How America Sees Us: National survey shows many Americans prejudiced against Chinese Americans (in National News) Oakland Cultural Center Changes Name — Again (in Bay Area News) International Showdown: Selling arms to Taiwan (in Business) Mistress of Self: Interview with author Chitra Divakaruni (in A&E)

Busting Stereotypes

When is a Filipino woman not a “Filipino woman?” When race is irrelevant, of course. It happened the other day.

“A Filipino woman,” said the radio news announcer in describing the story of the suspect who opened fire at a San Jose bus yard this week.

In journalism, the first words make a difference. No one knew Cathline Repunte by name. So was KGO Radio, the biggest radio news operation in Northern California, acting responsibly by referring to the woman’s race?

Nope.

Regular readers know I believe in giving credit where credit is due. In fact, regular readers know my proclivity to identify Asian American pathology in its full glory. When as a group, you’re generally invisible in the media, you’ve got to get your face time when you get it. Screwing up earns you some props.

For example, I took the media to task for failure to identify Versace-killer Andrew Cunanan as “Filipino American.” Cunanan, an original member of the “Amok Hall of Shame,” was on the lam. A proper description was fundamental in any coverage. But there was little of it. It became an even more glaring oversight when the FBI issued wanted signs all over the country describing Cunanan’s race as “white.”

Oops. Accuracy does count for something.

Most recently there was Al DeGuzman, the young man suspected of plotting an act of terror at De Anza College. Few news stories mentioned his race. But they should have. When authorities discovered DeGuzman’s writings and suggested he was a “hate crime” waiting to happen, don’t you think race became relevant?

So what’s the difference with Repunte?

The difference is the alleged bus yard shooter was already in custody. A junior crime fighter didn’t need that kind of detail to make a citizen’s arrest.

While it’s accurate to describe Repunte as a “Filipino woman,” it’s hardly relevant. From interviews of friends or colleagues so far, nothing in the aftermath has suggested race was an issue at all.

In the Repunte story, responsible reporting should still be rooted in the old-style, the one where race is ignored and never mentioned. Unless it’s relevant. With today’s demographics where minorities are the majority, race is often more relevant than not. But that wasn’t the case in the story of the bus yard shooter. What we end up with is coverage of a news story that does more than inform. Instead, it brands an image in the public mind that fosters negative stereotypes and encourages racism.

For true stereotype-busting on the Asian male side, one needs to look no further than the sports page. What’s an Asian male these days?

For starters there’s Wang Zhi Zhi for the Dallas Mavericks. At 7-foot-1, he’s about the size of one of those coveted missiles Taiwan wants. Only he plays basketball.

And then there’s the more normal sized Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners. Not a pitcher, he’s a “real” every day player, a right-fielder who can throw a rope to third base, as well as hit for a high average.

The aforementioned are welcome arrivals to America. One a Chinese from Beijing, another a hotshot from Japan.

Is there any wonder some people confuse Asians and Asian Americans?

But we must take our unifying Asian-ness where we find it, and proudly claim Wang and Suzuki.

That’s not to say Asian Americans are bereft of our share of studly stars from jockdom. On the current scene there’s the Mets’ Benny Agbayani. From the past, there’s Rams QB of the ‘60s, Roman Gabriel.

But there are also local studs of the past, and this weekend they will have their due. On Saturday night at the old Lowell High School site, the most heralded pre-dominantly Asian American public high school in San Francisco inducts new members into its Sports Hall of Fame. Among them are two Asian American athletes from the ’70s, Mark Jee and Dennis Barfield.

Jee was in my homeroom, and was one of the best tennis players to ever come out of San Francisco. Sure he had big glasses and looked every bit the stereotype we abhor. Except when he had a racquet in his hand. He’d know what to do with Anna Kournikova. But then so would I.

Barfield was a precursor of today’s multi-race phenomenon. Half-Japanese, Barfield was a three year 1st team All-City shortstop who lead Lowell to its first City title in 46 years. But I knew him better as a sometime backfield partner in football. Me? Football player? Another stereotype smashed.