Asians seem to
do this thing where so much pride is taken into claiming one of their own that “makes
it” either through the media, fame or politics. For example, “To Kwok and other
representatives of Asian American organizations, Locke’s election elevated him
to a symbol of minority success in America.” Despite being Chinese American,
having been raised in America and with a lack of fluency in the Chinese
language, for the simple fact that Locke is Chinese, he is idolized by the
Chinese community. The same is mirrored with the Filipino community. Filipinos
love to glorify people that are showcased in the media, predominantly via
movies and TV shows, who are something as little as 1/8 Filipino. There is a
sense of pride that comes from seeing someone who identifies as the same ethnic
background as you on TV or making changes in the world via politics. It’s this
sense of having visible representation of your people through this individual.
When one makes it, we all make it. Does this become difficult though when the
person you affiliate culturally doesn’t embrace the culture? Does this person
still represent you and your people or are they making their decisions/changes
based on their Americanized upbringing?
Evelyn HuDehart. “Introduction: Asian American Formations in the Age of Globalization.”
Image: http://aaquotes.com/
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