While I'm completely at a loss as to why AsianWeek publishes this guy, I haven't been very impressed by the responses so far from our "leaders." Why can't they acknowledge that racism exists in our community, and that we should be working actively against it? While he's not a spokesperson for our community, his article opens up the opportunity to break down some of the biases that exist across all lines.

While I think your point is valid -- and racism does exist inside our community -- it is hard to respond to such drivel (that Eng writes) with any kind of understanding. That's why I think AsianWeek failed, where they could have had the power to open an interesting discussion. They seem to lack the complexity to do so.

I applaud some of the leaders in the Asian Community for addressing their stance on racism, a perennial subject in America. People of all races that spit such poison as Mr Eng should be condemned.

I hear you on your points. I think that AsianWeek completely failed in this. Your insight as a former editor is really enlightening. Thank goodness for Hyphen!

Since Asian week pulled this article offline, I was lucky enough to find a copy and retype it out for all of you.

"Why I Hate Blacks"
(taken from Asian Week February 23 - March 1, 2007 , Volume 27 No. 27 page 6)
by Kenneth Eng

Here is a list of reasons why we should discriminate against blacks, starting from the most obvious down to the least obvious.

* Blacks hate us. Every Asian who has ever come across them knows that they take almost every opportunity to hurl racist remarks at us. In my experience, I would say about 90 percent of blacks I have met, regardless of age or environment, poke fun at the very sight of an Asian. Furthermore, their activity in the media proves their hatred: Rush Hour, Exit Wounds, Hot 97, etc.
* Contrary to media depictions, I would argue that blacks are weak-willed. They are the only race that has been enslaved for 300 years. It's unbelievable that it took them that long to fight back. On the other hand, we slaughtered the Russians in the Japanese-Russo War.
* Blacks are easy to coerce. This is proven by the fact that so many of them, including Reverend Al Sharpton, tend to be Christians. Yet, at the same time, they spend much of their time whining about how much they hate "the whites that oppressed them." Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Christianity the religion that the whites forced upon them?

Blacks don't get it. I know it's a blunt and crass comment, but it's true. When I was in high school, I recall a class debate in which one half of the class was chosen to defend black slavery and the other half was chosen to defend liberation. Disturbingly, blacks on the prior side viciously defended slavery as well as Christianity. they say if you don't study history, you're condemned to repeat it. In high school, I only remember one black student ever attending any of my honors and AP courses. And that student was caught cheating.

It is rather troubling that they are treated as heroes, but then again, whites will do anything to defend them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
##

Hyphen is the best thing going

Kenneth Eng is an Asian racist. He would be jailed in Singapore for writing such garbage. But, in the US, any crap is acceptable.

WOW, i am absolutely appalled by this article, especially from a source like Asian Week which claims to be "The Voice of Asian American". Let me tell u that is not a source that i want to be my voice. As minorities we need to support each other. This articles works to further divide and already divided community. It is beyond me that such an article was approved for publication. It sounds like something from a White supremacist group. It is racist and hurtful and I just hope that our African American brothers and sisters as well as the rest of our countrymen do not see Eng's remarks as being reflective of the Asian American Community. We cannot let racist individuals like Eng undermine what we all have worked so hard for. Keep up the great work Hyphen, you continue to impress me with our ability to unite and inform.

I agree with you. Hot 97 was shameful as well. As an African American no one on that show represnted me, or my African American friends views. Hate is poison, and it doesnt take much to start a fire

I don't agree with Kenneth Eng's column but I ABSOLUTELY no problem with them printing this. First of all, it's not like he is a shill for the white man, he is acting like the Asian Farrakhan a Yellow Panther if you will.

Secondly, the response from Yvonne Lee is so laughable: "Asian Americans do not share Eng's extremely racist views...."

Excuse me Yvonne, I am Korean-American and can tell you there are a crap-load of racist Asians out there. Maybe Mr. Eng's column can actually help address this issue.

Finally it's not like his column was without some merit. The majority of racist comments I received growing up were from blacks and Latinos, not whites. I grew up hating these groups until I got more educated a knew better. I been called "Chinito" a billion times by Latinos and remember black kids slanting their eyes with their fingers at me during school growing up. Couple this with people like Ice Cube (Chop Suey asses?), Shaq, Hot 97, and the vilification of Asian shop owners among other things and I understand why there are people like Eng in this world. I am not saying it's okay. But how about we address these issues.

The sad thing is there are a lot of Asians who hates blacks just as much as white people.

You know what really pisses me off about this article the most, the fact that he hasn't stated any positives and have dwelled on what he think is truth. This country was literally built on our backs, and for the most part still is. Even though Black American paved the way for racial equality, we still get the short end of the stick. Anybody from any other country (especially Asian) can come here and get money to start a business, and you want to know where they stick them? RIGHT IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY! And then treat us as if we are less than.

What sucks even more (which I'm starting to rethink) is that I love my Asian brothers and sisters, and support all their movements to be heard in America. Regardless to the fact that I have been mistreated by some of them I know in my heart that they are not all that way so I continue to fight for Asian justice as well as for Blacks in America. However, Black Americans still get blunt, viewable hatred. Why should I continue to support the Asian American movement when things of this nature happens? This is something I keep asking myself, but I pray about it and move on. We have got to make a change or neither of us will get ahead.

I disagree with everything Eng said, except for the fact that I too have experienced a significant degree of overt antagonism and racial slurs coming from _some_ black people. -- But these hurtful incidents are mostly from unfortunate homeless crazies and immature kids.

However, when I was in medical school, I was the only Korean student admitted, and there were 20+ black students. Unfortunatley, this was just a year or two after the LA riots. I remember black med students would kick the back of my chair in the auditorium. One guy would often say "I hate the color yellow" behind my back. My white-jewish roomate (who spent time in Japan and only felt attracted to asian girls) expected me to clean up his messes, obey him, and become his telephone answering service without protest. Some students (both white and black) said that the burning & looting of the Korean stores were completely justified. This was also a common sentiment in the media.

And the professors brought up non-sequitor things like Pearl Harbor and the future menace of too many Asian males in Asia due to the killing asian female babies.

Those years were also dominated by the whole "blame Japan (ie: east asians) for the recession" hysteria.

Whites wouldn't even acknowledge the existence of racism towards asians at the time. Acknowledging the phenomenon of anti-asian racism wouldn't be politically convenient. It didn't exist according to the mainstream media, back then. So radio stations, TV, and movies with the words "jap," "chink" and the overt racist depiction of resented asians at the time weren't questioned much. And there was no way to discuss these feelings of disillusionment and assaults on one's self-image.

Medical school alone is stressful enough, but needless to say the racism broke the camel's back, and it resulted in a nervous breakdown and the loss of my potential career as a physician.

In any case, I don't hate black people. I don't hate white people. I don't hate jewish people. I don't hate asian people. I hate individuals who are racist towards asians. And I hate injustice in general.

After this episode, I began to transvaluate how society constructs race, image, and tribal feelings. The history of colonialism, exploitation, and genocide of native americans, africans, and asians plays a big role in how white society views & depicts minorities and non-white foreigners today. There's some progress but sometimes this is probably limited by convenience.

Message to people like Eng: the stress and struggle to understand this Angst is tough. Emotional support for asians dealing with racism is almost non-existent. Yes, there is a huge void in leadership. And the American media will continue its racism and ignore your protests. But blind racist hate isn't the answer. You've got to try to understand things more accurately.

I can try to judge a person's actions, but I do not know the entirety of another human being. I can try to understand history, but condemning an entire other race, nation, or people is irrational.

Yes, there are some really rotten and dishonorable people out there.
However, one cannot disrespect all white, black, jewish, or asian people, because there are so many deeply kind and good people in all such groups. It would be an injustice to the good people.

I feel as if I understand racism a bit better now, because I re-evaluate and question society's assumptions and what the colonial mentality dominating the media tells me to think and believe.

I feel solidarity with black people in their struggle against racism, because I know how that injustice feels, first hand.

--j

One can criticize Eng's negative comments about blacks--he should have left them out--but his own experiences cannot be denied. If his experience is that he was treated negatively by blacks and Hispanics, more than from that of whites, then why is it not OK for him to state that as fact?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/27/HATE.TMP

Ive visited some of the Korean stores in the black nieghborhoods. One particular incident I remember well. I asked a Korean merchant a simple question, he literally told me to get out of his store. I couldnt believe this man blantantly dissrespected me for no reason, He said if I didnt like what he had go some where else. My other friend that was with me just wanted a coke. They watched his every move as if all blacks were thieves. The attitude these Korean merchants had in this store was a reflection of how all the stores in S. Central LA were. Korean comming to black nieghborhoods, getting rich, but you dont have one iota of respect for the people that are making your bellys fat. Would Koreans allow Black merchants to go into Koreatown?. I doubt it. what is it about Korean that love the Black Consumer? Even in Korea around the U. S. Military bases Koreans do everything they can to get African American consumers to shop at their stores. I mean with a vengeance. In Osan and Pusan, I went to stores that had African American products that I couldnt even find in America. The difference over there was they were not as dissrespectful. When that Korean storeowner shot that 15 year old girl Latasha Harlins in the back, Thats when the Black Americans wanted Korean merchants out of their nieghborhood. The point im making is racism wears many faces. As a black man I can say We are all victums, when we practice this poison and enforce it on each other. The efforts by those that promote love and multi-unity are overlooked and tarnished by those that uplift hatred. My best friend is Asian and I look at him as my brother. We will not let society dictate who we are suppose to like and dislike. Even though we come from different worlds, He is one of the few people I trust in this world. I know a lot of people do not share my views. Those of you that are educated seek out and speak to people in the American Community of all ethnic backgrounds, judge them for who they really are, not what society percieves them to be.

