Why do some Asian-americans dislike martial arts so much.?

Question

When I was in high school, I had alot of asian friends. I just happened to grow up in a area with a diverse population. When I ask some of my asian friends about martial arts they say stuff like " I dont want to be made fun of" ,or surprisingly " That stuff wont worl", sometimes they will even make fun of me by making "Bruce lee" noises.

If think martial arts a good outlet for asian-americans to connect with their culture. I come from a European ancestry, and sometimes I like going to certain museums and restaurants to connect with my culture. I think learning others culture is really fun and shows alot of respect to those people. Why do you think some asians feel this way? Could it be assimilation doing this?

Answer 1

I love martial arts and  I hate math.

Answer 2

Asian americans are yellow on the outside and white on the inside, like a banana.

They are a confused lot.

God bless them...

Answer 3

Well if somebody had told me about Eskrima when I was a kid I would have jumped all over it.  It would definitely have helped me connect better with my Filipino half (I'm a "point five" if you get my meaning).

Culturally, I still identify more with my Anglo-Canadian side...

Answer 4

It's a stereotype - I'm sure many of your Asian friends have been called "Hong Kong Phooey" "Bruce Lee", etc. by ignorant peers.  Nobody wants to live up to the stereotypes - it's demeaning and takes the pride away from them and that aspect of their ancestry.  

Regarding your comment about your European ancestry - museums, restaurants, etc. are only one tiny part of that history...do you embrace the Medieval age practices of jousting, archery, or swordfighting?   Not to mention sustenance farming or dancing nude in the forest to celebrate pagan holidays?  Probably not - but that's OK - those things are only a tiny part of your European heritage.

Maybe your friends also go to museums, restaurants, theatre, or music halls to celebrate their Asian ancestry.   Maybe they prefer to look at themselves as Americans - we are a nation made up of immigrants after all.  How many African Americans study African warrior arts?  You can ask that question of any American...Latino, Anglo, whatever.  

I think you are right about learning about different cultures - just remember that they may not want to learn about the same part of their culture that you think is important.

Answer 5

IDK. I went to a very diverse school. I never asked the asian kids any questions about martial arts. I didn't want to offend them. Just because they are asian, doesn't mean they study martial arts.

Answer 6

you know, this is actually an interesting observation, i think i notcied this when younger, not so much anymore now that i have been done school and college for some time...

i think you have the right idea about learning yours and others cultures...having an open mind in that sense will only make you more knowledgeable and understanding of others...

I would say yes, its assimilation...just like if a 6'8" african american looks athletic the assumption is he is a basketball player...just like the people on public transportation that take up 2 seats eat too much mcdonalds....wait a minute...

Answer 7

BRUCE LEE noises?1 would laugh at you to.TAO was right on it's the fear of being treated like a caricature instead of a real person.

Put in contacts find dictionary look up "caricature"

TAO I would like to hear more about that dancing naked in the woods .I am of european descent and suddenly I feel my upbringing is missing something.

Answer 8

They're not another frikken species, you know.

I'm a Pakistani Brit and I feel no obligation to connect with either culture.

And it's not that I fear discrimination or anything or that my parents haven't tried. I just don't care. I'm not a particularly clannish person.

Answer 9

I'm an asian american and I LOVE martial arts. Currently, I am practicing muay thai and bjj. I follow the philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. I would kick any guy who makes fun of me for it, but i believe that it would defeat the whole purpose of martial arts.

And also, to the people who are saying most asian american are "bananas" or a "twinkie," you guys got it wrong. We are trying to create our own identity and our mark into the New World. I guess a lot of people in the Bay Area are pretty much fobs or "whitewashed" or act black. But asian ppl in the SoCal are pretty much stay in-tuned with their asian culture.

Answer 10

asian americans have no sense of identity-they're either yellow on the outside/white on the inside or yellow on the outside/black on the inside...I mean no offense to anyone, but I do have a lot of aa friends that are like this...they can't just be asian american-they always have to identify with another subculture, whether it's the white yuppies or the homeboy/hip hop culture..that's just how they are.  The most feared manifestation of the asian stereotype would be if they are martial arts trained, so they try to avoid that-and would rather excel in football, baseball, etc...

Answer 11

"culture" is a pretty p**s poor reason to learn martial arts.

if you are spending more time in class on the "culture" of where the art came from than you are learning to fight, then you are wasting your time.

except if that "culture" is taking a bjj class surrounded by hot brazillian women in g-strings.

EDIT: even then there is an incentive to roll. problem solved.

Answer 12

I hate martial arts because I don't want to fall into the stereotype.

... wait, no I don't hate martial arts. But still, I believe that is the reason that some Asian Americans may try to distance themselves from it. But even more so, you've got to figure, not everyone (regardless of ethnicity) will like martial arts, nor will they necessarily have respect for it.

And as others have mentioned, I don't feel like martial arts is the only relevant aspect of Asian culture. (Although that, and food, are the only aspects that I'm particularly interested in.) I'm sure that Asian Americans looking to keep in touch with their culture will seek out non-combative parts of it. Martial Arts (from any place) don't tend to interest the average person enough for them to practice -- whether African, Anglo, or Asian.