Asians: More than meets the eyes

Where anyone comes from is only a small part of who they are; it does not define them entirely.

Sadly, Asian Americans are still treated unfairly in a lot of ways.

Sometimes, when I start talking, people look at me  shocked but also relieved that I am speaking English fluently.  
Then there are other people who stare at me with the disgusted “how can she speak English so well,” look.

Ironically, those are the same people who would tell me if I did not speak English fluently, “you are in America, speak English.”

This is starting to get old, I am only 20 and probably going to have put up with this the rest of my life.  Yay.

I know no one is perfect, but it is hard to forget when people make fun of Asian eyes when nobody had a choice in deciding what their eyes look like.  
People should just ask God when the time comes why he made Asians’ eyes slanted along with why he created mosquitoes.

There is a stereotype that Asians are smart, good in math and science, so we are supposed to become doctors or architects.  
With this stereotype, we are told you cannot follow your heart or do what you would like.  Instead we are told to follow the norm.

One out of every six physicians are of Asian descent.  I am not going to be that “one” because I get grossed out easily.  I can barely look at my own blood, let alone other people’s.  I am also not that great at math and science.  
The majority of people who inspire me are Asian such as, Jeremy Lin, Ann Curry, Harry Shum Jr., Jackie Chan, Ken Jeong, Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan, Psy, Sandra Oh and Yao Ming.

They show me how to enjoy what you are doing, pursue your passions and never let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

I am working on not being extremely sensitive and hurt by the things that are said to me, but I am getting used to it.

I do not assume everyone is going to be mean to me; I am more cautious though.

When I meet people, I am quiet because I am afraid that no one want to hear from this Asian girl.

Sometimes people ask where I am from thinking that is showing real interest in me. However, after I answer their question the conversation ends.

At the very least, I wish people would ask what country in Asia I am from, instead of the vague “where are you from?”

I’m thinking, “are you meaning permanent address?” Like, you want to send me a gift or something? Or are you meaning the Asian country I was born in?  
Of course I cannot ask, “What do you mean?” or the person will be thinking this Asian girl is dumb, it is not a hard question.  
True, it is not a hard question.  For me, it is an awkward question and I really do not like answering it. I have to go into the long explanation of being adopted at the age of two from China, growing up in a small town in Iowa for 14 years then moving to Arkansas when I was 16-years-old.  
  There is more to Asians than meet our slanted eyes and being really smart.

Get to know us instead of taking advantage, teasing or ignoring us.


Jennifer Wells is a junior journalism major of Mountain Home.