Ethnic Labels

Label is thought to be an easy way to show commonality and mark differences; however, race and identity can be such complex concept that ethnic labels often take on a life of their own. When discussing any specific ethnic group’s experience in the United States, the stigma of labels, oftentimes derived from “stereotypes” and expressed in “derogatory” terms, has long been a part of the minority populace’s stories . To the bystanders, such labels may seem harmless or even funny. To those who live with them, these labels can be reminders of a painful history–the struggle for citizenship, social justice, political participation, and full recognition–that this country has yet to overcome completely.

Caroline Ticarro-Parker – “There’s certain… hot topic, like if someone calls me Oriental, I think ‘I’m not a rug. I’m not Oriental.'”

Caroline Ticarro-Parker Transcription

But, you know, there’s certain, what do you call it… hot topics, like if someone calls me Oriental, I think “I’m not a rug. I’m not Oriental.” Or if someone says I’m Chinese I usually correct them and say “I, I’m actually Vietnamese, Cambodian, French if you really want to know. But I’m not Chinese.” But, yeah, if it’s intentional, certainly I’ll say something. But if it’s because, said out of pure ignorance because they don’t know… then.

Naomi Munggai – “We’re called Asian-American, that-American, Mexican-American, whatever-American. Is that really necessary? … Why do you have to hyphenate that? Why can’t you just say you’re an American?”

Naiomi Munggai Transcription

I’m not even sure I am Oriental because I am from Southeast Asia. So, do you call me Oriental? Where is Oriental? Orient is that way. I will, I will not get mad if somebody called me that. But that is really the, the, the, the issue. Is that, where does Oriental stop and where does it begin? You go from Siberia all the way to Fiji, my bad, maybe not Fiji, New Guinea. Are these all people Oriental? I don’t really know. But I, I don’t mind if somebody called me Oriental. Hey, I’ll accept that. I’ll say “Yeah, OK, just call me anything you want. I, I’m fine with it.” You see the thing is I’m comfortable. I’m comfortable where I came from, I’m comfortable with who I am. You give, you label me anything it doesn’t really bother me. We just had this discussion the other day, with a couple friends. We’re called Asian-American, that-American, Mexican-American, whatever-American. Is that really necessary? I question, my friends, I say like “Why do you have to hyphenate that? Why can’t you just say you’re an American then?” Then you say “Well, but you look…” Well it, it doesn’t matter because that’s what you are. It’s like us, Malaysians, when, when people say “Who are you?” well I guess we do the same thing too, now I think about it. I don’t think that’s very, I don’t think that’s necessary. But I think I understand there’s some people who want to maintain that, you know, “Oh I’m Asian. So, I, you have to call me Asian something. I’m Asian. If you put me something else, then no, no, no, no I don’t want that because I’m Asian. So, it’s probably partly because of us trying to hold onto our identity that that is, that is happening here. But is that necessary? I don’t think so. Do you, do you think it’s necessary? In a hundred years all the things will be gone.

Pei Yang – “If you want people to respect you, you yourself must give them a reason to respect you. You should do something that deserves their respect, do something that merits such esteem.”

Pei Yang Transcription

In the early days, when I came to America, now it’s called “Asian American,” but… it was called… “Oriental,” right, “Oriental.” They all said “Oriental” was degrading; it was bad, whatever, or even insulting. To us, we actually came over here from the “Orient.” It’s basically, this is possibly just a noun, a term. In case you want to say this term has some hidden meanings, oh Oriental not good, or Asian is more respectful. To me… If you want people to respect you, you yourself must give them a reason, so they can respect you. You have to show… you should do something that deserves their respect; do something that merits such esteem.

Ameeta Sony – “I think people have kind of moved away from the word Oriental… I have a feeling it’s not that proper anymore.“

Ameeta Sony Transcription

I find the word Oriental, to me, for me, the word Oriental makes me think more of China, Japan, Korea. I don’t know why, but that’s my thinking. I think people don’t use that as much as maybe before, the past. I think people have kind of moved away from the word Oriental. We still see maybe used in “Oriental Market” or something. I have a feeling it’s not that proper anymore because Asia, it’s more than just those countries that I mentioned. And also, you know, when you talk about Asian you can see that there’s Southeast Asia and then you have South Asia and so many other countries. I don’t think the word Oriental encompasses all those countries. But like, when I introduce myself to people I would say, you know, I’m from Thailand, but of Indian origin. I kind of make it very clear because I think I am Thai, I am Indian, and I am American. So I explain that.