Saturday, February 21, 2009

Crouching Tiger, HIdden Dragon



So the other day I was on a message board (don't act like you don't go to message boards. You're reading this random chick's blog, so I know you get around on the internet,) and a woman made a comment that irked me. She was talking about how she was going to have a day of pampering, which included getting her nails done. She was very excited and she exclaimed, "It's going to be a really nice manicure, not on from one of those ghetto Asian places!"


Yippee!


I'm glad to see that ghetto is now not only derogatory for blacks and Jews, but Asians too. We really are moving forward in this country.


Once again we have an example of something that is non-white being synonymous with bad, substandard, run-down etc. Now, it is quite possible that this woman has been to some crappily run nail salons, and that those crappy nail salons have been run by Asian people. but to use the words "ghetto" and "Asian" in such a way that implies they are essentially one and the same is dangerous. She's associating them in her own mind, and in the mind of the readers of her post. It is statements like this that produce results we might not like to see on this test.


Now some people might think I'm overreacting, but I really don't think I am. This woman is most likely very nice, and probably treats most people she encounters (even the Asian ones,) with respect. She wasn't intending to hurt anyone's feelings, and probably made the statement without even giving it a second thought.


And that, my friends, is exactly the problem.

2 comments:

  1. Coudn't agree more. The problem here is that reading the world and the people around with stereotypes is so much easier and instantly gratifying, while getting to know each person in front of you requires some time in wich you can't do nothing but realize you (still) don't know who you're dealing with. That said, with my friends I always joke with stereotypes applying to them and to me.

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  2. Anonymous4:17 PM

    I totally got my nails done at a very nice upscale "asian place" this weekend. It is the only place I go.

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