don't see it as a reclaiming, more like a dispelling / negating of a derogatory term. However, "FOB" or "nigga" subconsciously perpetuates hate towards oneself and (perceived, real) oppressor(s). Sun Tzu said, "Keep your enemies close," but that philosophy hasn't worked for me yet, which is why I avoid it. Maybe it's just me.

I hear ya, but it never pained or exhausted me to, at least try to, be PC. It does depend on how you say Afro-Asian to avoid sounding too contrived. Same goes for African American. Maybe Afroasian is better? What I wish we could come with is terminology that is used widely by both the academic and layman. We could use the consensus. Maybe that's not possible.


Never had it, any good?

Hmm. You're proposing that "black" is a derogatory term. To tell you the truth, I've come in contact with very few of them during my lifetime.. they're not many where I've lived both in Asia (obviously) and here, N. America. If I had to address them as a sweeping whole, I'd rather go for the more PC or the most neutral. But speaking to a small group or on an individual basis, I would likely ask the person what they refer themselves as. If they like Blasian, who am I to tell them that they're wrong and should change their ways? I can bring it up in conversation the way I would definately bring it up with Oriental, but ultimately it's their identity. And like a name, I should respect that (their choice, no matter how historically "wrong" it is).

[Hiroshi2]

I'm just me.


No offense or anything, but.......................the older I get, the more busier I get with school, etc. the less I think about "identity issues". There's a lot more important shit to worry about. But, having said that..................no, I don't like being called "blackanese" (a favorite among black people), or Blasian, or any of that. I'm just me.


I guess if you're the type of person who absolutely *must* define themselves like that, Afro-Asian would be a good one. It sounds nice.

[Marshall Law]

Jerk Chicken chow mein anyone?
hey..that doesn't sound half bad...:tongue:

[sweetmilk]

I don't think it's fair to label all black people "African", anyway, since a lot of black people come from Latin America and the Caribbean. And, as someone who has two half-black brothers, and spent a few summers and more than a few holidays with the black (and non-biologically related) side of my family, I don't find black to be a derogatory word at all. If I had to pick a word to use for myself, it would be Blasian, but being that I am not black and Asian, I don't really think it's my job to decide, but theirs.

And as to the "oriental" comment - I think you've forgotten that the word isn't offensive everywhere, it's completely standard in Britain, where "Asian" is mainly only used for Indian and Pakistani people.

[bajinay]

I've been doing a lot of research for one of my classes on multiracial identity, and afro-asian does not necessarily imply being of mixed heritage. A black person who grew up in China could be considered Afro-Asian (i.e. African-Americans, African West Indians). So I personally prefer Blasian. But I do agree with you that using a racial color term isn't the best choice. i'm half bajan and half filipino, so bajan + pinay = bajinay. (pinay = filipina). it's a difficult choice i guess...

[KenTsui]

blasian sounds dumb

[BeTheReds]

Well what about KenTsui?

Haha, just playing.

If Blasian sounds dumb, then what would you suggest?

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Afri-Asian or Afro-Asian seems analogous to Eurasian and sounds fine to me, I dunno. Blasian does sound kinda stupid. You don't call Eurasians "Whasian".

[BeTheReds]

i guess it all depends on what blasians themselves wanna be called...

[popculturepooka]

i guess it all depends on what blasians themselves wanna be called...

I like to be called awesome. ;)

[thaite]

I think the correct term is now Ebasian. I could be wrong. I'm sure we'll be told soon enough.

[Thaddaeus]

Ebonasian

[Napoleon Chynamite]

I think the correct term is now Ebasian. I could be wrong. I'm sure we'll be told soon enough.

I thought that was the term for Asian people that are addicted to selling things online.

[Thaddaeus]

Actually under the one percent rule you're black.

[Sunflare]

I agree, Thaddaeus, it's been my experience as an Afro-Asian. Many people look at me and try to put words in my mouth saying that when it comes down to it that I am a Negro when that is only half true. There are some very ignorant, stupid people in this world, I tell you.

I remember when Tiger Woods coined the term 'Calbinasian' to describe his multicultural heritage on national television.

Our former Secretary of State Colin Powell responded to that by this statement : "In America, which I love from the depths of my heart and soul, when you look like me, you're black."

I was deeply offended when I heard that statement from who I once thought to be a prominent Afro-American politician with an awareness as to race relations. I was bitterly dissapointed.

I have no problem identifying myself as Blasian or others addressing to me as one, but I would prefer usage of the PC term Afro-Asian. I feel the same as regards to the usage of the word Eurasian as opposed to the term Hapa.

[Chester]

I just watched Domino the other day. Stupid movie, but Mo'nique's character pens the following cognomens:

Chinegro...
Koreagro...
Chispanic...
Hispasian...
...many others...
...including...Japanic.

Our former Secretary of State Colin Powell responded to that by this statement : "In America, which I love from the depths of my heart and soul, when you look like me, you're black."

I was deeply offended when I heard that statement from who I once thought to be a prominent Afro-American politician with an awareness as to race relations. I was bitterly dissapointed.
I don't think Powell would say that you're not entitled to the identity with which you identify. I think his point was simply to say that, by and large, someone like him is perceived by the general population as simply being "black".

