Asian American Culture - Categories of Asians in America

As far as I can see, there are two overarching types of Asian-Americans: the ‘FOBs/BOBs/Asian-Asians’ and the ‘Westernized/Americanized-Asian/Twinkie.’

The former group, the FOBs/BOBs – a term, sometimes used derogatorily, other times as indicators of pride – are short for ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ or ‘Back On the Boat.’ The former – FOB – refers to 1st generation immigrants who still have memories of their home country, speak the language fluently, prefer the culture of their home country over that of America, and in general are the ‘Asians that still act like they’re living in Asia,’ so to speak. When called a fob, peoples’ reactions differ, depending on who says it, and in what manner. Often times, when an ‘American’ – that is, white/black people – calls an Asian a fob, it carries some sort of negative connotation, some more overt than others. They – that is to say, Americans – usually describe Asians as fobs in the context of their ignorance of American culture and norms, and some spit the word ‘fob’ with more venom than others. Although there are Americans out there who genuinely mean no harm by calling Asians fobs, it is generally frowned upon by Asians when an American calls Asians fobs.

BOBs – Back On the Boat – is more of a joke than anything else, often referring to Asians born in America who take more interest in Asian culture than American culture. In short, it is an American-born Asian who displays ‘fob-like’ characteristics. The usage of this term is really dependent from situation to situation, and it can be anywhere from a praise – Asians who are amazed and pleased that an American-born Asian would be so knowledgeable about their culture of origin – to straight insults, most often used by Americans and Westernized Americans to portray bobs as being ‘out of touch with their reality.’

Meanwhile, the concept of the Westernized Asian is often looked down upon by Asians of the former category. It isn’t necessarily out of malice; in some ways, Asians still living in their home countries are jealous of the Asians abroad who are so knowledgeable about the Western cultures. But as for the Asians in America, the Westernized Asian is seen as an Asian who has lost touch with his or her heritage, something which many Asians are proud of. Meanwhile, it is these sorts of Asians that generally get along better with the American crowd – be it the suburban whites, the urban blacks, or whatever other ‘Western’ demographics exist in America – which is often the object of envy of fobby Asians who wish to assimilate into American culture. And within Westernized Americans, there exist two sub-categories: those who wish to learn more about their heritage – or ‘get in touch with their inner-Asian’ – and those who absolutely abhor being Asian, and generally want nothing to do with Asians and Asian culture as a whole. It is this last group that is most looked down on.

The term ‘twinkie’ is a reference to Hostess’ iconic product, the Twinkie. The twinkie is, like the Twinkie, “yellow on the outside, white on the inside.” A reference to the Asian’s ‘yellow’ exterior (his/her skin color) and ‘white’ interior (their behavior/attitude/world view), much like Hostess’ own product, a white cream center encased in yellow sponge cake. For the most part, the term ‘twinkie’ is a derogatory term, used to describe Asians who no longer have any traces of their Asian heritage aside from their appearance and name.

This great division of Asian Americans leaves little room for those caught between and betwixt. Yet, this is where many of the 1.5 generation immigrants – those who immigrated with their parents as children – find themselves. 1.5 generation immigrants are often fluent in both their native language and English, and have some lingering of their original culture mixed with the ‘new’ American culture. This situation of belonging to neither-nor often result in feeling alienated from both one’s native culture and the new culture; in fact, they could be said to be a ‘lost’ generation.