we can be both - activists AND normal people

[sandra]

so we - collectively as YWers - have been labelled "spoiled yuppies" in another forum. i won't mention which one, but i do wish to respond. some people have difficulty reconciling how Asian Americans who care about the APIA community can also lead fairly decent social (or in the monkey king's case - perverse) lives.

i submit that it is precisely this that makes YW unique.

in college, it seemed almost like i led a double life. i was an asian american studies minor, so i did my share of activist work - short of dedicating my weekends to sitting at demonstrations and attending spoken word performances. instead, my weekends were reserved for spending time with my real friends and attending parties and, when i was of legal age, bars and clubs. what i found curious was that i NEVER saw the kids from my asian american classes at the asian frat parties/in the asian social scene or vice versa. i always wondered why people couldn't be both activists and normal, and YW has demonstrated that we can. so yay for YW.

another point that i would like to make is - based on my observations of the "activists" in college, i wouldn't say that all of them genuinely care about the APIA community. being angry all the time and thumbing your nose at fellow asians who enjoy life is not what makes one a true activist. on the contrary, i believe that many of them took the "activist" path because they couldn't fit in elsewhere. they felt unwelcome in the club scene, couldn't carry a conversation with non-Asian American studies kids, and - for the guys - couldn't get a girl (hence, the abundance of bitter discussions on IR relationships.) it's tiring and it gives activists as a group a bad name.

[golden_buns]

another point that i would like to make is - based on my observations of the "activists" in college, i wouldn't say that all of them genuinely care about the APIA community. being angry all the time and thumbing your nose at fellow asians who enjoy life is not what makes one a true activist. on the contrary, i believe that many of them took the "activist" path because they couldn't fit in elsewhere. they felt unwelcome in the club scene, couldn't carry a conversation with non-Asian American studies kids, and - for the guys - couldn't get a girl (hence, the abundance of bitter discussions on IR relationships.) it's tiring and it gives a bad name to activists as a group.

Yeah, I also see it that way. It was the same in my school, hanging out with a non-asian crowd would make me a big sell-out too according to them.

I'm guessing you thought about this thread because of what it says in Yuhei's signature, right?

[sandra]

Yeah, I also see it that way. It was the same in my school, hanging out with a non-asian crowd would make me a big sell-out too according to them.

I'm guessing you thought about this thread because of what it says in Yuhei's signature, right?

no, what does my fellow mod's signature say....?

[tommyhtown]

no, what does my fellow mod's signature say....?

There you go ...

Random Quotes from ModelMinority.com:
(in reference to a recent post on YellowWorld.org) "This is what happens when you take the head-in-the-sand PC-correct approach to life. Sweep problems under the rug and pretend they don't exist. I laugh at their *sses now. Looks like even their women are turning on them - even as hard as they kiss their *sses. LMAO.

By contrast - AMs here at MM stand strong and rep hard."

[Fireblade]

Actually... complaining about what goes on... on other forums should be beneath us. It's like that whole playground thing, in which little kids talking a lot of smack.

"ooh, Johnny said this to Billy!"
"But Billy said this about Johnny's mom!"
"Oh man! You think Johnny is gonna kick Billy's ass?"
"I dunno."

Quite frankly, the more we bitch and moan about it, the less focused we are when the ultimate goal we try to cultivate here, is to gain insight at injustice that happens in our society that we live in. And we all share similar views. I don't think one of us came here without wanting to contribute something.

(Except the loser asianphiles. God... what is up with them?)

[BeTheReds]

another point that i would like to make is - based on my observations of the "activists" in college, i wouldn't say that all of them genuinely care about the APIA community. being angry all the time and thumbing your nose at fellow asians who enjoy life is not what makes one a true activist. on the contrary, i believe that many of them took the "activist" path because they couldn't fit in elsewhere. they felt unwelcome in the club scene, couldn't carry a conversation with non-Asian American studies kids, and - for the guys - couldn't get a girl (hence, the abundance of bitter discussions on IR relationships.) it's tiring and it gives activists as a group a bad name.


The main problem that I have with activists however is that they don't try to do anything about the above. They create an atmosphere that feeds into it and don't try to do anything to correct the above as long as it adds to their political numbers. I also have a hard time identifying real normal people with people like the ones you speak of, because no one within the activist community does anything about that type of behavior. If I met someone in activist mode, I tend to think of them in that context, and in the activist context, you might as well all be alike in my eyes. Now if I meet an Asian-American under different auspices and they don't start talking about activism right away then good. I think at first people thought I had this vendetta against Asian-Americans and was an anti-activist activist, but I also have a normal life too.

[SunWuKong]

but I also have a normal life too.


yeah how come i didn't see any of that Hapa Rage© when i met you??? :p

[Faithless]

Activists are normal people with a bent toward a particular issue or issues.

Real activists don't put down others, I don't think, who maybe not as dedicated to a cause. Those that do are just self-righteous ninnies.

[ChinaLama]

Well, I knew at least ONE college activist who led both an activist and "normal" life. She worked for Asian Americans United in Philadelphia.

