tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post5364546587267677306..comments2023-09-12T06:18:38.552-04:00Comments on The World in the Satin Bag: This Post is About Asian Americans (or, I Have No Proper Title)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13571452656553970472noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-16956913738068235312012-09-04T07:32:45.167-04:002012-09-04T07:32:45.167-04:00I'll respond to this later in the evening. Go...I'll respond to this later in the evening. Gotta prep for class :SAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13571452656553970472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-87311731521972075792012-09-04T00:10:13.010-04:002012-09-04T00:10:13.010-04:00For me the big question after reading this post is...For me the big question after reading this post is: what constitutes "ethnic identity"? And is it inclusive or exclusive? And what is the divide between ethnic identity and personal identity by individuals within any given ethnicity?<br /><br />While people can belong to particular ethnic groups, we all really only have our own personally identities to understand in full. Within the larger, broader "ethnic" identity scope I wonder if any of us can claim to know anything about it at all? Can we individually claim to speak for an entire ethnicity? Even in small part? Can anybody?<br /><br />Theoretically, if ethnic identity is inclusive, then even the views of those outside the ethnicity contribute to the total sum ethnic identity, and it's arguably impossible to dismiss any given individual's piece or take on that identity. If ethnic identity is exclusive, then those outside can never access this identity, and it's again arguable that an outsider cannot share an insider's understanding. By definition, no one on the outside of an exclusive group can understand if the identity is indeed exclusive. That's not an excuse for aggressive or racist behavior, but it may be a reality that the "understanding" of this kind of identity has natural limits. I'm not sure an ethnic identity can be translated in words or art, but only by experience. And as individual experience varies based on circumstances, what exactly are we trying to define with an "ethnic identity" anyway?<br /><br />The quote from "Aiieeeee!" mentions that both American and Asian culture defined the "American-Asian" culture in only the most superficial terms. But I'm not sure an ethnic identity bothers with anything beyond the superficial, or rather, the surface level. Beyond the surface, an person's identity becomes personal, not ethnic. Trying to demand an ethnic identity absorb personal experiences, is asking for a definition so broad and wide-ranging it's no longer a definition, but a an infinitely expanding umbrella term.Dave B.http://www.killingthegrizzly.comnoreply@blogger.com