Press "Enter" to skip to content

The coolest Asian – is there a good stereotype? | Minghui Gao | TEDxTurku


earlier immersed this year a video clip

earlier immersed this year a video clip went viral on the internet when

went viral on the internet when

went viral on the internet when Professor Robert Kelly was on a Skype

Professor Robert Kelly was on a Skype

Professor Robert Kelly was on a Skype live interview with BBC News suddenly

live interview with BBC News suddenly

live interview with BBC News suddenly his kids marched into the room I started

his kids marched into the room I started

his kids marched into the room I started to play with their dad in front of the

to play with their dad in front of the

to play with their dad in front of the camera soon mom rushed in and took the

camera soon mom rushed in and took the

camera soon mom rushed in and took the kids away well mainly in South netizens

kids away well mainly in South netizens

kids away well mainly in South netizens were having a great laugh on this funny

were having a great laugh on this funny

were having a great laugh on this funny moment someone left comments like oh

moment someone left comments like oh

moment someone left comments like oh please let us know where if the nanny

please let us know where if the nanny

please let us know where if the nanny was terminated after this interview or

was terminated after this interview or

was terminated after this interview or born nanny

born nanny

born nanny she’s so going to be fired after this

she’s so going to be fired after this

she’s so going to be fired after this and I can’t stop thinking why did people

and I can’t stop thinking why did people

and I can’t stop thinking why did people just naturally consider the mom a nanny

just naturally consider the mom a nanny

just naturally consider the mom a nanny was it because she looks a little bit

was it because she looks a little bit

was it because she looks a little bit panicking or because of well what she

panicking or because of well what she

panicking or because of well what she was worrying or just because of her

was worrying or just because of her

was worrying or just because of her Asian look well as an asian myself I

Asian look well as an asian myself I

Asian look well as an asian myself I have confronted many awkwardly funny

have confronted many awkwardly funny

have confronted many awkwardly funny moments like this since I went abroad

moments like this since I went abroad

moments like this since I went abroad I remember that help me look all my

I remember that help me look all my

I remember that help me look all my classmates face when we were having a

classmates face when we were having a

classmates face when we were having a very challenging mathematics course well

very challenging mathematics course well

very challenging mathematics course well he didn’t really know me that well back

he didn’t really know me that well back

he didn’t really know me that well back then but just somehow assumed that I

then but just somehow assumed that I

then but just somehow assumed that I must be in the expert on mathematics

must be in the expert on mathematics

must be in the expert on mathematics well or I mean getting an A in

well or I mean getting an A in

well or I mean getting an A in mathematics is well exactly what I do

mathematics is well exactly what I do

mathematics is well exactly what I do you know cuz we’re Asians

you know cuz we’re Asians

you know cuz we’re Asians I also remember that guy I met for the

I also remember that guy I met for the

I also remember that guy I met for the first time said to me e where are you

first time said to me e where are you

first time said to me e where are you from

from

from oh you’re from China Oh

oh you’re from China Oh

oh you’re from China Oh can you cook for me okay well I later

can you cook for me okay well I later

can you cook for me okay well I later realized it was supposed to be a pick-up

realized it was supposed to be a pick-up

realized it was supposed to be a pick-up line right and that finally explains the

line right and that finally explains the

line right and that finally explains the sticky handshake strange thing I didn’t

sticky handshake strange thing I didn’t

sticky handshake strange thing I didn’t occur to him back then that I might know

occur to him back then that I might know

occur to him back then that I might know cool fool as well and I certainly

cool fool as well and I certainly

cool fool as well and I certainly remember that killing question people

remember that killing question people

remember that killing question people just ask me hundreds of times ever since

just ask me hundreds of times ever since

just ask me hundreds of times ever since they know my country of origin really do

