Enter “Asian people” in the Google Images search bar and results will mostly show you people with slanted eyes and fair skin. Type “Asians” and you receive almost the same results. And when you watch a Western movie with Asians in it, the typical Asian you’ll most likely see is an Asian with characteristics most likely found from East Asia.
Though, representing East Asians isn’t a bad thing, focusing only on East Asians can have a harmful effect on the view of other Nations towards Asia and its population as a whole. Asia is usually painted as the continent with cherry blossoms, skyscrapers and temples dedicated to Buddha. Asians are viewed as slender people with sleek black hair with personalities that are either a cold attitude or a cheery but shy disposition. Of course, both stereotypes are presented as incredibly smart and you’d think that would flatter us but not really, But it actually doesn’t.
Asia consists of forty-eight countries some which are Vietnam, China, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand, Kazakhstan and etc. East Asia only accounts for the 1 billion people who lives in the 4 billion populace of Asia. And amongst the 4 billion Asians who exist, there are girls who are plus-sized and boys who can unfortunately be douchebags; there are Asians who are talented and skillful in their area of expertise; there are Asians who wear hijabs and have dark skin; there are Asians who climbed the corporate ladder and are successful; there are Asians who fail classes and there are Asians who have a cheery disposition in life but feels down, once in awhile; there are Asians who are cold, stoic and uptight but lets themselves have fun sometimes.
These views of Asians should not continue. Asians don’t just come from China, Japan and North and South Korea. Asians are not just the stereotypes presented to you on the big screen or on your Netflix shows. Asia is a huge continent that consists of countries with different cultures and people. You cannot just fit Asia into one category because that’s not possible. Asia is simply too diverse to do that.
So before you describe an Asian, remember Asians don’t just belong to East Asia nor are they extremely smart. Asians are people. Individuals who are all unique in a way.
So please, stop stereotyping Asians. Stop being ignorant towards us.
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