I’m confused. Very confused. Not on a “I’m not quite sure” level, “It’s gone over my head” confused.
I’m the one of two Chinese in my year group, in a public school. (Using the literal meanings, not the traditional English meanings where public school = private school and state school = public school)
The (£5000 a term) private schools nearby do have a large Asian population (both British and American sense of the words). From what I know, the majority of them fit the ‘model minority’ stereotype: quiet, geeky, the weird person that usually sits at the back of class eating their hair, but still manages to excel the rest of the class in several subjects despite never actually being noticed. At all.
To a certain extent, I do fit the model minority stereotype. I do well in class, but I’m not [that] quiet, nor do I sit at the back eating my hair. I do take a slightly different approach in things though, I keep myself to myself. Me is me. Nobody else has to know and I don’t really have to care. (Yes, I am one of those people)
But I do know that quite a few do keep with the model minority (not by choice either, they are just like that naturally).
Which surprised me when there was a sudden upsurge of Yellow Fever occurred. As far as I know, they only know a handful of East/Southeast Asian people apart from me, one of which they know well. They also like to use the word ‘gook‘ pretty loosely too. I don’t usually stand for it, and strategically placed kicks are usually in order or a series of underhanded insults (which tend to be a little too overly personal and insulting).
I, personally, think that their mouths move and a load of crap comes out of it usually. But that’s just me.
But that’s what confused me. They don’t usually take well to other ethnic groups, despite having someone from the Middle East in their ‘clique’ (terrorist jokes expectant). It may well be a joke, but there’s a point when it starts to move from jokes to force of habit, then it’s not a joke anymore.
Hey there
Just read a couple of your posts, you’re like a version of me a few years younger. Except the Mauritius stuff. I guess I can speak through experience about some of the things you’re experiencing – namely the “oh it’s just a joke” excuse that they use every time to cover the fact that it is indeed a racial slur, hence derogatory. As it’s virtually against the law to do it against black people, and uneasy with asians, “natives” here seem to use the chinese as the easy ones.
Don’t listen to the stereotypes, they’re ten a plenty for us. Oh, and it seems the media have got it in for us too. Anything to do with China, their government, dog eatings, human organs… don’t listen to that shit. Ignorance is bliss.
The sad thing is, those who actually worry about this stuff – the new bbcs who care about their image and reputation compared with other groups – is by far overwhelmed by the other chinese, those who come here to study and/or just don’t give a shit how they act, talk and so on. I’d bet most wouldn’t even know the British have a thing against them, so when they do come across a bbc who understands all the hatred, they pounce.
Where to go? Dunno, but best learn a foreign language now. I suggest a remote part of central europe, france even. They might look at you strange, but that’s because you’re the exception; not a stereotype made by the majority of others who share your race.
By: Casserole on July 30, 2007
at 10:50 pm
Fortunately, I am the exception. For the most part, I am the major contact with anyone Chinese that most of the people I know. Though most of the stuff does bounce off me onto the Korean kids, which isn’t entirely fair, but I’m still the minority.
Unfortunately, they’re smart guys, but as thick as pig shit when it comes to China. So I tend to have the upper hand, especially when I start a rant on the British, I usually win.
So yes, I’ve become a gobby English kid. Which is the part of me I hate, but it’s seeming to be the only way I’m going to survive. I’ve seen the way they act towards the Indians, who, in all honesty, are what I was like not that long ago.
I do always say I want to move, get away from the UK, but nobody seems to understand why.
By: arcl on July 31, 2007
at 7:55 pm
i think i understand why you want to leave the uk, cos i want to do the same. when i tried to fit into british culture and was into british culture-life was easy, now i’ve learnt to stay to my own chinese culture-it just annoys me having to live in the uk-cos i feel we shall never be viewed as ‘british’, people will always refer to us as the chinese one, or perhaps even ignorantly assume that we don’t speak english or are illegal immigrants or worse- pirate dvd sellers/dog eaters!
i have become very opinionated or as my friend says i have a chip on my shoulder apparently.
i rant on about the british too lol-i know we should be thankful for the education and opportunities we have had in this country-but is it really worth it?!
can’t rly expect people to change their views on china if u think about the stupid representations of the typical triads and martial arts experts/dvd sellers/illegal immigrants in the media.
By: b on August 11, 2007
at 11:59 pm
I don’t think the thing to do is escape to another place. As the token Chinese for many years at school (There was another girl in my year but she ran away ‘up north’ aged about sixteen or seventeen and we never saw her again, I’m not kidding!) and at Uni I never thought much about being ‘Chinese’ I think it’s because I’m adopted and I thought I was white, then I became black and knew more about hip hop at age sixteen than my black friends. Then I went to Asia to try to learn Chinese and I’ve come back realising that it’s enough to be who we just are – that I am the total of my experiences, I am everything, I am me. It’s harder when you’re younger, at school and trying to fit in, or not, trying to rebel is harder…
It’s ok to be smart too. There are lots of smart cool kids out there, if you’re white then that’s fine but if you are Asian (I use that word to include me, the Chinese Brummie) then somehow you’re a geek. F*** that I say! When I was a kid I used to think to myself – I’m average and everyone who gets worst marks than I do are below average.
I’m sad that Chinese kids in England have no role models. I mean there probably are some but visibility is a bitch. How many BBC writers and actors are household names? None. How many Chinese people have there been on Eastenders? Two? How many Chinese people get on A Question of Sport? Can’t name a single one. I think that is the problem.
By: Tina Freeth on September 6, 2007
at 10:14 pm
That bits always interested me, the large lack of anyone Asian (both senses of Asian) on TV.
Most that are in any TV show feels horribly stereotyped though.
South Asian = usually own a corner shop/doctor or chemist.
East Asian (possibly South East Asian as well) = horribly smart. And the only ones that springs to mind is Toshiko in Torchwood (Naoko Mori).
I’ll not start on US TV series yet.
Though I still stand by my idea of leaving. Even if it’s for a few months. At least that way I’ll have a chance of finding myself.
By: arcl on September 8, 2007
at 11:07 pm