they know my country of origin really do

they know my country of origin really do you eat dogs in China as I was sick and

you eat dogs in China as I was sick and

you eat dogs in China as I was sick and tired of such encounters I started to

tired of such encounters I started to

tired of such encounters I started to wonder why and then I realized well this

wonder why and then I realized well this

wonder why and then I realized well this is not only concerning Asian people

is not only concerning Asian people

is not only concerning Asian people people from other places we have to face

people from other places we have to face

people from other places we have to face the similar issues as well for instance

the similar issues as well for instance

the similar issues as well for instance and Spanish people are often asked if

and Spanish people are often asked if

and Spanish people are often asked if they can dance flamenco and I’m sure

they can dance flamenco and I’m sure

they can dance flamenco and I’m sure Finnish people are frustrated by

Finnish people are frustrated by

Finnish people are frustrated by explaining over and over again that well

explaining over and over again that well

explaining over and over again that well not all the Finns are alcoholics you

not all the Finns are alcoholics you

not all the Finns are alcoholics you don’t speak Russian actually and there

don’t speak Russian actually and there

don’t speak Russian actually and there is no polar bears just walking on the

is no polar bears just walking on the

is no polar bears just walking on the streets in Finland

streets in Finland

streets in Finland so imagine why there are there only a

so imagine why there are there only a

so imagine why there are there only a few labels available for people even

few labels available for people even

few labels available for people even though there are billions of inhabitants

though there are billions of inhabitants

though there are billions of inhabitants on planet earth well I thought about it

on planet earth well I thought about it

on planet earth well I thought about it and the first reason I think is as a

and the first reason I think is as a

and the first reason I think is as a product of identity we me and you the US

product of identity we me and you the US

product of identity we me and you the US and Burma the self and the other

and Burma the self and the other

and Burma the self and the other mutually construct see each other and

mutually construct see each other and

mutually construct see each other and are often reduced and solidified

are often reduced and solidified

are often reduced and solidified therefore when there is an encounter but

therefore when there is an encounter but

therefore when there is an encounter but who in the south and the other it is

who in the south and the other it is

who in the south and the other it is somehow natural for us to label each

somehow natural for us to label each

somehow natural for us to label each other

other

other a second reason is these labels are

a second reason is these labels are

a second reason is these labels are simple vivid and easily recognized

simple vivid and easily recognized

simple vivid and easily recognized something like this so instead of

something like this so instead of

something like this so instead of individual personalities we tend to take

individual personalities we tend to take

individual personalities we tend to take a snapshot of people for instance based

a snapshot of people for instance based

a snapshot of people for instance based on their appearance or national

on their appearance or national

on their appearance or national identities and then we label others by

identities and then we label others by

identities and then we label others by using this snapshots which are also

using this snapshots which are also

using this snapshots which are also known as stereotypes when you try to

known as stereotypes when you try to

known as stereotypes when you try to google who are the things this is shown

google who are the things this is shown

google who are the things this is shown on Wikipedia are you actually trying to

on Wikipedia are you actually trying to

on Wikipedia are you actually trying to read the text how lovely of you because

read the text how lovely of you because

read the text how lovely of you because just a very friendly reminder this is

just a very friendly reminder this is

just a very friendly reminder this is only the very first paragraph of the

only the very first paragraph of the

only the very first paragraph of the description so apparently it is quite

description so apparently it is quite

description so apparently it is quite difficult to understand everything

difficult to understand everything

difficult to understand everything within short time no mention to

within short time no mention to

within short time no mention to memorizing them on the contrary when you

memorizing them on the contrary when you

memorizing them on the contrary when you see these images hmm who else can do

see these images hmm who else can do

see these images hmm who else can do possibly remind you of this is probably

possibly remind you of this is probably

possibly remind you of this is probably why these images folk hide the Finnish

why these images folk hide the Finnish

why these images folk hide the Finnish national emojis are launched as by this

national emojis are launched as by this

national emojis are launched as by this is Finland among other problems of Serio

is Finland among other problems of Serio

is Finland among other problems of Serio types one of them is the generalized

types one of them is the generalized

types one of them is the generalized images are let’s say not always up to

images are let’s say not always up to

images are let’s say not always up to date some years ago I was invited to

date some years ago I was invited to

date some years ago I was invited to attend an event as to finish casino

attend an event as to finish casino

attend an event as to finish casino where they wanted to celebrate Chinese

where they wanted to celebrate Chinese

where they wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year just don’t take it wrong well I

