Anna Sulan Masing, an academic, poet, and journalist, explores the complexities of East and Southeast Asian identity in Britain. She tackles the oversimplification of identities on official documents, revealing the historical roots of 'othering.' Masing delves into the colonial narratives that shape societal perceptions and highlights the importance of diverse storytelling. She critiques racially charged myths, like MSG, and discusses the need for marginalized voices to reclaim their narratives. Throughout, she advocates for joy as a form of resistance in the face of cultural appropriation.
The act of Othering, exemplified by simplified census classifications, reflects deeper societal issues that erase individuality and perpetuate exclusion.
Cultural appropriation misrepresents East and Southeast Asian identities, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining the authenticity of these diverse communities.
Deep dives
The Concept of Othering
Othering is presented as an everyday experience for many individuals, particularly those from East and Southeast Asian backgrounds. The act of categorizing oneself as 'other' in societal contexts, such as census forms, job applications, and doctor's visits, reflects a deeper structural issue whereby these individuals feel the need to conform to societal norms that do not include them. This constant adjustment can lead to microaggressions that manifest subtly in daily interactions, influencing self-perception and behavior. The speaker highlights that this phenomenon is detrimental, as it serves to erase individuality and perpetuate a sense of exclusion.
Language as a Tool of Oppression
Language serves both as an instrument of oppression and a means of resistance, significantly impacting how individuals are perceived in society. The discussion around census classifications exemplifies how labels can oversimplify diverse identities, thereby contributing to systemic erasure and invisibility. By failing to accurately represent the nuances of identity in public documentation, society inadvertently supports structures that neglect the needs of various groups, such as Filipino nurses during the pandemic. This misrepresentation in language fosters a culture where vital support systems are inadequately addressed, leading to detrimental consequences.
Cultural Appropriation and Commodification
Cultural appropriation is critiqued as a simplifying narrative that arises from misconceptions about East and Southeast Asian identities. This commodification enables individuals outside of these cultures to define and claim authority over them based on superficial experiences, such as trying a noodle dish on vacation. The speaker describes how this oversimplification often leads to misrepresentation in media and entertainment, where narratives about these identities are typically constructed around stereotypes, like those found in war films. Such portrayals reinforce harmful tropes that contribute to the marginalization and exoticization of these communities.
Reclaiming Identity Through Joy and Solidarity
The speaker emphasizes the importance of joy and solidarity in resisting narratives that marginalize East and Southeast Asian identities. By creating spaces for collective celebration and fostering communal ties, individuals can reclaim their heritage while also advocating for broader societal change. The significance of community-driven initiatives, such as cooking and gathering together, emerges as a powerful form of resistance against the dominant narratives that seek to erase or exoticize their identities. Ultimately, joy is portrayed as a radical act in the face of adversity, serving both to uplift the community and to foster genuine understanding and connection.
'Chinese and Any Other Asian.' On official documents, a vast range of identities in the East and South East Asian (ESEA) population in the UK is reduced to a single vague checkbox, an act of Othering with a history several centuries in the making. Academic, poet, and journalist Dr Anna Sulan Masing seeks to change the narrative. Exploring the history of the ESEA population in the UK, which spans on the one hand Empire, violence, and appropriation, and on the other, creativity, fusion, and multiplicity, Anna Sulan reveals a multifaceted history. From how the mythos of MSG drew on the language of Victorian media on opium dens, to why we should close the chapter on Miss Saigon for good, Anna Sulan reveals the rising voices reclaiming a stolen narrative.