It is fine for people to express their own opinions. Even hate speech - make no mistake, that's what this is - is protected by the Constitution. If you want to stand up in public and spout racial supremacism, go for it. You'll probably need police protection, but go for it - the community doesn't have to like it but that's your right. The community does however have some rights of its own...we can vote with our dollars.

First though, let's take a close look at what is being said and who is saying it. A regular writer for an ethnic publication takes careful and specific aim at another ethnic group. He makes ridiculous, generalized, bigoted statements like and I quote, "Blacks hate us...blacks are weak-willed...Blacks are easy to coerce." Someone within the organization that publishes AsianWeek decided that this was exactly the kind of stuff they want under their masthead. That's their call and they made it. Whatever PR spin or apologies come out of them from here forward are smoke and misdirection in my opinion. I want them held accountable for a culture that believes this type of hate is OK to pump out onto the streets of San Francisco. Not on my watch. Not in my community.

What is deplorable and unacceptable about this situation is that a publication that claims to be the "Voice of Asian America" is publishing hate speech against other ethnic groups. Race wars are not what I want in my community and I expect the community to respond with repercussions. I for one want this paper run out of business for their appalling and disgusting lack of judgment and complete abrogation of civil responsibility. I will call as many of their advertisers as I can to pound on them for supporting racism and bigotry in my community. Whoever runs an ad in the next issue of Asian Week is supporting racism. So, I intend to boycott each and every one if they do not renounce their support for Asian Week. Let's hit 'em in the pocketbook and then we'll see how strongly they support this nauseating position they've taken.

In my opinion, the saddest commentary about the things written about Black people, is that in the many responses from this site and others, there has been no coherent dispute of what Eng wrote. I am a Black man, yet because my first reaction to such things is not emotional, I have to ask what truth their is to the young man's comments? Of course, any honest person would have to conclude that there is a note of truth to what he says, regardless of its ugliness, and the uncareful way in which the writer framed his opinion.

It might have been better for him to go into a bit of historical or cultural reasoning behind the fact that we as a people have simply failed to thrive in America. Eng is not alone is failing to address this important factor, society as a whole has been conditioned to avoid asking the painful questions which lead us all back to the undeniable failure of Black people to accept more responsibility for their outcomes.

It is not necessary to spout statistics, or point fingers, but only look at the results of all that has been done to assist us since the Civil Rights movement, and then look at what has been scruplously avoided when it comes to dealing with the issue.

I am a great admirer of the Asian people and their culture, and as an older man, been witness to many examples of how Asians have come to America, recieving much less assistance from Government institutions, yet succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, due to a work ethic and family structure that values education and hard work.

Who will with a straight face, say the same for us? Who is willing to address the REAL problems in our community, when people like Bill Cosby are attacked without restraint for even the mildest attempts to get us to look at ourselves and our behavior, before pointing the finger at whitey?

Ask a Black business owner what it feels like to be robbed by your own people, then ask them how they feel about those Korean store owners stereotyping us, following us around and feeling fear in our presence.

Ask us how it feels to walk into an elevator and watch as every White woman clutches her purse just a bit tighter. Who can we blame for that? Who can we blame for the waitress who seems surprised when I tip her correctly? Who can I blame when cabs wont pick me up in Manhattan, even when I am well dressed?

You see, it is too easy to just dismiss the young Eng as a racist and send him on his way. We older blacks can only shake our heads knowingly, regretting how he went about his points, but knowing that there will be little if any dispute about them inside all of your heads.

See, we dont like looking at the ugly things, as much as we dont like looking at the ugly people. Eng is young and silly for the generalization, but who will say he is just plain wrong in what he said? You cant do that without lying. The best thing about America, is that you really cant attack an opinion, but you damn sure can attack the man naive enough to utter it in this politically correct age.

It is the silence out of fear, and the attack without debate that will allow what keeps us back, holds us down, and at the outside looking in, until we can stand up and say that Eng's comments do not have a ring of truth to them.

I wont hold my breath.

Eng's comments definitely do have some truth to them. Most racists comments do have some truth in them. Yes he hits a valid point in that racism exists in the Asian American community against other minority groups. Yes he is correct in that the Asian American Community experiences racism from other minority groups. However there are more creative and productive ways to address this issue than the way Eng pursued. The racism debate and subject is often simplified into Asiam Americans via whites, African Americans via whites etc. We need to expand upon this discussion and see how the poison of racism has affected inter-minority relations. Us minorities need to talk with each other more to discuss a wider rage of racist issues in this country. We all experience racism and are negatively affected by it. Yes the degree of it varies as well as the historical context but one cannot deny that ethnic minority groups suffer from it. So we need to stop fighting among ourselves about who had it, or has it worse. We need to start focusing on our similarities and looking at the roots of hate and ignorance. No one said it was easy but it is our responsibility to work together to overcome racism, or else the burden will fall upon our children and grandchildren.

Jim, assuming your comments were addressed to me, I want to apologize if my comments appeared to be only comparing racism that we recieve as Black people with that against Asians, as that was not my intent. My intent was to point out that due to the behaviour of SOME Black people, many other Black people suffer.

You see, I do not consider the items I mentioned above to be those of a racist culture, I consider them to be those of a culture of common sense. The persons to be held mostly to blame for the culture of racism against Black people in THIS day and age, are Black people themselves. We are the ones allowing our youth to identify with the Gang/Rap culture. We are the ones who fail to police our own, and make excuses for the wrongdoing in our communities, through some ridiculous tie back to days of slavery.

So I want to be clear that I was not intending to compare who 'has it worse' than the other, my comments were to point out that if we held ourselves responsible for our issues, and only complained when our own house was clean, then the comments by Eng would be less true, to the extent that he might not have made them in the first place.

Asian American Journalists Association statement calling for end to Eng's column.

I agree with Lo that ultimately AsianWeek should be held responsible as it was their decision to print this ridiculous article and all the other ones Eng wrote. I believe in freedom of speech, but publication such as AsianWeek who proclaim themselves "The Voice of Asian America" need to examine the value of publishing such garbage.

a few thoughts on this blustery day:

1) eng needs a history refresher course and a community service stint at a soup kitchen or a public school - it's time for a reality check.

2) if asianweek is going to label itself the "voice of asian america" we need to see more community accountability, with a pan-asian/pacific islander (always highly underrepresented) community advisory panel that's not just token, but truly representative, that will keep it in check. which means, if they shape up, then great. but if the community sees that they're failing to shape up, then goodbye.

3) it's 2007. it's high time we had an honest discussion about race relations and privilege vs. oppression, and work toward the rebuilding of trust within and between our communities. i agree with other posters that we as part of the API community need to recognize that racism exists within our ranks, and that we can no longer sweep it under the rug. how about a town hall discussion with mandatory attendance on eng's part?

4) wouldn't it be fun to clean out all of the asianweek newsstands and to have a big bonfire out on ocean beach? if only the weather were better...

peace.

I knew this guy at NYU. I had multiple classes with him, and was also present during some of the "incidents" he writes of all over the internet and at asianweek.

Ken, has/had a serious mental problem. He thinks he's superior to everyone. Anyone who disagreed with him was either ignorant or a racist. He constantly felt persecuted, and eventually was after a number of incidents where he assaulted people, made threatening phone calls, and generally spouted out his racist beliefs.

Also: he was a no talent hack. His work was amazing, comedically bad!

I'm not surprised one bit to find him on cnn.com.

Well what this article shows is the deep divide there is between blacks and asians. When I was a young man I installed teletypes for a living in Los Angeles and I had to go to numerous asian companies. I was treated so badly that I eventually asked my boss to send someone else to asian companies. I do feel there is a lot of animosity between blacks and asians, but I will go further. I beleive that all immigrant groups come to this country with very negative attitudes toward blacks. It is how the media portrays us and our own negative actions.

I see & agree with U,anonymous. Some bad people within each ethnic group are rotten apples that make their whole group of people look bad. Racist often hate due to their own experiences even if it's wrong. I had numerous bad & good experiences with other races growing up. We should know that just because some people are horrible does not mean that their entire race is that way. As humans we can naturally get hurt & angry when others treat us bad & w/disrespect. I take the bus to school & there's a group of youth that usually behaves negatively & annoyingly. I don't hate their race because I know they all don't behave in those ways. I know the ones that are kind, helpful, caring of others regardless of race, wonderful people of all races at schools & works.There's even many bad apples in my own race that I'm ashame of.
Mr.Eng is very resentful and made a huge regretable mistake he'll have to deal w/for a long time.That mag. co. is most certainly not the voice of all asians.

I agree everything Kenneth said in his article. Ever since the end of slavery, Blacks have continuously used slavery as an excuse for their own demise. Many immigrants such as Mexicans and Asians come to the United States without even knowing the English language. Yet these immigrants are willing to take bottom of the barrel jobs to survive. Jobs that Blacks will never do becuase of their pride. You never hear how Chinese complain about working for the railroad in the past but yet we have hear about Blacks complain for centuries over slavery. In the end it is the Blacks who ultimately keep the Blacks down. In their rap music Blacks constantly glorify about being gangsters or drug dealers. Too many African American teens strive to be like Scarface. Until Blacks get over slavery which took place over 200 year ago or keeping one another down they will never improve upon their current situation.

