Dina Gan

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Asian American Heritage Month
A Magazine
With Dina Gan
editor-in-chief
Thursday, May 3, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month and talk with Dina Gan, editor-in-chief of "aMagazine," the nation's premier and award-winning publication for Asian Americans. aMagazine covers news, entertainment, style, and commentary on local to global activists, newsmakers and celebrities. What stereotypes do Asian Americans face today? How does the public view Asian Americans with the recent tensions between the U.S. and China?

Gan is also a co-author of "Eastern Standard Time: A Guide to Asian Influence on American Culture from Astro Boy to Zen Buddhism" (Houghton Mifflin/Mariner Books, 1997). A graduate of the Johns Hopkins University, she is a native of Baltimore and currently resides in New York City.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Dina Gan: Hi, I'm Dina Gan, editor in chief of aMagazine: Inside Asian America. Welcome to my live discussion! I see that I already have a bunch of questions waiting to be answered, so I will go ahead and start.

Washington, D.C.: Are there many subscribers to A Magazine? How come it's so hard to find them in the bookstore or magazine stand?

Dina Gan: We have about 210,000 subscribers now. It's probably so hard to find it in the bookstore because we sell like hotcakes! The Dec/Jan issue with Zhang Ziyi on the cover was actually up for auction at eBay recently! Seriously, most Borders and Barnes&Nobles carry us, so just ask for it there, or better yet, log on to our new aStore (www.astore.angelpop.com) and subscribe.

Grenada: What is the deal with Crouching Tiger not getting best picture?

Dina Gan: Yeah, that sucked! I don't know what's wrong with those Academy Award people... but it was great to see some Asian faces up there at the podium!

College Park, Md.: Hello Dina,

An Iranian friend of mine checked off the "Asian" box when he applied for a driver's license. Iran is in Asia, after all. But the motor vehicles clerk insisted that he identify himself as "White" instead.

Isn't the term "Asian" too broad to be useful?

Dina Gan: That's really wacky. Sounds like that motor vehicles clerk needs a little lesson in geography and cultural theory... I don't think the term "Asian" is too broad to be useful. Why would it be?

Alexandria, Va.: 1. Where has aonline.com gone? When will it come back? Does this mean that the site/magazine will be completely redesigned?
What is the merger all about? Do you have a new york office?

Also, how would you respond to an article published april 26 2001 in the washington post sighting that 25% of the American population disaprove of Asian Americans?

25% of U.S. View Chinese Americans Negatively, Poll Says

Dina Gan: aOnline.com will be relaunched soon, though these days online content plays don't seem financially worthwhile... I did see that survey. Truth be told, the Committee of 100 office is located on the same floor as the aMagazine offices. We are separate entities though. I am pretty shocked by the poll, although in a way I don't find it that surprising.

Washington, D.C. : With all that has happened in China, where do you think the relations between Asian Americans has been effected?

Dina Gan: Unfortunately, Asian Americans have been affected by the recent strain in US-China relations because some Americans still can't get their minds around the fact that you can be Asian and American or even that you can be Asian and not Chinese. There have been reports of radio talk shows actually encouraging people to boycott Chinese restaurants! I mean, it's totally absurd! Yesterday, I got a fax from the US Commission on Civil Rights decrying such racist incidents, although I'm not sure if they're actually doing anything about them.

New York City, N.Y.: Have you seen the comic run by a political cartoonist Pat Oliphant? Pretty racey.
http://www2.uclick.com/feature/01/04/09/po010409.gif

What is your reaction to the current anti-Chinese sentiment? Have you seen the recent poll of how Americans view the Chineses?

Dina Gan: The Oliphant cartoons trouble me greatly, not only for their content but because mainstream news outlets carry them in syndication. If you find them offensive, like I do, I would suggest writing letters to the newspaper as well as the advertisers. Tell them you will not buy their paper or product, and then do not buy them anymore. As my father always tells me, "Speak with your feet." ... The thing about that poll is that it also showed that Americans cannot, in fact, distinguish between Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans. It showed that, as we suspected, people think Asians all look alike. Interestingly, in that US Commission on Civil Rights statement, they also expressed hope that people do not use the upcoming Pearl Harbor anniversary as an excuse to harm Japanese or Asian Americans. Personally, I cringe whenever I see those retro propaganda posters advertising the new "Pearl Harbor" movie. I think to myself, "Great. Another movie where Asians are the enemy."

