Edited by author 01-23-2002 01:03 AM
I've thought about racism and bigotry a lot throughout my life. I've grown up as an Asian in predominantly Caucasian areas of the US and I've also spent several years in South Africa. Although it was rarely in my face, I came across my fair share of piercing stares and "ching chong changs" hollered my way. However. I have never seen bigotry like Korean bigotry. My own relatives scare me when I see how virulent their fear of other races is. When my grandfather found out I was dating (I talk to him once every 5 years maybe, so he would have never known, but as I was saying my obligatory hellos, he tried to make me meet some guy he thought would make me a fine husband so I told him I was dating someone) the first thing he asked was "Is he black?" And being incredibly cheeky, I asked him why it mattered. But then I relented and told him not to worry, that my boyfriend was white. Then came the kicker: "How white?" Whaaat?? I hung up on him.