View Full Version : I love being APIA
tripostrophe
05-30-2007, 08:16 PM
Sad; APIA Heritage Month is coming to a close...nothing really big related to this in my life. It was a good month though.
I started doing this thing where I tried to write down one racially positive, non-oppressive thing about Asian Females, the APIA Community, and myself (being APIA). Haven't been updating daily, but it's still a good practice I suppose. I did this because I realized that the APIA aspect of my identity had been negatively racialized for quite some time...and decided to counteract that by trying to positively racialize myself.
What do you love (or like) about being APIA? I'll kick it off..
I've weathered a lot, especially all that which comes from being a person of color in the U.S....it's been tough, but it's ultimately made me stronger, wiser, and maybe a bit more compassionate.
oldtimer
06-05-2007, 03:03 PM
I feel that one of the greatesting things about being an APIA is that we straddle two very different worlds. Asian/Asian American culture is an extremely rich culture (not monetary) because of geographic and historical reasons that have made that part of the world relatively isolated from outside influences. I am not trying to elevate Asian culture in value against other culture, but I mean to highlight the fact that its isolation has caused it to foster a very richly distict culture. This uniqueness is itself valuable.
well many AA's including myself come from the bay area, good food and lots of things to do.
sadly thats the only thing i can say, lol.
oldtimer
06-06-2007, 08:28 AM
There might be many things you have that you do not recognize.
AngryABCGirl
06-06-2007, 11:29 AM
I love the pan-Asian ethnic conscious culture of the Bay Area and surrounding areas and in LA too- though it's not the same. I'd say it's uniquely APIA. The whole Pan-Asian part that comes with being APIA is great in being exposed to a lot of different Asian cultures in the US and being a fellow Asian American gives a certain amount of access. I've been to Cambodian weddings, Hmong family festival stuffs, lots of Filipino gatherings, etc. There's also the Asian club party scene that's in all major cities- been to Asian events and bars in SF, LA, NY. There is also a genuine sense of community both in the cultural sharing sense and also in the social sense in terms of community activist, etc having worked for community organizations too.
hooligan
06-08-2007, 07:33 AM
How'd I miss this thread, I've been searching for the mythical Asian Pacific Islander American identity for the last 25 years. In the womb, no less.
being asian american is kick ass. i wouldn't trade it for the world.
Craig
06-08-2007, 08:08 AM
Not being Pacific Islander I can't really go through what they are thinking ... However, do most of many of them actually think of themselves in relation to Asians (as kin, not as competitors) ? Other than a small number (with an extremely low percentage) of Filipinos, I think most of the other Pacific Islanders have no form of kinship for anything "Asian".
tripostrophe
06-09-2007, 03:27 PM
I love the pan-Asian ethnic conscious culture of the Bay Area and surrounding areas and in LA too- though it's not the same. I'd say it's uniquely APIA. The whole Pan-Asian part that comes with being APIA is great in being exposed to a lot of different Asian cultures in the US and being a fellow Asian American gives a certain amount of access. I've been to Cambodian weddings, Hmong family festival stuffs, lots of Filipino gatherings, etc. There's also the Asian club party scene that's in all major cities- been to Asian events and bars in SF, LA, NY. There is also a genuine sense of community both in the cultural sharing sense and also in the social sense in terms of community activist, etc having worked for community organizations too.
I find myself wishing more and more that I lived in an area like LA or some parts of NY. Someplace like you're describing. :(
tripostrophe
06-09-2007, 03:28 PM
being asian american is kick ass. i wouldn't trade it for the world.
:) I have a friend who said the same thing about not wanting to trade it for the world.
VV o n g B a
06-09-2007, 05:10 PM
I find myself wishing more and more that I lived in an area like LA or some parts of NY. Someplace like you're describing. :(as she said, u'll see that in any big city. atl, dc, houston... just go to a larger city.
Banana
06-09-2007, 05:37 PM
Eh, sometimes I wish I would rather be hispanic than Asian. They have the same amount of pride and aren't as marginalized in American society. They're also much more organized politically.
And no, it's not only because of their population size. If the Asian population was just as large, we'd still be walking around in circles except on a grander scale.
Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be Asian but sometimes seeing how stupid and unorganized we can be really pisses me off.
tripostrophe
06-10-2007, 12:09 AM
Eh, sometimes I wish I would rather be hispanic than Asian. They have the same amount of pride and aren't as marginalized in American society. They're also much more organized politically.
And no, it's not only because of their population size. If the Asian population was just as large, we'd still be walking around in circles except on a grander scale.
Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be Asian but sometimes seeing how stupid and unorganized we can be really pisses me off.
Psh. I don't know about having the same amount of pride...we've been taught to try and pass for a while now. And it's not like we're not trying either. Best thing you can do really is try to be less cynical -- and show some support for those who are trying to do something. :)
deez nuts
06-10-2007, 04:51 AM
i wish i was white
AngryABCGirl
06-10-2007, 08:39 AM
i wish i was white
but black waist-down right?
deez nuts
06-10-2007, 09:29 AM
but black waist-down right?
no. mixed people have it tough.
Eh, sometimes I wish I would rather be hispanic than Asian. They have the same amount of pride and aren't as marginalized in American society. They're also much more organized politically.
And no, it's not only because of their population size. If the Asian population was just as large, we'd still be walking around in circles except on a grander scale.
Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be Asian but sometimes seeing how stupid and unorganized we can be really pisses me off.
DAYAM. and i was about to ask you to have wild crazy monkey sex with me too. i won't spread my legs for guys who wish they were someone else.
oh well. shop's open for everyone else though. *exaggerated wink*
monkeygone2
06-10-2007, 10:53 AM
Don't get me wrong, I'm proud to be Asian but sometimes seeing how stupid and unorganized we can be really pisses me off.
intra-racism is a big part of it.
Banana
06-10-2007, 01:04 PM
DAYAM. and i was about to ask you to have wild crazy monkey sex with me too. i won't spread my legs for guys who wish they were someone else.
oh well. shop's open for everyone else though. *exaggerated wink*
Son of a...
Don't tease me, baby.
Banana
06-10-2007, 01:05 PM
intra-racism is a big part of it.
Yes, you have that in the hispanic community too but at least they're united by a language. the only thing uniting asians is rice.
hooligan
06-10-2007, 02:06 PM
Yes, you have that in the hispanic community too but at least they're united by a language. the only thing uniting asians is rice.
: ) We've got similar push and pull factors that influenced our migration. There are similarities in experiences when we get to the US too. It's hard to say, but I agree with what you're saying.
tripostrophe
06-10-2007, 09:59 PM
There's plenty of things that can unite us. Including our common identity. *pout*
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