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Post by halfbreed on Dec 2, 2006 11:56:06 GMT -5
Lately, a lot of people have been asking me where I'm from. Even though I'm an Australian citizen, I always reply 'Singapore'. I don't know why. To show that I'm Eurasian, I guess. I don't feel Singaporean. But it doesn't exactly make me feel Australian either having all the Aussies asking where I'm from. I don't do anything that suggests I'm a foreigner. No accent, no foreign stationary - nothing. It feels weird being asked. It feels weird responding with Singapore. I always feel like I've 'betrayed' myself afterwards and that people will begin associating me with Singapore - a place I went to at the beginning of the year for the first time in 10 years. A place I could tell you nothing about. I think that now people will think me Singaporean - something I'm not. But also that if I say 'Australia' that they'll think I'm lying. Eh, maybe I should just say 'my mother's stomach'.
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Post by Roam'n on Dec 2, 2006 22:35:53 GMT -5
There's no reason to lie. I'd think the general proximity of Australia makes it a place where many EA's exist. (There seems to be proportionately more of them active on this forum then any other country.) Are you living in a small heterogeneous community?
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Post by daisypukes on Dec 2, 2006 23:26:18 GMT -5
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus.
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thea
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Post by thea on Dec 2, 2006 23:47:15 GMT -5
It really sucks when Eurasians and Asians born and raised in the West get asked by white folks and sometimes by others "Where are you from." If you're born in Australia, the U.S.A and or Canada or any of the South American countries then that is your Nationality. Isn't Nationality supposed to supercede ethnic identity? Is it only white folks in who can just drop their particular ethnicity and just claim Nationality? For example, the many generations removed from Europe-white American mutts who just call themselves " ole plain American." I usually respond with-"I was born here-U.S, but my parents are from the Philippines." I guess non white folks tend to have to justify their existence.
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Post by xriz on Dec 3, 2006 0:17:20 GMT -5
It’s not so much we have a problem with being mixed; it’s other people’s problem. They can't seem to understand we are still American or Australian even though one parent is of Asian heritage. Or more likely they have their own personal problems and you end up on the end of their psychosis not yours.
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╗
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Post by ╗ on Dec 3, 2006 0:52:29 GMT -5
Isn't Nationality supposed to supercede ethnic identity? How so? Well I think this is related to the assumption that "American = White." White people in the U.S. are thought of as "Americans" but Black people are thought of as "African-Americans", Asian people as "Asian-Americans" etc etc. As if Whites are more American than anyone else And some people think ethnicity is the same thing as nationality. It's like: A: "What nationality are you?" B: "American" A: "No, I mean what country are you from?" B: "America" A: "No I mean nationality are your parents?" B: "Americans" A: "No I mean..."
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Post by chinesejewfool on Dec 3, 2006 1:09:45 GMT -5
Just say your ethnic makeup
or just say
I don't know, I'm colorblind, I don't see race (from Colbert Report)
They'll be interested in the first one, and they will laugh at the 2nd line.
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0
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Post by 0 on Dec 3, 2006 19:04:11 GMT -5
It’s not so much we have a problem with being mixed; it’s other people’s problem. That is the essence of why most people are probably here or on any mixed-race board or group. It's being singled out and made aware that we are differant by society around us that makes us see ourselves as mixed. Marginality and "other" are positions determined by the society at large one lives in. If not we'd just be people and think nothing of it.
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Post by friendswithoutcash on Dec 3, 2006 19:38:21 GMT -5
Personally i'm not bothered by it anymore. Sometimes ill just say i came from the North Pole and then they'll laugh and then i'll walk away from them. Even though I'm an Australian citizen, I always reply 'Singapore'. I don't know why. To show that I'm Eurasian, I guess. I don't feel Singaporean. But it doesn't exactly make me feel Australian either having all the Aussies asking where I'm from. I used to suffer from this "problem" too. It wasn't until few years ago when I moved to outback New South Wales that a fellow Aussie pulled me aside and explained that he actually wanted to know what Australian city/area I was originally from, not my "ethnicity". Now when someone asks me that question, I say Perth or Western Australia and that almost always satisfies them. The only problem I encounter nowadays are from Asian FOBs who seem hell-bent on determining my racial make-up. Last week a FOB workmate actually asked me "What are you?" Why is it more of a bigger deal for you that a FOB asks you what you are as opposed to an 'Australian' asking you? The way you worded it, it sounded like you are inclined to be more ticked off if a FOB were to ask you? If it were me, i'd be more happy to answer the FOB as i dont think i would have to need to prove anything. As opposed to some stupid White Australian who would dare to argue that i am not 'Australian' simply because i am not the epitome of some Anglo ideal. I've just gone past the phase where really...I couldn't give a s***. At the end of the day...the dirt on the soles of my shoes mean more to me then some prodding question that is invaluable especially if it comes from some random stranger.
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Post by unidentifiedbitch on Dec 4, 2006 0:21:29 GMT -5
i'm like 1/4 persian 1/4 venezuelan 1/4 malaysian 1/4 japanese.. can it get any worse?
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Post by jefe on Dec 4, 2006 11:49:03 GMT -5
It really sucks when Eurasians and Asians born and raised in the West get asked by white folks and sometimes by others "Where are you from." If you're born in Australia, the U.S.A and or Canada or any of the South American countries then that is your Nationality. Is it better for a Eurasian born and raised in an Asian country and to have native-born citizenship in that country to be asked by others in that country, whether Asian or not, (some of which may not be native born) "Where are you from."? or "When will you go back home."?
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Post by halfbreed on Dec 21, 2006 6:24:21 GMT -5
Omg. I just showed my letter from the PM to this white Aussie guy and he's like: [21:16:23] ev... says: he wouldnt like u if he knew u were asian [21:16:26] ev... says: hahaha
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scott
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Post by scott on Dec 21, 2006 6:32:42 GMT -5
i'm like 1/4 persian 1/4 venezuelan 1/4 malaysian 1/4 japanese.. can it get any worse? No you're not. Ethnicity:Malaysian(NOT MALAY!) England(Daddy's side)
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Post by Phil on Dec 21, 2006 6:33:09 GMT -5
When people ask where I'm from I tell them what city I live in or what neighbourhood although its easy to tell what they really want to know. That way to satisfy their curiosity they have to be more direct and clear. After I answer I make sure to ask them "what are you?" Just to return the favor. Although I ussually dont care. Actually I think people just assume I'm one thing untill they hear my speek german on the phone or something. i'm like 1/4 persian 1/4 venezuelan 1/4 malaysian 1/4 japanese.. can it get any worse? Yes you could be Mauritian too.
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Post by etudes on Dec 21, 2006 6:51:06 GMT -5
^haha ...just me, or do others feel that australia's got the most racist politicians? Anways, back on point... It’s not so much we have a problem with being mixed; it’s other people’s problem. They can't seem to understand we are still American or Australian even though one parent is of Asian heritage. Or more likely they have their own personal problems and you end up on the end of their psychosis not yours. I think xriz's right... it's the other person's problem if they can't understand what you are. For asians... well kinda sucks if you've no association to your asian heritage. I've been living in nz all my life; suck at korean; korean outkast, heya. Whenever someone asks for where I"m from, I feel kinda weird when I say 'I'm south korean', I feel kinda betrayed, like wot jade said, cuz i've no accent or anything (anyone wanna chat? ) kinda gay when people classify all asians as foreigners... oops that should be in yellowworld Other things I say is 'I'm from Edgewater' -my previous school. Overall, I just don't
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