Asian American Stereotypes

Most people associate many stereotypes with Asian Americans. However, these stereotypes do not define what an Asian American is. For example, when most people look at me, they are surprised because stereotypically, Asians have small eyes and small noses. However, I do not have those features but I am still considered Asian. My definition of an Asian American is someone who has parents that came from Asia and immigrated to America. To identify as an Asian American, they must be of Asian descent and have been exposed to American and Asian culture. Although an Asian American has to be of Asian descent, Asian American literature is not the same; Asian American literature does not have to be written by Asians or about Asian heritage or ideas. Asian American literature is a way for …show more content…
Asian American literature can also relates to Asian American culture or experiences. In “On Asian/Pacific Islander American Stories and Why We Need More of Them” by Karissa Chen, she states “… APIA literature should not be defined only by these [APIA experiences] stories… Let us be defined by the writers we are rather than by the stories we’re supposed to write… let us define ourselves"(3). Here, Chen acknowledges that Asian American literature can be about Asian American experiences. However, she feels that there’s much more to Asian American literature than these experiences. Chen believes that true Asian American literature allows Asian Americans to define and express themselves. I agree with Chen because I feel that Asian American literature should not be restricted to only their experiences. I