Springfield, Mass.: Why not Wen Ho Lee on the cover of aMagazine? Are you afraid of being too political?

Dina Gan: Heck no. We actually considered him for the cover of the Dec 2000/Jan 2001 issue, since he made the No. 1 spot on our annual aList of the 25 most noteworthy Asian Americans of the year. But unfortunately, he was not available for photo shoots at that time. Something about a temporary gag order...

Washington, D.C.: What do you think of the terms "banana" and "twinkie"?

Dina Gan: They make me hungry... actually, it's interesting because I haven't heard those terms in a while. Not since the early '90s, actually. The one I came across recently that I thought was amusing was "whiggie" (white-guy groupie), which is supposed to describe all those Asian women who are supposedly sellouts because they date white guys.

Washington, D.C.: With all due respect, I think you response to the DMV question was a little flip. The fact is that US Federal Statistics are based on a method of reallocation which would do exactly what the DMV clerk did. The fact is that Asian has a very distinct meaning (in terms of it's use in Federal Statistics) and many Middle Eastern groups are classified as White.

Dina Gan: You're right. My apologies if I seemed flip (I am half Filipino after all). But actually, the Asia Society here in New York actually does classify Iran as an Asian country. Other organizations do not. I think there is room for differences in opinion outside the realm of Federal statistics.

Boston, Mass.: You concurred how Iran can be considered part of Asia. Additionally, I assume you would regard India and Pakistan as Asian. Are there plans to feature more South Asians and their profiles/stories in A Magazine?

Dina Gan: Yes. I am always looking for more South Asian stories. Since I came on board here last year, we've made a conscious effort to produce more South Asian content. We been featuring South Asian models more frequently, too. If you have any ideas for people you'd like to see in the pages or on the cover of aMagazine, please feel free to email me at dgan@amediainc.com.

Rockville, Md.: There is rising violence against the Asian community in the Washington, DC area. How can the Asian merchants get more protection from the city?

Dina Gan: Anti-Asian violence is a horrifying trend. In a lot of ways, I think it will be up to us to protect ourselves. I would suggest that you organize as a community and meet with city officials. Raise awareness as a group. Most importantly, report any and all crimes and if you believe there was anti-Asian racism involved, make sure the police report reflects that. The rate of underreported crimes against Asians is a problem -- how will the local government know the extent of anti-Asian violence if they don't have accurate numbers? It's up to the people who have been victimized to do something about that.

Rockville, Md.: My question is related to the one posed by the person from College Park. My heritage is E. Indian and I get somewhat irritated when Asian is used as reference almost exclusively for people from the Far East. You see it in newspapers and other media. In fact, when I looked at your website, I noted that the covers of all the mag. issues showed Oriental people.

Is your magazine primarily geared toward Oriental people? Is "Oriental" a pejorative term? Thanks

P.S. Regarding the "white" designation for the Iranian. White is a race (caucasian), while Asian is a geographical designation. Either category could have been used.

Dina Gan: Ick, it's the O-word! My husband and I joke all the time how we can't go a day without seeing or hearing that darn word! Yes, it's a pejorative term. For all the reasons why, turn to the last page of Eastern Standard Time. In fact, there is a piece of legislation up in Washington State that proposes to eliminate the word "Oriental" and replace it with "Asian" in all official state government documents, including bills, laws and statutes. If it pushes through, it could set a nationwide precedent. Imagine that! To answer your question, though, our magazine is geared toward Asian Americans, and we are very inclusive in our use of "Asian." It covers East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, etc.

Paris, France: You mentioned "whiggies." Is there any pressure on Asian Americans to only date or marry other Asians? How is it viewed in the community when Asians get involved with non-Asians, white or black?

