DISQUS

8Asians.com: Obama, at Fundraiser, Pronounces Himself an ‘Honorary AAPI’. Could Obama be the first Asian American president?

  • keepingitreal · 1 year ago
    A smart politician would be an honorary X at whatever X function he/she attends, if he/she can get away with it. Especially if it is a fundraiser!

    Honorary Asian-American? First Asian-American president? Hell no! He attends a black church, he was raised by a single mom, he has no Asian blood, was he forced to learn an instrument? (piano, violin)

    He's a lawyer and politician! How many Asian-American parents want their kids to grow up to be lawyers? not so many. More now...
    How many Asian-Ams have experimented with Cocaine? (Marijuana, yes, cocaine less so)

    Does he understand the different Asian-Am groups?
    The head of his asian-am outreach is Filipina. Which Asian-Am group is the largest? and which are the largest in the states where it might have an effect? I think a better choice would be someone from one of those groups.

    The reality - some of the older Asian-Ams are racist and will see Obama as black.
  • Asianmommy · 1 year ago
    It's nice to hear of a presidential candidate claiming to be an honorary AAPI and addressing a large group of Asian American supporters. I wonder how much Asian American support he'll get when it comes time to vote, and if it'll make a significant difference to his campaign.
  • John · 1 year ago
    Well, there are a few swing states that Asian Americans can make a real difference - like Nevada and Virginia. I am not sure if Asian Americans lean more for Mccain or for Obama in these states.
  • stko · 1 year ago
    To be sure, Obama has had more exposure to Indonesian and Hawaiian culture than most Americans, but to call him the first Asian-American president is pretty far-fetched. I've read his memoir (Dreams from My Father), and his life does not have much in common with the shared experiences of most Asian-Americans I know. Also, I sort of resent him continuing to push his Asian relatives as some sort of evidence that he shares the Asian-American experience. It rings of "But my best friend is Asian!" Obama should stop trying to convince us that he's Asian-American and just speak to what his credentials and policies are.
  • RayU · 1 year ago
    I thought "honorary" titles were bestowed by (well respected) other entities onto a person, not pronouncing it upon oneself. It smacks of ego and claiming credit by association rather than the quality of the personal experience.

    Reminds me of a few (white) adoptive parents who, after adopting a Chinese kid, declare themselves to BE CHINESE. *ugh*