slanted eyes Archives - The Race Card Project

Yes, I am Filipino, not Chinese.

September 9, 2016 Asian, assume, Caroline Galvez, Chineese, decent, Filipinos, ignorant, karate, slanted eyes, stereotype, USA

Caroline Galvez,
USA.

Growing up, I always knew that I was of Asian descent because I am Filipino. For some reason, everyone I met who was non-Asian assumed that I was Chinese just because I had the slanted-like eyes as how many Asians do. I noticed that many people who see an Asian person immediately assume they’re Chinese and I guess it’s because it’s the most “well-known” Asian descent out there. It was pretty difficult to explain every single time to someone who thought I was Chinese that I was actually Filipino, a different type of Asian. People would also ask me ignorant things like if I knew karate or if I ate dogs. It just got pretty annoying but all you have to know is that there are different types of Asians and I am the Filipino-Asian.

Not All Asians Speak Chinese, Okay!?

January 2, 2015 Asia, Asian, Austin McGlothlin, Berea, Chinese, CHING-CHONG, Japanese Language, KY, slanted eyes, stereotypes

Austin McGlothlin,
Berea, KY.

I’m an Asian studies major with a concentragtion in Japanese language. I have spent the only year I’ve been in college identifying the cultural differences in Asia that has created stereotypes about all Asians being smart or gifted at musical instruments,etc. But I’ve mostly noticed the fact that no one, even in asian studies classes with me, can tell the difference between asian cultures. Everyone thinks that each country and ethnicity is the same as one another, and they even tend to assume that Asian Americans speak an asian language… well just Chinese. When I tell people I am learning Chinese, I tend to get mocked with the typical “Ching Chong Wong” crap that is supposed to ressemble chinese and doesn’t even acurately mock any other language but Chinese. I’ll even have friends that have known me for years ask me which language I’m learning again because it’s supposedly so similar to chinese that they can’t get it straight. Everyone assumes that they are exactly the same and that both Chinese and Japanese specifically are all there is to Asia and anyone with tan skin and slanted eyes are assumed to be smart, gifted Chinese people. It bothers me.