Identity denial

[Magic]

Don't you think the numerical lack of Eurasian in a given population and our absence in the circles of power and media is affecting our identity awareness?

What I mean is that, we're indirectly discouraged to thrive as a group, we're pushed back into assimilating with other cultures be it Western, Asian.. unlike minorities such as the Jews due to them having business, parties or news outlet catering to their cultural needs.

Sadly, the people inspiring me or that I interact with most are monoracial individuals. I grew up almost thinking I was Black because of watching too many African-American family shows. ;D

[Papa Alpha]

I get a lot of people telling me what I'm not whenever the topic of race comes up. "You're not Asian, or you're not European." In a lot of people's minds, if you don't have as much as a percent of whichever ethnicity as they do, then they know more about it. Even if they don't know anything about the culture. Fine, then call me UNDERDOG! Speed of lightning, roar of thunder, fighting all who rob or plunder. Underdog. underdog... UNDERDOG!

[Ganbare!]

EA aren't really an ethnic group (unless maybe in Hawaii/SG?), mostly one or two generation "genetical accidents" beyond that point we are assimilated by other groups but we could definitely be one as the latinos have become.

Anyways, it's an interesting reflection but I think you are mixing up identity and self- determination. Do we really want our own country?

[Magic]

Eurasians I know couldn't care less, sounds like it's the same thing here as well. I had not expected that considering the purpose of this board is to exchange ideas about our unique identity. I guess, I was wrong.

[Papa Alpha]

I wouldn't say everyone here doesn't care. Really, I don't care as far as the ethnicity goes, but as far as the experience, it's a lot different. So, I care about that.

And as far as having our own country, heck, it'd give us something to do. When is Iceland ever in the news? Let's take over Iceland.

[admin]

Mar 9, 2010 19:01:48 GMT -5 Papa Alpha said:

And as far as having our own country, heck, it'd give us something to do. When is Iceland ever in the news? Let's take over Iceland.

+1, Iceland. Should we do it through breeding and democratic power, or by war?

[purpletrapezoid]

Mar 9, 2010 21:13:35 GMT -5 admin said:

+1, Iceland. Should we do it through breeding and democratic power, or by war?

How would we do it by war? It would look something like this:

Them







Us

[Papa Alpha]

That's how they did it in the Civil War, we have to utilize the Asian genes. This is how you do it.

Us


Them

[purpletrapezoid]

Are we making battle plans using smilies?

[Papa Alpha]

Yes, extremely serious ones. So don't go posting them on the internet or anything. We have to keep them secret.

[betahat]

^Eurasians I know couldn't care less, sounds like it's the same thing here as well. I had not expected that considering the purpose of this board is to exchange ideas about our unique identity. I guess, I was wrong.

One thing I've learned here is that we are all pretty different. There isn't a "Eurasian" identity. There are certain common threads I've noticed - especially interest in food and travel - but no real identity. Most of us identify as a bit more Eur or a bit more Asian, but we grew up in different countries, come from different class backgrounds, etc. Anyway, there are lots of different European and Asian identities as well - Sino-brits like me don't necessarily have that much in common with an Italian-Vietnamese or an Indonesian-Dutch. Given that we are typically the product of two cultures, there really isn't a unique one identity to unite us.
Some common experiences and interests - and enough curiosity about the experiences of others to make this forum worthwhile - but I'm not really sure how we might be "encouraged to thrive as a group." There are so few of us in some ways we're like the last Native American, except we don't quite have centuries of history to fall back on - unless we adopted the Central Asian identity and all moved there, since there are some populations there that I guess are technically "Eurasian" in the geographic, cultural, and genetic sense.

[hypeforlife91]

Mar 10, 2010 0:17:50 GMT -5 Papa Alpha said:

That's how they did it in the Civil War, we have to utilize the Asian genes. This is how you do it.

Us


Them

You guys make me laugh so hard.

[Ganbare!]

Mar 18, 2010 4:59:21 GMT -5 betahat said:

^Eurasians I know couldn't care less, sounds like it's the same thing here as well. I had not expected that considering the purpose of this board is to exchange ideas about our unique identity. I guess, I was wrong.

One thing I've learned here is that we are all pretty different. There isn't a "Eurasian" identity. There are certain common threads I've noticed - especially interest in food and travel - but no real identity. Most of us identify as a bit more Eur or a bit more Asian, but we grew up in different countries, come from different class backgrounds, etc. Anyway, there are lots of different European and Asian identities as well - Sino-brits like me don't necessarily have that much in common with an Italian-Vietnamese or an Indonesian-Dutch. Given that we are typically the product of two cultures, there really isn't a unique one identity to unite us.
Some common experiences and interests - and enough curiosity about the experiences of others to make this forum worthwhile - but I'm not really sure how we might be "encouraged to thrive as a group." There are so few of us in some ways we're like the last Native American, except we don't quite have centuries of history to fall back on - unless we adopted the Central Asian identity and all moved there, since there are some populations there that I guess are technically "Eurasian" in the geographic, cultural, and genetic sense.

Social class cannot be the basis of any identity considering social hierarchy exist in all other racial groups. Regarding nationality and our differing cultural baggage, I think our situation is similar to diaspora, we don't necessarily hold the same nationality nor have an analogous local education/culture yet we're part of a greater ensemble.

Finally like you said, EA are an ethnically heterogenous group thus the problem of defining us as a different ethnic, nevertheless I hear that in Hawaii, mixed-race is officially considered as a distinct group because we're different in some ways no one can deny even if we're not recognized as one by traditional standards. My opinion is that Eurasians share several characteristics with the Latinos and the Jews, the former due to the fact they are originally the results of Whites, Natives and Blacks intermarrying and the latter for migrating thus being scattered across the planet yet retaining their unique identity which is not only binded by religion contrary to what many people believe, they definitely are a distinct genetical/cultural group.

What is your definition of Eurasian? I doubt you never felt alienated by being imposed a different dominant culture and for being able to foster your particular identity outside the private sphere (mainly home).