The author claimed he hated Michael Chang because he's too Chinese; short, a mama's boy and keeps to himself. I wonder, doesn't it reflect something that's potentially unpleasant about Hsu? He loathed those qualities of Chang because he thinks Chinese - or Asians in general - should be fully Americanized; tall, "independent" and open. Shouldn't one succeed in any arena because of the person s/he is, and in his/her own special way? Do Asians have to be like a typical American so as to win beautifully? By lengthening his racket, I believe Chang realized his shortcomings, while not being ashamed of it (my speculation), deviced a way for him to excel in his craft, which I think is very endearing. Finally, Hsu, does it mean you're ashamed of your upbringing?

It's very difficult, for me at least, not to be reminded that I will be seen as an Asian first, not an American. My family regularly refers to White people as "Americans" in Mandarin, reinforcing the idea that the White culture is still the standard culture no matter how much of a "melting pot" US is or that how long I have been an US citizen. There is a high expectation on me, my sisters, and my cousins here to "do something useful." I constantly hear family gossip about that distant relative who studied music in college or that relative who studied German and did nothing "useful" and wasted their talents.

The stereotype in the media doesn't help either. Being beautiful means conforming to the White culture, and I admit I have been somewhat afflicted by that as well. Jokes are constantly made about the Asian stature or physical endowments. I also make a point not to go see any Jackie Chan or Jet Ji Hollywood movies just because of the stereotype they communicate: you're either book-ish or a blackbelt or some sort.

I really sympathize with the author, especially all my relative seemed to have been great fans of Michael Chan (I'm sure he's a good person and everything, but it just doesn't help...)

Milo:

I agree it's completely possible the author may have felt the way he did when he was 17 because of society influence and through no fault of his own. Teenages are after all the most susceptible of the lot, and having once been an asian american teen, I can sympathize as well.

What I object to about the article is that the author does not seem to recognize his objection to Chang arose not from any shortcomings of Chang. The author stopped way short of recognizing that the qualities he objected to the most about Chang were not objectionable at all - they were merely not the qualities glorified by the society he grew up in.

And I found the author's constant reference to Chang's height to be incredibly offensive. (From the context, much of those height references appeared to be coming out of the author's mind NOW, not when he was a teenager.)

absolutely ridiculous and pathetic.

if the author has any knowledge or simply observations, the average american height is only about 5'9" for males. maybe 5'10, but he is not significantly short. the author also needs to learn to battle stereotypes independently and not adhere to media and colonial times standards. his continual reference to "beautiful blonde" and the other thai player marrying a ms. universe, i just really feel for the author's children one day on self confidence and identity.

i myself am chinese and have battled stereotypes everyday of my life and as a avid basketball player that played at many high levels of competition had to battle the stereotypes and if i had accepted it, would have been chewed up and spit out early never making it as far as i had. you learn you have to pave and create that road, and as asian-americans, that road is not complete yet, and we unfortunately have actually a lot of road to tear up and rebuild because what was laid before us is some garbage stereotypical crap we're rolling through. but i also am proud of the academic side and would never dismiss my academic and professional success because my mom made me do my math homework as a kid.

i'm proud of who i am in all aspects and this author has some serious self-confidence issues. oh and being 6'1" first generation chinese, i don't think the stereotypes for short asians are going to stick for much longer with improved nutrition and the author needs to evolve his thinking a bit.

author is absolute garbage and pathetic for perpetuating this crap.