Comments on: “Why am I the Coolest Asian You Know?” http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/ A blog for Asian Americans Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:27:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CSLi http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-117474 CSLi Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:13:41 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-117474 Ever hear the one about the honorary male? "You're so cool, you're not like other girls...it's like you're a dude!" Well, this is the same thing. As Moye states, being labeled as "cool" in contrast to the "uncoolness" of "your people" (women, blacks, gays, asians, etc.) is no compliment. It's veiled racism, sexism, and what have you. It's insulting, and worse --it is incredibly boring. To those who think we just shouldn't sweat it: when drunken comments parrot the ideas, attitudes, comments and insults that we live with all our lives, it is nigh impossible to see them as anything but symptomatic and hurtful. It's not like these white guys were joking about Rob's shirt, or being totally random. And Rob, why on earth would you go to Hoboken in the first place? ;-) Ever hear the one about the honorary male?

“You’re so cool, you’re not like other girls…it’s like you’re a dude!” Well, this is the same thing.

As Moye states, being labeled as “cool” in contrast to the “uncoolness” of “your people” (women, blacks, gays, asians, etc.) is no compliment. It’s veiled racism, sexism, and what have you. It’s insulting, and worse –it is incredibly boring.

To those who think we just shouldn’t sweat it: when drunken comments parrot the ideas, attitudes, comments and insults that we live with all our lives, it is nigh impossible to see them as anything but symptomatic and hurtful. It’s not like these white guys were joking about Rob’s shirt, or being totally random.

And Rob, why on earth would you go to Hoboken in the first place? ;-)

]]> By: CSLi http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-140415 CSLi Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:13:00 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-140415 Ever hear the one about the honorary male? "You're so cool, you're not like other girls...it's like you're a dude!" Well, this is the same thing. As Moye states, being labeled as "cool" in contrast to the "uncoolness" of "your people" (women, blacks, gays, asians, etc.) is no compliment. It's veiled racism, sexism, and what have you. It's insulting, and worse --it is incredibly boring. To those who think we just shouldn't sweat it: when drunken comments parrot the ideas, attitudes, comments and insults that we live with all our lives, it is nigh impossible to see them as anything but symptomatic and hurtful. It's not like these white guys were joking about Rob's shirt, or being totally random. And Rob, why on earth would you go to Hoboken in the first place? ;-) Ever hear the one about the honorary male?

“You’re so cool, you’re not like other girls…it’s like you’re a dude!” Well, this is the same thing.

As Moye states, being labeled as “cool” in contrast to the “uncoolness” of “your people” (women, blacks, gays, asians, etc.) is no compliment. It’s veiled racism, sexism, and what have you. It’s insulting, and worse –it is incredibly boring.

To those who think we just shouldn’t sweat it: when drunken comments parrot the ideas, attitudes, comments and insults that we live with all our lives, it is nigh impossible to see them as anything but symptomatic and hurtful. It’s not like these white guys were joking about Rob’s shirt, or being totally random.

And Rob, why on earth would you go to Hoboken in the first place? ;-)

]]> By: Moye http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-115589 Moye Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:49:50 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-115589 I personally would view it more as an insulting compliment. Being labeled "cool" based on their negative perception of Asians wouldn't bother me (because seriously, I *am* pretty cool) as much as the realization that even if you are good friends with them, they still clearly see you as Asian. Not to say that being Asian isn't an important part of your identity, but they're categorizing you as Asian and therefore, not like them (invisibly white). I don't know how to explain it, but it would bug me. You're their "coolest Asian friend." Why can't you just be their "coolest friend"? And I don't see any harm in succumbing to the self-segregate urge. I personally would view it more as an insulting compliment. Being labeled “cool” based on their negative perception of Asians wouldn’t bother me (because seriously, I *am* pretty cool) as much as the realization that even if you are good friends with them, they still clearly see you as Asian. Not to say that being Asian isn’t an important part of your identity, but they’re categorizing you as Asian and therefore, not like them (invisibly white).

