Asian brains and reputations. Can it be done?

Question

Asians these days have the reputation of being innocent (well maybe not innocent) smart people who become rich. Well they have the reputation because they made themselves that way through parents, etc. However, African-Americans (and/or Latinos) have the exactly opposite reputation (drugs, poor, gang-related, etc.). One would be more cautious around an African American than an Asian (be honest with yourself). But my question is, do you think that this reputation can ever be undone? The same for latinos also. This question is completely sincere and asked this through my own curiosity, not racism. I would like helpful opinions, not racial slurs. Thanks.

Answer 1

there are plenty of asian gangs now, theres lots of rich black ppl, there are many white folks that live in the gutter or in trailer parks.

race has nothing to do with anything, other than how much you tan in the summer, and what shape your eyes tend to be. theres all sorts of ppl in every group. smart, stupid, violent, peaceful, rich, poor.....

eventually, there wont be any real stereotypes left (even the ones that are true), and we'll all just be a greyish color. then we'll all be able to hate each other for who we are on the inside. i cant wait!

Answer 2

Another thing I've noticed that could be a factor is that most Asian families are more recent immigrants. This adds on to the idea above mine. Because Asians have had to struggle to get into and then stay in this country, they seem to appreciate the opportunities more.

And, as random as this sounds, appearances do count for something. Let's face it; most people stereotype and judge another based on how that person looks. The more presentable a person looks, the better other people perceive them.

I think reputations can only be undone through individual actions, though in the end everyone will hold their own stereotypes about different racial groups. If you are personally trying to change how other people view your race, then change starts with you [as cheesy as that sounds, it's true].

Answer 3

There are good and bad in all nationalities and ethnicities. I currently work at an elementary school that is about 3/4 black and 1/4 Hispanic but before that I worked at a school that was 3/4 Hispanic and 1/4 white. I have had some great students that are black and some great students that are Hispanic. And I have had some lazy ones of both types.

My step daughter is Korean-American. She was very hard to live with and got into plenty of trouble at school. However I attribute this to a very permissive mother and very limited contact with my husband. She lived with us for 18 months and I am so glad she moved back with her mother.

Answer 4

I find Asian people have a built in character to do well in life, even more so if they do not live in their own country. Innocent they are not, they have the same flaws just like the rest of us. Asian children are pushed to the limits of everything to earn a good salary when they go out into the world. Japanese ,commit suicide when they fail university or lose their jobs. Indians, Chinese, Thais, Philippinos, Vietnamese, you name them, will work impossible hours to achieve their goal in life. This is because social security payments do not exsist in those lands , except for Japan. That is a good incentive for just about anybody to try hard in life. Failing that turn to a life of crime.

Answer 5

i swear, so many people stereotype people so much nowadays. i am yellow. i am not the smart innocent nerd type of asian guy. though yes my parents and family are success, wealthy, rich if you wanna call it. but not me, i did tend to grow up around alot of white people, but i would consider myself a little ghetto minded. i am not part of a gang nor poor, i have been involved around drugs, ect. i carry my loaded gun everywhere i go, listen to rap music, and... well you get the point. what do you think about my reputation as an asian? do you stereotype me now? and for your question, i dont think you are racist, but you do stereotype people.

Answer 6

There are exceptions to your proposed stereotypes. But those Asians ( I being South Asian - Pakistani ) who are smart is because they work hard, do not take for granted the opportunity we are given here. Because we know how lucky we are to be here, so we want to make the most of it. We struggle, spend very little, save alot, and continue then after many years we see the fruit of our hard work.

Answer 7

Everyone in my family including inlaws are working and worked for thier whole life. My father in law is over 60 and not on any state pension/benefit and stll works. we are asian-muslim.

We have had a decent amount of education, live peacefully and enjoy living with others. we learnt that if you live and work correctly you get far. you dont communicate with your whole commuinty (thi means mixed races etc)and others you will never get far. its the best way to live.

Never look too high and dont look down. you will go the right way. and we have. This is effort put by us as well the the people we live with. If I dont communicate with people in my town, how can I do business? How can we learn to survive?
so society and community have alot to do with it too. we are grafters!!

This way is best way...

Answer 8

not always true....I am Asian mixed and grew up in the ghetto and I don't have a lot of money. The rep however will probably never change for any race unless the human race gets their heads out of their a**!

Answer 9

The actions of a fraction of a people-group can impact other people's generalized impressions of that people-group. That is a fact of life.

Individuals can live up to or overcome such generalized impressions.

Cordially,
John
http://www.GodSci.org