Dina Gan: Pressure on Asian Americans to only marry Asians? Heck, yeah. In my personal experience, anyway. I can't generalize about the whole community, but it seems that many Asian Americans are pressured by their parents to marry someone of their own ethnicity.

Fairfax, Va.: When, if ever, will we have and Asian American president? And will it be before or after we have an African-American, or Latino-American president? Or any "other-non-white-American" president?

Dina Gan: If you extrapolate the numbers on that Committee of 100 opinion poll, we'll have a Latino president before an African American one and an African American one before an Asian one!

Silver Spring, Md: Here in the DC Metro area there is alot of striff between Asian-Americans and African-Americans, especially around the Florida street markets. This seems to be a national trend. What do you think has caused this break and what can be done to fix it? Thanks
Rick

Dina Gan: Asian-black tensions trouble me because our communities have a lot in common and we need to work more on seeing the similarities than the differences. Don't you see, it's a conspiracy by the white mainstream to keep us all down! I say this with humor, but it's a sobering trend. What can be done to fix it? Each of as individuals has to do our part.

Alexandria, Va.: Dina:

As a Eurasian (part Vietnamese, part German) living in the US, I find that I am often rejected from the Asian community. I'm all for having friends of any color, but I seem to get bad vibes from Vietnamese people in particular. What types of issues do you see block our cohesion as a group/community and political power? and what should we doing to overcome these challenges?

Dina Gan: Hapas (those who are of partial Asian ancestry) are just the topic of our next issue (June/July 2001). We gathered a group of hapas to discuss their experiences, so be sure to check it out. To answer your question, perhaps there is some residual resentment of history at work, e.g. the Vietnam War.

Rockville, Md.: Even with the new study showing some distrust in Asian-Americans, isn't the perspective still showing a slight progressive positive look at Asian Americans comparatively to 10 years ago?

Dina Gan: Ten years ago, it was all about Japan-bashing. Now, it's China-bashing. No, I don't think there has been much progression. The "enemy" Asian country has changed, but the affect on Asian Americans is the same.

Dallas, Texas: I have friends from mainland China living here in the U.S. They enjoy the American lifestyle and comforts (i.e. living in big homes, making big money, driving luxury cars) and enjoying the freedom and democracy that we have to offer. However they openly criticize the U.S. government for recent statements concerning the spy plane incident and use of troops to support Taiwan. Don't you feel this is a double standard? Why are they here and not back home improving the conditions of their motherland, selfishness and racism on their part perhaps?

Dina Gan: That is an interesting question, and something that you should ask your friends for their personal answers. However, all Americans criticize their government. Why shouldn't Asian Americans be able to do the same?

Skokie, Ill.: In your experience, is journalism a field that is welcoming to women, particularly Asian women?

Dina Gan: Mainstream journalism is a tough business for people of color. People might think that all the Asian female broadcast reporters and anchors on TV proves that the business is a cake walk if you're an Asian woman, but I've heard plenty of stories to the contrary. You'd be surprised at what goes on behind the scenes.

Greeenbelt, Maryland: The 2000 Census reported that the number of Asian Americans increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Do you expect the increased numbers of Asians to translate into a greater voice in national politics soon. Also, will there be a political backlash to the current wave of anti Chinese/Asian Americans?

Also, my Vietnamese - American born wife is one of those white guy groupies (thank goodness!). Can you suggest any support organizations for cross-cultural relationships?

Thanks!

Dina Gan: I hope more Asian Americans will participate in politics. Here in NYC, there is a record number of Asian Americans running for City Council. There was another survey recently (which we report in our upcoming June/July issue) that shows that Asian Americans are absolutely NOT apolitical. I hope the current wave of anti-Chinese sentiments does become a political issue. Politicians need to know that they are accountable for doing what they can to ensure the safety and respect of Asian Americans as citizens of this country.

Rockville, Md.: The interracial dating question keeps getting the pro-stance from you. Okay by me, it's your life.

But why are so many Asian-Americans, men and women, so intent to ONLY date whites. It's not the interracial dating that's the issue. It's the exclusivity.