[Sunflare]

I'm just me.


No offense or anything, but.......................the older I get, the more busier I get with school, etc. the less I think about "identity issues". There's a lot more important shit to worry about. But, having said that..................no, I don't like being called "blackanese" (a favorite among black people), or Blasian, or any of that. I'm just me.


I guess if you're the type of person who absolutely *must* define themselves like that, Afro-Asian would be a good one. It sounds nice.

Exactly. I can relate to your viewpoints on this subject. I realize that people of mixed descent in general cannot be overly occupied with identity issues. There is more to life then that. It's better to focus on building on the personality that makes a person stand out as an individual with good character.

A balance in how one might identify themselves according to ethnicity. . . . and as a person with a distinct and pleasant personality, is needed ,to be liked and admired by others, to have a high degree of self respect for one's self and to be successful in life, whether socially, economically and so forth.

The more mature I get is the more I realize that this balance is needed. . . .

I just watched Domino the other day. Stupid movie, but Mo'nique's character pens the following cognomens:

Chinegro...
Koreagro...
Chispanic...
Hispasian...
...many others...
...including...Japanic.


I don't think Powell would say that you're not entitled to the identity with which you identify. I think his point was simply to say that, by and large, someone like him is perceived by the general population as simply being "black".


That might be possible, very true, I cant deny that, but I wonder about the context and the intentions behind what he said. His statement I believe was purposely constructed in such a way so that he cannot be officially criticized by the media as being politically incorrect in his viewpoints. Which did not work 100%, of course.

I'm just reading between the lines here in that loaded statement. Know what I mean?

[draconisz]

I agree, Thaddaeus, it's been my experience as an Afro-Asian. Many people look at me and try to put words in my mouth saying that when it comes down to it that I am a Negro when that is only half true. There are some very ignorant, stupid people in this world, I tell you.

I remember when Tiger Woods coined the term 'Calbinasian' to describe his multicultural heritage on national television.

Our former Secretary of State Colin Powell responded to that by this statement : "In America, which I love from the depths of my heart and soul, when you look like me, you're black."

I was deeply offended when I heard that statement from who I once thought to be a prominent Afro-American politician with an awareness as to race relations. I was bitterly dissapointed.

I have no problem identifying myself as Blasian or others addressing to me as one, but I would prefer usage of the PC term Afro-Asian. I feel the same as regards to the usage of the word Eurasian as opposed to the term Hapa.

Hello Everyone, I haven't posted in quite some time. I might visit with you guys through the election season.

Why would Colin Powell's statement offend you? He has eyes, he has lived in the U.S for quite sometime, and he has the same flawed perception that many share on race.

Colin Powell did not create the race game. But he is a player in it.

As you have said, "I am who I am". But that has never stopped racism, racial stereotypes, or racial mythology from affecting my life.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Wasn't Powell's statement said tongue-in-cheek in reference to the one-drop rule that pervades racial dynamics here? That even though he may have European or other non-African lineage, society will always label and see him as a black person.

[Sunflare]

Wasn't Powell's statement said tongue-in-cheek in reference to the one-drop rule that pervades racial dynamics here? That even though he may have European or other non-African lineage, society will always label and see him as a black person.

OK. You guys are bringing a good point up from your comments. I dont agree 100% but I can appreciate what is being said here. I'm reasonable.

In my experience I had to face discrimination from others who tell me im not 'black enough'.

That's why I happen to be distrustful of the that statement by Powell, it just does'nt agree with me. That is the only bone I have to pick with him ----- otherwise, I think he did well for the Afro-American image and I have no problem with that.

[draconisz]

Wasn't Powell's statement said tongue-in-cheek in reference to the one-drop rule that pervades racial dynamics here? That even though he may have European or other non-African lineage, society will always label and see him as a black person.


That's exactly what I thought. Colin Powell is not a young man. He has been around for a good while. He isn't even really an African-American, using certain standards. He is the son of Jamaican immigrants. His reference is to the simple fact that no one gave 3 cents that his parents came from Jamaica or that his culture was that of the Caribbean. They just looked at him and dumped him into a group. And he has been a member of that group ever since.

These categories are social. They are not racial. They don't depend upon heritage. They depend upon people's perceptions. If you want to carve out space for your own identity, that is up to you. But the racial hierarchy has been apart of this country for as long as the constitution has been.

OK. You guys are bringing a good point up from your comments. I dont agree 100% but I can appreciate what is being said here. I'm reasonable.

In my experience I had to face discrimination from others who tell me im not 'black enough'.

That's why I happen to be distrustful of the that statement by Powell, it just does'nt agree with me. That is the only bone I have to pick with him ----- otherwise, I think he did well for the Afro-American image and I have no problem with that.

I understand that you want everyone to know about your identity. But if things were that simple racism would not exist. Racism exists and so do the reactions of people to racism.

What Powell said is wrong, but it is a sentiment shared by the absolute majority within America. You can even find that sentiment here among some of the people at Yellowworld. People who look similar have similar behaviors and beliefs. People are racially defined. . .culture has nothing to do with it.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

I'm just thinking that Powell wasn't necessarily saying that things are okay the way they are, but just telling it like it is.

