I was pondering about this. Does it seem possible? Or does it seem far-fetched? I’d like to hear your thoughts!
I’ve added a poll to the sidebar (below the categories section) to see your opinions on this and let it run for roughly a week or so in which I will discuss the results. I will also highlight great points that you guys brought up in your comments.
Feel free to discuss on your thoughts about this by commenting. Here’s a question to get those neurons going, what main factor(s) will decide in your outcome?
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February 25, 2008
I don’t think it’s that far-fetched an idea. Look how long we went with only a male white president; this election we’re seeing both a female and a black man running for president. It’s a huge step, and even though I dislike Hilary Clinton, it’s a big step for women. It’s been interesting to see two people step up to the plate against what seems to be considered the norm. There are lots of skeptics out there when it comes to those two, and there are many not keen on having a woman in office, nor a colored person. However, I believe Obama has taken a huge step for not just black people, but for other races that aren’t white. I think due to him stepping up to run for office and seeing how well he’s progressed despite the color of his skin, I think this will open the door to other races running for office.
It might be a good while before we see an Asian in office (look how long it’s taken to have someone of color run), but I don’t believe that it’s impossible. Asians are slowly making their way into Hollywood and while it’s taking Asians longer than other ethnicities, I wouldn’t eliminate them from one day being in office.
February 25, 2008
Good point tiff!:D
Which brings me to another question(which may not make much sense!:P)…America has progressed to the point where there are two potential democratic presidential candidates that are non-white and non-male. If Clinton or Obama were Asian, do you think she/he would have just as much of a chance as their respective counterparts or would being Asian be a major part of the factor?
February 25, 2008
No. I don’t think an Asian-American president will be possible for a long time. Why? Well first of all, we barely make up a significant part of the population. Back in the 1920s a law was passed which limited immigration from Asia, and so consequently there are a lot less of us here. Blacks and Women have their own bases which vote for them, but if an Asian American runs for president, who will vote for him? 12 million people out of 350 million is not going to do much.
There’s also a long-running history of discrimination against us. There are both negative and positive stereotypes. If an Asian American runs for president, he will have twice as many obstacles to deal with, and half as much possibility of being able to cross that cultural divide. The conservatives will call into question his manliness and ability to lead, and probably equate him with a communist or a spy. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone brought up WW2 tensions and threw those into the picture.
There simply aren’t enough of us, and we’re too misunderstood.
C-Squared’s last blog post..Poem #23 - moment of disconnect
February 25, 2008
Well articulated C-Squared.
You brought up some things that haven’t been mentioned, like the history of Asians in America being thrown in the mix, and the “cultural divide”. I agree, an Asian American would have a MUCH smaller base to work with (a number even less than 12 million!). Your closing sentence is definitely something worth noting. There are many misunderstandings and mis-perceptions that severely limit the possibility of an Asian in the Oval office.
February 25, 2008
I agree, too, that an Asian American would have a much smaller base. Obama has a good black voter base and Hilary has a good woman voter base (though I have never supported her because I don’t like her ideals and I’m not fond of the Clintons anyway).
There are a lot of misunderstandings about Asians because society doesn’t try to help people understand. If you notice in history, anything remotely Asian related is ignored; this causes ignorance of the Asian culture and the people. Hardly anyone knows about the wars that happened in Asia and there are a lot of people I’ve spoken to that didn’t even know there WAS a Korean War.
I just find it funny that these are the people that MUST get their hands on Japanese made game systems, eat Asian food, and wear clothing with Asian characters but would be the first to go make fun of us for something silly like a bad accent.
February 26, 2008
hey guys… this is really interesting, but I think the “ignoring” of asians and asian culture lies more in our own history… most asian-americans you see are more exclusive than people of other races - I find thats because most asian-americans are first or second generation. there are very few asians who are truly american with little or no asian cultural influences and because of that we are inherently, sometimes purposefully, sometimes unintentionally outsiders. if you look at blacks, hispanics, or even women their presence in media, politics, etc is a lot more solid, but their history in america goes back much further as well.
I think maybe our generation has the potential to have this large base of supporters… but its maybe more likely in our kids or grandkids generation because there needs to be some time for adjustment and growth.
February 27, 2008
oh definately!!! after this term! asians are brilliant. there are not just 1st generation asians in america anymore. its a possiblility.
March 13, 2008
Asians are inherently clannish, racist and always bragging about how their average incomes beat out the average American’s, or how their kids outperform the rest, or how some classical music performed by one of their own prodigy types was done correctly for the first time, thanks to them. Incidentally, Jews have had a reputation of clannishness and doing well for themselves, but not for being arrogant braggarts, i.e. the kind you find writing for AsianWeek, Arthur Hu being one, or most any of the wiseassed asian blogger/pundits.
Where an asian is a contestant on American Idol, %100 of asian americans voting will vote asian, no matter how deserving the performer really is. Hawaii voting a zillion times
per phone for Jasmine Trias was an example, and one can be sure it is the same this season with Ramiele Malubay. Given the choice, it would be the same with an asian presidential candidate, in contrast to the fact that whites will vote for a black man, abundantly clear with the current campaign. Asians will vote for a black man as long as an asian isn’t running. This type of behavior among asians is no secret, and is a reasonable basis for those suspicions that asians are always pissing and moaning about. They bring it on themselves. They stay foreign because they act it. And they don’t seem to get it or will even say they don’t care. And if they don’t like comments like this, they are prone to censor them just like back in the motherland. The average American will not offer the trust required to elect an asian president for a very very long time.
March 14, 2008
I don’t think there will be an Asian-American president in my lifetime. It’s too soon to tell for my kid’s lifetime. The way I see it, Asian-Americans are stereotypically not the type to be in the public eye. They are more behind the scenes. Asian-Americans have not even fully penetrated the entertainment industry, with TV being the most popular sect. There haven’t been any significant breakthroughs on that forefront and without that Asians will never be what society envisions as the face for America. Also as a middle minority, Asians would not get involved in something as controversial as politics because as a political figure you must always have a firm position. Middle minorities have to toe the line and not make waves. These qualities are inherent in our culture and also how we achieve success.
sister’s last blog post..stupid love
November 5, 2008
i will prove those losers of southern asians wrong (losers). YES definitely possible, but it will be someone of northern asia (northern asians are confident and intelligent). southern asians tend to be small and afraid of challenges. i will run after 8 years and make a new history in america.