New Year just don’t take it wrong well I

New Year just don’t take it wrong well I don’t gamble at all I was just

don’t gamble at all I was just

don’t gamble at all I was just merely curious of well casinos of course

merely curious of well casinos of course

merely curious of well casinos of course and this very event

and this very event

and this very event I mean why and how I finished casino is

I mean why and how I finished casino is

I mean why and how I finished casino is going to celebrate our new year right

going to celebrate our new year right

going to celebrate our new year right thanks what pretty ok at the beginning

thanks what pretty ok at the beginning

thanks what pretty ok at the beginning of my very first trip to a casino I mean

of my very first trip to a casino I mean

of my very first trip to a casino I mean they decorated part of the interior in

they decorated part of the interior in

they decorated part of the interior in them was their traditional Chinese way

them was their traditional Chinese way

them was their traditional Chinese way and prepared tasty Chinese foods

and prepared tasty Chinese foods

and prepared tasty Chinese foods everything was ok but when to finish

everything was ok but when to finish

everything was ok but when to finish waiter showed up everybody froze I see

waiter showed up everybody froze I see

waiter showed up everybody froze I see that every single Chinese guest was

that every single Chinese guest was

that every single Chinese guest was trying to stare at him but try not to do

trying to stare at him but try not to do

trying to stare at him but try not to do that at the same time this is simply

that at the same time this is simply

that at the same time this is simply something one cannot unsee without

something one cannot unsee without

something one cannot unsee without exaggerating anything to wait her back

exaggerating anything to wait her back

exaggerating anything to wait her back then near the casino looks just like

then near the casino looks just like

then near the casino looks just like this he dressed like this wore strange

this he dressed like this wore strange

this he dressed like this wore strange makeup I mean including the moustache

makeup I mean including the moustache

makeup I mean including the moustache and the pixel and he had the similar

and the pixel and he had the similar

and the pixel and he had the similar look just like this well I kind of

look just like this well I kind of

look just like this well I kind of understand the look actually I mean

understand the look actually I mean

understand the look actually I mean anybody who is asked you what dressed

anybody who is asked you what dressed

anybody who is asked you what dressed like this cannot look happy what I

like this cannot look happy what I

like this cannot look happy what I didn’t understand is why why would

didn’t understand is why why would

didn’t understand is why why would anyone want to well we’re ridiculous

anyone want to well we’re ridiculous

anyone want to well we’re ridiculous costume and makeup like this it took me

costume and makeup like this it took me

costume and makeup like this it took me quite a while and then I think I can

quite a while and then I think I can

quite a while and then I think I can only assume that the casino well maybe

only assume that the casino well maybe

only assume that the casino well maybe they wanted to show some hospitality by

they wanted to show some hospitality by

they wanted to show some hospitality by utilizing their limited knowledge about

utilizing their limited knowledge about

utilizing their limited knowledge about China and a typical Chinese image to

China and a typical Chinese image to

China and a typical Chinese image to them will happen to be fool Manchu in

them will happen to be fool Manchu in

them will happen to be fool Manchu in case you don’t know yet he is a Chinese

case you don’t know yet he is a Chinese

case you don’t know yet he is a Chinese version of Professor Moriarty

version of Professor Moriarty

version of Professor Moriarty mr. evil

mr. evil

mr. evil who was actually created almost a

who was actually created almost a

who was actually created almost a hundred years ago by D westeners and

hundred years ago by D westeners and

hundred years ago by D westeners and that night I guess every single Chinese

that night I guess every single Chinese

that night I guess every single Chinese guest just had this question to the

guest just had this question to the

guest just had this question to the casino do we Chinese people

casino do we Chinese people

casino do we Chinese people look like this to you so just like this

look like this to you so just like this

look like this to you so just like this little by little people start to realize

little by little people start to realize

little by little people start to realize well maybe it is not appropriate to

well maybe it is not appropriate to

well maybe it is not appropriate to label others by using negative

label others by using negative

label others by using negative stereotypes especially after they have

stereotypes especially after they have

stereotypes especially after they have experienced this themselves and then you

experienced this themselves and then you

experienced this themselves and then you may ask well then how about the you know

may ask well then how about the you know

may ask well then how about the you know the positive stereotypes the good ones

the positive stereotypes the good ones

the positive stereotypes the good ones well here is one example one day I was

well here is one example one day I was

well here is one example one day I was having a discussion with my friends on

having a discussion with my friends on

having a discussion with my friends on how cultural differences may give an

how cultural differences may give an

how cultural differences may give an impact on a relationships and then a

impact on a relationships and then a

impact on a relationships and then a Nigerian guy complained that well people

Nigerian guy complained that well people

Nigerian guy complained that well people here always see him as a sex machine and

