Lecture Notes: Growing Up Asian-American

Introduction

• Speaker: Canwen
• Background: Plays piano and violin, aspiring doctor, enjoys calculus
• Humorous start to the talk with a joke about stereotypical Asian-American traits

Main Topic: Race and Personal Story

• Canwen’s story of growing up Asian-American
• Moved to the US at age two
• Lived in racially homogenous areas (North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho)

Cultural Identity

• Blending of two cultures: American and Chinese
• Experiencing cultural conflicts and stereotypes:
  • Eating pasta with chopsticks
  • Addicted to orange chicken
  • Childhood hero was Yao Ming
• Challenges of being the only Asian in predominantly white areas

Experience with Stereotypes

• Pressure to conform to stereotypes or whiteness
• Difficulty reconciling identity:
  • Good at math stereotype
  • "Yellow fever" stereotype in dating
• Felt Asian identity was the only thing special about them

Racial Diversity and Awareness

• Many people were clueless rather than overtly racist
• Examples of annoying questions:
  • "Do you know my other Chinese friend?"
  • "Where does your name come from?"
  • "Where are you really from?"

Conforming and Identity Loss

• Rejected own culture to fit in better
• Became more popular by rejecting Chinese identity
• Realization of identity loss through The Sims 3 game character creation
  • All characters were unconsciously made white

The Asian-American Experience

• Asian Americans as the 'model minority'
• Perpetual ‘grey zone’ in American society:
  • Not accepted fully, not loathed
  • Grouped by skin color, foreignness emphasized

Calls to Action

• Encouragement to address race issues openly
• Acknowledgment of personal and societal roles in perpetuating stereotypes

Conclusion

• Personal realizations and acceptance
• Emphasis on pride in dual heritage
• Final note of being a blend of American and Chinese cultures
• Speaker ends with a light-hearted summary of personal likes and dislikes

Notable Quotes

• "Foreign, but not quite foreign, American but not quite American."
• "It's hard to admit that you might be part of the problem."

Speaker's Personal Details

• Loves purple, calculus
• Has supportive parents and a younger brother
• Describes self as a "horrendous driver"
• Proud of mixed identity

Applause at the end of the talk.