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Question: Would you consider a blond, English-descended Singaporean "Asian" if that is his or her culture, growing up there their whole life, including their friends, their media, accent, food etc.? Would they consider themselves Asian?
I ask, because I have heard South Africans, of many races, white, black, Asian Indian etc. who have called themselves "African" and are proud to be from the continent of Africa.
Very interesting question. I have known black people from European countries who call themselves European or whatever country they are from. For all intents and purposes, that's what they are so yes, I guess I would from a cultural standpoint. However, this discussion is more about outward racial, or perceived racial appearance and so is on a different level.
It is a good question. Because the concept of Asian can be either 1) cultural 2) ethnic. Asia is not a country so it can't be a nationality.
For eg Asian American. An Asian American is American. American is his nationality while Asian is his ethnicity. Culturally, he can embrace both since American is not an ethnicity (there is no such ethnicity!) and therefore it's not a contradiction.
I think I'd consider your friend Asian, yes.
I think Asian would be a racial category. The ethnicity would be Chinese, Vietnamese etc.
Sorry but they still don't look Chinese to me. I know you have some familiarity with Chinese but it doesn't look like you do with Native Americans. Those people look just like what they are to me, Native Americans.
Take away the facial tattooing and she could be S. Chinese, Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese.
I'm actually rather amazed how SOME native South Americans look so close to Asians. In fact they look more Asian than native North Americans. Might have to do with their migratory history.
When I traveled around Singapore, I met two people for a business meeting.
One was someone of half British, half Chinese ancestry but she looks 95% British. She really does not look Chinese much, I'd hesitate to say she even looked 10% Chinese. She can pass off as a full white person in a bar or restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas. However, she grew up in Singapore where her British father met her Singapore mother. And so she had a Singapore accent and is able to speak Chinese.
The other was an Asian-Australian who was born and raised in Australia. She speaks with an authentic and perfect Australian accent, since she was raised there.
It was a sight. The white looking face speaking in Singapore accent and the Asian face speaking perfect Australian. Side by side. To me. LOL.
Come to the Imperial Valley east of San Diego. You will see 100% Chinese looking people speaking Spanish just like the Mexicans around them.
Many might be surprised to learn Peru has one of the largest Chinese populations in the world, and up to 40% might have part Chinese ancestry. Of course, most are assimilated just like other Peruvians so would speak Spanish.
Take away the facial tattooing and she could be S. Chinese, Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese.
I'm actually rather amazed how SOME native South Americans look so close to Asians. In fact they look more Asian than native North Americans. Might have to do with their migratory history.
This girl could pass for Southeast Asian, more Cambodian or Laotian but not Chinese.
Many might be surprised to learn Peru has one of the largest Chinese populations in the world, and up to 40% might have part Chinese ancestry. Of course, most are assimilated just like other Peruvians so would speak Spanish.
And Japanese. Former Peruvian president Antonio Fujimori was of Japanese decent.
I wonder if the white people in Israel and Siberian Russia are Asian. Just like I wonder if a white South African who comes here becomes an African American.
It's ironic Asia initially referred to Asia Minor, modern day Turkey, yet nowadays most would not call Turks Asians lol.
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