Fair for Chang to be anointed as delegate for all Asians?
by
swirli
07/25/2008, 7:30 PM #
There's an undertone of jealousy in this article. Although its intention was perhaps to challenge stereotypes and even give voice to an under-represented population, Asian American males, the issues could have been presented in a less divisive way. This article was reminiscent of two books which showcased the challenges of being of Asian descent in American society: "The Accidental Asian" by Eric Liu and "The Barbarians are Coming" by David Wong Louie. I may not have agreed to all of the perspectives in these books, but they offered DIVERSITY in perspective and gave voice to Asian American men, who are often emasculated in our culture through stereotyping.
The Asian American male voice and image are NOT PRESENT ENOUGH across all industries and fields--especially the ones that have greatest visibility and power. There's no argument there. We need more. However, the author's point of Asian Americans not being monolithic is undermined by placing so much burden and power on one tennis player...a champion, no less.
As a second-generation Asian American professional woman who's active in her community and has worked on Asian American issues at a national level, "shooting down our own," to me, is not a compelling approach for our community. Spike Lee once likened this same phenomenon within the African American community to crabs in a barrel. To paraphrase, "Once one gets towards the top, the others claw him down..."
I'm sure that WASN'T the author's intention, but by bemoaning the fate and persona of one tennis player, I speculate that the author reveals that he may still be on a path of discovery (and insecurity) about what it means to be Chinese American himself. And that's okay, but no need to claw someone else down.
Neither my tennis-playing Chinese American family members nor I saw Chang as a stereotype. He was a nice-looking guy and seemed wholesome. Now the difference between Chang and someone like that failed American idol contestant William Hung, is that Chang was exploited for his accomplishment itself and not for how he played into a stereotype. William Hung, on the other hand, again to no fault of his own, embodied a stereotype and was exploited by the media. But even having said that, should Chang or Hung be forced to be poster children for all Asian Americans? That, unfortunately is the burden of being "one of the few" in the public eye.
Ask anyone of color what it feels like to have to answer ridiculous, ignorant questions that beg for one person to have to answer for a whole population. I've gotten questions about everything ranging from my perspective on Chinese spies and toys at work to ingredient advice at the grocery store. It's unfair and I can't imagine what it would be like if this same burden were amplified at a public level. Chang is just one person and one who is a positive role model (maybe not YOUR role model). It could be worse!
The bottom line is that I would rather have MORE visible Asian Americans (and tolerate a few stereotypes along the way) than to get finicky about who should represent our entire population--an unfair request. Not every African American person sided with OJ Simpson. I'm sure not every African American respects Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The point is, they at least have a selection of role models from whom to choose. Wouldn't we want that too?
Sure, of course we secretly cringe at bad stereotypes. There are Asian American actors and actresses out there who have to take stereotypical roles in order to breakthrough a tough industry...but they just might, and they just might earn the credability to then choose and design the roles and future they envision for themselves. Many cultures--whether the Jewish, African American or Latino--have had to endure a few stereotypes before getting creative license or freedom to really attach the larger-looming social issues.
Don't blame the breakthroughs though. Blame those who exploit them. But really, at the end of the day, instead of wishing Michael Chang single-handedly crushed stereotypes, the $19 million he's won across all tournaments should be enough to silence anyone from challenging whether he's a powerless pawn. That's a universal currency that languages success, masculinity and power regardless of field or background!
