Have you ever hidden your cultural heritage to save face?

A recent study by Pew Research Center found that a considerable number of Asian Americans opt to downplay their cultural heritage to blend in and dodge potential ridicule. 

• Conducted from July 2022 to January 2023, the survey found 20% of Asian American adults deliberately hide their cultural customs, food or attire from non-Asians. 

• A deeper dive reveals U.S.-born children of Asian immigrants, at 32%, and second-generation Asian Americans, at 38%, are notably more likely to exhibit this behavior. 

• A quarter of Korean American adults and 2 in 5 Asian Americans aged 18-29 also admitted to having hidden their heritage. 

• Political leanings and language proficiency also play roles: Higher rates of Democratic-leaning and English-dominant Asian Americans reported having concealed their heritage. 

Respondents often cited embarrassment, misconceptions and the desire to assimilate as reasons behind their choices. Examples below from the study’s participants:

“[It] was kind of that stigma when you were little, a teen, or you were younger that [you] don’t want to speak Chinese … because people would think that you’re a FOB [fresh off the boat] or an immigrant.” – Early 30s man with Chinese immigrant parents

“I remember in elementary school, I don’t even know what my mom brought me, [but] it was some Taiwanese dish. I guess it just had a more pungent smell to it. The kids would just be like, ‘Oh, what is that smell? You guys smell that?’ I would just cover my lid and be like, ‘Okay, I’m not going to eat my lunch.’” – Early 20s woman with Taiwanese immigrant parents

“[I] used to roll as Asian/Hispanic because I was too scared of my identity to say I was Pakistani. I remember 2011 or 2012, when [U.S. special operations forces] killed [al-Qaida leader Osama] bin Laden in Pakistan, after that happened, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m definitely not saying I’m Pakistani,’ because people were coming up to me and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, they killed your uncle. They found him in your homeland.’” – Early 20s man with Pakistani immigrant parents

The Incident: An investigation has been initiated concerning a Seattle Police Department officer caught on camera making callous remarks about the tragic death of a young woman, Jaahnavi Kandula, 23. She was fatally hit by a police car, driven by Officer Kevin Dave, while crossing Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street on Jan. 23. The vehicle was responding to a "high-priority" call.

Controversial footage: The Seattle Police Department released bodycam footage from Daniel Auderer, vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild. In the video, Auderer made various claims, such as the involved officer driving at "50" mph and that it wasn't "reckless for a trained driver." However, follow-up reports found that the officer was speeding at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone, resulting in Kandula being thrown over 100 feet. Further in the video, Auderer, after remarking on Kandula's death, is heard laughing and making comments about her age and her "limited value."

Reactions and responses: An employee, after viewing the video, raised the issue up the chain of command to the police chief's office. Consequently, the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) has taken over the investigation. Auderer, in a statement, clarified his comments, explaining he intended to mock the way lawyers negotiate such tragedies. He acknowledged his comments could be perceived as insensitive. The timeline regarding when Auderer reported himself to the OPA remains uncertain.

Note: Although a GoFundMe was created for Jaahnavi Kandula, it is no longer accepting donations.

In a recent interview with Allure, American actor and singer Vanessa Hudgens voiced her dedication to embracing and publicizing her Filipino heritage. 

• Known for roles that led many to perceive her as Latina, Hudgens is actively shining a spotlight on her Filipino identity. 

• This commitment was evident in her 2023 visit to the Philippines, a transformative journey allowing her to immerse in the nation's culture and values. 

• Brought up in a primarily American environment, Hudgens expressed feelings of disconnect from her Filipino heritage during her younger years. 

• Now, realizing the importance of representation, she aims to be a beacon for others with mixed identities, highlighting the importance of Filipino representation in the media. 

She notes the profound impact of role models like herself and others, including Olivia Rodrigo, on young Filipinas seeking representation in pop culture.’

JohnnySomali injured in altercation after returning to Japan 

Controversial Kick streamer JohnnySomali faced backlash shortly after his return to Japan. 

• He drew criticism for posing against a Rising Sun Flag background in social media posts. 

• In Japan, he approached Meowko, a Twitch streamer, on her livestream, putting her at risk of a platform suspension since he is banned from Twitch. 

• Fortunately, Meowko reached out to Twitch staff to avoid penalties. 

• Additionally, a separate video showed JohnnySomali involved in a physical altercation that resulted in his mouth being bloodied.

This, alongside past controversies, has made him a divisive figure in the streaming community.

A South Korean tourist livestreaming her visit to Hong Kong was molested at a tram stop in the Central area. 

• In a disturbing video clip, a man can be seen making aggressive advances, grabbing and forcibly kissing the streamer. 

• After the incident, she recounted her traumatic experience and showed her resulting bruises on another livestream from Macau. 

• The South Korean consulate is now involved. 

• Hong Kong police acted swiftly, arresting a 46-year-old waiter believed to be the perpetrator, with evidence that included matching clothing. 

The police have acknowledged the public's role in reporting the incident, emphasizing community cooperation in ensuring public safety.

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