By who's scope are Asian Americans invisible? Yes, in the national discourse on race relations, Asian Americans are often left out of the picture by those defining race, but click around the web a little and you'll find a plethora of Asian American voices speaking loudly and critically about what it means to be marginalized, the intersection of race, gender, and class, and various means of cultural production that challenge the dominant discourse. Ask more than two of your acquaintances and you will likely have a more complete conversation on what it means to be Asian in multicultural America.

Sent by Julienne | 5:43 PM ET | 08-05-2008

here here!
Asian Americans are always overlooked, it's like none of the politicians cared about our opinions. McCain wouldn't have said that gook line if he had the Asian votes in mind.

"...they tend to have a "go along to get along" attitude."

My theory is this. The recent immigrants really don't want to stick out anymore than they already do and many tend to have that attitude. The 2nd/3rd generation Asian Americans thinks quote: "I don't feel like a minority." Many of them have never been discriminated against and are too busy with the day to day things to be an activist.
The in between people are the most vocal ones and you can see example of that in local Asian papers like the Asian Reporter in Portland.

Sent by joe udo | 8:09 PM ET | 08-05-2008

I have often wondered about this also. It's an interesting question. There are so many stereotypes about Asian people and most people who I know are very ignorant about Asian culture in general. It's not necessarily by choice. I moved from Portland, OR to VA 3 years ago and there is less of an Asian culture/influence here and I do miss the diversity. While I was studying the area before I came here, I noticed that it was only about 3% Asian American in the area that I live in and wondered if I would somehow relate to them being the minority the same way I was in Portland. I haven't met many Asian people since I've lived here, (BTW not may Hispanic either to be honest)...but whenever I do, I wonder if they feel like a minority...they seem to just be handling their business.

Sent by Jacqueline | 10:12 PM ET | 08-05-2008

You have just broached a very critical issue of Asian-American representation in US culture, amid the build-up to the Beijing Olympics. Given the divide between the pro-Tibet 'proxy white' West and millions of 'proxy black' angry youth or 'fen qing' rallying against continued western humiliation, the Chinese are the new invisible men. US-China relations are in an inexorable downward spiral every minute race does not get discussed regarding this topic. I appreciate your courage in promoting civil rights for all Chinese against further racism from the West.

Sent by Rick Chan | 12:08 AM ET | 08-06-2008

Correct me if I'm wrong John, but you define yourself (Visible Man) in contrast to the unnamed main character in Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man," an allegorical novel about a unnamed college-educated black man's Kafkaesque journey, not into "the heart of whiteness" (to borrow the jungle trope of postcolonial discourse), but through white *and black* America's social institutions (e.g. a southern black college, a metaphorical Communist Party, a black nationalist group, etc., each with its own cast of characters with their attendant delusions and neuroses) in New York City during a particular era. If I'm reading you correctly, you're saying you're not that guy; you're the *Visible* Man. I can dig it.

The same year that "Invisible Man" appeared (1952), John Steinbeck's novel "East of Eden" was published, a story about California after the Civil War which includes a Chinese character who's had an American college education but nevertheless has to speak in pidgin English in order to be understood by most of the English speakers he comes into contact with. That seems like a metaphor for social invisibility.

I can't help but notice how your Loving cup runneth over for "biracial" (your term) blacks like Barack and Mr. Whitaker, but it's running on half-empty for biracial "Asians" like Krishna Banji (better known as Sir Ben Kingsley). Is that who you had in mind for the new Invisible Man?

Sent by Dave | 7:13 PM ET | 08-06-2008

There is only one race: Homo sapien, human. Skin pigmentation is not an indicator of "race". High pigmentation is a defense against UV radiation where 10,000 years of ancestors lived close to the equator. Lack of pigmentation indicates 10,000 year of living closer to the poles. In many states such as California, those who lack pigmentation or "whites" are now the minority. The current use of the term "race" is myth perpetuated by the Census Bureau and media.

Sent by Scott Kruse | 1:24 PM ET | 08-07-2008

As an Asian American who has lived in this country for over 25 years I have experienced racism throughout my life, some of it blatant, some of it subtle. My parents accepted the racism they experienced and viewed as something they have to live with. Part of the reason I think we are ignored is because many of are "overrepresented" in colleges and universities. There is this perception that because our group (and we are a very diverse community) does not have the problems of many other ethnic groups that we don't experience racism. This is far from true, in alot of ways we have it worse. We are minorities that have very few outlets to express the frustration that we feel because most people (other minority groups included) don't believe we suffer these injustices.

Sent by BB | 2:26 PM ET | 08-08-2008

The low percentage of Asians in the national population has been a hindrance in their consideration for surveys.

This has been a problem for decades and may turn around when the percentage grows to some "magic" threshhold.

According to my cynical scenario (based in part on eyeballing Census projections), that moment will come decades from now. Pollsters, policymakers, and others may decide that there are enough Asians to ensure their inclusion in surveys.

Until then, Asians will remain "unknown" to non-Asians and "unknown" in many ways (health characteristics, social opinions, etc.) to themselves.

Sent by Theo | 4:43 PM ET | 08-08-2008

I'm an angry Asian American female. I hate that Asian Americans are excluded from race discourse in America and hate that so many of my fellow Asian Americans don't seem to care.

I acknowledge that my experience as an Asian American is qualitatively different from that of an African American or Hispanic. However, that shouldn't diminish or invalidate the uniqueness of my own experience as a racial minority in the United States.

Asian Americans have their own set of barriers to being accepted by "American" society. A prime example would be our unshakable image as perpetual foreigners. In World War II, only the Japanese Americans were interned because of white America's inability to perceive them as truly American. German Americans, being white, didn't deal with this level of suspicion. In the '90s, Wen Ho Lee came under heavy suspicion for being a Chinese spy, even though he was an American citizen.... likely due, at least in part, to his perceived foreignness. I often get asked where I'm from, reminding me that people will always perceive me as "not from here." And I wonder - can a group that's perpetually perceived as foreign truly ever be equal in America???

Sent by Grace | 1:18 PM ET | 08-22-2008

Asians are seen through stereotypical lense. We are foreign in an unwelcoming land. I far I am concern I am walking and living on enemy's territory.

Sent by Han | 3:13 AM ET | 09-01-2008