Asian American Comes Out: “I am a Geek”
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I am a Potter Head. I am so out of the…cupboard underneath the stairs…that I contend that Harry Potter warrants a worldwide annual celebration. July 31, his birthday.
Did your gather your breath in your nasal cavity? Did your eyes roll up into your cranium?
How 'bout if I say, “I collect comics.” Mostly DC but I do have X Men comics, especially of the Age of Apocalypse storyline. And I have a lot of action figures -- Star Trek, Star Wars. And yes, tons and tons of Harry Potter paraphernalia.
Have you refused to associate with me yet?
I bring this up because when I openly discuss my geekuality, Asian Americans in particular get uncomfortable. Many may interpret this discomfort as that of a general disdain. However could it be that they’re uneasy at an Asian flaunting his geeky lifestyle, for fear it fosters the negative stereotype of the socially inept API?
But is it fair to want geeky (or accented, or not-so-hung) Asians to go back into the cupboard underneath the stairs, because we can only see them as the racists see them?
I want to speak out for all the Asian muggles and wizards and Graphic novel-ites and declare that we’re normal. Geekness is not a disease. Though we may recruit you.
Read comic books shoved between the bindings of your Popular Mechanics or Cosmopolitans? Here are some upcoming events and news that may make you want to come out and exclaim, “We’re Geek. We’re chic. We’re more than worth a peek!”
WonderCon just ended. But ComicCon is around the corner; San Diego July 22-25 features comic legend Jim Lee and Jillian Tamaki, illustrator of the graphic novel Skim with the titular character a Japanese Canadian Wiccan schoolgirl. In May, Greg Pak launches Heroic Age: Prince of Power starring Amadeus Cho. Tak Toyoshima is celebrating 10 years of Secret Asian Man. And don’t forget Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology.
Free Comic Book Day on May 1 offers specially-made comic books entirely gratis at comic shops and other places around the country. Check for special events and artists appearances at your local store.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Orlando Universal opens June 18 with the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows opening November 19.
'Nuff said.
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Nothing wrong there
Shout out to my fellow Asian geek.
Absolutely nothing wrong with liking comics or HP. I'm a fanboy of Naruto and Iron Man. The problem as you aptly imply isn't necessarily being a geek as much as it's how Asian Americans perceive themselves. It's destructive to the formation of their identities. But we can't blame them; the main problem is American media.
Fortunately I have plenty of Asian American friends who couldn't care less about my geekiness. However, I'm extremely wary of the self-hating breed of Asian Americans who have fallen victim to this harmful form of media socialization.
Love this
As a geek mom to a tiny Asian American I appreciate your opinion and attitude very much! :)