A hick, not a hyphen

I enjoy meeting new people. But after a little while I get asked the inevitable question, "What nationality are you?" or "Where are you from?" So for all those whom I'll meet in the future, I'll give you an answer now.

I'm American. Not Asian. Not Asian-American. Just a plain, apple-pie-eating, baseball-watching American. As for where I'm from, that would be Monroe, La.. That's right. I was born in the heart of the Deep South and I'm damn proud of it.

Of course, growing up with Chinese parents, I've definitely picked up traits that are distinctly Chinese, as well as a good dose of Chinese history. Overall, I'm glad to have Chinese blood. It makes me who I am. But ultimately, China is a foreign country to me. No matter how often I visit China, the United States is my home.

So I really don't appreciate being hyphenated as "Asian-American" or labeled "Asian." I'm not from Asia, folks. People too often assume that those of us who look Asian are all alike. I regularly have to dispel peoples' notions about me. For instance, just the other day I surprised someone by revealing that I don't really like anime. Whether you think I watch Japanese television or not isn't a big deal, but stereotypes are.

That's why I don't think of myself as a member of a minority -- there are too many connotations attached. I find the concept of minority somewhat divisive, because it tends to create an our-people-your-people mentality. America has been made a great nation by people from all over, but only when we have united.

For me, skin color makes about as little difference as hair color or eye color. It's okay to have preferences when it comes to the opposite sex, but in all other circumstances it really shouldn't matter.

As such, I see little reason why we should identify with people of our own race more than people of other races. Yes, there happens to be a disproportionately small number of Asian entertainers and athletes. But, no, I don't feel underrepresented. And I honestly don't think I'd have much more in common with Dat Nguyen than I would with Tedy Bruschi just because Nguyen has Asian roots.

I understand that racial unity was important for minority groups in the past because of segregation. But I am of a generation born in an America where we've managed to lay Jim Crow to rest, and I'd like to be thought of as a "typical" American rather than a member of a certain category.

What is the "typical" American? Let's say you meet a nice fellow named John Schmidt. Would you think of him as European-American? Probably not, despite the fact that his surname is undeniably German. Most people wouldn't prompt John to say something in German, ask him if he eats a lot of bratwurst at home or assume certain characteristics about his family. John is simply "American."

If we could take our attitude toward John and apply it to every American we meet, then we'd be better off as a society. At the very least, we could get rid of those annoying "optional" questions that ask you about your ethnic background.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's important to know and understand my heritage. Like everyone else, however, I don't want to be defined by it. We've been taught to "celebrate diversity," but too often we fail to realize that diversity does not need to be "celebrated." It will take care of itself if we all just let it be.

I'll leave you with this thought: On TV news you'll often hear pundits ask, "Is the country ready for a minority president?" The answer is no. We'll be ready the day we don't need to ask that question.