Subtle racism in daily life

I know what you’re thinking, “Another post on racism, Lylynn???!” Well, yes! It’s a different kind of racism that I am talking about today though.

It is the little remarks that I hear from friends and acquaintances that bother me from time to time. So subtle, that I don’t bother confronting them about it. I am sure everyone that reads this has an Asian friend or has experienced it first hand; you know what I’m talking about, the whole, “Oh, well, of course you got an A on that assignment, you’re Asian!!!” This is generally followed by a bunch of HAHAs and I must admit that even I am guilty of making such stereotypical jokes.

I have always been good at math and it was always dismissed because of my ethnic background. Well, of course I am good at math. Why wouldn’t I be?!?! It really bothered me when my accomplishments were topped off as being genetic and not because I am an individual that earned them from true hard work.

I am aware that this is so miniscule and not even “that bad.” But it’s these subtle things that makes me feel like there is a bar of expectation that I have to meet. It comes from friends and family and sometimes I just want to scream that it is just not me.

I am also aware that most people mean it in a good way, that being Asian is awesome because you are instantly predisposed to being a brainiac, but like I said, it is equally as bad as the rap that we get for being bad drivers. When I got into a car accident, several friends had no problem cleverly saying, “Oh, well you’re Asian, that happens.” I was under the impression that it happens to people despite the color of their skin.

This is becoming incoherent. Last rant on racism, I promise. Just kidding.

-Lylynn