[shy]

kasia... i'm glad to hear you speak up.

i have a confession to make... when i first came here, i was overwhelmed by some of the anger. not because i didn't think that there shouldn't be any anger... but some people portrayed it in a negative light. and in doing so, i just didn't think it was very effective.

i also think that i came here at the wrong time... because as swk explained it to me, there were many trolls here... and others that weren't representing YW right.

since then, i've seen a better YW then my first impression.

anyway... i believe this place is a good place and meant for good intentions. so i guess my first impression was wrong, i admit.

still... if any troll starts to get yappy and shit, i'm still going to make a fuss about them. ;)

but no... i don't see yw as being spoiled yuppies. some of the people here are still in school or are unemployed. you kinda need an income to be a yuppie, don't you?

[hooligan]

but no... i don't see yw as being spoiled yuppies. some of the people here are still in school or are unemployed. you kinda need an income to be a yuppie, don't you?

no, it's the mentality you bring from where you grew up. in other words, the background/class that you were raised in. so, in regards to the first post i agree insomuch that i don't see a lot of kids from my asian american studies classes at frat/sorority events. it's not because they're not "normal" it's because these events are also pretty elitist. i don't think it's fair to say that frat and sorority events are things that most kids do. it's what most college kids like to do and most college kids are middle class or better. i've been to a few events and the main concern to many kids at them seems to be hooking with up various other kids.

those kids at the frat/sorority events don't seem to be aware of the problems and issues concerning the AA community. i've tried to talk to them about issues like the state of californian education and affirmative action (in relation to AAs), but it's like talking to, i'm sorry to say it... yuppies who just don't give a f*ck.

also, activism isn't just limited to demonstrations and spoken word events. it's also teaching, tutorings, mentoring, art (not just spoken word), but making a political or social statement in what you do. there's not really a true definition of an activist, but you've got your stereotypes. i consider myself an activist, not in the traditional sense. i'm a science major, i really don't have time to do demonstrations and protests, but i try to tutor kids and be politically active when i have the time and still have a good time and enjoy life. most of the people i hang around aren't "activist types".

i don't know, consider me socially awkward or not being able to fit in, but i think it's a class issue and it really needs to be resolved if our generation of asian american youth will ever learn to become aware.

:beerchug:

[tommyhtown]

Actually... complaining about what goes on... on other forums should be beneath us. It's like that whole playground thing, in which little kids talking a lot of smack.

"ooh, Johnny said this to Billy!"
"But Billy said this about Johnny's mom!"
"Oh man! You think Johnny is gonna kick Billy's ass?"
"I dunno."

Quite frankly, the more we bitch and moan about it, the less focused we are when the ultimate goal we try to cultivate here, is to gain insight at injustice that happens in our society that we live in. And we all share similar views. I don't think one of us came here without wanting to contribute something.

(Except the loser asianphiles. God... what is up with them?)

Two thumbs up. I could not agree with you more on that. Let's not talk about what other boards say or don't say. Each AA forum has their own vibe, besides some of us if not most, like me, are participants of several forums anyway.

[tommyhtown]

no, it's the mentality you bring from where you grew up. in other words, the background/class that you were raised in. so, in regards to the first post i agree insomuch that i don't see a lot of kids from my asian american studies classes at frat/sorority events. it's not because they're not "normal" it's because these events are also pretty elitist. i don't think it's fair to say that frat and sorority events are things that most kids do. it's what most college kids like to do and most college kids are middle class or better. i've been to a few events and the main concern to many kids at them seems to be hooking with up various other kids.

those kids at the frat/sorority events don't seem to be aware of the problems and issues concerning the AA community. i've tried to talk to them about issues like the state of californian education and affirmative action (in relation to AAs), but it's like talking to, i'm sorry to say it... yuppies who just don't give a f*ck.

also, activism isn't just limited to demonstrations and spoken word events. it's also teaching, tutorings, mentoring, art (not just spoken word), but making a political or social statement in what you do. there's not really a true definition of an activist, but you've got your stereotypes. i consider myself an activist, not in the traditional sense. i'm a science major, i really don't have time to do demonstrations and protests, but i try to tutor kids and be politically active when i have the time and still have a good time and enjoy life. most of the people i hang around aren't "activist types".

i don't know, consider me socially awkward or not being able to fit in, but i think it's a class issue and it really needs to be resolved if our generation of asian american youth will ever learn to become aware.

:beerchug:

Good point! I wasn't into the frat/sorority scenes when I was in college. I had the perception that those folks are uppper-middle class or better and assumed that I woudn't fit in anyway. I hung out and partied with non-frat people as a result.

I don't know whether the activist type that Kasia menitioned party or live a normal life :). I have never been into activism so I woudn't know. May be they have their own party or whatever.

[Faithless]

since then, i've seen a better YW then my first impression.

anyway... i believe this place is a good place and meant for good intentions. so i guess my first impression was wrong, i admit.

What is supposed to be the purpose of YW? To be some sort of voice of reason? Or just yellow folk expressing a point of view?

[Emperor_Mike]

What is supposed to be the purpose of YW? To be some sort of voice of reason? Or just yellow folk expressing a point of view?