[BeTheReds]

i guess it all depends on what blasians themselves wanna be called...

correction... what each individual blasian wants to be called.

[KenTsui]

blasian sounds like something only a selfcentered twentysomething american with pimples and an attitude would think of.

afroasian sounds more legitimate and non-trendy.

[bajinay]

as a half black half asian person, i really dislike the term afro-asian. i don't like eurasian either (not that i am "eurasian"). i don't think that they accurately describe the mixture of the people they are describing. an afro-asian person would be a person of african descent living in asia and a eurasian should be a european person living in asia. i've been thinking about this whole blasian afro-asian thing and i think it's just another issue to add to the problem of the social construct of race. because a mixed person is obviously not monoracial, they don't fit the typical categories so we make new ones to place them neatly into. but mixed people are extremely diverse. as half british west indian and half filipino (my exact background), i don't think that i can be categorized with someone who is say ethiopian and japanese (like my friend). we look completely different and have two different cultural backgrounds. we have to remember that race is based on physical appearance. on rare occasions my friend and i may jokingly describe each other as sister "blasians" but even that is really just the remnants of high school terminology.

[BeTheReds]

as a half black half asian person, i really dislike the term afro-asian. i don't like eurasian either (not that i am "eurasian"). i don't think that they accurately describe the mixture of the people they are describing. an afro-asian person would be a person of african descent living in asia and a eurasian should be a european person living in asia.

EuroAsian might be what u describe, but Eurasian could mean someone from Eurasia, in which case all Europeans and all Asians are Eurasian.. haha!


i've been thinking about this whole blasian afro-asian thing and i think it's just another issue to add to the problem of the social construct of race. because a mixed person is obviously not monoracial, they don't fit the typical categories so we make new ones to place them neatly into. but mixed people are extremely diverse. as half british west indian and half filipino (my exact background), i don't think that i can be categorized with someone who is say ethiopian and japanese (like my friend). we look completely different and have two different cultural backgrounds. we have to remember that race is based on physical appearance. on rare occasions my friend and i may jokingly describe each other as sister "blasians" but even that is really just the remnants of high school terminology.

I have to say that I agree. Most people like to lump everyone of us mixed people into some category where we are supposed to draw commonalities from each other when really the only thing that is common is that our parents were different colors. The personal experience such as countries of origin, fobbiness or lack thereof of parents, which parent is Asian, own physical appearance, attitudes towards non-whites in areas where you grew up. etc etc etc. There's almost never any commonality and it's a struggle that is largely experienced individually.

[kimkyok]

Well blasian is ok but then Afro-asian doesnt sound right to me. I'm not African and wasnt born there. Bla in blasian symbolizes black which I'm not that color but I'm ok with that. Eurasian should only be used for someone who is from Eurasia which is like Russia. I dont know we need a new word!

[Nnsukka]

^ I'm killing many birds with one stone. I'm asking what you like for them / yourself, and introducing the term Afro-Asian under the microscope. As for me, I like the term Afro-Asian b/c it doesn't use the superficial color-racial classification, instead an ethnic-origin classification. It's a fact of life that what you label someone effects that person's well-being and experience with others, as well as your behavior towards that person. As individuals, we have the amazing power of influence. So, I do want people reevaluate, and introduce new, terminology - for the sake of being...PC. :eek:

Btw, I don't think Afro-Asian is the most superior term possible. But I think it's pretty cool and PC simultaneously, which is pretty darn exceptional.

My answer is just black, and or if they are American African-American. My reasoning for this is simply that no matter what admixture other than black they may be.. in this world, and especially in this nation of the United States of America, they will always be viewed as and accepted most as being simply African-American and or black-American if you will.

Further more they will most likely grow to find most comfort in accepting and interacting in such a way as well being that the African-American community is much more accepting of such biracial individuals of all black/other mixtures than are the other groups. Deny these facts if you will, though the facts will always remain fact.

[Sunflare]

My answer is just black, and or if they are American African-American. My reasoning for this is simply that no matter what admixture other than black they may be.. in this world, and especially in this nation of the United States of America, they will always be viewed as and accepted most as being simply African-American and or black-American if you will.

So should Afro-Asians conform to what society dictates how they should identify themselves as? Perform the drop one race rule? Live as blasians in secret, on the hush-hush? I don't think so.

I think that is a wrong on your part to label all Blasians as black because they are not just black. They also share an Asian heritage. You should learn to respect how each and every Afro-Asian chooses to identify themselves as and stop labeling people according to your viewpoints on race.

Further more they will most likely grow to find most comfort in accepting and interacting in such a way as well being that the African-American community is much more accepting of such biracial individuals of all black/other mixtures than are the other groups. Deny these facts if you will, though the facts will always remain fact.

And the fact remains that many Blasians are also rejected out of the Afro-American cliches if they choose to identify themselves more with their Asian heritage. It's not all about Asian Americans who look down upon Afro-Asian individuals. Afro-Asians and (and some Eurasians for that matter even though I cant speak for all of them in authority) experience racism from both ethnic groups more or less.