But aren't identity rants are part of being a hapa?

[BeTheReds]

While I made and pinned an identity rant thread, I still wish to express my view as to why I had been so opposed to identity rants for so long, and why I still am.

Sometimes we have people join YW for the express purpose to argue about how racist Asians are or how racist YW is or whatever. Or talk about their own identity problems, looking for others like them... Basically thinking we are another Eurasiannation.com.

Many people have asked why that bugs me so much that hapas can't be allowed to identity rant here. I'd only say that as a "minority within a minority", many people have this stereotypical view of hapas like we're all identity challenged depressed sad saps. Allowing identity rants will only reinforce that stereotype, which will contribute to Asian-American ostracization of hapas, yes, even on YW. While yes, it's true, many many many hapas actually do have identity problems, we should not be looked over as something different from, or worse, something against Asian-America.

Some of us can be very valuable to the Asian-American cause, and not all of us have identity problems so huge that they would prevent us from having any value to the cause or detract from it. I only want us to be judged as individuals, and taken seriously.


Some hapas are capable of strengthening the Asian-American cause, and believe it or not, some are capable of LEADING it. But that can never happen if Asian-America won't even give some of us the chance. I can't tolerate anything that contributes to our ostracization or disclusion by reinforcing stereotypes. Even though we should all be reflective and representative of ourselves only, it's harder to notice a gold hairpin with 500 copper ones in the same box.

[thaite]

To summarize: Don't worry, be hapa.

[Chad]

I agree with the premises of the argument you have presented but the cynical side of me is reading your post as: "I don't have identity problems like the rest of you because I'm Korean and there's no doubt about that and the rest of you should take your problems elsewhere because you're making me look bad by whining here. I know many of you have problems but I'd rather sweep it all under the rug so those of us who are the gold hairpins can shine."
I understand the problem with having a thousand hapas complaining about identity issues here, but doesn't the fact that so many do complain speak of a huge problem with identity politics that should be addressed? I mean we can always ignore these things here and it won't really make the problem worse, but that wouldn't be very honest. The truth is that many hapas do have identity problems and this is partially related to Asian America, non-Asian America, and how they relate to and perceive each other.

[BeTheReds]

Originally Posted by Chad

I agree with the premises of the argument you have presented but the cynical side of me is reading your post as: "I don't have identity problems like the rest of you because I'm Korean and there's no doubt about that and the rest of you should take your problems elsewhere because you're making me look bad by whining here. I know many of you have problems but I'd rather sweep it all under the rug so those of us who are the gold hairpins can shine."

Well I can see why you would think that, but no, that's not what I was suggesting. I still have identity issues from time to time, but if I wanted to talk about them with other hapas, I'd not use Yellowworld to do so. There is a time and a place for everything.

This isn't about me, it's about hapas who want to contribute to the Asian-American cause.

I understand the problem with having a thousand hapas complaining about identity issues here, but doesn't the fact that so many do complain speak of a huge problem with identity politics that should be addressed?

To an extent, yes. But hopefully we can talk about it from the stand point of people who have gone through the worst of it, rather than people still in it. Those still in it are perfectly welcome to participate, but most leave after realizing that the focus of YW is on Asian-Americans, not on hapas as a seperate entity from Asian-Americans.

I mean we can always ignore these things here and it won't really make the problem worse, but that wouldn't be very honest. The truth is that many hapas do have identity problems and this is partially related to Asian America, non-Asian America, and how they relate to and perceive each other.

Right, but we want people here who want to have an active role in Asian-America, not people who want to debate whether Asians can claim hapa celebrities, talk about how Asians are racist and sexist, talk about how wonderful and non racist they are because they are hapa, or how their parent's love transcends racial boundaries or all that other crap. This forum is for talking about the Asian-American experience as it pertains to hapas. We don't need to be like all the other hapa forums which deal specifically with identity politics and the like. We are by no means pretending that it doesn't exist by discouraging that kind of talk here. We are only suggesting that that kind of thing should not be the focus of this particular forum.

[Filiprish]

Negativity is not good, I agree.

I'm of similar opinion that hapas have equal voice on AA issues, as we are an embedded part of the community, like it or not. However, I'm at "home" within many groups, as many AAs are, but, as a hapa, I would like AAs to accept this aspect of my being -- not cynical towards it. A problem with this has begun to emerge involving my Fil-Am friends who want to claim me as entirely theirs. One friend told me that I'm Fil-Am, but that's not how identify. Rather, I'm NORTH AMERICAN, with Filipino and Scots-Irish roots!

Btw, this isn't an identity rant.

[BeTheReds]

Originally Posted by Filiprish

Negativity is not good, I agree.

I'm of similar opinion that hapas have equal voice on AA issues, as we are an embedded part of the community, like it or not. However, I'm at "home" within many groups, as many AAs are, but, as a hapa, I would like AAs to accept this aspect of my being -- not cynical towards it. A problem with this has begun to emerge involving my Fil-Am friends who want to claim me as entirely theirs. One friend told me that I'm Fil-Am, but that's not how identify. Rather, I'm NORTH AMERICAN, with Filipino and Scots-Irish roots!

Btw, this isn't an identity rant.

This is the kind of talk we need. It's not an identity rant, but more rather something that many full blooded Asians may not quite be aware of. By accentuating the differences rather than embracing the similarities, they further divide the already segmented Asian-American community. This is why I say embrace those of us who want to be embraced, and leave behind those who don't.