When spring break started, I was super excited to set the concepts and theories that I learned in class aside and just relax. However, I soon discovered a youtube video that got me thinking about these concepts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Johj5WEYzZo). I was very surprise by the content in the video. The video was made by a student, who is white, at University of California, Los Angeles. Basically the video was about the student’s frustration with her Asian peers. When I first saw it, I didn’t think much of it and I found it to be pretty funny. I watched it a second time and I felt pretty offended. I wasn’t sure if I should take her comments as something racist or not. I wasn’t really sure what she intended to say or truly meant. I was confused and I’m still asking myself if this video is something that needs to be addressed as much as it has been. Right when I realized that I was questioning my feelings on what she says in the video, I thought about the concept of micro-aggression. According to Sue, Capodilupo, Torino, Bucceri, Holder, Nadal, and Esquilin (2007), they described micro-aggression as a small behavior towards an individual or group that is either intentional or unintentional and it can also be seen as an insult. However, I felt that her message was very clear and something more than just a small insult or such. This student offended so many people that many of them started responding back to it. The student even received e-mails and threat messages so she is in great danger right now.
During my whole spring break, this video was constantly brought up and I honestly don’t know how I feel about it. It really made me think about things that I have learned and discussed with others in social work 280. In the video, the student mentioned that she has a problem with how Asian students always have their family members around in the dorms to help with laundry, dishes and more. Immediately, I thought about culture differences between me, an Asian student, and her. Many Asian cultures including mine are family oriented, and it is very different from the American culture where it emphasizes individual more. I wondered if she knew that. Or, did she need to be educated about our culture? I also thought about the social contact theory. The contact theory involves an individual to have contact with people who are different from them in order to reduce prejudice. According to the Marsiglia and Kulis (2009), “ prejudice is an expression of people’s unfamiliarity with each other and the inhumanity they carry within from an early age” (p 71). I definitely tried to figure out where she was coming from and asked myself if she really had friends from the Asian culture. I thought that University of California was very well rounded by Asians immigrants so I was definitely confused by her take on Asian people.
There were many things that she said and that really led me to question my feelings about her video. It’s been a week and I still can’t figure how to respond. I don’t completely understand my reaction to this video. This video really makes me question her thoughts on what “American Manners” and if she considered that we, too, are Americans. I still sorting through my feelings and thought about this video. I can’t figure how I am really feeling about this video. Should I be offended? Am I? How do I respond to her and not sound racist or deceive her? I am also still thinking about things that I have discussed in social work 280 such as conformity, discrimination, privilege, identity and more to help me to understand my feelings. Although I am confused about my feelings, one thing is clear: I hope that no one will be physical hurt from this video.
Citations:
Marsiglia, F. F., & Kulis, S. (2009). Diversity, oppression and change: Culturally grounded social work. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, Inc.
Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri J. M., Holder, A. M.B., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62(4), 271-286
UCLA Girl’s Asian Rant. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Johj5WEYzZo
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My initial reaction after viewing this video was that this student is ignorant for attempting to make a "funny" rant about Asians and how they go about their daily life, and it is very obvious that her frustration goes beyond the cell phone in the library. She had prior animosity, the phone call was just the last straw. The rant itself didn't bother me because she was a complete joke, I had a very hard time taking her serious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog and yes it was hit to the face during spring break. I think we are in the same situation because I didn't really know what to think or feel. I didn't really take her seriously and I can't really understand why she rant about the Asian population. In addition, I have questioned myself about what is her "American manners".
ReplyDeleteThanks,
I am thankful that you brought this up in class.
ReplyDeleteI was offended by her, but unfortunately I think her attitudes and beliefs are common, many Americans are so ethnocentric.
By Aaron
Chee,
ReplyDeleteI understand where you’re coming from because when I first saw that video I didn’t know what to think. At first it was funny then when she started to say some stuff about Asian, that’s when it hit me in the face saying that it’s not a joke anymore, it’s something serious. There were some parts of the video that I didn’t agree with and some parts are just like get to know the Asian culture and what we are really like. When I first saw it I was really trying to look at her points of view of why she made that video but I just can’t seem to figure out why. Even though this is a hard video to take in, it’s just another reminder that there are people like that in the world and we just have to be preparing to deal with it.
- Jaia