I see a growing bond between the black/Asian youth. I have met Asians and Blacks that that have a lot in common. Interest range form Hip Hop Culture to Martial Arts thats the future. Blacks have a negative History not only with Asians, but every other ethnic group in America. I can go to brown/white/ even African sites and they all will make statements on why they hate black People. Black Americans have stood alone in America for over 400 years and it will remain that way for a long time. In America Everything is painted White, or Black. All the other ethnic groups are just in betweens. If you come to America who do you want to have an alliance with, the white man, or the black man. Black Americans are probably the only race in America that will tell whitey to his face to go to hell and for that theres a price to be paid. When Watada denounced the Iraqi war I read articles how other Asians thought he disgraced the community. If it wouldve been a Black American we probably wouldve gotten him out of that jam with the backing of the community, not caring what America thinks. In defence of Eng, its his first amendmant right, so be it. Racist Blacks and Asians do not represent the mindset of both communities. Those Black and Asians that seek out the common good in both worlds need mmore attention and praise. Its easy to fine commentary fromthe engs of the world

Interesting article:

http://expatjane.blogspot.com/

As a black person, I agree somewhat with Kenneth Eng's sarcastic article. Our race is indeed the laughingstock of the world, due to our extreme tolerance towards the blockheads, swindlers, and criminals in our midst. Our current leaders are a joke, ethics and morals have been scrapped for decadence and mediocrity, and any attempts by a black person to do something productive can prove fatal, given the "Uncle Tom" stereotype assigned to said person. We may huff and puff for a while at this columnist for having the guts to dangle a heart-stabbing article that contains some bitter truth, not a damn thing will be done to address the problems that plague the Black community. By next Monday, Eng's article will be forgotten as the masses anticipate the next American Karaoke "reality" show.

Racism is epidemic in this country. I almost miss the days when people hated me and kept it to themselves. There are even some Black people that will quickly agree that our "failure to thrive" is all our own doing. We are the race everyone feels themselves to be better than - the bottom rung of the racial ladder. It takes no particular intelligence, however, to regurgitate the twisted justifications of the privilaged class to maintain all that they have unjustly aquired. I'd expect no less from whites who like being on top, or the weak minded who become their mouth pieces in the hopes of becoming acceptable exceptions. In my neighborhood we called these folks Uncle Toms. It's sickening that they don't have the guts to attack the jerks with privilage that are enjoying this whole thing. Good work Ken, you won't be welcome in the KKK, though. Sorry.

Hey Matthew Price, what part of the article did you agree with? That we were too easily coerced or that only Black folks could have been enslaved for so long?

Eng's comment "On the other hand, we slaughtered the Russians in the Japanese-Russo War." made me laugh out loud. I barely had enough time to swallow my water before spitting it out onto the keyboard.

In 1905, the Japanese defeated the Russian Navy, it's true. The Chinese had nothing to do with it. At the time, the Chinese were still nursing wounds from the failed Boxer rebellion against the westerners only 5 years previous, and was generally being wracked by civil disorder-- the kind of disorder that became a siren song for the Imperial Japanese military machine to come in and decide to put things in order.

Last I checked "Eng" was a Chinese last name. Therefore it seems Eng nor his family had anything to do with the Russo-Japanese War. The "Asian Brotherhood" excuse doesn't fly either-- that's a wierd concept that only seems to exist in urban America --in modern Asian countries, Eng sure wouldn't be *my* brother. This is the kind of fake solidarity bullshit that sells crappy rags like AsianWeek. I'm glad they got smacked.

Hey Anonymous (number 6, I believe),

Thanks for linking to me but I'm in a blogging mood which means the link will roll down a few notches once I get going ;)

Here is the direct link: http://expatjane.blogspot.com/2007/02/warning-idiot-writer-at-asianweek.html

I don't think AsianWeek should have not printed it as much as they simply should have made it clear it wasn't their view AND that Eng was pursuing a theme of hate with his op-ed pieces.

At first it looks like it's just a one time time thing. However, this kid hates everyone it seems.

It does open the door for communication. That much is a good thing because we know there are issues and folks need to talk about it.

I don't see what's wrong with Eng's article: he's right. The American blacks are the scum from Africa. Imagine if all the white trash were sent to China as slaves: the Chinese would have nothing but contempt for white people, then.

I am deeply angered and saddened at the racist drivel that I've seen in these posts. I guess that's what hurts so much about racism. Just when you think you that you are making advances, it bites you in the ass harder than ever. To the people who justify Eng's diatribe by climing that he is right:

1) I do not see how Blacks in America have "failed" so utterly. Perhaps it is because successful black people are no longer seen as "black" in this country that we see downtrodenness as a marker of blackness. The dude with the grillz is "so black!" but we hardly notice that the university prof is also black. Granted, the black community has problems, but clearly Eng and the people who agree with him have chosen to blind themselves to the potential and success of black people. To support his belief that black people are incompetent with the fact that there was only one black kid in his AP classes is simply asinine.

2) Being taunted by black and latino kids does not mean that they hate you. It's a terrible thing, of course, but such taunting results much more often from ignorance than from actual hate. The black kids in my 97% white high school had to deal with people trying to touch their hair all the time without permisison--ooh, it's so wooly, nappy hair must really suck! It's ignorant, it's inexcusable, it's incredibly offensive, but it is not necessarily hate. And of course, it's easy to notice the black kids who taunt you, but not so to notice the ones who don't, even though there are (probably, hopefully) many more of the latter.

3) The slavery thing. Everybody whines and whines about how Blacks still haven't gotten over that old slavery thing. I mean it's been so long! Reminder: Jim Crow ended less than 40 years ago officially (and is perhaps still in place de facto in many parts of America). For one thing, I have yet to meet the black people some posters wrote about who keep blaming slavery for their shortcomings. Secondly, it is undeniable that the success of black people in America continues to be undermined by a lasting legacy of systematic oppression and discrimination. 40 years ago is not that long at all. It means that the parents of many young black people today received substandard educations and were denied jobs based on their race; they were forced into lower socioeconomic strata which in turn affect the potential success of their children. Let's not kid ourselves, life is a whole lot easier when mommy and daddy went to Stanford or Yale and have a rolodex full of connections ready to give us that once-in -a-lifetime internship. As for the fact that recent immigrants have "performed" better than Blacks, there are many more factors to consider. A large portion of recent immigrants are highly educated and would be the cream of the crop in their countries of origin where, more likely than not, they will not have dealt with oppression a la Jim Crow. And since immigration is largely dependent on networks, these educated immigrants help their also educated siblings and cousins immigrate as well. The rise to success is proving far more difficult for uneducated immigrants, regardless of their origin.
Of note, recent immigrants from Africa, based on anecdotal evidence, perform no worse than other immigrant groups given similar socioeconomic background and education level.

OK, done ranting now.

First there are some things you think but don't say or write. Everyone should have a “brain editor.” He was wrong to write it. The paper was wrong to publish it. Just as Shaq, Hot 97 and recently Tim Hardaway and all the others Blacks who have made insensitive comments were wrong. Also how did we go from a writer making blatant racist statements to talking about the Black men’s plight? Second we always dwell on the negatives of the Black race. There is a negative side of all races. I have been to Japan, South Korea The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand I have seen my share of negative stereotypes from the natives of these respective countries. On the flip side I date a beautiful Filipina who resides in Japan and her family treats me with so much compassion that I sometime forget about the crap that goes on in the US to I read articles like this.

you should be ashamed of what you wrote ENG. and u mofo's that AGREE you should be ashamed also. who is he to say ANYTHING about a race which he DO NOT know. he knows nothing about the struggle that we as a whole have been throw.... hell is STILL going through. no one downs you and your race, so dont bring that shit to us. you speak of the "name calling" when you where is school. WELL HELL ENG THEY WHERE KIDS!!!!! and if your mom never told you allow me to be the first. KIDS ARE MEAN YET THEY ARE KIDS. you are not the first PERSON (regardless of race) and you damn sure wont be the LAST that get messed with in school. I live on the eastcoast and i know for a fact that in the CITY that i live we (yellow and black people) get along well if not good. this is not a question of whether it is us against them. this is about US as a whole maintaining and setting an example for our future (our kids). something to think about.... one day this whole "I HATE" will be gone because with different backgrounds having kids with each other... who are they gone to hate... themselves?

"First there are some things you think but don't say or write. Everyone should have a “brain editor.” He was wrong to write it. The paper was wrong to publish it. Just as Shaq, Hot 97 and recently Tim Hardaway and all the others Blacks who have made insensitive comments were wrong"

Word. I don't know where people got the idea that just because speech/expression cannot be criminalized, they have license to be idiots and assholes.

On a lighter note, google this guy for a few laughs.

While I understand that there are legitimate anecdotal notes we should all be aware of when discussing ethnic unrest, there are other more complex issues in the background.

First I should be candid about my own position. While I primarily ethnically identify as an Indigenous person of colour, I also identify with the American Pinoy community in large part due to my Ilokano bloodlines via my great-great grandfather who was sold to a railroad company during the push west. My family retains cultural as well as genetic ties to SE Asia and this fact figures into my politics.

Next, I grew up in the African ghettos of Brooklyn, NY in what was a primarily West-Indian neighbourhood before the recent gentrification, and Asians as were some Latinos were subject to a certain degree of ethnic targeting. However, I wish to state that the bigotry they (I was spared this and was derided instead for simply not being Black enough) experienced was taught to them by White society. The comments and words used were the exact words White folks use to harrass Asians as a group. In an effort to be "American," Africans, just like any other ethnic group in this country watch how the power structure treats various peoples. We watch the same television Asians watch and what do we see? Women who are little more than sex interests for White men and Asian males who lack any appreciable masculinity or self-respect.

