To standardize, pigeonhole, typecast, or even categorize is, in essence, to stereotype. However, in the context of 20th century American society, the vernacular and semantic definition of “stereotyping” alludes primarily to the conflict of misunderstanding and misperceiving general conceptions about race and ethnicity. To detail even further, the contemporary and technical definition of “stereotyping” can be interpreted as such: the act of labeling a character trait about a racial, ethnic, gender or sexually oriented group without the reassurance that an error or discrepancy may occur. What a stereotype is, what it alludes to, and how it is socially defined by society is all part of the invariably changing conceptions of the American identity. The identity of peoples dwelling in America has long been misperceived as the residence of primordial white universitality, which, for Asian Americans, has consequently originated a racist myth that is still viable in American popular culture.

The most dominant and reoccurring stereotype in the history of Asian Pacific Americans is the correlation between “sojourners” and “settlers.” When European immigrants traveled across the Atlantic, they became “settlers” and later naturalized American citizens. When Asian immigrants voyaged across the Pacific, they were refused naturalization rights and confronted several federal laws banning the immigration of Chinese, Filipino and Japanese natives; thus, they became stereotypically identified as “sojourners.” The congruous struggle for Asian Americans, even to this day, has been to omit, destroy, and deconstruct the stereotypical identity of Asian Americans as foreigners, aliens and strangers who don’t belong. This stereotype was reinforced and embedded by the exploitation and racist representation of Asian Americans in the mass media…for example: the exotic dragon lady, the outlandish and diabolical Fu-Man Chu, the desexed Charlie Chan who quotes pseudo-Confucian anecdotes. These images are all part of the “Mystical East” motif in which all things originating from Asia become exoticized, extrinsic, and foreign. It is for this reason, that Asian Americans continue in their attempts to validate their identity as Americans rather than foreigners, as “settlers” rather than “sojourners.”

The stereotype of Asian Americans and other ethnic minorities in the Untied States has been the topic of mainstream debate since the late 1950′s. When combatting the stereotypes of Asian Americans, one must reconceptualize the definition of the American identity. The American identity and its direct correlation to diversity is often overlooked, because one forgets that America’s culture and history does not root from a single source. By realizing that the United States has always been a multiracial and multiethnic society, one can begin to conceptualize the richness of America’s past and the legacies that it tells, not only about Asian Americans but also about other ethniticites. Once this basic idea is understood, citizens will forge a new “All-American” identity.

In an effort to bring Chinese culture to IU, the IU Friendship Association of Chinese Student and Scholars organized the Chinese Coffee Hour Friday at the IU International Center.

From Chinese chamber music to Kong Fu-TaiChi to Chinese Folk Dance, the Chinese Coffee Hour brought China’s culture and traditions to around 200 IU students and faculty members.

“The Chinese Coffee Hour gives us a chance to present ourselves to IU,S said graduate student Yuan Shu, vice president of IUFACSS. “Hopefully (the Chinese Coffee Hour) will help tear down the stereotypes.”

Yan Kai, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, was at the Chinese Coffee Hour to present various pictures of the technology, athletics and surrounding of the Chinese People.

“People need to understand our culture and beauty of the Chinese people,” Kai said.

The hour began with a slide show and lecture describing China’s past, present and future. Yuan presented slides from the Great Wall and Tiannmen Square and the Temple of Heaven.

Following the slide show, Chinese traditional chamber music and folk songs were played, complementing China’s musical history.

“The Chinese Coffee Hour is a good opportunity for IU students,” Sue Tuohy, faculty adviser for IUFACSS said. “It not only introduces Chinese music and performing arts, but it also produces an intimate setting for conversations and learning.”

The Chinese Coffee Hour ended with a taste of China prepared by IU students and their families.

“We found that IU students know very little about our culture,” said graduate student Ling Ling Liang, president of IUFACSS. “Our hope is that programs like the Chinese Coffee Hour will help IU students better understand our culture and Asian cultures.”

IUFACSS is a registered, nonprofit student organization for mainland Chinese students and scholars at IU. Its membership has been growing steadily to around 350 people. IUFACSS organizes programs or activities to celebrate major traditional Chinese holidays, as well as promote cultural exchanges with other communities.

Jackie Chan is back and more exciting than ever. Just when you settled back into your seat from watching Rumble in the Bronx, along comes Supercop. For those of you who don’t follow Jackie Chan, this movie is one one in a series of Supercop movies. The American release of this movie has all the trademark features in a Jackie Chan movie: the wham-bamn-thank-you maam action scenes, insane stunts (yes Jackie does all of his own stunts), and cheesy dialogue that will make you roll with laughter.

In the movie, Jackie Chan plays a cop named Kevin Chan from Hong Kong. Kevin is sent to China to infiltrate a drug gang. Upon arrival in China, Kevin is dubbed a supercop. Kevin meets the chief of security, who is played by Michelle Khan, and is put through a series of tough guy tests. Kevin is soon sent to help a prisoner escape. The prisoner is the gang leader’s brother and soon with Kevin’s help they escape and is joined by Michelle Khan’s character as Kevin’s sister. Her character “Hanna” is also pretty good at martial arts and starts whipping some serious butt. After some huge explosions and fights, the action becomes even wilder and one particular scene with a helicopter will make you appreciate what Jackie does to please his fans.

Supercop is dubbed over in English but tries to make itself more appealing to Americans by adding a soundtrack that features artists like Warren G. Jackie ChanUs dialogue and gestures will make you laugh hysterically, and for those of you looking for a female action star look no further, Michelle Khan is your woman because she does all her own stunts too. Supercop will not win any Oscars for the best dialogue or acting but none of that matters because Jackie makes the movies entertaining without any of those requirements.

Imagine walking down the street and suddenly being faced with a huge pack of Asian Americans students. If you can imagine this scene, you might have some idea what some 36,000 IU students saw when MASSU took place here in Bloomington in the Spring of 1996.

What is MASSU? It stands for Midwest Asian American Students Union and it hosts a spring conference every year at a chosen college. The conference is designed so that Asian American students can learn more about their heritage, but also have the time of their lives hanging out with friends and going to such events as concerts and ice cream social.

With great speakers and famous acts, IU really provided for the sixth annual MASSU conference. Such people as Frank Chin, a highly controversial Asian American writer, Nobuko Miyamoto, who performs her famous show “Grains of Sand,” which was a multimedia feast for the eyes and ears, and even Star Trek: Voyager’s own Garrett Wang made an appearance. All these speakers and performers held workshops in which students could go to learn more on Asian American topics and culture such as the asian generation gap, asian sexuality, and they even snuck in a workshop on politics.

Wait, MASSU was not without the good times either. There were many fun events to attend such as the ice cream social and the Asian American Bandstand (a concert). But the largest social event by far was the last formal dance, in which students dressed up in their best, ate elegant cuisine, and danced through the night.

MASSU was also not without it’s purposes and truths. Many events were held in order to honor those Asian Americans who had struggled to gain the first Asian American rights and also to honor those who passed on before their time. A candle Light Vigil was held at Showalter fountain to read such exciting and sorrowing points in Asian American heritage. And of course the Solidarity March. This march united all of the Asian American students in an effort to bring attention to our needs and our causes. A huge pack of students marched throughout campus and chanted “Asian united! We’ll never be defeated!!!” There was a power emmited from each and every member as he or she screamed for their needs and concerns.

MASSU 1996 was a big success and it showed in the faces of all participants. Many groups and individuals contributed to the success of this great conference and on behalf of everyone we thank you for the memories.