Race Relations #1: Growing up while caught between the race war pt. 1

Growing up Blasian isn’t easy.  As kids of the Black and Asian races, we sooner or later learn that we cannot choose one side; this is simply for the fact that we just never look like one or the other.  Blasians have distinctly exotic facial features: the flared nose, medium to thick lips, chinky eyes, and tan skin… these all make us stand out from both races.  Blacks think we’re too Asian to be black — Asians think we’re too black to be Asian.  In the midst, we find that we can’t quite fit in to either side.

A couple of points make Blasians stand out from any other mixed African-American person:

• Both Asians and Blacks are minorities
• Statistically speaking, Asians and blacks are complete opposites in terms of education, employment, and financial stability
• Asians and blacks are also complete opposites in terms of stereotype (i.e. obnoxious vs. reserved, chicken vs. sushi, penis size, etc.)
• Asian and black cultures are completely different, especially considering that many Asian grandparents are straight from their respective Asian countries

With all of this information laid out, it can be concluded that the uniqueness of Blasian identity is related to the vast differences in the cultures that make up the individual.  The extreme polarity is what makes it hard for Blasians to assimilate to just one specific culture.

In the case of Blasian identity, many are initially drawn closer to their Afro-American heritage.  This is because we feel a responsibility to embrace the side that experienced and continues to go through hardships regarding racism in America.  As racism surrounding Asians is much more subtle, the exposure of black racism causes the Afr0-American blood in Blasians to weigh heavier on the judgement scale.  Statistics prove that Asians are doing better than blacks in terms of employment, higher education enrollment, and financial stability; this imbalance makes us feel we need to favor the under-handed side to bring it up.

This need to fuel blackness causes Blasians to acquire a skewed view of what it means to be black — the stereotypes become more apparent as we try to pronounce this identity.  We wear baggy clothes, grow out our fros, listen to a lot of rap music — whatever.  Anything attributed to black culture is latched onto and we exhibit these qualities to let others know we’re as black as Wesley Snipes and the next brother.  Except we’re not.  My hair isn’t kinky enough.  My skin isn’t dark enough.  My speech is too proper and I don’t fit in at black church.  So where do we go?  Maybe we should try the Asian side.

…to be continued (つづく）。。。