Every once in a while, we get e-mail asking us to discuss particular subjects. In this case, an article last month from The Seattle Weekly:
Thought I’d share this slap in the face to my local Asian Community, here in Seattle: Seattle’s Ragin’ Asians.
The author is a complete hypocrite, when it comes to binge drinking and being generally irresponsible, even while on assignment for her publication. I’m sending this to you both because I’m outraged and because I’m a reader and fan of your publication. If we Asians who are connected in the media world can work together to rebuke ignorant authors like this, that would be a service to our fellow Asians.
To which, the following exchange occurs.
Ernie: Personally, I’m not that outraged, but whatevs.
Joz: I just don’t understand why this is hypocritical. The author is a little condescending, but other than that she’s really not casting judgement on the “ragin’ Asians.” So what if the author got drunk while on assignment? She’s the stupid one for including it in her story.
John: Of course we should be outraged – this is showing that Asians can be those who aren’t the model minority, didn’t go to a four-year Ivy League level university and shows them drinking like there’s no tomorrow.
Christine: Sound the alarms, Asians partying and drinking till they throw up — the outrage! Next thing we’ll find out is they have sex! With each other! Someone tell me what he’s outraged about. Or is he feeling responsible for them? I don’t get it.
Ben: Being from Seattle, I can say that…. UHHH… hello? Seattle Weekly? That’s the alternative paper anyways. It’s not like it’s coming from the Seattle Times. And what… Asians don’t party? I dunno about that whole sex thing, Christine. It’s SO TABOO.
Yan: I’ve been to Venom once. Ironically, I know the promotional team for a club that has dubbed itself the “anti-Venom” in Seattle. I’m only offended that these partying Asians are treated as such a peculiar topic.
Jeff: I was going to clubs like this in San Francisco 20 years ago. I do like to irritate my daughter with stories like this. “Let me tell you about when I used to go to clubs…” “You at a club? Eww! Dad, stop!”
Moye: I’m personally outraged that someone got paid to write 4 pages about Asian people who like to go clubbing and drink.
As to why I think the person who sent that e-mail was offended, I’m not really sure. Does it paint Asian Americans as an all-inclusive melting pot of diversity? Hell no. But we’re talking about going clubbing, not going to some Asian American awareness workshop or HR seminar, and it’s not like some Better Luck Tomorrow shit is going on and they’re off to endanger lives. Just because I’m too old to roll with a crew and watch my friends throw up on their Banana Republic pants on expensive soju drinks, what gives me the right to judge someone writing about it? Or am I just being an insensitive asshole?
(Flickr photo credit: joeltelling)
