Asian Americans: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

[@rileym4056]

He also didn't mention the fact that the model minority stereotype completely discounts any Asian Americans that DO 'fit the stereotype'. When Asian people excel academically, people assume that didn't work as hard, and are just 'naturally' more intelligent. It's a true mind fuck

[@goaheadmakemyday7126]

​@sehhi vooty Why did you copy someone else's comment and reply it so a comment that has nothing to do with it?

[@flipreds5155]

I’m literally guilty of this and I never realized it, I’m sorry, it’s really messed up and it does discredit your achievements when we think that it’s expected of you:/

[@seigeengine]

It's worse than that. Even if they do try hard and people get that, that's just what's expected.

[@EvlNabiki]

To add onto that, if you somehow cannot live up to the high expectations, you're more severely penalised, since the bar that is set for you is higher than for anyone else Alongside the undercurrent of "you should be grateful" running through everything

[@graham1034]

Does anyone actually think that though? The stereotype isn't that Asian Americans are naturally more gifted, it's that their parents drive them to insane levels of achievement, often to the detriment of their mental well-being. When an Asian-American kid does well in school the assumption isn't that they're any more (or less) intelligent than other people, it's that they studied vastly more than the average student. In my experience, the main stereotype is of Asian-American parents pushing their children much harder than other parents (for better or worse).

[@byronp2311]

I had a Vietnamese roommate in college in 1972. One day we had a terrific storm and a bolt of lightening struck a nearby building causing a huge BOOM. Hui said that it reminded him of home. I said oh you have major storms there too? And Hui said nonono. The bombs. I kinda had to rethink a few things.

[@davichigbue1835]

That sounds horrifying- I hope he's doing okay now.

[@303elliott]

Wow.. That kinda puts things into perspective.

[@williamwilson6499]

Lightning.

[@CribNotes]

In Pakistan people are afraid of sunny days....because that's when the drones are flying. Imagine being afraid of a sunny day?

[@LL-xv6jc]

have you heard about the khmer rouge in Cambodia? Yea a lot of awful things have gone down in asia

[@kevinchong5424]

“Keep your head down. Make sure you do your job right. And don’t cause trouble. In their eyes, you’ll always be an outsider.” Those are the words I grew up with.

[@jcboyle82]

I can’t express how sad this makes me. I just hope you don’t feel like an outsider today.

[@applejuicyjuice]

I work at a school with 50% Burmese students and they still follow that guide and it hurts my heart.

[@Omnip073n77]

This is likely projected from generations of living in ethno-states before migrating.

[@lia1tan]

Basically my entire childhood and current existence. For the longest time I thought that was just the way things were supposed to be. It’s sad.

[@tylerhackner9731]

I hope you don’t feel that way today. You are your own person and you matter

[@akira_ariga]

“There is no nice racism” This right here. I grew up being constantly told by other poc that “at least you have a good stereotype” as they simultaneously made fun of me for not being good at math, and yelling “ching chong” at me. Yeah thanks guys

[@oderaanokwalu-igwebuike3817]

I'm sorry you had to go through that mind-fucking experience.

[@tillydyisegray8312]

😤

[@smokeyhoodoo]

And you came out of it hating white people. Interesting.

[@weirdo1060]

Asian math stereotype is similar to Jewish money stereotype. They are both double edged insults since they imply devious cunning instead of actual intelligence or humanity.

[@smokeyhoodoo]

@@weirdo1060 But youre really just stereotyping white people by saying this

[@bigswings2414]

I will say this as a Asian American. Not only is the “model minority” myth bad for Asians ourselves, but also for other people. There are many Asians who embrace this stereotype and unironically think that black and brown people are either lazy or just complain. A lot of older Asians tend to think this way in my experience.

[@rodolfomolesini7990]

Can you say it now as a European-African??

[@lindabb7064]

It's called internalized racism.

[@Rusizh56]

Lets be honest black people discriminate against Asians too even though they are a minority being discriminated themselves.

[@nonyabizness.original]

as john said, this is an example of pitting groups against each other.

[@goodguy...badrep.]

@@Rusizh56 I thought the stereotypical situation involved an Asian person following a Black customer who is accused of stealing? Weren't the LA riots caused by an Asian woman shooting a 15yr old Black girl in the back of the head because she *thought* she was stealing a carton of orange juice, even though she had cash in hand?...the judge declined to sentence her and gave her probation and a $500 fine...for murder.

