However, I think Rob’s argument is why hang out here exclusively with other Asians, when it would be far more beneficial for the “Asian American image” if the asians chilling at Park were to be hanging out with a more diverse (or white?) crowd. The real question here, is how willing anyone is in exploring beyond their comfort zones.

I think its a hard call. To assimilate or segregate? Like I said, this is what all of us(minorities) struggle with. In an ideal world, we simply wouldn’t have to make this choice. Some might say that in an ideal world, we (asians) would have the white privilege and be able to accept and reject things from other cultures. But there are obvious pitfalls with this kind of thinking too.

At the end of the day, we’re back in the real world – a world of subtle grays. Where its not as easy as simply choosing to asimilate or segregate. Maybe one asian guy grew up in a predominantly asian community and has always just felt more comfortable associating with asians. Maybe another asian guy, growing up in the SAME asian community loved listening to foo fighters and made friends with people with similar tastes in music, and formed lasting friendships, which by chance turned out to be mostly white people (i know weak example). But that’s life.

Rob asked if it was wrong for asians to congregate like this. I don’t think its wrong, BUT i do think that if you find yourself hanging out with mostly asians, going mostly to “asian clubs” and yes, hitting on mostly asian girls, then maybe you should consider expanding your comfort zone. You might learn a thing or two about yourself or that “foreign other”…

On a side note – i’ve been to park a few times, lots of asians each time. More east asians than south asians, but u definitely see cute desi girls there too. And my best memory of park was seeing this asian guy roll up on a black girl dancing on top of the whirlpool on the 2nd floor…they grind for a bit, then he picks her up and grinds his face into her crotch, goes “whooo!” turns to me and asks if i wanna give that a go

However, I think Rob’s argument is why hang out here exclusively with other Asians, when it would be far more beneficial for the “Asian American image” if the asians chilling at Park were to be hanging out with a more diverse (or white?) crowd. The real question here, is how willing anyone is in exploring beyond their comfort zones.

I think its a hard call. To assimilate or segregate? Like I said, this is what all of us(minorities) struggle with. In an ideal world, we simply wouldn’t have to make this choice. Some might say that in an ideal world, we (asians) would have the white privilege and be able to accept and reject things from other cultures. But there are obvious pitfalls with this kind of thinking too.

At the end of the day, we’re back in the real world – a world of subtle grays. Where its not as easy as simply choosing to asimilate or segregate. Maybe one asian guy grew up in a predominantly asian community and has always just felt more comfortable associating with asians. Maybe another asian guy, growing up in the SAME asian community loved listening to foo fighters and made friends with people with similar tastes in music, and formed lasting friendships, which by chance turned out to be mostly white people (i know weak example). But that’s life.

Rob asked if it was wrong for asians to congregate like this. I don’t think its wrong, BUT i do think that if you find yourself hanging out with mostly asians, going mostly to “asian clubs” and yes, hitting on mostly asian girls, then maybe you should consider expanding your comfort zone. You might learn a thing or two about yourself or that “foreign other”…

On a side note – i’ve been to park a few times, lots of asians each time. More east asians than south asians, but u definitely see cute desi girls there too. And my best memory of park was seeing this asian guy roll up on a black girl dancing on top of the whirlpool on the 2nd floor…they grind for a bit, then he picks her up and grinds his face into her crotch, goes “whooo!” turns to me and asks if i wanna give that a go

Besides, I think it’s really neat to have a bar that Asians hang out at. Why not? It’s fun to socialize and meet other Asians, after spending our workdays socializing with white people at work!