A Strange Moment Involving Race, at the Grocery Store
Walking in the grocery store today, I did a double-take when I saw an Asian guy wearing a “Virginia Tech” hoodie.
I don’t know if he actually went to VT, or whether he wore that deliberately for the effect it would have. I just know that moments after the double-take, I felt a bit weird for having such an awkward pause. It sorta felt like I had racially profiled someone in the Nabisco aisle.
Add to the mix that I’m Asian myself, and it just gets a bit weirder.
I’m Asian myself, and strangely I know how that feels. Most of the time being around non-Asian Americans, you forget that you look Asian. I first noticed my race when I was fighting with a boy in class and was called “flat-face!” I was so frustrated and when I went home and looked in the mirror, I was devestated to realize that I WAS indeed flat-faced… Even as an adult, sometimes it takes me a moment to remember, and THAT is my awkward pause.In my first Dr.Suess “My book About Me”, I am blond with blue eyes. :)
imusay (January 9, 2009 at 5:42 pm)I’m finding an odd comfort and symmetry in being Asian, feeling bad about stereotyping another Asian, and being re-assured by yet another Asian about the whole thing.Thanks, imusay!
avoision (January 11, 2009 at 11:49 pm)