[@stan4427]

I agree with John that the model minority myth is used to pit minorities against each other. In college, my Mexican roommate stated I cannot understand the struggles of Latinos because I am a model minority. That was the first time I've ever heard of the term model minority and it was not used in a positive sense; rather, used to create a gulf which makes communication and addressing the struggles of our racial identites wider. We all perpetuate racial identites for ourselves and others; it's a shame when those identites draw lines which every stares at before we really look at each other.

[@ThatBunniBoi]

@American Freedom World Peace Even worse. White people use successful Asian people as “proof” that racism doesn’t exist or that other minorities aren’t trying hard enough. They use Asian people to shut us down and pit us against each other and it needs to stop.

[@jospinner1183]

The model minority myth was crafted to drive a wedge between BIPOC communities and uphold white supremacy. The sad part is that it's worked really, really well for a long time.

[@terrancat]

Luckily when it's used against me I keep my anger on the right target instead of my fellow minorities.

[@literarymusings8886]

Africans king sold poor Africans to Europe and then Britain and America freed them later

[@HGrrrr]

@@literarymusings8886 why you writing this reply on EVERY comment?

[@chundychang]

I really didn't expect John to sum up our experience with racism perfectly: we're told to accept racism because "at least it's the nice version."

[@geertbeerens826]

That guy from the old clip summed it up as eloquently as I've ever heard it summed up: whatever you infer about someone solely from the color of his skin takes away his dignity, no matter how good or bad the thing you inferred.

[@Spyger9]

Speaking of that, basically the first issue addressed is how broad and non-specific the term Asian American really is. By my quick napkin-math, literally half of the global population is "Asian". It's certainly an important topic! However, when is the same issue addressed with Whites? Obviously it's a MUCH less prioritized topic considering the privileged position most "whites" occupy in US society, but isn't it weird that those of Spanish, Russian, English, and Dutch heritage are generally lumped into the same group? We're a sophisticated society, aren't we? Most everyone has Wikipedia access in their pocket, yeah? Isn't it about time we stop lumping humans together according to the color of their skin?

[@El_Bukis]

@@Spyger9 And therein lies the reason why effort is made to address the fact that the White Supremacist power structure also effects "White" Americans as well as Blacks, Natives, and every minority group you can think of. The usage of the term "White" for light-skinned people of various European descent is not an accident. Slave owners who feared a multi-racial revolt during colonial times purposefully pushed the usage of that term in order to convince poor, European indentured servants that they were better than African slaves. And it unfortunately ended up working. But yeah, the history of the usage of White as a descriptor of race reveals alot about how White Supremacy has created a ripple effect of policy decisions that have continued to effect World History 500 years (give or take few) after it started gaining popularity to describe light-skinned Europeans as a whole.

[@Fetidaf]

@@El_Bukis I was gonna say that that does happen with every race, you’re generally a white man, black man, Asian man, Latino etc and if the need arises the white man can say he’s ancestrally from Germany, the black man (might be able to say) he’s ancestrally from Senegal, the Asian man can say his family is from Laos etc. It is a very general term but that’s how our society works and they shouldn’t necessarily feel alone in that regard… I agree it’s complete bullshit that any one is generalized like that but at the same time I do somewhat see the need for it as an identifier of sorts. Any other usage is completely pointless, like saying Asian people are better academically, black people are better at sports or whatever else, generalizing anyone at all like that for any reason is completely idiotic

[@SEAsiaTraveler]

@@geertbeerens826 But Dr Aruna Khilanani does it.

[@sydneyfairbairn3773]

A client told me that his doctor told him he had jaundice from eating Indian food. I told him to go back to the emergency room ASAP as that was a ridiculous diagnosis. He had pancreatic cancer.

[@sachadee.6104]

😳

[@WeepingNoor]

What the fuck? That’s so horrible of that guy to say to someone. Hope that client doing ok.

[@alienartpop]

I know instantly he didnt see my doctor..... he's Indian.... second favorite kind of food after Mexican. Jaundice would more likely come from inadequate American public water works than Indian food.

[@shayron44]

WTF!

