2 posts tagged “race”

(Cross-posted on Xanga and Facebook)

I'm not calm enough to objectively address my take on the collective conservative-Christian three-ring circus drama right now, so I'll hold my thoughts on that.

I don't really feel like I need to justify my Facebook status in any way... but I want to explain. For those not in the know, I posted, "Katherine finally feels like she belongs in America today. God bless MY nation." A friend commented that my statement was very similar to Michelle Obama's "and she got a lot of shit for it," as he said. I was flabbergasted by how much I also got for that comment... exclusively from America's evangelical population.

For a little personal background information, I am Asian by ethnicity and American by birth. Yet I have constantly felt like I never belonged in America. Comments about my race, mocking statements about my heritage and origins, innocent questions born of ignorance, and blatantly racist accusations are part of my growing-up experience.

Many white Americans have commented to me that they don't understand how constant reiteration of "Obama being the first black president" can be taken as anything other than a racist comment. (Well, I'm entertained when white people talk to me about race just because I'm Asian, anyway) It's true - they are racist statements in the sense that they point out his skin color repeatedly. But the same people who say, "Color should not be a factor" are exactly the ones for whom color is NOT a factor. So yeah. Skin color matters, and Obama's election is a milestone for every non-white American today.

All I meant to communicate in the Facebook status 100-character limit was this: "Today, someone like myself will never be forgotten in the history of my country. I BELONG." When this realization sunk in... well, I'm not usually an emotional person, but I couldn't hold back happy tears.

I simply wanted to share this beautiful moment with my friends in a rare moment of vulnerability. I consequently am deeply hurt that anyone would twist a sincere prayer for blessing upon my country's future into a way to throw "America's wicked, perverse sins" in my face. If one of my biggest blessings today really is God's curse on me, then maybe I should look into a one-way ticket to hell.

But I really learned something today: Nobody can take my happiness away from me unless I let them do so. And nobody's bigotry can cheapen this day for me.

On one level, Obama is just another Democratic nominee who won the election. This is the level at which dissent on economic policies, Roe v. Wade, the Iraq war, abortion, and international security should be voiced. Yippee-ki-yay. The last time we had a Democrat president (the Methodist Christian one), it became known that he screwed around with girls in various offices of government... while married... so you doomsday Christians should be used to being on your knees for the Democrats already. (I say this with extreme sarcasm) Do you really think that Obama could have lower morals? I'm not denying the possibility of that, certainly, but I highly doubt the probability of it. I can see - and strongly disagree with - why some might find "Democrats are scary" for some people, but now that it's all over, QUIT WHINING. What's done is done.

But on another level, he is a hell of an icon. Today is the day the Emancipation Proclamation is officially fulfilled. He is the face of success - for all minorities - but especially for every slave descendant in America today. He symbolizes marginalized America. His election proves there is hope for children from broken homes. His mere existence validates the worth of preserving a child's life, even if a mother or grandmother must raise him alone. My thrill over his nomination was exclusively over this milestone.

I admire his indomitable courage, I'm almost certain that he will rack up assassination attempts, if only because he is the first black American presiden, as well as being a spokesman for a plethora of controversial issues. God willing, they will only be attempts. But it's deplorably undeniable that the country whose citizen murdered Martin King Luther Jr. for merely dreaming about American equality will have progressed beyond violence as a form of protest in a scant 40 years.

Barack Obama is no idiot. For all his screaming fangirl base of "change"-chanters, he can't possibly have overlooked the deep hatred many harbor toward him (thank you, conservative Christians, for giving sheltered me a glimpse of that tonight). That a man so young would offer up a life so sweet - a loving wife, young children, a normal life, relative protection and security for his family - in dedication to his belief that he is the best candidate to next lead America... This kind of devotion should command our deepest respect and gratitude, not our scorn and self-righteousness. "I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honor more." How can we celebrate Lovelace's couplet in poetry but not in action? I am deeply ashamed to call myself a Christian today when I see "God's people" spit on God's anointed.