Thirdly, one must also consider the history of African-Asian relations in United States history. The first contact between the two peoples occurred during the Phillipine-American War, a conflict of genocide that wiped out more than half of the Indigenous population. The U.S. War Department actually fought adding African troops to the invasion forces due to fears that the newly-freed slaves would identify with the Pinoy struggle to oust the United States as the new masters of the people.

Their fears were justified when more than 1/3 of the African troops sided with the Pinoys. The most famous of which was David Fagin, a commissioned officer under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

Africans and Asians met again on the West Coast and banded together for various workers causes including the struggle to unionise workers in the Oakland/San Franciso areas during the late 60's and 70's. Yellow Power stood strong with Black Power and quite a few Asians (Mostly Japanese and Pinoy) worked and marched with The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, especially Yuri Kochiyama, a confidant of Malcolm X.

TO us this may sound great. To the White power structure, this is a nightmare. Or so said the FBI COINTELPRO (Conterinsurgency Programme) division in Washington D.C. Look it up.

When did the actual rift begin in the face of such socio-political unity? By the mid-70's many Asians seeking to enter the American White middle-class arena began to defensively agitate against Africans in order to curry favour with mainstram Whites butressed by the sort of popular media availble at the time. As I was told by several Asian elders at a press conference on American institutional racism, "We wanted to be accepted, and Black people were despised, so we despised you too."

Lastly, this current wave of anti-Asian attitudes are directly a result of the very same conditions but in reverse. Africans pushing to enter the White mainstream adopt its bigotries, sense of beauty and sense of entitlement to step on people in order to be accepted.

If you doubt what I'm saying, listen to NPR's African-American Roundtable, where the Black "experts" sound, act and vilify according to these paradigms. So it should really be of now surprise that AsianWeek would dare print something like this. If you are bucking to stand next to the White master in the plantation house, you will make a point of defining the world in his terms.

My blog (Intelligentaindigena) recieves quite a bit of email from African and Asian readers asking why there is schism between the two groups, like the growing problem between Africans and Mexicans. Think about it, by keeping the two groups fighting with each other, they will continue to run business as usual.

Make a choice. You can choose to be a sucker or you can be smart and take the time to investigate who benefits from this and other such behaviour. It isn't us, is it? - The Angryindian

Quite offended by this character, not only as a part-Black transgendered individual, but also half-Asian. Wish this kind of ignorance becomes replenished with cultural wisdom and learned race intellect.

It's great that the Asian American community and it's leaders are decrying this idiot, his column, and Asianweek for printing it.

But where were they when he printed his article on why he hated Asians? Why is his self hatred and hatred towards his own community less of an issue? Why was there no hubbub, no national press, no emails sent and no call to action?

And the reactions to this whole ordeal are telling. What does it say about how divisive and racist this country is, that this is the most visible jumping point for Asians to talk about race and alliance? That the time we're most visible and heard is when we're apologizing for the deranged racist statements of some idiot?

And here's a thought - why doesn't anyone EVER apologize to us for the ignorant people in their community?

This is not trying to establish a hierarchy of oppression or an 'oppression olympics'. What i'm curious about is how discussions and notions of race have become standardized, how often Asians are forced into the defensive, how internally and externally we are considered white, how Asians are only allowed into discussions of race in comparision to other racial groups and not on our own terms.

Understand that I am not pushing an anti Black agenda - in fact, I think allegiances across racial lines are historic and instrumental to our current day struggle. But I question the leadership and spokespeople of our communities, if we are most visible and active in times like this.

To all of you who have expressed your racial experiences with other individuals, I'm really sorry those incidents have occurred. My experience goes back to when my sister and I were a lot younger. This was during the mid to late 70's when we were children. We were living in Alameda, CA. at the time when some of our neighbors walked by while my sister and I were playing in our front yard. Some of our neighbors gave us dirty looks and frowns at the sight of us not just because we are Asian, but because of the Vietnam War. Most of our neighbors were Caucasians and a lot of others had mixed feelings about the war. Those who were for and against it, and those who used the war as an excuse to dislike and hate Asian Americans living here in the U.S. Even after Vietnam ended, other people had racial tensions towards Asians because the war was about fighting against Communism and the VietCongs. And it didn't matter whether you were Chinese, Korean, Filippino, Japanese, Samoan or Vietnamese at the time. My neighbors across the street and next door, expressed their discontent towards us because they assumed we looked like the Vietnamese or VietCongs. Since my family and I are Chinese, they didn't care what the difference was. The only people who got along with my family and I were this White elderly couple who lived opposite next door to us. My parents were concerned about this, so we moved to Dublin, CA. And my new neighbors were better than the previous ones.

During the 90's when I was Ken Eng's age, my college experience at Sac. State was pretty good. It was a great opportunity for my dorm roomates, neighbors and I to get to know each other. It was interesting to learn about other college students' backgrounds. I got along well with Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and Native American students. I even met James Olmos. Eventually, I transferred to S.F. State University and earned my B.A. degree.

From Ken's experience, I have to agree with Andrew (Ken's former NYU classmate) explaining Ken has a mental condition of what his method of thinking is towards other people in general. From Neela's point on Eng's political views, he doesn't seem to be friendly nor sociable with other people. If he's the youngest writer to have his work published, he's the youngest recluse I've ever heard of and I'm also surprised he used to work for Marvel Comics. But unfortunately, he killed his career as a writer. Ken I'm sorry a number of bad moments made you think and feel negative towards other people in general but you need professional help.

I'm very appalled AsianWeek neglected to check what Ken writes in his articles before they are printed. If AsianWeek wants to save themselves from the damage Ken has done, they should terminate his employment from them and have an editorial overview on what articles should or should not be printed. And overall, I'm very glad to see people talking about how we can improve on race relations and as a society.

eng is an idiot...that much is clear. what isn't as clear is why asianweek publishes his juvenile rantings.
i am an african-american woman, and i have no animosity towards asian people whatsoever. i am a poet, and i write about struggle and race and justice...i would be remiss not to include asian americans in all of that.
racism continues to be a tool that serves only those who benefit from the status quo...you can call that "the ruling class" or "the white man" or whatever you like. but the fact remains that as long as people who have similar economic interests continue to allow themselves to be separatedd by meaningless cultural constructs, e.g., race, racism will continue to serve power, because it never served the people.

He is 22 YO and just a loud-mouth kid, as far as I'm concerned. Get his mom&pop to feed him only with the worst brand of instant noodle for 6 months. They should be fed the same thing, maybe for 3 months for having raised such a headache :o)
Seriously, Samson Wong EIC of Asian Week doesn't read its own operation and editorial policy. Allowing someone to insult a whole race is not the best way to claim to have "a proven record on promoting cross-cultural diversity and inter-racial interaction. AsianWeek as an organization is proud of its deep and unparalleled history of working with, interacting with, and building connections between all the diverse groups that make up America".... unless Mr Wong uses a different dictionary.
Shame on the kid and shame on those who allow him to be what he is: a racist.
Sam

The hatred Eng has in his heart and mind will damage him more than it will those of us he hates. It will also keep him a prisoner and deprive him of enriching experiences which connect our humanities. Hate poisons the body and releases toxins which will weaken and disease body and mind. As an African American, I decided years ago to put hate out of my mind and body. As a result, I'm a better wife, mother, daughter, friend and teacher. As a teacher, like Eng the writer, I reach out to connect to others with subject matter. It would be irresponsible of me to espouse hateful untruths. There are no absolutes. I have never and will never judge my fellow Asians using Eng as the standard. I've taught my children accordingly. My children have all attended college and have been exposed to all the wonderful races of man and they have benefited from that exposure. There were a few jerks but mostly people are good. We can go anywhere in the U.S.,

The sad part is Sharpton spoke up against A/F racist t-shirt controversy.With asian growing influence in the world the last thing they need is to be called bigots and racists.I hope we handle this in a way that the next asian will think twice before destroying the good will asian have with others.I am deeply ashamed.

The sad part of this is, Eng and many of you who feel the need to make a case for and against Eng, can't see past your own skin colour.

I hope the readers are savy enough to know
posters like "Matthew Price" are whites masquerading as blacks.For those who don't know, you will never finds blacks on message boards unless it for blacks,an even there whites have infiltrated it so that blacks barely frequent those black sights.

Hi All:

There are only two kinds of people in the world - those that try to do good and those that are narrow minded and hateful.

Most people have experienced some form of racism, discrmmination and/or bias; whether its color, age, gender, religion, sexual preference or the just the plain ole attitude of: "I dont' like you and doesn't matter why."

I have to wonder reading the article if Eng's "experiences" are even reality. Reading them gives me the sense of some sort of experience with lots of embellishments.

However, if Eng hates and has a real reason for it; I am personally sorry that he had to go through that; but so what - we all have. Grow up. Learn that all one group of people are not bad.

What I suggest we all do is instead of worrying and whinning and pointing out differences.. look at the things that we have in common.

We all want love, happiness and good lives for our families and those that we care about. Most of us want a peaceful exsitence and to get along with others. People are not all that different.

Might I suggest that we take a new approach and treat people the way we would want to be treated - and in turn even if they dont' like us; respect isn't a bad consolation prize.