Also, I have a friend who's in an Asian-American advocacy association here in DC. She only dates whites, refuses to date Asian-Americans men of any sort. 9-5 she's trying to convince the political process that Asian-Americans are okay, but her choices reflect something different. Told her that it's like being a smoker and an officer in the American Lung Association.

I don't get it.

Dina Gan: You know, it's tough to find people to be attracted to, and if you limit yourself racially, you're cutting down your chances even more. Are you sure your friend refuses to date Asian American men or is it that she just hasn't found any that she likes yet? I agree, though, that there are those who seem intent to date only white, and part of that is growing up in a society where white=beautiful and Asian=ugly nerd. Show her a couple of our fashion spreads featuring Asian male models. Maybe she'll change her mind.

Rockville, Md.: Dina,

Do you believe there's a difference between being racially/ethnically Asian and being culturally Asian? For example, some people may be of Asian descent, but don't identify with it at all (for example, people whose families have been in the U.S. for several generations). On the other hand, there are people who are ethnically something else, but strongly identify with the Asian culture, perhaps because they grew up around a lot of Asians (which is the case for me). Many people in my college, particularly in the Asian American community, gave me a really hard time for being an "egg" (white on the outside, yellow on the inside), and it was really upsetting. I think "Asian" can have many different meanings, and not all of them have to do with being of the Asian race.

Thanks.

Dina Gan: Interesting point. A while back, we wrote about a scientific test that an academic guy came up with to determine how Asian you are. It was called the Asian Acculturation Test or something like that, and it asked questions about food preferences, languages spoken, etc. I took it and a white friend of mine took it and we scored the same.

D.C. Non-Asian: I'm concerned about your use of the term "flip to describe you Filipino ancestry. That's as bad as African-American using the N-word affectionately. How can we legitimately complain when others do it if we do it ourselves?

Dina Gan: Is it bad for African Americans to use the N-word among themselves? I think we as people and as a community have the right to appropriate whatever terms we like, without assuming that it should be acceptable for others to appropriate those same words. Perhaps the problem is that some people do not have the capacity to comprehend that.

Iowa Cit, Iowa: I have to deal with any number of Asian and, more particularly, Chinese customers and I've tried in vain to understand why they are so consistently (9 out of 10 calls) rude to Americans. I know good manners are valued in Chinese culture, so why doesn't that extend to non-Chinese?

Dina Gan: Have you been to China lately? People spit in the street quite regularly, for example, something that I would consider rude, yet it is quite acceptable there. I think rudeness is a completely subjective and relative term.

Arlington, Va.: I am a Filipino-American in her early twenties. I'm marrying a Mexican-American, but he's not quite in tune with his heritage as most Filipinos are. Since leaving home and going to college, I fear that I will totally lose touch with my heritage? Do you ever feel that way and what can I do to not let that happen?

Dina Gan: Try not to think of it as losing your heritage but as gaining a second one. Perhaps you can inspire your fiance to explore his roots, too. Are there Filipino student groups on campus? Join one!

Alexandria, Va.: What's your sense of the view of AAs in the (for want of a better term) "mainstream" media? It always seems like one step forward, and then one back....just this last year or two, there's all the hoopla about "Crouching Tiger", and even articles about how Asian males are becoming more visible or even considered attractive in the movies, TV etc. Then you get some of the racist stereotyping and ridicule in political rags like the National Review.

Dina Gan: It does seem like mainstream America has a schizophrenic view of Asians. We are fetishized and reviled at the same time. But actually, both sentiments stem from the same lack of understanding.

Silver Spring, Md.: How many issues come out a year?

Dina Gan: We are published six times a year. That was an easy question!

Dina Gan: I've been at this for over two hours now and my fingers are about to fall off from the typing! I'm going to have to sign off now, but I want to thank everyone for participating. I regret that I couldn't answer all the questions, but maybe the WP will have me online again sometime! This was fun. Thanks again! And keep reading aMagazine!

washingtonpost.com:

That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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