I'm an Asian-AMERICAN.Many people get all bunged up about Political Correctness and hyphenated labels. They say "Oh, I don't see black, yellow, brown, or red...I just see an American." As much as I agree with the ideal, the sentiment, "Up With People" Utopian vibe, unfortunately, the reality is very very different.
Whenever people deal with me, eventually, the conversation always turns to the same topic: "Where are you from?" When I answer "Kansas" there reaction varies from mild disappointment to "No, I mean really, where are you from?" (Like I'd lie about being from Kansas).
No matter how "American" an Asian American is, people see only the Asian. We are never from Kansas or Missouri, or Kentucky. We may live here now, but we "must" originally be from Vietnam, China, or other countries. We're American Citizens it seems, but not quite American.
As sad it may be, the country and the world sees things in terms of race. Heck, I know I do. We all do, that's part of the baggage of being human.
And because the world sees in terms of race, our individual experiences differ on the basis of our race. However, despite whatever initial stereotypes and prejudices I may have, I try to remember that its still a person. And despite all the differences, that person has a great deal more in common with me: life, love, laughter etc.
Its taken me awhile to get here and I still have a way to go. Below are a resources on the subject. It is by far, not a comprehensive list. But it is a start...
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at anlashok@swbell.net