7 Things NEVER to Say to Asian-American Executives

Jae Requiro remembers her friend’s story vividly: Following a meeting in which her friend was the only Asian-American woman, a male colleague said to her, “You’re not at all like my Asian wife … you speak up.”

— Diversity Inc.

Glenda posted this on her blog and to me, this is a good primer for those of you who think there is such a thing as positive stereotypes. Some of my favorites from this article:

• “You’re not a minority because all Asians are rich and successful.”
• “Where are you from? No, where are you really from?” or “When are you going to go home?” or “How often do you go home?”
• “You aren’t like them” or “You don’t act very Asian.”

Read the whole thing.

Lois Lane

via Video Bathroom

It’s ethnic or something.

Check out this drivel posted recently about a Filipino named street in a part of SF’s South of Market District:

Hey, did you know that we have a Lapu Lapu Street? It’s true! Between 3rd and 4th on Harrison. What a crazy name! It’s ethnic or something. (Also: is that a little hedge maze a block north of it? That seems pretty.)

Fortunately, the commenters sorta set the record straight. But as any resident of just a few years (who pays attention) knows: that part of SF is known as Little Manila, thus providing the basis for such an “ethnic” name. Seriously, when did a city known for its diversity get so full of casually racist white yuppie transplant douchebags?