I m not much of a thinker, but the theory of orientalism and the other provoked these thoughts...
So we are " the other". Still, the whites think they are the more superior race in the world. So how should Asian people in this society--America and the western world--obtain our proper status? As an Asian girl, I am perceived as weak and feminime, so are Asian guys; and that is not enrirely true.
I think stereotype itself is not a problem. But once a negative connotation is imposed on it, it becomes a prejudice that affects our lives in pragmatic ways. Again, this is not about the Asian and the white being best friends, it is about cooperating on a fair ground.
This "the other" theory exists to a less extent among the more educated white. They tend to view people from a wealth/social status related angle. In this society, some Asians are well-off economically. But as a group, Asians are not influential politically. To change the situation, the least we can do is doing well economically; but it is still a long way from the core of the problem.
Only when we are wealthy as a group, orientalism can be viewed in a positive way. It is not enough that we drive better cars but when we produce them; it is not enough that we wear designer clothes but when the world is after our designs. These all depends on our science and technology, industries and economy.
