#asiaboo

{By Emma - @asian-asf}

Hey kids, so previously, we covered ‘what is an Asiaboo?’, and some people probably got unintentionally butthurt, but today we’re covering ‘How to not be an Asiaboo, so take this as your chill pill.

After all, there are (fortunately) ways to be respectful and still enjoy whichever culture you admire.

[DISCLAIMER- I admit most of this is aimed at people who like East Asian culture, but I still tried to make it as inclusive as possible.]

First off, don’t just watch anime or K-dramas. if you’re genuinely interested in an Asian country’s culture and heritage, observe the culture (respectfully of course). The same way not all Brits live lives like in EastEnders, and not all Americans live lives like in Nashville, anime and K-dramas are over exaggerated and fictional. If you want to speak a language, learn the grammar, the structure and the alphabet. Don’t start off with slang. Most people should know that trying to be black and inserting AAVE into our everyday language is not appropriate for us to do, so the same way, don't insert ‘kawaii’ ‘-chan’ ‘-kun’ or ‘gwiyomi’ ‘-chingu’ ‘-oppa/unnie’ into your sentences when you’re first learning a language. Protip- don’t swear in the language either, and I say this because even though it may seem like just a funny word to you, and it makes you look fluent, it is still offensive within the country. And it is not your country, so it is better to refrain from things like swearing.

Second of all, realise that no culture or country is supreme to another, and no country is completely angelic, and bad stuff happened there, and continue to happen. 

Every country has its own history of bad and good, and make sure you read up on it. Inform yourself on the history and politics. You don’t have to be a PhD level expert in say, Chinese politics, but make sure you have enough general knowledge of your chosen country. Of course, as a foreigner you'll be an outsider to all the various political drama, and as a foreigner I couldn’t possibly begin to understand and feel about the India/Palestine conflict the same way natives do.

Remember that as a foreigner, there are things you cannot do. This means local customs and societal things. Just because you are a foreigner, it does not mean you get to do offensive things in Asian culture. You do not get to dismiss customs just because you're a foreigner and think that you’ll get away with it. For example, within Japanese culture, is it commonplace to take off your shoes at the entrance of someone's house and say a polite greeting beforehand. If you, a foreigner were to go in and stomp all over the place in your shoes and not be polite enough to say a greeting, they’ll regard you as rude and they’ll think that you haven't assimilated enough. They probably will tell you that you’re being rude and a complete plank, especially if it’s your first time in Japan in general, but c’mon, after a couple of times going round to other Japanese peoples’ houses, you should be getting the hang of it, and it’s not even difficult. And surprise surprise, but as a foreigner, you’re not gonna be worshipped by Japanese people. Sure, welcomed, but if you’re rude, you’re rude, end of.

Finally, even if you are top level fluent in the language, cultural appropriation is still cultural appropriation. You still don’t get to wear those pastel pink shirts with ‘milk’ written in katakana. You don’t get to do yellowface, you also can’t represent Asian people on their behalf.

!!Don’t speak over actual Asian people. Ever!! 

I got asked a question the other day: ‘How long do I have to live in Japan for until I can consider myself Japanese?’

The answer is, no mater how long you live in Japan for, you just can’t can't can’t consider your ethnicity to be Japanese. My mum has lived in England for over 20 years now, and she’s still regarded as the foreigner she was 20+ years ago. Basic reasons being, you won’t understand the roots of basic festivals, how important they are, (you’ll probably have a very pro-western mentality so you won’t be able to fully understand the relationship between the west and Asia from an Asians perspective), (if you’re an outsider learning Japanese, not growing up there as a foreigner) you won’t have gone to school there, you won’t know the kids games, rhymes, jokes, all things that make up Japanese (and generally Asian) society. Not meaning to discourage you, and if you end up living in Japan at some point in your life, sure you’ll assimilate and become part of society, but you wont have ’experienced’ Japanese life from day 1 of your birth. There will be things you won’t understand like school systems, political stances and parties, you won’t understand the significance of Asian historical events.

Okay now, this post is drawing to a close, BUT before we finish, lets take a moment for two things:

1. Let us hold hands to form a circle and pray for those who think being ‘transracial’ is a thing.

Actually, who am I kidding?! ‘Transracial’ people suck, they don’t exist and those people who think they are ‘transracial’ have a serious case of yellow fever and Asiaboo-itus, and should go cleanse themselves ASAP.

BUT, on a nicer and totally preppy note-

Hey, so I created a new blog. I actually started it for my final English project, but I’m really excited about it.

I’m planning on continuing it even after the project is over.

It’s a review blog for Asian movies, music, and dramas, including TV dramas, web dramas, and variety shows.

I’m taking suggestions for reviews as well.

Please check it out!