It is wrong to hate; it is wrong to hurt someone else - especially when they have done nothing other than exist.

There are plenty people to be angry with for leading us down a path of destruction - I won't blame my neighbor if he/or she is not the guilty one.

Are there some injustices - absolutely, are there people being treated unfairly, yes - but look at who is really doing it.

Eng is just one little person in a big old world. The HUMAN RACE needs to pull together in fairness and love - and we won't have these kind of issues.

Hey Kenneth Eng, next time you write some racist stuff, PUT YOUR FULL NAME ON IT!

There are other Kenneth Eng's in this country and they're getting hate mail and they have no idea why!

Re)#3 The slavery thing:

Rabia, I'm the guy formally known as anonymous, whose comments you responded to.

I must say that if you have never met a Black person who continues to blame their plight on slavery, may I suggest you just are not looking?

Have you read some of the comments from Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson? Are you aware of the Reparations movement that still lives among the worst of the Poverty Pimps hoping to make a buck from slavery even today? Nope, you are not looking very hard if you believe that.

You talk about systematic oppression holding back Black success in America, but just as I mentioned, nobody wants to discuss the fact that nobody holds back or oppresses Black people more than BLACK PEOPLE.

The desire to point fingers in other directions rather than looking at ourselves is our very worst enemy. Personally, I dont care at this point about how others are oppressing us, because it pales in comparison to how we oppress ourselves.

I am a successful Black man, because I chose to be so, in spite of any obstacles, real or imagined. I am not the brightest bulb, so if I can make it, I dare say that anyone willing to work hard has as good a chance as I did.

I repeat that Eng is a young man, and as such, foolish, as are many young people in a sense. I ask people to stop looking at the young man's character, as he will learn or he wont, but to spend a little more time taking about how much truth can be applied to what he says, and why.

Only then, will their be a serious and productive discussion of the matter. The rest is just kneejerk political correctness.

Kenneth is a furry. You're
supposed to make fun of furries.

If you want to pick on AsianWeek for publishing Kenneth Eng's piece, then you have to go after nearly all of our mainstream media outlets for blatantly and incessantly disparaging the Asian male. FOX, NBC, CBS, LATIMES, WSJ just to name a small sample. All guilty of the same thing.

A good writer who is trying to be effective would be a little more sensitive who is the audience. Contrary to how Mr. Eng gave his reasonings for hating blacks are ,obviously faulty, if Mr. Eng wanted to give the Asian community reasons to hate blacks, he should not have just forced all his life experience invloving blacks in an article (poorly written) to do so. If Eng was a good he would have considered all the factors. I can understand if Eng had several bad experience with blacks, but how is how he feel any different from Hilter because both of them based their hatred for an entire race based on experience. Another thing Eng is failing to realize is that countless African Americans who have Asian in their blood. So the comment about how we did not fight against slavery sooner, well i think it is safe to say that we may have got our pacifistness from the Asians. Mr. Eng also says how in the movies that blacks are known for doing whatever to Asians. But if you do your research the writer, Ross LaManna, and the director, Jim Kouf of Rush Hour were both non African American. So his argument about how black Asian relationships are being portrayed. What Eng needs to do is hate white people instead because they are the ones producing those types of movies. In conclusion, one can come to the realiztion that Eng know anything about the African Americans of today are in the past. Eng damn sure do not know anything about writing either.

Yes, Tan, Black people can not only read message boards, we can use them. I agree that Matthew Price is probably not Black, but I am.

So this message is for Jonathan: You clearly have issues with what is happening in the Black community, as do I. We have no clear direction, no reliable leadership and our moral compass has been spinning out of control for quite some time. But none of that was in this guys article. You are arguing in the wrong venue. Read what he wrote again, and then decide if you think that you both are talking about the same issues.

We were enslaved for three hundred years and then suffered American Apartheid for another hundred. It has only been 41 years since the Civil Rights Amendment. Four hundred years is a long time to get over. How long should it take? Who decides the time frame? Who benefits from the argument that we should all move on? I agree that we can't let it hold us back, but don't tell me that 41 years is enough time. We live in the age of tecnological innovation and we are dazzled by microwaves and nanoseconds. Social change and evolution takes much longer. When Elle Wesiel was attacked in San Francisco a few weeks ago, he said that the experience instantly took him back to the concentration camps in Germany. That was over fifty years ago and although the treatment of Jews in many places in the world before and since has not improved (Mel Gibson) he still felt that same horrific fear. His experience is an example of the psychological and physiological impact of racism.

Those of you that feel that the enslaved are wallowing in their plight need to read Kennith Eng's article again. We are not wallowing. We are still there.

Had he not written an article about how whites hate asians, his article would have been published in VDare. After all, Michelle Malkin regularly baits blacks and fellow Asians and gets away with it!!

I don’t accept this fake statement and apology posted on AsianWeek.com. At best, it is a nice attempt at damage control. It was probably written the moment the article received a green light. I don’t believe that Kenneth Eng’s article went to publication totally unnoticed. Then, who is running the shop? The editorial desk action and/or inaction in this matter amount to screaming fire in a very crowded theatre. Respondeat superior obliged, Eng took the fall, and he was only terminated. Florence Fang, James Fang and Ted Fang silence and invisibility speak volume. May be they think that everything will be ok if Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda names are mentioned in the statement. Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda are regular receipients of checks from Florence Fang, but can they help with this? Will they ask the hard questions? Will they do their best not to offend a donor? They will posture for their financial donors and their core voters at the expense of the under-represented. Indeed all politic is local, but this is a national outrage to Africans, member of the African Diaspora and African Americans everywhere. Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda do not patronize Asians stores on a daily basis in African American communities throughout the nation, the aforementioned do. Now that the "voice of the Asian American community" has been heard, it is up to us, the people who interact with Asians and Asian American business owners that must rethink who we do business with and the nature of our relationship.

this piece contains some of the most venomous and vile language I've ever seen in public print. Mr. Eng does not impress me with his literary skills either.
That being said, perhaps we could try to see his hidden points? no..I'm not entertaining blanket forgiveness for hate speech. I am saying however, that it came from somewhere, we need to try to find out from where. I saw briefly some his other "works" (needless to say, I saw a lot of anger) it was pure frustration. he is of course wrong, but how incorrect was he? he seems to only use truth where it does most harm. in his opening line: "...why we should discriminate against blacks.." for example, he uses the word dicriminate as a hateful tool to dig at blacks. but what he doesn't seem to understand is that that word has been so over used as to make it not mean anything anymore. discrimination is not an inherently evil term, but use of discrimination without righteous cause is harmful to both parties. albeit one more immediatly than the other, but both equally none-the-less.
well to make this just a bit longer, I think people need to get past the shock of what is said for the shock value and earnestly work together on what causes it in the first place. in short, every black and every asian (at least in Mr. Engs neighborhood) needs to take upon themselves the task to talk and not be afraid of words either those heard or those said. the "N" word must be embraced. the union jack should fly as a reminder of what we've outgrown...and we need to outgrow it.

To Anonymous at February 27, 2007 09:57 AM: The video clearly shoes Latasha Harlins viciously beating up Du. Blame should be put on the both sides.

Im not saying that Miss Harlins was right, but to shoot the girl in the back when she was walking off is the only event I disagree with. The store owner got off scott free. Thats a little extreme. That was a while ago, since then many things have changed. Ive been to some Korean hair salons and nail shops in the black nieghborhood that are just as ghetto as their customers and they fit right in. It reminds me of that movie "HAIRSHOW. Throughout my travel ive noticed young Koreans adore Black American culture from music to clothes, to swag and style. The Korean pop star "Rain" is a replica of Usher and Omarion. To all the Koreans that are married to Black American, usually the ones married to Military Personnel, I wonder how these events affect their live. Well most I know move to Hawaii to stay away from all the drama that we speak of. Most Asian I know have the same likes as blacks. I think the true breakdown is the media.

There was video of the beating of that old grandma, Du, and her angry and inappropriate response of shooting Harlins.

If I remember correctly, the LA media constantly played the last part over and over again. It did seem that the LA and national media completely relished whipping up black anger at all Korean store owners in general. Maybe it was done to deflect anger away from whites due to the Rodney King beating.
Maybe or maybe not it was intended to pit minorities against each other, but look at the way it was handled, including forming a line of barriers and police to protect the white and richer neighborhoods while letting the riot vent its steam and burn out in the poorer and Korean neighborhoods.

Pat, I think we are indeed talking about the same issue. How long should it take? I don’t think it should take very long, and I will explain why.

When I was growing up, I went to school with some of the first Vietnam and Laos refugees to enter America. I watched these people come to this country with practically nothing, and contrary to popular belief- not much in the form of government assistance, proceed to embrace American ideals and cultural norms with very little complaint or excuses making.

I saw children who showed up the first year speaking little to no English, speak it fluently by year- two. I saw families pool their resources to open small businesses and work their butts off to become independent and instill their work ethic in their children. These people quietly succeeded through the sweat of their own labor, their children became school valedictorians, but most importantly, they became outstanding citizens.

I must ask in comparison just what is it that our people are waiting for? I would argue that if you ask your average black youth today just what does their country have to do to allow them to break free of the stigma of oppression; you would be waiting some time for a thoughtful answer. At some point, one must exhale and move on, and we just won’t do it, for want of some kind of payback or acknowledgment of our history. This is a learned and conditioned behavior. Our children are taught by their parents (or lack of same) to consider themselves victims, instead of being blessed with the wonderful opportunity that American citizenship provides.

