When you think of the word 'American', what image does this conjure up? Do you think of a blonde hair blue eyed handsome man? Do you think of a Chinese American man? Do you think of a Native American? When people around the world, think of the word, 'American', whom do they see? People around the world learn a lot about the U.S. by watching American movies. People get the look and feel of a country by watching its movies, TV shows and the like. Who is usually the leading man/woman in an American movie? a Chinese man? An African American man? Who usually plays the funny sidekick? The European American man? Who plays the nerd? a Chinese man? the European American man? Who gets the girl? The European American man? The Native American man? The African American man? Who usually plays the villain? The Chinese man? The European American man? The African American man? The Muslim American man? Who usually gets shot in American Westerns in the first half of the 20 century? The European American man? The Native American man? Based on the movies alone, who is the hero? Who is the prototypical American hero, in your opinion? If you answer, European American man, then you answered the question correctly.
If European Americans are perceived as being American, then how are other ethnic non-Englsih speaking groups perceived? Do you think Asian Americans are considered American? Do you think Mexicans are considered American? or the Other? If anybody should have the right to be considered American, I would think that would be the Native Americans. Yet, according to Ovando, Native Americans, even if they have been here many generations are not considered 'American'. Ovando says, "There is a troubling tendency in the US for European Americans to perceive Indigenous minorities as being non-American, even if they have been here for generations" (390)
When a European American is asked, "Where do you come from?" and he answers, "Chicago." That's it. That's the end of that discussion. However, when an Asian American is asked that same question, "Where are you from?" by a stranger, he/she may also say, "Chicago." but for the Asian American, just saying Chicago is not enough. An Asian American would also get the question, "No, where are you really from?" implying that the Asian American is not American enough and needs to qualify his reply with "My parents or my ancestors are from China." Why should Asian Americans be treated any differently than the European American? Why does it matter where his ancestors came from, Chicago should be fine as the answer. I mean American is American right? Why should the Asian be considered foreign? exotic? even if he/she has been here for generations? Ask yourself if Asian Americans are seen as the Other, do you think it was not too hard for people to blame Asian Americans for the 'Wuhan virus'? What other examples of xenophobia can you find in US history?
You can also tell your story about what it is to be an American on The American Portrait website by PBS or you can read about how others describe what it is like for them to be an American:
https://www.pbs.org/american-portrait/
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