Fobs Vs Twinkies Summary

“FOBs” vs. “Twinkies”: The New Discrimination is Intraracial What role does skin color play in the discrimination exercised within a minority community? What role do different geographical origins, different levels/kinds of education, or other factors play? Apparently, it plays a big role towards Asians and Americans. We are often judge by the way we speak, the way we dress, and occupation. FOBs are known for a person that hasn’t been in the United States for a long time or doesn’t speak English fluently. “FOBs vs. “Twinkies”: The New Discrimination Is Intraracial is an article written by an Asian American author, Grace Hsiang. This article summarizes about aspects of Asian culture are divided into two groups. One group is attached
Most readers out there could relate to Hsiang’s situation as an American who gets treated like a foreigner. In the beginning of Hsiang’s article, in her sociology class, the teacher asked the students to volunteer their own experiences with racism or ethnic harassment (p.306). She imagined that the battle would be between white vs. minority, but to her surprise, most of the students told of being discriminated against were by members of their own race. Hsiang also stated, “People act disappointed that I can’t speak Japanese fluently,” a student of Mexican and Japanese ancestry in my sociology class complained this morning. “I don’t see anyone giving me credit for speaking fluent Gaelic” (p.307). This quote is from someone with mixed background and can appeal to people of mixed backgrounds who feel pressured to stick with their culture to keep up with people’s expectations. This quote also direct towards other people who do not have identity issues, explaining how it feels to be misidentified. Hsiang brought the attention by saying, “Asian Americans grow up experiencing enough difficulties living in a predominantly white country with the face of a foreigner” (p.307). Hsiang’s saying tells us that she is appealing to her audience that is not of mixed background, people that have never had identity
She sounds convincing when she gives nicknames that were given in the Asian community from outsiders such as “Chink” for Chinese or “Jap” for Japanese (p. 306). The younger people may be more familiar with these names and it is possible that some of the audience have used these nicknames before towards Asian people. Hsiang stated, “I’ve heard ethnocentric Asians speak with disgust about Asians who wear Abercrombie and Fitch (which is viewed as the ultimate “white” brand), or make fun of those who don’t know their parents’ language (p. 307). This allusion shows a modern example through the usage of a popular and current clothing brand name. Lots of people know about Abercrombie and Fitch so the audience can feel the level of disgust ethnocentric Asians have for the brand and American culture. Another reference uses comes from the movie Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, starring an Asian and Indian actor. The many racial stereotype references to Asian Americans and Indian Americans make this film and appropriate reference. Harold, an Asian character, complains about a girl who is pursing him despite his lack of interest: She “rambles on about her East Asian Students Club or whatever. Then I have to actually pretend that I give a s—t or she calls me a Twinkie…yellow on the outside, white on the inside” (p.307). This quote presents the nickname “Twinkie,” which is used in the