here always see him as a sex machine and

here always see him as a sex machine and then everybody in the room was laughing

then everybody in the room was laughing

then everybody in the room was laughing and another guy just asked him dude

and another guy just asked him dude

and another guy just asked him dude isn’t it a good thing you’re saying this

isn’t it a good thing you’re saying this

isn’t it a good thing you’re saying this as if it is sweet burden to you or

as if it is sweet burden to you or

as if it is sweet burden to you or something and then the Nigerian guy

something and then the Nigerian guy

something and then the Nigerian guy answered disappointedly no not really

answered disappointedly no not really

answered disappointedly no not really I would rather want people to know more

I would rather want people to know more

I would rather want people to know more about me another example comes from the

about me another example comes from the

about me another example comes from the 2016 Academy Awards well the house was

2016 Academy Awards well the house was

2016 Academy Awards well the house was complaining about no black people being

complaining about no black people being

complaining about no black people being nominated for an Oscar or something he

nominated for an Oscar or something he

nominated for an Oscar or something he introduced a three Asian kids who were

introduced a three Asian kids who were

introduced a three Asian kids who were according to him the most dedicated

according to him the most dedicated

according to him the most dedicated accurate and hard-working

accurate and hard-working

accurate and hard-working representatives from an accounting

representatives from an accounting

representatives from an accounting company and then he added

company and then he added

company and then he added it’s okay well if anyone’s upset about

it’s okay well if anyone’s upset about

it’s okay well if anyone’s upset about that joke just tweet about it on your

that joke just tweet about it on your

that joke just tweet about it on your phone which was also made by these kids

many people were upset because Asian

many people were upset because Asian people nearly became a stereotype of

people nearly became a stereotype of

people nearly became a stereotype of smartness and a reference to child labor

these examples just show that it is not

these examples just show that it is not always a pleasant feeling to be

always a pleasant feeling to be

always a pleasant feeling to be generalized even sometimes it seems like

generalized even sometimes it seems like

generalized even sometimes it seems like you’re given a positive image because

you’re given a positive image because

you’re given a positive image because for safa this is not you the so-called

for safa this is not you the so-called

for safa this is not you the so-called positive third type they still

positive third type they still

positive third type they still generalize you and they’re still

generalize you and they’re still

generalize you and they’re still characteristics people imagine about you

characteristics people imagine about you

characteristics people imagine about you and usually when people look at you in a

and usually when people look at you in a

and usually when people look at you in a stereotypical way they tend to lose the

stereotypical way they tend to lose the

stereotypical way they tend to lose the interest on finding out who you really

interest on finding out who you really

interest on finding out who you really are and once they realize you’re

are and once they realize you’re

are and once they realize you’re different from their imagination people

different from their imagination people

different from their imagination people would always say well you’re not like

would always say well you’re not like

would always say well you’re not like your typical Chinese I’m finished and

your typical Chinese I’m finished and

your typical Chinese I’m finished and they get really disappointed therefore

they get really disappointed therefore

they get really disappointed therefore even though the Finnish national emojis

even though the Finnish national emojis

even though the Finnish national emojis are really adorable just imagine what

are really adorable just imagine what

are really adorable just imagine what kind of a message they might send to

kind of a message they might send to

kind of a message they might send to people when you see while these the

people when you see while these the

people when you see while these the images the Finnish love a finished

images the Finnish love a finished

images the Finnish love a finished famous bus stop and my personal favorite

famous bus stop and my personal favorite

famous bus stop and my personal favorite the Finnish way of happiness secondly

the Finnish way of happiness secondly

the Finnish way of happiness secondly positive fear types are still a showcase

positive fear types are still a showcase

positive fear types are still a showcase of condescending judgments such as one

of condescending judgments such as one

of condescending judgments such as one of my European friends once told me from

of my European friends once told me from

of my European friends once told me from the bottom of her heart oh you’re like

the bottom of her heart oh you’re like

the bottom of her heart oh you’re like the coolest Asian I’ve ever known I

the coolest Asian I’ve ever known I

the coolest Asian I’ve ever known I think she probably means that

think she probably means that

think she probably means that I’m different from a typical Asian I

I’m different from a typical Asian I

I’m different from a typical Asian I probably am more outgoing than she

probably am more outgoing than she

probably am more outgoing than she expected and I make jokes I speak fluent

expected and I make jokes I speak fluent

expected and I make jokes I speak fluent English I told her I have never eaten a

English I told her I have never eaten a

English I told her I have never eaten a dog in my life and most importantly I

dog in my life and most importantly I

dog in my life and most importantly I don’t take photos 24/7 everywhere as

don’t take photos 24/7 everywhere as

don’t take photos 24/7 everywhere as they imagined in real life people are

they imagined in real life people are

they imagined in real life people are all individuals and are all different

all individuals and are all different

all individuals and are all different meanwhile we’re not that different from

meanwhile we’re not that different from

meanwhile we’re not that different from one another who said only Asian Therese

one another who said only Asian Therese

one another who said only Asian Therese hold the copyright of taking lots of

hold the copyright of taking lots of

hold the copyright of taking lots of photos and it doesn’t matter if the

photos and it doesn’t matter if the

photos and it doesn’t matter if the stereotypes are positive or negative

stereotypes are positive or negative

stereotypes are positive or negative they still reduce people to a feel

they still reduce people to a feel

they still reduce people to a feel simple and the essential characteristics

simple and the essential characteristics

simple and the essential characteristics and symbolically fixed boundaries

and symbolically fixed boundaries

and symbolically fixed boundaries between people so why don’t we just drop

between people so why don’t we just drop

between people so why don’t we just drop the labels and be ourselves there is one

the labels and be ourselves there is one

the labels and be ourselves there is one thing we should always remind ourselves

thing we should always remind ourselves

thing we should always remind ourselves the label you put on others doesn’t even

the label you put on others doesn’t even

the label you put on others doesn’t even show 1% of who they are but a hundred

show 1% of who they are but a hundred

show 1% of who they are but a hundred percent of who you are thank you

percent of who you are thank you

percent of who you are thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *