Are all stereotypes bad?
Let's talk about how all Asians have squinty eyes.
Actually, my eyes aren't that squinty. In fact, I was born with a double eyelid! Hallelujah, time to thank Buddha and Confucius because I don't have to get plastic surgery, phew. I have double eyelids. I'll be successful in life.
Ever since I can remember, my mother has told me about how proud she is of my sister and I for having double eyelids (双眼皮). She's always talked about it as if it's her proudest accomplishment, because her side of the family all have double eyelids, but my dad's side all have mono eyelids (单眼皮). Poor dad. It's okay Daddy, I think you're very pretty. My mother has told me the story a million times - when I was born, she was so worried because I had mono eyelids. Then at 6 months, I "grew" a double eyelid on one eye, which was better than nothing, I suppose. After a few years I grew the other one, so she stopped worrying about whether or not I'd turn out to be beautiful.
Ever since I can remember, my mother has told me about how proud she is of my sister and I for having double eyelids (双眼皮). She's always talked about it as if it's her proudest accomplishment, because her side of the family all have double eyelids, but my dad's side all have mono eyelids (单眼皮). Poor dad. It's okay Daddy, I think you're very pretty. My mother has told me the story a million times - when I was born, she was so worried because I had mono eyelids. Then at 6 months, I "grew" a double eyelid on one eye, which was better than nothing, I suppose. After a few years I grew the other one, so she stopped worrying about whether or not I'd turn out to be beautiful.
"Mom, I got an A on my organic chemistry exam!"
"Good, but don't forget, I gave you double eyelid."
Double eyelids are considered more beautiful, because apparently they make your eyes look bigger. And since Asians are known to have small, squinty eyes, double eyelid surgery is increasingly popular in Asia (I introduced this topic here). When I first learned about this double eyelid craze, I wondered if people thought that I had gotten plastic surgery on my eyelids. But about half of all Asians are born with double eyelids, so why are double eyelids considered un-Asian?
There's this stereotype that all Asians have squinty eyes. We've all heard it before. When we were immature little kids (and hopefully not as adults), we probably made "squinty eyes" by lifting up the outer edges of our eyes with our fingers at some point. Growing up, I knew that this stereotype existed, but I was always confused as to why it existed. My mother made sure that I grew up knowing that my sister and I did not have squinty eyes.
All Asians had squinty eyes, but I didn't... so was I not Asian?
In high school, I wasn't even in the top 50% of my class, probably. My school didn't rank its students, but my grades were pretty mediocre, especially since I went to an "advanced" high school. I made mostly B's and a few C's, and I never really excelled in any particular subject.
But of course, I was Asian, and so everyone assumed that I was smart. I barely passed every single math class I took in high school, but people still assumed I was good at math. I felt like I had an obligation to join the math club, and so I did. And I flunked every competition.
All Asians were smart and good at math, but I wasn't... so was I not Asian?
CUE IDENTITY CRISIS! Man, high school was rough. Are all stereotypes bad? Yes, even the "good" ones. "All Asians are smart" can be considered a good stereotype - it's different from a negative stereotype such as "all Asians are terrible drivers." But of course, not all Asians (like myself), can live up to the pressure of being smarter than expected. This "good" stereotype also implies that if you aren't Asian, you can't be smart.
I think it's pretty smart to think about this issue. Thoughts?
"Good, but don't forget, I gave you double eyelid."
Double eyelids are considered more beautiful, because apparently they make your eyes look bigger. And since Asians are known to have small, squinty eyes, double eyelid surgery is increasingly popular in Asia (I introduced this topic here). When I first learned about this double eyelid craze, I wondered if people thought that I had gotten plastic surgery on my eyelids. But about half of all Asians are born with double eyelids, so why are double eyelids considered un-Asian?
There's this stereotype that all Asians have squinty eyes. We've all heard it before. When we were immature little kids (and hopefully not as adults), we probably made "squinty eyes" by lifting up the outer edges of our eyes with our fingers at some point. Growing up, I knew that this stereotype existed, but I was always confused as to why it existed. My mother made sure that I grew up knowing that my sister and I did not have squinty eyes.
All Asians had squinty eyes, but I didn't... so was I not Asian?
In high school, I wasn't even in the top 50% of my class, probably. My school didn't rank its students, but my grades were pretty mediocre, especially since I went to an "advanced" high school. I made mostly B's and a few C's, and I never really excelled in any particular subject.
But of course, I was Asian, and so everyone assumed that I was smart. I barely passed every single math class I took in high school, but people still assumed I was good at math. I felt like I had an obligation to join the math club, and so I did. And I flunked every competition.
All Asians were smart and good at math, but I wasn't... so was I not Asian?
CUE IDENTITY CRISIS! Man, high school was rough. Are all stereotypes bad? Yes, even the "good" ones. "All Asians are smart" can be considered a good stereotype - it's different from a negative stereotype such as "all Asians are terrible drivers." But of course, not all Asians (like myself), can live up to the pressure of being smarter than expected. This "good" stereotype also implies that if you aren't Asian, you can't be smart.
I think it's pretty smart to think about this issue. Thoughts?