Asian-American Diversity

In response to “Splintered Society: U.S. Asians,” July 13:

I found the article overblown and quite amusing. I am an American of Japanese descent. Whenever people ask me if I am Japanese, Chinese or Korean, I answer: “No, I am an American!” My answer leaves them perplexed and embarrassed as they grope to clarify the question. Am I offended? Of course not! But I know others would be.

Racial tension and longstanding enmities are not exclusive of Asian-Americans; take a good look around you. Lack of education and ignorance are partly to blame, but a good portion of it can be attributed to self-appointed ethnic spokespersons. They’ve done a very good job of polarizing their groups against others. They hypersensitize their groups to any criticism, real or imagined; they overemphasize ethnic pride, historical oppression, and try to promote their interests at the expense of others.

When people learn to think of themselves as Americans, rid themselves of their “us against them” mentality, and learn to speak and think for themselves, perhaps we can heal our splintered society.

HENRY SAKAIDA

Rosemead