Asian is not a race.?

Question

I dont get it when most of the Western people think that Asians are only the Chinese, the Japanese and the Koreans.

There are multi-racial countries in the South East Asia. Just like in the States (having the blacks, the whites, the eurasians and the natives) There are other races like the Malays, the Indians and the Natives in the Asian countries. Do y'all Westerners even know about the Malays, the Indians and the Natives in the Asian countries?


What made most of you think that Asians are only made from the Chinese, the Japanese and the Koreans only?

Like for instance a Westerner asked an Asian looking person:

Westerner: So you're Asian, right?

Asian: Yes, i am.

Westerner: That means you're from China?

Asian: No. It doesnt mean im an Asian i should come from China.

=.=

So, i really wanna spread the ways of thinking of the other people who doesnt come from the South East Asian countries that Asian doesnt not equal to the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans, only

Asian people come from different races and religions, too. So, it also doesnt mean all of us do the same thing. We have different cultures. Asians are the people who come from the S.E.A countries and it shouldnt be called as a 'Race'.

i am an Asian, but im a mixed of everything and i can definitely know how it feels like if someone assumed that being Asian is just a one-raced thing. It makes me feel like the world should know that being Asian is a term to let you know that we come from one of the S.E. A countries and it isnt a race.

and i know this isnt really a question, i just wanted to know your views :)

No, i didnt experienced this with only ONE person but MANY. I travel a lot, i've been to many countries all over the world and i have met a lot of people, too. I've experienced this with a lot of people and i've realized that most of the Westerners think alike about Asian people- assuming that they only belong to ONE race. Believe me. I am not racist and I mingle around with everyone of every color, culture and religion. I just wanted to know your views about this :) Just a friendly thing here...nothing harsh. Sorry if i've offended anyone, though :) Peace.

first, i'd like to apologize to those who may think that i have assumed that ALL Westerners think that being Asian is a one-raced thing only. I said, MOST of the PEOPLE i met think about it that way. And yes, i am no better than anyone when we're talking about this topic, i am just curious about your views, that's it. But the fact here is, Asian ISN'T a ONE-RACED thing. Peace to All, like i said, Sorry if i've offended anyone ;) mwahmwah!

i'd say that i have RESPECT for you if you know that ASIANS AINT A ONE-RACED THING, thank you for the sense of sensitivity and for being a true human being. but if you dont know, then..i'd be more than glad to explain to you what an Asian really means. i just dont meet a FEW people and i also havent met EVERYONE in this planet earth (i dont know if i ever will) but i can consider myself as a person who have MET A LOT of people. as in MANY. I have alot of friends who come from the Oceania, Europe and the States (based on my upbringing and schools i went to) it's all about an individual who are exposed to the different cultures, races and religion in this world. FYI, most SURVEYS are not being done by EVERYONE in this PLANET EARTH too, yaknow. It's probably a 10/10 or 100/100 thing.

knowing that a person is Asian tells you that she/he comes from ONE of the S.E.A countries. I am Asian, but how come my ID says different and not Asian, only? You misunderstood the whole meaning about someone being an Asian. Asian is not a race..it's like how Westerners are mainly from Europe and like how Westerners also have different races in their countries. it disturbs me cos' it felt like my OWN race never existed when there are other races that should be known to the world, as well...being called what you're not is just plain insensitive.

im not mad or angry here, its just not nice to be called something im not. it just disturbs me a lil and i guess most of the people who're goin thru the same thing might have understand me in this situation.

CHEERS =D

Answer 1

In your journey to point out the geography of oriental nations, you placed MOST of the western world in one big bowl. Yes, many many, still far to many, in my opinion, mistake people that come from Asian countries as being all from the same place. In the old days, in America, all Asians were refer ed to as Chinese, which, in my opinion, is not good, But you have to remember that America is a very young country, and in its effort to brainwash its people and quickly assimilate them, they had to teach people that America is the best. They taught that all Asians were from China, or all blacks were the lowest on the genetic tree. and were/are the western people wrong for teaching this? To you and me, yes. But to them, no. They have a right to live and survive by any means necessary. But who is the fool the people on the corner selling number two pencils for $500 each, or the ones buying them?
By you putting MOST westerns in one bowl, and I very very seriously think you KNOW MOST people on the planet earth, you are no better than the people you are talking about in your comment.

Answer 2

You've made the assessment that most westerners don't know about the different Asian countries based on your experience with one person? Well, why do you feel that most westerners are ignorant to the geography of Asia? Or at the very least that there is more then 3 countries that make up the continent?

*****************

Listen, you shouldn't make generalizations based on a few people that you meet. Unless you have met every westerner; then to make that judgment is biased a bit. There are people from other countries that assume since I am from the US I am rich and drive a Hummer. I live paycheck to paycheck and hate those things. So assumptions are almost always wrong.

I've done a little traveling myself. I love being abroad. In my experience, only very few uneducated, ignorant people don't understand the geography of your native continent. And being that I am a westerner who has lived here my whole life, I probably have a little more experience then you with westerners.

Most of us don't think that Asia is a nationality. And I, for one, can see differences between someone from Japan, China, Korea, etc.Just as there are differences between someone from England and Germany and Sweden.

Answer 3

In the US, it most assuredly DOES refer to a race. What we call Asian here is usually what the Europeans call "oriental"--a term we see as backward. For people from other parts of the continent, terms like South Asian (usually refers to the Indian subcontinent and areas nearby) and Central Asian apply.

What you're not understanding is how the word itself is used here. We do use it to refer to only that particular type of people. That doesn't mean we don't know the difference. As a Native American, I'm also not considered a "westerner" (that is, someone from an entirely Western European culture.)

Answer 4

Asian is a race, just like africans are black even though they have different cultures, religions, ect. Asians come from asia that is true but some arn't called asian but middle eastern. Phillipinos and hawaiians are pacific islanders not asians. Therefore If your none of those then your Asian. :) I don't complain when someone calls me white, so why worry about this. Humans have always labeled things and people and always will. Also many westerners say Asian, because we don't know where your from or what exact country your family members come from. Don't take things so seriously enjoy life.

Answer 5

Yeah. . .relax, you have been talking to too many people in the Hood, they don't know the difference.
Would you say all the Europeans are German or English. . .look at the Italians they don't even look European.

I have been to all the Asian countries except Cambodia and Myanmar -- Old Burma. None of those countries' populations showed a real resemblance to one another

Answer 6

You need help.. you shouldn't be geting mad or upset just cause some people around don't know the meaning of Asian. Yes, asian are more then one group ( not going to put the list down cause you already know) you should remember that everyone around different and that we all experience different things. so try not to get mad or anything along that line.

Answer 7

To be honest, this is not a question. It's a subject you've discussed with yourself and asking for comments. So, it may qualify for a blog post instead posting it as a question on Yahoo Answers.

Please don't feel offended, but you're making right point at wrong place, I think.

Answer 8

Yah, the term Asian needs to be more specific. I hate it when people automatically assume I'm Korean or Chinese when I'm Japanese...

Answer 9

I knew Asian wasn't a race,because
it comes from the continent's name.
I can't believe how some people
misunderstand something so obvious like that.

Answer 10

Race is socially constructed. There are more differences within a race than between any two.