I would think that purpose of YW's existence is to create a forum of Asians to voice their concerns and opinions on contemporary western society and how we can all work toward ending discrimination and outdated stereotypes of all designs.

As for activists, I find that the vast majority of the people who go out to demonstrate have neither the inclination nor the will to stomach anything more than noise making. Without good guidance from above (i.e. men and women of vision) all the hullabaloo basically amounts to nothing more than a pointless gathering of irate citizens whose only wish is to be part of a "big thing" without knowing the full reason behind the cause in question. :dry:

[achtungbaby]

Real activists don't put down others, I don't think, who maybe not as dedicated to a cause. Those that do are just self-righteous ninnies.Werd.

There's so much other crap and work to be done, who's got time to bitch and moan about others non-stop...?

[achtungbaby]

What is supposed to be the purpose of YW? To be some sort of voice of reason? Or just yellow folk expressing a point of view?Certainly not the voice of reason, not with the nuts we have at the helm:)

Expressing a point of view? Definitely.

Read the FAQ!

[achtungbaby]

I would think that purpose of YW's existence is to create a forum of Asians to voice their concerns and opinions on contemporary western society and how we can all work toward ending discrimination and outdated stereotypes of all designs:Yeah, all of those things, and it's too bad we don't do more.

[Craig]

Yeah, I also see it that way. It was the same in my school, hanging out with a non-asian crowd would make me a big sell-out too according to them.

I'm guessing you thought about this thread because of what it says in Yuhei's signature, right?

Undeniably, I got BS from people, but I can't every recall being called a sell-out at your school. The East Asians would give me shit about hanging out with the South Asians, but not for hanging out with Whites. The Whites would give me shit about hanging out with too many foreigners. The South Asians wouldn't give me shit, but individually got shit for hanging out with an non South Asian.

[Emperor_Mike]

Yeah, all of those things, and it's too bad we don't do more.

More can be done, but in order for actions to have any discernible effect the force behind it must be applied in such a manner that a general consensus and will to affect real change ought to be formed. Anyone can claim to be an advocate of something, but the possession of passion for a cause tempered with reason is required for the matter to come to fruition.

[shy]

What is supposed to be the purpose of YW? To be some sort of voice of reason? Or just yellow folk expressing a point of view?

good question... and though i can't speak for everyone, i hope it's a place where we can voice concerns and be progressive.

[AngryABCGirl]

I kinda feel what Kasie means about leading a double-life. Most Asians I'm with don't really see a need for activism or why, the mentality is pretty much, "We're Chinese/Korean/Indian people living
verseas and we're doing ok and keeping it real on our own neighborhood, let's avoid trouble" mentality. Luckily or maybe no so luckily my parents thought it was bad for me to have the mentality and shoved me around a lot of the US, Canada, and Asia, changed a lot of my perspectives and experienced discrmination for the first time not because of race but because of culture and went through that really angry "I have no home I'm a Wai Sen Ren and people are intolerant fuckers" stage and found yw world and I learned a lot of constructive ways to be activist here.

It's hard to get anyone to understand the need for it weere I live though cause I live with the "better-off" Asians who see WASPs as dumb spoiled white people they can step on and their biggest issue is when "some white bitch gave me bad service at Macys" while less than 15 minutes awaywhere our parents first started out are immigrants struggling with language and cultural barriers as well as the problems we'll face when we leave the grand happy land of tons of wealthy Asians to shape our own lives in a, cliched to say this, white world.

The only people who actually understand the need to activism are "Asian-Americans" who don't have the big Asian background to cling to and fall back on them who really have to make it in a "white world" and those people are few and far between for me to find and also a bit too scary and angry for me. Sometimes I want to slap them and say "Bitch learn Japanese, you've got some great islands out there."

Hopefully that'll change though and I'll meet some normal people.

As for the YW yuppie thing, I think the cool thing about YW is that most of us happen to be normal people who want somewhere to get together and talk about these issues with a lot of different people and decide actually DO something instead of sit at a computer and bitch all day. I'd like to think we're only 30% bitching and the rest of the 70% can be real activism and constructive discussion and debate.

I'm sorry this post was 70% bitching.

[VV o n g B a]

i'd prolly agree that there are a lot of yuppies here. part of the reason i come is b/c there's a lot of ppl here who think they know more than your avg joe and they can back it up. there's lots of ppl who are currently doing well in life and are in a good position to comment on political / social / economic issues. if there WEREN'T ppl such as this on the board, i believe my interest would have waned a long time ago.

as for the activists who don't fit in... i haven't really experienced that. me and my close friends were activists in college and we helped organize out of town clubbing nights for AA association friends in auburn. when we went clubbing we'd actually dance and we were generally able to find our own dates. we just didn't have the extremists that alibaba and btr always talks about. we didn't have the ppl who hated whites for irrational reasons. thats what i feel is good about this place too. extremism is tolerated in pockets b/c its part of the landscape, but it doesn't define the yw experience as it does in other places.

[deez nuts]

so we - collectively as YWers - have been labelled "spoiled yuppies" in another forum.

i'm actually flattered by that remark.

[sandra]

i'm actually flattered by that remark.
me too, but it's tacky to say so.