We destroy our opportunities through our ridiculously high rate of unwed births, which almost insure a life at the poverty level, and then turn around and blame America for its supposed oppression. We allow our youth to identify with the Rap-Gang-Thug-Drug culture, our kids memorizing those destructive lyrics and disrespect of women and holding up former drug dealers as role models. (Snoop Dog, JayZ) I have listened to teachers suggest that the troubles of Black youth are the fault of the lack of programs giving them something to do after school. My reply was “How about homework?”

Our people are blessed with so much talent, so much creativity, it is that much more depressing to see how little our talents are used towards moving us forward and into the mainstream of society. I must argue that social change should not take so long if one is motivated towards success. My career has allowed me to speak to school children at their Career Day events (I work for Microsoft), and what I often take away from these events is that Black Children appear to be falling further behind, rather than moving ahead; American-born children who refuse to use proper grammar and diction, and believe that success is measured by the size of the rims on your Accolade.

I did re-read Eng’s rantings at your suggestion, but my opinion is unchanged. Eng clumsily exposed some ugly truths about Black culture. He did it in a horribly hap-hazard way, and exposed his ignorance in a way that will undoubtedly cause him ongoing grief. My position however, is that he spoke truth in his article, that we are taking too long as a people to overcome our historical limitations. The time is long past for us to stop looking at others to solve problems that are located in our homes absent the influence of the oppression suffered by proceeding generations.

We have a choice to make, we can begin a legacy of success by refusing to accept the stigma of slavery as an indicator of our abilities, and teach our children that opportunity is the right of every American, but not a promise of success for any American without a commitment to personal excellence. I apologize for the negativity of my position, and the verbosity of my response, and look forward to your answer to the question: “How long should it take?”

Johnathan there are problems in all nationalities communities.

Quite true, Black Thought. There are problems in every community. However, it is our community which is has gained an infamy over these issues. Nothing I wrote should be taken to suggest that other communities do not suffer to some degree the same that ails Black America.

It is only that for us, these problems have become our expected destiny, and no longer seen as abhorent or abnormal. We expect these problems in the Black community, and no longer question why they occur. I dare say that these problems are growing in other communities; maybe even at a greater rate than in our own.

Honestly? I do not care. Again, why point our fingers outward, when there is so much more going on in the other direction? It is assumed that a quarter of young Black men will spend some time in prison. This is now just taken for granted. I find this appaling. Others see it only as "the way we behave".

No communities is perfect, but we can learn a lesson from our Asian brothers. They suffer from the assumption that they will excel, where we suffer from the assumption that we will not.

I doubt there are many NY cabbies who will fail to stop for an Asian man for fear he will overwhelm the driver with his math skills. (excuse the blatant stereotype for effect)

I must get back to work.

Cheers.

If you look at a study of stats, their are roughly 670,000 black men in Jail- 640,000 in college. They blow that Jail thing way out of porportian. Society and the media places these images on minorities. Asian Gangs are on a rise in the west coast and they are for real. Deadly, in the long beach area and San Francisco areas. Its a subject that will never be spoken of. Black achievements in America has always been overlooked. Ive read the Whos Who list and Rhode Scholars of tommorrow. You will be amazed at how many of them are black. Its the black communities fault for not highlighting these acheivements over the redundant junk TV on BET.

I praise of Jonathan:
Bravissimo! I applaud your wise perspective on things. Your reasoning, intelligence, and thoughtfulness are prized qualities that I look for in the people that represent me in government (i.e., make decisions that have significant impact on our lives) and in the people that I discourse with in my free time (i.e., have significant impacts on the way I think).

I personally believe in speaking in terms of culture. I love to learn of others cultures and their cultural values. This learning increases the beauty of the world as I learn to see things from other perspectives and occasionally apply some part of this learning to my own life. I generally avoid using racial/racist terms like "black", "white", etc. because I find these terms divisive. While I am "Euro-American" with a rather pale complexion, I am a minority in my predominantly Creole speaking town in a predominantly Spanish speaking county.

While I gladly accept the calls from the opinion pollsters, they find me to be an exceptionally inadequate source of data as I consistently refuse to be categorized or fit into superficial multiple choice answers. In the last week, two such calls ended after I couldn't satisfactorily get beyond the first question, "Which group do most identify with?". I identify with them all to some extent and reject the divisiveness of the question.

I also have seen the extraordinary capacity for success of many immigrants as depicted by one large family of political refugees from Zaire. The father, a physician in Zaire, supported his wife, four children, and two nephews, while attaining a nursing degree (RN) here in the states. One of his nephews would have been valedictorian of his high school class had his overachieving little brother not earned the honor at age 16 while simultaneously taking on his first year of college.

How long should it take?...
Our species has an incredible capacity to adapt to our environment and to adapt our environment to our wishes. While there are, usually minor, genetic differences between individuals, it is more how we define success and the price we are willing to pay in terms of opportunity costs and hard work that determines achievement.

Given that this is a blog/forum about Eng and his article, I prefer to focus on positives. If Eng’s negative rants stirred the pot and lead to intelligent insights and insightful solutions, then some good may come from it in spite of his intentions to the contrary. The question to me is whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

Divisiveness is an essential Darwinistic part of our animal instincts. It’s opposite, inclusiveness, is also a Darwinistic instinct that is usually reserved for people close to us – our tribe. Universal Inclusiveness is a goal that we can strive to attain based on the plentitude of opportunity that we have access to in this country. Like equality, it is unattainable. But the journey itself yields valuable dividends even if there is no finite end.

Gee Daniel, thanks.
But dont hold your breath about me becoming a politician though. My only gifts, are parents who cared enough to have very high expectations of me. I am not so bright, but I am aware of the benefits of hard work. Any credit for the positions I hold go to those who raised me. I will pass your 'Bravissimo' on to my parents.

I saw the video, Miss Harlins hit the Korean lady a few time, but she didnt beat the lady up the way you guys are describing it. Like I said, Miss Harlins actions were not right, they were wrong and like Janet said both communities need to address this issue. Just in this case murder of the 15 year old girl was not justifiable. Miss Harlins actions were wrong, ver wrong, but like Janet said both of theirs were. Jonathan, I agree with some of the things you say, but I also think you wouldve agreed with Ward Connerly on some of his issues as well. Do you have anything to say positive about your people?

There are many things that I agree with Ward Connelly on, if not his style of delivery. As for positive things about my people, I did mention some, but to be more clear, part of my frustration comes from the fact that we as a people are so talented to begin with.

I believe that we can do anything we choose to do, yet we choose to do not even enough to raise our image and standing within our own communities.

I believe there are no limits to how far we can go, but we need to stop waiting for someone else to give us the green light, get off our asses and make it happen.

I hope that clears it up for ya.

Shaquille Ching Chong , I read your post about Latinos calling you chinito. Just for the record that just means Chinese. When you put -ito on the end it usually is an affectionate term. I don't think you should regard that as racist the way blacks making fun of your eyes is.

When you look up Uncle Tom, it says Ward Connelly. He is a Hippocrite, killing programs he benefitted from. If you want to see positive blacks you have to go beyond Pop Culture. If you want to see positive images of blacks cut off MTV. Professor Oglethorpe, Dean of Harvard Law School and Cornell West are always on PBS, to Harvard grades, Tavis Smiley, Tony Brown, Oprah, Obama and even Condoleeza Rice. I hate Clarence Thomas, but I admire his acheivements, but at the same time I wonder How he got into the University Of Georgia in the 60s. To the HBCUs, Ill give a big up to them as well. You ignore the intellectual black community in your posts. Yes we have our problems, but like Black Thought said, every race does. Eng was a Asian problem, so the Asian Leaders denounced him and gave praise to a lot of African American Leaders they felt made life better for all Minorities in America. The same way some black leaders denounced Hot 97 tsunami song. Asians on this site posted that American media portrays Asian men as unmasculine and weak, and Asian women as sex toys, I feel their paine. This is the same media that constantly push the negative stereotypes towards blacks. So is it all our fault. Analyze some of the things you say. Yes theres an iota of truth to stereotypes concerning the various human races, but how far outside the box are you willing to explore? I think you forgot some of your history. Obviousley, you are a republican and that is fine, but its the Republicans that sell out that do more harm than good, Allen Keyes for example. Collin Powell is a Republican and is well respected in the Black Community. Some one mentioned Michelle Maulkin, well I will not comment on her. For you to sit here and justify some of the coments ENG said makes me wonder.

First, I never take seriously anyone still using the invective "Uncle Tom", to describe someone that you dont agree with. To say that you hate another human being, because of disagreement, is to put yourself down and hold yourself back.

It is a suggestion that you feel that there is no one that you can learn from, that your opinions are frozen. You can claim disagreement, or even frustration with the views of another, but when you take it to the level of claiming hatred for someone, you lose credibility and hurt your own case. You must understand Anonymous, that we Blacks are first INDIVIDUALS, and entitled to form our own opinions, views and positions outside of an official 'BLACK-APPROVED' list of what is right and what is that of an 'Uncle Tom'.

I reject your claim that I ignore the so-called intellectual black community, and more so, would encourage you to look beyond the popular, pre-approved list of those who claim to speak for Black people, and into those holding opposing positions as well. I have not forgotten my history, indeed I know it well.

I would encourage you not to simply attack those whose views you hold in opposition to your own, but to take time to discover if there is something to be learned from others. Leave your mind open.

