Complexity behind Asian Americans

This weekend's WSJ featured a lengthy article on Asian-Americans (AAs) and touted their success as a model immigrant group like the Jews in the 19th and 20th centuries. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204076204578076613986930932.html). It relies much on the Pew Research Report released this summer touting AAs' achievement in American society, and their values of hard work and emphasis on family. I think the article, like the Pew study, fails to recognize the complex and multi-faceted status of AAs and portrays them as a model minority, even though the article does note several contradictions facing AAs today.

First, many AAs do not fall under this model minority myth. Many of them, for reasons mostly beyond their control, are part of the shrinking middle class battered by the housing crisis and recession or are barely staying afloat. I know of many problems in the AA community that the mainstream media mostly ignores - such as crime and dropout rates among AA youth, continued hostility and discrimination against successful AAs and businesses, and the lack of services for many AA senior citizens. Granted, AAs as a whole are well-off compared to other racial groups, but most AAs still face the same problems as other groups - insecurity about their finances and the economy, unsure about the direction of this country and the welfare of their children. The Pew study and this article should not have perpetuated this model myth and should have acknowledged the complex reality of the AAs in America today.

What I think the article does point out well are two larger problems facing AAs: first, the lack of engagement in the issues and controversies of today, and the contradictions in many AAs between adherence to traditional values and adopting America's values. AAs are well-known for skirting unpopular and controversial issues, mostly for their own good, but I feel that should not be an excuse for passiveness. I think AAs, especially the young, should be more politically active - such as through voting - and engaged with the greater social and economic developments in America today. Sitting on the sidelines has contributed to the marginalization of AAs and their interests in the greater political discourse. Finally, I think many AAs face, either day to day or every once in a while, an identity crisis. Should they follow the traditional values of their forefathers or should they buck the trend and be more American? Can AAs be traditional - in their values of hard work, emphasis on education and family, and respect for others - but still be liberal and adapt to different and changing times? Many, including I, believe the two sides are opposite and culturally incompatible, but who knows - like the Jews of yesteryear, perhaps AAs and their values will be assimilated enough into American culture one day and become part of the mainstream.

An election up for grabs, the downtrodden Red Sox, and Supreme Court balancing in the middle

I watched the first presidential debate in a pub on Wednesday and came away impressed with Mitt Romney. The onus was on him to put in a strong performance and he did in several ways. He showed a sense of urgency about the nation's problems, while showing his compassionate side and ability to understand. He was aggressive throughout and criticized President Obama without appearing solely partisan and obstructionist on every policy issue. Romney also gave some specifics about his policies, which allows wonks to dissect and contrast them against Obama's. Without doubt Obama's insipid performance helped Romney shine, and with Romney scoring the style points, I must wade through both contenders' policies for substance and see what they really want for the nation beyond the rhetoric.

Obama desperately needed Friday's jobs numbers and he got what he wished for. I think it will have a huge impact, especially on those undecided voters who are finalizing their choices right now. The jobs numbers, especially the drop in unemployment below the dreaded 8%, would shore up Obama's appeal and help him maintain an edge in the polls. Underneath though, all the papers and economists suggest that the jobs recovery remains steady but very slow. The two biggest barriers to jobs growth are 1) the fiscal cliff come January and businesses' uncertainty (and hence their reluctance to hire) and 2) ongoing weak demand from emerging economies such as China and recessionary Europe. Obama may be partly responsible for the former, but not the latter.

Onto our national pastime, the Red Sox finally put us fans out of our misery with an absolutely atrocious season. I could not be more disappointed in the team and where it has gone and is going. Much of the blame, I agree, should start at the top with the ownership and front office. The players, too, I emphasize are not blameless. The Red Sox's problems are so deep that they would take many years to fix. I am unsure whether the Fenway Sports Group can turn it around and maintain the support of the fans. For me, the season was a mix of apathy, disgust, bewilderment, and mostly disappointment.

Finally, the high court resumed its term this past week and the cases thus far promise to make this term as interesting as the last. For those who keep track of cases based on ideology, last term's main cases did not turn out to be as conservative as the court's reputation is - mainly helped by Chief Justice Roberts's U-turn in the health care case. We'll see about this term, in which Justice Kennedy will continue to play his role as a swing vote. I will definitely be paying attention to the headline affirmative action case of Fisher v. University of Austin, as well as others to follow, especially if the Court takes up DOMA or Proposition 8.