I don’t know how to explain it, but it would bug me. You’re their “coolest Asian friend.” Why can’t you just be their “coolest friend”?

And I don’t see any harm in succumbing to the self-segregate urge.

]]> By: Moye http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-140414 Moye Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:49:00 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-140414 I personally would view it more as an insulting compliment. Being labeled "cool" based on their negative perception of Asians wouldn't bother me (because seriously, I *am* pretty cool) as much as the realization that even if you are good friends with them, they still clearly see you as Asian. Not to say that being Asian isn't an important part of your identity, but they're categorizing you as Asian and therefore, not like them (invisibly white). I don't know how to explain it, but it would bug me. You're their "coolest Asian friend." Why can't you just be their "coolest friend"? And I don't see any harm in succumbing to the self-segregate urge. I personally would view it more as an insulting compliment. Being labeled “cool” based on their negative perception of Asians wouldn’t bother me (because seriously, I *am* pretty cool) as much as the realization that even if you are good friends with them, they still clearly see you as Asian. Not to say that being Asian isn’t an important part of your identity, but they’re categorizing you as Asian and therefore, not like them (invisibly white).

I don’t know how to explain it, but it would bug me. You’re their “coolest Asian friend.” Why can’t you just be their “coolest friend”?

And I don’t see any harm in succumbing to the self-segregate urge.

]]> By: Phở Kinh Yue http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-115533 Phở Kinh Yue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:42:38 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-115533 Is that a compliment or a insult? when i read that part, it started reminding me of Sheng Wang's comedy. He was saying "What kind of compliment is less slanty?lol. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8395770 At the end of the day, if I was in that situation I would think to myself if it really bothered me. If it really does...if they were really my friends, I would explain to them exactly what you said in this blog. If they don't want to listen, well I guess there's always room for new friends. Is that a compliment or a insult? when i read that part, it started reminding me of Sheng Wang’s comedy. He was saying “What kind of compliment is less slanty?lol.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8395770

At the end of the day, if I was in that situation I would think to myself if it really bothered me. If it really does…if they were really my friends, I would explain to them exactly what you said in this blog. If they don’t want to listen, well I guess there’s always room for new friends.

]]> By: Phở Kinh Yue http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-140413 Phở Kinh Yue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:42:00 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-140413 Is that a compliment or a insult? when i read that part, it started reminding me of Sheng Wang's comedy. He was saying "What kind of compliment is less slanty?lol. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8395770 At the end of the day, if I was in that situation I would think to myself if it really bothered me. If it really does...if they were really my friends, I would explain to them exactly what you said in this blog. If they don't want to listen, well I guess there's always room for new friends. Is that a compliment or a insult? when i read that part, it started reminding me of Sheng Wang’s comedy. He was saying “What kind of compliment is less slanty?lol.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8395770

At the end of the day, if I was in that situation I would think to myself if it really bothered me. If it really does…if they were really my friends, I would explain to them exactly what you said in this blog. If they don’t want to listen, well I guess there’s always room for new friends.

]]> By: Kim http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-115519 Kim Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:50:43 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-115519 Ah, Backspace,... ... I suggested that Rob probably shouldn't sweat the comments made to him by a drunk in a crowd at a St. Paddy's Day party----you think he should sweat it?? Ah, Backspace,…

… I suggested that Rob probably shouldn’t sweat the comments made to him by a drunk in a crowd at a St. Paddy’s Day party—-you think he should sweat it??

]]> By: Kim http://www.8asians.com/2009/03/10/why-am-i-the-coolest-asian-you-know/comment-page-1/#comment-140412 Kim Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:50:00 +0000 http://www.8asians.com/?p=2766#comment-140412 Ah, Backspace,... ... I suggested that Rob probably shouldn't sweat the comments made to him by a drunk in a crowd at a St. Paddy's Day party----you think he should sweat it?? Ah, Backspace,…

… I suggested that Rob probably shouldn’t sweat the comments made to him by a drunk in a crowd at a St. Paddy’s Day party—-you think he should sweat it??

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