I believe that Barack Obama is God's hand-picked leader for America. He is without a doubt the right man for the right time. Anyone who believes that Obama is "against God's will" must have an egregiously skewed understanding of God's omniscience. Obama is not a savior - he is merely a leader. I'm not entirely sure some have noticed the difference.

His victory tonight already fulfills his hope for the future: Change HAS already come to America. In coming days, it is inevitable that he will disappoint the people of America in some way. He is only human, after all, and expectations for this man in particular are the stuff of legends. Yet I firmly believe that God placed him in office for a reason, that he will do his part to fulfill his duty to me as the commander-in-chief of my beloved country, and I pledge in turn to honor, respect and support him AS A LEADER in every possible way.

God bless the United States of America.

Professor Dahlby said something in class yesterday that made me think... He was saying something to the effect of how Bush was eager to pay his respects at the VT memorial service, yet there have been dozens of soldier funerals without a peep from the Commander in Chief, who arguably gave their lives because of a decision he made.

I don't think that Bush should be criticized for doing something that will mean a lot to VT victims' families, but that's a good point.

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Random "photography signature" ideas...

K-Dot Photography. Obviously would be a K and a dot. Like "K."
    Pros: Sounds catchy. Could make a cute logo.
    Cons: k-dot.com would make it kay-dot-dot-com, unless I did k.com, which... I dunno, is that doable?

Less Than Three Photography. Like this: "<3"
    Pros: It's hip! It's with the times! People getting married would like it! It's cute and rhyme-y!
    Cons: Those people would have to be, like, 25 and younger. Also, it sounds gimmicky.

Freeze the Frame Photography. Boring?
    Pros: I like the words and the alliteration. Catchy phrase with double meaning for pictures.
    Cons: Kinda too grown-up, y'think? Although I'm not that into whimsical stuffs... I want something that's versatile. Also, how would this translate into a distinct logo?

Bright Heart Photography or Ming-Shing or something...
    Pros: People like Asian words, so I'm told. It's my Chinese name. I could make a logo like a Chinese "chop" for more formal photos, and a cutesy one for whimsical pics or whatnot.
    Cons: I hate my Chinese name, so no. Also, I'd feel like I'm using my ethnicity to sell myself. Which I'm not. Yes, being an ethnic studies major has turned me into one of those people. Those uber-racially-sensitive people... Ah vell!

Ideas?

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Mentioning my Chinese name reminds me of something, which tells me that VT is in my thoughts even though I don't consciously keep it there.

I've always hated my Chinese name, especially spelled out in English. It's a pun in Chinese and it sounds like fodder for nursery school rhymes in English... which is exactly what I've gotten all my life. I don't blame anyone for it, 'cuz it's usually meant good-naturedly, but early childhood memories stick, and I've just never liked it.

Many ethnic parents give their children English names for the sake of assimilation, for the sake of making it easier on their future non-ethnic acquaintances, for the sake of whatever it is. Does that translate to "selling out?" Does it guarantee an easier life as a non-Anglo-Saxon American? What kind of ramifications does this simple action entail?

As a Taiwanese American, the moment I saw Cho's name in the paper I was instantly drawn to the obvious Asian name. Of course I want to know what he is! Because... well, I've been asking myself ever since... why? Because what? What does that mean to ME? What kind of curiosity does that raise within me? As a fellow Asian, do I have any more right to know?

If he had been Korean American, would people assume he was "not born here" because he didn't change his name? What if? If he had been here on a student visa, but instead went by Jimmy Cho, would that make people assume he was an American-born student?

Wait a second, nobody ever assumes anyone with an ethnic-sounding last name was born in the U.S. Obviously I'm making a sarcastic, broad generalization but I've heard "Where are you from?" and "Your English is so good!" so many more well-meaning and stupid times than I care to count.

I really want to know. I have so many questions.