Finally, resist the urge to classify me into a group based on my expressed opinions. I am not a Republican, nor am I a Democrat. I find no comfort in having my views dictated to me by any group. What I am, is an individual, free to take, share and learn from anyone.

At first glance, I am probably older than you, and not accustomed to being lectured, especially before I have had my morning coffee, but I do love a good debate, and if we can leave to a discussion of ideas, I would be pleased to address some of the other points in your response.

This is an Asian site, so we may have to take this debate some where else. Like Malcalm X said, there are field negores and house negroes. Did you here that famous speech? If so, then you know the contrast between the 2. There are modern day house negroes in 2007 and Ward connelly and Clarence Thomas are 2 of them. Gangsta Rappers are no better. This is just my opinion. Like you, I believe in the first amendment and have formed my own personal opinions on various subjects. It is also my right to execute my opinions as it is yours and even Kenneth Eng. I wouldve used better discretion, but thats just me. Maybe if Mr Eng had a nice black gentlemen such as yourself to conversate with his views on blacks would change. Since you 2 almost sound identical maybe you would be that one black exception. If You, Kenneth Eng and Michelle Maulkin Hosted the O, Rielly factor on thursdays, Blacks nor Asians would have any positive press. Im not claiming to be right nor wrong, this is just the vibe I get from you

If I'm in a bad situation, and I'm getting little respect, then any criticism is going to hurt.
Maybe I understand that. And other people have to understand that.

But there's a big difference between criticism coming from people who sincerely care about you, and criticism from people who just say crap because they want to keep you down or feel superior.

The devious noise the racist people say is poison, and causes a bad taste even when the good people on your side try to suggest constructive changes.

But the point is, when one is in a bad situation -- even if oppression is causing it, there's got to be change from within -- in order to adapt and overcome it. There's got to be an effort to find good advice, and to search and learn for ways to fight the bad situation. You can keep criticizing the establishment -- there's nothing wrong with that.

But especially if the cause is oppression, you still can't give up on yourself and your will to change to be better, wiser, and stronger. One can demand justice from oppressors, and criticize them, but oppressors can't be relied on to truly help. I think that's what people like Cosby are trying to get at.

P.S. Malkin is a freak. :-)

It's chilling...
What about the people here before all of us- including whites? It's amazing to me that we have become so caught up in discussions of race relations and American culture, the matrices of power and oppression, 'native' and immigrant mentalities, all the colours of the rainbow; and yet no one talks about the fact that there are many indigenous peoples who live on reservations (like wildlife refuges or something) in this dynamic and 'advanced' society. There is something frightening about this to me...and I can't help but wish I knew more about the dynamics of colonialism and the construction of a new national identity- because perhaps it would help shed some light on this situation that hasn't been considered.

On another note, as someone of partly African- American descent who lived and travelled in East Asia for about five years- I can definitely say that viewing the media and popular culture depictions of African Americans from outside is quite enlightening. It is no surprise that people are often frightened- I have come to see a lot of what is presented as "black culture" as aggressive, anti-social, mysogynist, and anti-intellectual- to name but a few charactersitics; and it is very frustrating for those of us who do not identify with this image of black culture (and there are quite a few of us) to negotiate the various networks of society without the taint of this negative depiction. To be fair though, I also have experienced racism from Asians (but surprisingly not really from Asian Americans)- when my husband (who is Asian) took me to dinner, some Japanese women sitting at a table near ours expressed their shock that any man would associate with a woman "who was the color of s**t". Of course, when they realized that I could understand them, the uncomfortable silence that emanted from the table for the rest of the meal amused me in a kind of sick way...Very sad, but I think typical of the bigoted. There is a vulgarity in all forms of racism that really reflects badly not so much on who it is directed at, but at the person who says it...And it is in the US that I have experienced the most discrimination from African Americans (yes) and whites. What I am trying to get at is that maybe its not so much about an objective phenomenon called "racism"- which does exist of course- but that there is truly something going on that is completely subjective. I think that racism can often be a stance adopted to mask another issue- usually some kind of insecurity- like the women at dinner who were no doubt incredibly jealous that I was with such a handsome and amazing man!! Maybe racism is a set response to feeling threatened in some manner- and it should be emphaisized that racism- while it can manifest collectively- is also a subjective mental problem and should be treated as such in the same manner that homophobia is. And the simple fact of the matter is that universal tolerance is utopic- we are only human. Rather than wasting time and energy on people who spread their _own_ hatred and negativity in whatever manner, it's more productive to focus on those who share a commitment to celebrating the human race, rather than some outmoded European conception of race that harkens back to the days of colonial expansion and the rise of the nation state.

Dear Anonymous, I think you and I both know that the term was not house-‘negroes’, but the more offensive version which popularized the division between various classes within the black community, so we don’t have to mince words.

I believe there to be a world of difference (better) between Ward Connelly and Clarence Thomas than Gangster Rappers. You think that Eng and I sound identical, do you? I can only say it is unfortunate (and typical) that instead of a serious analysis of the subject, you seek only to denigrate those whose view you don’t agree with. It’s fine, as I have dealt with people like you before.

You are less interested in a solution to our problems than to hold tight to the notion that we Black folks don’t air our dirty laundry in front of others. This is what got Cosby attacked, regardless of what he has done to move us forward as a people. He committed the sin of asking us to look at ourselves, and was treated worse than your common thug by his own people. How dare he suggest that we can do more than blame Whitey! Sacrilege!

It is our religion to blame Whitey for our problems, it is our creed! When I made my earlier comments on this forum, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone came along to challenge not the argument, but me personally.

As for this being an Asian site, I would hope that they would welcome a discussion between two opposing among Blacks, if for any reason but to understand that we are not a monoculture, but indeed contain a level of diversity within our community.

I for one look forward to the day when people of all races understand that in America, we are blessed with the opportunity to overcome any prejudice, real or perceived, by the strength of our own individual character.

I seek to make my color irrelevant through my behavior and achievements, and will not be defined by those who adhere to a particular code of conduct solely on the basis of race. Someday, Black and White will go back to being merely colors, and no longer adjectives to describe human beings.

This is a problem that needs to be settled in a black forum. Truthfully, Hyphen is not the arena for this discussion. Its like Koreans and Japanese going on black aol.com and settling there differences, a site thats naturally catered to blacks and their issues . If your motive is just to show how low black people are walking and that some of us Blacks will agree with Engs ignorance is not a solution. How is Hyphen a remedy for the stance you are trying to take here? Go to the black sites where it matters most, thats were the change needs to began. Stick with the subject matter here, Mr Eng comments. Either you agree with him wholeheartadly, or you dont. I for once know not all black people the same. All of us are not Drug Dealers, and Entertainers. Yes, we have a large number of black men in Jail, but over 700,000 of us are attending various colleges across the U. S. We are Secreterys of States, Presidential candidates and the top Neurosurgean in the world is Black American. If Mr Eng and yourself is so educated, why havent you encountered these type of people? You just choose to ignore it. I respect Bill Cosby, he is entitled to his opinion, he is worth over 400 million dollars, received his PHD from Temple. A man of his position can Lead, or shut up.

Furthermore, Jonathan we do agree on one thing, I hope there comes a day when people of all races embrace each other with love and compassion. Im only Half Black and Asian. Face it, the reality is that America is divided as a whole. Divieded within various communities and outside various communities. I was a misfit, my friends were other misfits who did not fit into their race related social groups in High school. They were not White enough, Asian enough, Spanish enough, or in my case not Black, or Asian enough. Maybe you should open some international web race relation workshop. Calling all races abroad to attend, I dont know, but that wasnt a joke. What it boils down to between me and you is neither one of us is right, or wrong, we just have our own views. I think im more in the real world and you are in La La land. In the end may peace be with you and anyone thats that prmotes cultural awareness with interest is alright with me. Im Black, well in America I am, and so are you. We would tell the Black community they were Idiots when such acts as the Tsunami song were put on hot 97 airwaves, or tell Mr Eng he is spreading stereotypical poison around as well, Well you did kind of agree with some of his comments, but oh well, carry on. I think the only reson this blog is surviving is because we keep taking blog shots at each other. If you chose to answer back ill let you have the last word.

I didnt know we were taking shots at each other, Anonymous. And now, you mention you are half Asian, but still find our dialog only worthy of a black forum? I truthfully dont know what you are afraid of, but since you offered me the last word, I wont delve further into it. If you review the comments back and forth between us, you will note that I tend to speak for myself, and not for the Black community at large. I have repeatedly said that I do agree with Eng's comments, but I do not agree with the manner or tone he used in making them. I think it is a legitmate issue, that of how long it ought take for us to move beyond our victim culture and stop our excuse making and just get on with it. I think it is worthy of discussion among ALL races. I dont think our issues need to be limited to only us for remedy. We should be learning and emulating the success of other cultures, instead of believing that the answer to our problems is just more of 'us'. We dont appear to be solving this problem for ourselves, so I welcome others of any race to hop in and share ideas.

Seee SAJA article:

http://www.sajaforum.org/2007/02/controversy_ken.html

Eng's "Dragon" book wings have been clipped. He's burying himself. Such is the law of attraction...

http://www.maynardije.org/columns/dickprince/070302_prince/

By the way, you will have to scroll further down the page to find the story.

----------------------------------------
Eng's "Dragon" book wings have been clipped. He's burying himself. Such is the law of attraction...

http://www.maynardije.org/columns/dickprince/070302_prince/

A very interesting picture of Eng...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/rnr/287034423.html

Tan wrote: "I hope the readers are savy enough to know
posters like "Matthew Price" are whites masquerading as blacks.For those who don't know, you will never finds blacks on message boards unless it for blacks,an even there whites have infiltrated it so that blacks barely frequent those black sights."

