Inaugurating

Obviously, I'm all for this inaugural party thing. Obama has been sworn in, great. I love American politics, it's a lot of fun to follow. The one thing I couldn't help noticing through this year's inauguration is the huge emphasis on blacks. People are excited and happy that a black man has been elected president. I understand this, I really do. But this thought has come up a few times in conversation with friends lately: what about Asians?

Personally, I'm all for doing away with racial labels and becoming the melting pot America has supposedly been all these years. I want to see America forget about race for a change. To not have that thought even enter our minds. But as that day is not yet here, I wonder about the under- and mis-representation of my race.

First, the obvious one: no one is clamoring for a first Hispanic or Asian president. Why is this? Are we not as important as blacks when it comes to minorities? Do they get seniority because they've been around America longer? Because they've suffered more? Oh, wait. We've all suffered. Every country goes through a period of xenophobia. It's almost like a rite of passage.

Possibly even more glaring is culture's focus on whites. How many TV shows or movies feature Asians in key roles? Name some Asian movie stars. Lucy Liu? Ok, who else? Bai Ling? If they're all you can think of, maybe you understand my frustration. On television, you have one Asian couple, on Lost. Granted, we understand their dynamic now, but what did everyone think of Jin at first? My sincere thanks to the writers for utilizing and breaking stereotypes so well. Otherwise, Asians are stereotyped into the ground. And don't you dare tell me Hollywood has never been racist or stereotypical towards Asians. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite movies, but it makes me physically ill to watch Mickey Rooney.

TBC