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World consciousness is shifting.
Information is flowing; economies, cultures, and politics are becoming rapidly intertwined. Communication is at an unprecedented level in human history. Identity, relationships, and notions of ownership are becoming richer and more complex.
Clashes between class, religions, ethnic groups, cultures, and sub-cultures have come to the fore. Everyday, the world grows more connected; everyday, world consciousness becomes more aware.
And with it, comes the development of individual conscience. More and more, men and women around the world are examining right and wrong, relative and absolute truths, in an effort to make sense of the world around them and do right, as best they can.
The world is growing up.
Conflicts in morality and culture have informed every aspect of our lives. Even in something as seemingly trivial as comedy, the most cutting-edge, successful routines, and also the greatest, most embarrassing failures, revolve around racial humor.
American media is learning, in lumbering fits and starts, how to navigate a national super-culture of diverse interests, histories, and worldviews.
Where does that leave Asian America?
Media representation is rising: positive depictions of Asian-Americans are settling into the collective consciousness. Jin is a good guy, Harold kissed the girl, Hiro has a destiny, and Yul won Survivor. Charges were dropped and reparations made to Wen Ho Lee; the Notorious MSG are spreading the word that the lives of delivery men count, too; and little Anna Mae is going back to her family.
To even have the luxury to care about things like this, it’s a good place to be.
I’m going to tell you a secret: we’re winning.
So raise your glasses. A toast, then, to Ebens and Nitz, the Baker family, Details magazine, Tookie Williams, Mrs. Malkin, and every single man and woman, Asian or not, who ever looked at us and sneered. We thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of our hearts. You woke us up; you opened our eyes; you showed us the shape of the world. You helped make us, and we’re here to stay.
And let’s raise another toast, glasses higher this time, to dear Vincent, to Jack, Casey, and little Anna Mae, to Bruce and Jin, to all the cooks and waiters and corner store owners, to the student and political groups, and to all the people like you who give a goddamn. This world is ours.
We are winning.
Welcome to the Fighting 44s.
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