[Mervyn]

First, Asians in general (and the rest of the world) find lighter skin attractive. Almost every country I’ve been to in Asia has skin lightening products. Facial creams, lotions and soaps that chemically lighten one’s skin. Asians, especially in the tropics, seem to value light skin, unabashedly. It’s not taboo to talk about it. People will comment on how, after being out in the sun uncovered, you’ve gotten darker. That’s because lighter skin has been associated with wealth. Being wealthy meant not working in the fields, and likewise meant not having the dark, leathery, tanned farmer skin. The wealthy stayed comfy indoors. Also, colonists tended to be lighter skinned. You start to see why light skin became desirable. Second, being poor doesn’t mean you can’t be proud or look down on other people. I know a lot of poor people who react to wealthier, more ‘successful’ people with what might be seen as arrogance. Unfortunately, is also has a lot to do with stereotypes formed from media and work. Most South Asians just immigrated here and the media and their work predominantly form their opinions of people. The media, news, etc, we all know about. Immigrant Asians get all their information about black Americans from TV they get overseas. Imagine if all your impressions of blacks were based solely on the movies, Tv and news put out today. Work, well. Let’s just say the jobs aren’t normally glamorous, high-paying, or in the best parts of town. Seeing blacks in this environment just strengthen the stereotypes. Immigrants willfully come to this country hoping to get something good going. When South Asians and other immigrants see people who have been here for a long time not succeed or not even seem to put out the effort, it doesn’t speak well. Doesn’t matter what race the person is. Been here a while? Excuses about not succeeding or moving up ring hollow, especially when you’re an immigrant to came here specifically because of the opportunity to live a better life. It’s like people who’ve been here and grown up with the opportunity have squandered it and have the gall to complain like someone owes them something. The South Asians I know are friendly and fun to be around. Unfortunately, working past the preconceptions is a lifelong thing.

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Name : Mervyn, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Other Pacific Islander, Age : 26, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Law student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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