So this weekend,on the way to the Barrio chino(China Town) with friends,We stumbled onto a Japanese festival.We weren't sure of what the festival was for, but we were enticed by the smell of food and music. This was by far the LARGEST population of Asians I have seen in BsAs.I knew there was a small population of Asians,but I was surprised at the turn out.There were rows of vendors selling authentic Japanese clothing, souvenirs,and of course food!I wanted to buy every cute thing I saw but who buys souvenoirs from japan in Buenos Aires?I guess it could have been me but it didn't make any sense. .I think the thing that really threw me off was how they SPEAK SPANISH.It was ignorant of me to assume they speak english and chinese/japanese because thats how it is at home. Everyone spoke nearly perfect Spanish and would casually switch back to Chinese/Japanese when speaking to one another.It was mind blowing for me
I think the most interesting thing I found about the Asian Community here is HOW many stereotypes the Portenos have about them.My friends and I were comparing the things out host families would say. "Chinos are mean" ,"Be careful around those Chinos", "Dont go around those Chinos".Some of the women on the street were asking each other what was going on during a performance.They both concluded that it was just "Chino". Does this remind you of something?Well I'll tell you what it reminds me of,it reminded me of all the stereotypes and ignorant ideologies many Americans have about Latinos. .Think about all the stereotypes and stigmas that you have/or have heard about Latinos or even about another minority group. It's kinda crazy that they have these stereotypes about the Asian community but then again when I think about,it's not.Ignorance is World-Wide.The only way to combat these stereotypes and stigmas is to create cultural understanding.
I think the most interesting thing I found about the Asian Community here is HOW many stereotypes the Portenos have about them.My friends and I were comparing the things out host families would say. "Chinos are mean" ,"Be careful around those Chinos", "Dont go around those Chinos".Some of the women on the street were asking each other what was going on during a performance.They both concluded that it was just "Chino". Does this remind you of something?Well I'll tell you what it reminds me of,it reminded me of all the stereotypes and ignorant ideologies many Americans have about Latinos. .Think about all the stereotypes and stigmas that you have/or have heard about Latinos or even about another minority group. It's kinda crazy that they have these stereotypes about the Asian community but then again when I think about,it's not.Ignorance is World-Wide.The only way to combat these stereotypes and stigmas is to create cultural understanding.