Joyce Kim's Blog
it hit hard / Oct 18, 02:28 PM
i never update this thing, and i dont know how everyone else is able to do all that they do plus write something new here. insane.
im not sure if anyone reads this but i just wanted to write/vent/get my thoughts out b/c im feeling a bit sad and upset at what happened to me this morning.
im usually okay in handling all the “asian” stereotypes and jokes thrown at me—people who arent used to asian people have their curiosities and assumptions. but today, it really hurt for some reason, and i think i’ll need more time to process what happened and my feelings in all this.
a client at my work wanted to come in during the program’s lunch hours. there’s a strict 11:30 to 1:00pm shutdown period for all the counselors here to step back and relax from a crazy busy morning. so this man wanted to come in and set his stuff away in our laundry room.
i told him he was lucky that i was new here and that he could. he then said quite audibly to the person next to him, “what did she say? was that even english?” he didnt have the balls to look at me when i asked him what it was that he said, and that yes, i could speak english quite well.
i dont know why people assume that if you’re asian, you cant speak a lick of english. and even if i couldnt speak it, or had a heavy accent accompanying my speech, that still doesnt give you the right to say stupid crap like that to me, especially since im here trying to assist you in your needs. it’s incredible to me that it’s still like this in the year 2007.
ive realized though that i make a conscious effort to annunciate my words, because i believe that people will take me more seriously if they hear me and cant detect any trace of an accent (which i can have if im nervous). and that makes me mad too. why the hell should that matter? so what if i have an accent? you cant treat me like a respectable human being? you have to assume that i cant understand you? i mean, why do i have to PROVE my “americanness” to people?
i’ll get over it. and the next time he does that to me, i will confront him and let him know that it is NOT cool to say things like that. i give him the dignity he deserves, i expect him to return that to me just bc im a HUMAN being like he is.
damn, im upset…
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Hey love,
You 1) don’t have an accent, 2) did the right thing, and 3) don’t need to prove anything. If he continues to treat you like that, it’s because he’s fixed on a view of America that should have died long time ago, and if you can’t convince him otherwise, toss him like an old edition of a U.S. History textbook.
What do you call those?
Arcane and inept.
Love,
Beatrice
By Beatrice / Oct 24, 03:16 PM / #
thank yo so much for the comment on my page.. Joyce I really can’t imagine the amount of anger that you had… But you know what you are a great person and anyone that doesn’t realize or can’t recognize that is just plain ignorant..
Joyce I know this is easier said than done but honestly he is only one person don’t let him convince you that you should have to prove something to him..
I hope that things have gotten better..
By Libby / Oct 28, 01:42 PM / #
JOYYYYCE!
Suffering from shots below the belt mostly means this: you’re that much above them.
I promise to write back by the end of November. I want to send a letter that will aid you mentally, emotionally, spiritually… and financially! I’ll try and send some pics if i can.
Love,
Jacob
ps. for future knowledge: is it okay to write back without a donation? moneys don’t make frequent stops in my neck of the woods. :)
By Jacob Kang / Nov 5, 11:21 PM / #