Tan, you are a fool.

As for Kenneth Eng, he also wrote columns entitled "Why I Hate Whites" and "Why I Hate Asians". Was there a backlash about those columns? It seems he hates everyone.

There will always be division between the races in the U.S., especially since non-black immigrants often seek to endear themselves to "the majority" by insulting black people.

I'm a black female, and I could not care less who hates me because of it... unless they're interfering with my means of making a living.

Anyway, Kenneth achieved his goal of gaining attention. We're all tools for playing his game. ;-)

To say I disagree with Eng's egomanical, messianic rants is an understatement. I am the product of an Indian from Delhi and an American black from the south. What would Eng think of me?
The Rodney King incident brought the long smoldering race issue to the forefront when Asians went on national TV enraged at why blacks were angry. Rather than to see the reason, the history behind black resentment of Asians, they focused on them reverting to type, "Savagery".
The black community was reminded of the asian woman who killed a young girl in her store when she assumed the girl had stolen a bottle of juice, to name but one incident. The little girl was shot for the less than a dollar.
The fact that there is no respect for either race is born of both races feeling the need to be superior to the other, which is mad. Theoretically, one who feels superior, is so...which is ridiculous.
The LA riots brought the racist ideals of Yellow Power to the media as many store owners voiced their opinions of the very people they'd made a living off of, and it didn't go over well in the black community. If they find blacks so offensive, so savage, then why take their money? Why not try to open their beauty supply stores and liquor stores in the white community?
I'm not racist, but I am a realist and until both groups learn the culture of the other, including the differences in social ethics, we will always be at square one and prey to people like Eng who walk around with gas cans waiting for the least bit of a spark of conflict.
Additionally, if the two cultures hate one another and spout assinine taunts, who benefits?
As the adage goes, A house divided will surely fall.

This is what I posted on the SAJA blog today:
Hello all,

Here is my PROPOSAL for all Asian-American groups, regardless of which Asian community you represent:

I believe we need to discuss race relations at a forum where Americans of all communities are represented and our voices can also be heard. We can discuss this on the blogs until the cows come home, or TAKE ACTION AND MAKE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE RACE RELATIONS IN AMERICA. If the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Indonesians, Malayasians, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, people of Myanmar and others that I may have missed on this Asian list, would like to have a forum with the African-Americans and all-encompassing white Americans ... I think it can be arranged this summer in Atlanta. After all, Atlanta was the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement.

The convention runs for several days and is expected to be attended by tens of thousands of people. I know the person who is heading the planning committee. She is an African-American friend who specializes in conflict management, and is the key organizer of the convention. I have not run this proposal by her, but if the Asian-American organizations are interested, I can talk to her about it, and then we will have to submit a proposal within six weeks.

If there is interest in the Asian community (including South Asian community) to follow up on this, I will update this column with more details. I have been thinking about this option since the day Kenneth Eng's article was published on SAJA blog two days ago, and wanted to help bridge the gap between all Asian communities, African-Americans and all other Americans.

Could some of you PLEASE POST THIS PROPOSAL ON MY BEHALF ON OTHER ASIAN-AMERICAN BLOGS, or direct that blog to this SAJA site, or publish it in a daily or weekly Asian newspaper. Those interested can post their responses on this SAJA site. Thanks.

http://www.sajaforum.org/2007/02/controversy_ken.html

Jaya Kamlani

Getting back to AsianWeek...

As much as I think AsianWeek sucks, and has never lived up to its marketing hype as the "voice of Asian America," I think its GREAT that it had an editor of South Asian origin for several years.

I think Neela's perspective is so vital, and no one has addressed it.

I understand that during her editorship she tried to build up its pan-Asian coverage, and perspective on inter-community relations. How upsetting it must be to see what a rag it has become.

What I find really really sad is the fact that this racist and idiotic editorial decision and its result that made the news all over the world, while all the amazing coverage of nuanced and hard-hitting perspectives on race by Asian American journalists and writers will never make the news.

There are amazing things happening in race relations every day, but we hardly know. And when its reported (increasingly so these days), it never ever makes the front page.

Neela, keep writing about this.

Rahqui,
Your own prejudiced rant is another example of throwing smoke and fire, just as this blog page was opening up to some light.

ROBIN:

That was Latasha Harlins.

The following is a slightly revised version of a letter sent to Kenneth Eng.

Hello Kenneth,

I too am a published author. I'm 32-years-old, and I have written for several professional publications over the years. I've also written two books, one is published, the other is in the process and will be released later this year. So I say this with great admiration, I applaud you on your claim to being the youngest author to publish a sci-fi novel.

However, the reason I write this letter, is to express my gratitude for your more recent work titled, “Why I hate blacks”. I am not Asian-American, I am African-American. If you are shocked, don't be. Many blacks, or I should say black-Americans, because that's really who your opinion piece was aimed at, have had questions about Asians. This however, is due to the fact that we feel that Asians, exploit, look down on, or misjudge us regardless of who we are, based solely upon the superficiality of the skin we're in. We've always assumed that Asians felt superior to us, now we know that our suspicions on that premise are correct – thanks for bringing that issue to light to not only your Asian counterparts, but also, to the world. I suspect that you or your fellow Asian-American business friends and family won't be surprised if there is less “black” patronization at their restaurants, gas stations, beauty supply stores and nail salons in African-American communities nationwide as a result of this disclosure. This piece provided a telling picture of what types of discussions go on in the majority of Asian households around the world, when it comes to blacks.

I must tell you though, that it would seem that your thoughts about some of us might appear to have some validity. This article was indeed a wake up call. For too long we (blacks) have been a consumer population. We buy too much. Furthermore, we don't support our own – if we did, Asians would have little space in our marketplace. After slavery, we didn't listen to Booker T. Washington, who told us that Asians would come in and take our place – making not only a home for themselves here, but also becoming a thriving populous within mainstream society. I must admit, to a point, that has come true. Studies show that the fastest growing workforce in America is Asian. You all have even surpassed Hispanics. There's no “hater-aid” here, I applaud you on this. However, I pray that your article has spawned many blacks to finally do something about our economic system, or lack there of.

You are right, many blacks have not explored other religions, or even doctrines or sects within the Christian faith outside of protestantism. Blacks depended on the Christian God as their source of strength, and though I'm certain that you do not understand it, He didn't let them down. The Jesus that whites taught our ancestors was not the same Jesus that they believed in. You see, Kenneth, though it was against the law for blacks to read, many learned how. They learned about the Jesus that said, “there is no slave nor free in me. All are one in me.” They learned about a slavery more harsh than their own – one that lasted 400 years. They knew that if God sent the Hebrews a Moses, surely he would do the same for them. Jesus became their champion. He was a beacon of light in their darkest hour. Now, maybe you have a better understanding of why many blacks including myself, choose Christianity. It is for the same reason why many Chinese still believe in, and respect their ancestors. Our ancestors believed in the God that they felt, set them free, which is why many of us still do.

Your prejudice is deeper than you think. Asians, as a whole, especially those of Chinese and Japanese descent, have a superiority complex about every race – even over some Asians, like Cambodians, Filipinos, and other Asian groups that aren't either light complected enough, or industrious enough in their eyes. I know this to be a fact because I've got the inside scoop. You see, Kenneth, I have had friends of many kinds throughout my 32 years. Don't misunderstand me, It's great to work hard and have a sense of pride about who you are and where you come from. I feel the same, and teach my children the same. However, it's not so great to look down on someone else because they may not have what you consider, a strong background or work ethic. As my mother once told me, “It takes all kinds”. Besides that, true growth is knowing that not only are you alright, but it's finally realizing that others are just as alright as you are. Those who lift others up, regardless of race, are considered virtuous in every religion. If you see a problem, be a part of the solution, don't just chide the problem. As a writer, you could have become a great force in providing deeper understanding between Asians and blacks.

My husband is African-American, and he's studied the beautiful art of Kung (Gung) Fu for over 20 years. He is a devout Christian, who greatly respects the Chinese, and Buddhism. If he felt for one moment that a Chinese person looked down on him just because of the skin he has no control over wearing, he'd feel pretty horrible.

In my conclusion, I would just like to implore you to take a lesson from Dr. Martin Luther King. Judge people not as a collective race, color or creed. Size everyone up individually. Don't hate groups, hate ignorance, and injustice no matter what body it's emanating from.

Peace

I love all people!

To "Not too surprised",

Thank you for your elegant way of expressing what I, through multiple posts failed to do. I am a technologist by trade and though I try, my words sometimes fail to get across the points I wish to express. I am 100% in agreement with your comments, and thank you for offering them.

I'm just grateful we African-Americans didn't pass the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1888.

"Not to surprised": "We've always assumed that Asians felt superior to us, now we know that our suspicions on that premise are correct – thanks for bringing that issue to light to not only your Asian counterparts, but also, to the world"

and "Your prejudice is deeper than you think. Asians, as a whole, especially those of Chinese and Japanese descent, have a superiority complex about every race – even over some Asians, like Cambodians, Filipinos, and other Asian groups that aren't either light complected enough, or industrious enough in their eyes."

yet you say: "Judge people not as a collective race, color or creed. Size everyone up individually." In your two earlier statements, I feel as if you were lumping me into one big mass of Asians ("Asians as a whole...")--both American and on the entire continent of Asia, yet you ask Kenneth to s