[@rajanlad]

I am Indian , if you eat Indian food. Like it might result in diarrhea at the most if you eat non spicy food regularly

[@kalanaherath3076]

As a Sri Lankan, I greatly admire John for including Maldivians here since that's the closest he ever came to mentioning Sri Lanka on his show haha

[@hunnybadger442]

Ive always wanted to visit Sri Lanka...

[@phreak074]

born and raised in the states and not so good at geography, but i was wondering why the maldivian looked malayalee 😆

[@PJ-cm8ix]

They have mentioned India several times which is geographically closer and culturally as well

[@niroshanaperera7330]

Ayubowan, fellow Sri Lankan =)

[@zab0r]

Sri Lanka is amazing. A buddy and me explored the island in a rented tuk tuk right before covid hit. Such kind and hospitable people!

[@PacifistDungeonMaster]

I know that Jollibee bit was supposed to make Filipinos feel seen, but damn, I mainly feel exposed, like "Shit, y'all weren't supposed to see that."

[@strings1984]

You had a mascot that amaZing, I am just supposed it took John this long to put it in the show.

[@mjsicinski]

To be fair, the Chicken Joy is peerless fast food. ❤️

[@tipsyt1909]

That food is legit amazing tho

[@briangrant3332]

Honestly it's past time for America to learn of the awesomeness of Jollibee.

[@eshbena]

No, I get it. America always takes the cool stuff from other cultures, waters it down, and makes a bland theme park for it. You are protective of Jollibee and you are right to be so.

[@-Subtle-]

When you dismiss Vietnamese or Japanese students who do well as if it's part of their heritage, you undermine the hard work they put forth to achieve.

[@kanodogg]

Our work ethic is built into the culture.

[@tomasxfranco]

You don't dismiss it. You acknowledge the cultural context that enabled that success on a population level.

[@schwig44]

@@tomasxfranco the problem is, that is not what people do. Reread OP's comment, he starts off with "when you dismiss...". That's the issue here, people don't see a Japanese kid's perfect grades and go "wow, I wish our culture had such dedication to hard work and academia" people go "nbd, he's japanese". They dismiss immediately and that is the problem.

[@literarymusings8886]

I am an Asian american I have lived in Mississippi for the last 70 years never have I ever perceived racism America is ONE OF THE VERY FEW nations in history of the world which ain't racist !

[@TheRealMuckluck]

@@tomasxfranco Did we not watch the same video? The point is that attributing the academic success of minorities to their heritage is the same as dismissing their personal achievements. Especially when, as this video *literally* *just* *discussed* , the heritage you're attributing it to is a harmful racial stereotype.

[@lynnnguyen6377]

This is why you win all the emmys. Not easy to recognise and then be able to explain nuance so beautifully. Love everything about you JO.

[@TripleS24Squad]

🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@rubhavanmoida3870]

"Some Hems are worth more than other Hems are worth" - underrated line of John in 2021

[@spameranne]

you beat me to it - what a delightful bit of brain-tickling wordplay that also brilliantly reinforces the point! high fives galore to the writer's room, and much love and thanks to the entire lwt crew!

[@stevensmith6355]

extremely underrated!

[@aronkovacs1386]

I was waiting for this comment

[@sylviatamieanan4088]

The Luke of John's lines

[@h.l6849]

lol

[@likenoothers8751]

I refuse to believe enough people wouldn't answer "Name a Joe" with "Joe Mama".

[@TKRIndependentMedia]

hahahaha love it

[@Chinmay987]

The only correct answer

[@SS-nr2zv]

I was watching this on tv and instantly grabbed my phone to write this comment but looks like I'm too late.

[@TheLily97232]

I did lol

[@Angry5704]

It's because they were interviewing adults, not braindead children.

[@kevinlu7553]

Joe Rogan: "asians don't spend anytime on petty bullshit" Me, leaving a comment on this youtube video to prove joe wrong on a Friday night.

[@50jakecs]

Why do people listen to Rogan about topics we know he knows nothing about?

[@alga2368]

@@50jakecs Maybe because he have conviction talking about something he don't know. Or because people like him / identify with him and want to know his opinion.

[@charlesnl7]

You disgrace your ancestors

[@Vyz3r]

@@charlesnl7 Ancestors my ass. Our ancestors did inhumane shit which is worst than just proving Joe wrong.

[@1984-g3f]

​@@Vyz3r A more pragmatic approach would be 'inhumane shit' was committed by all races throughout the course of time. Pigeonholing atrocities to categories and sub groups just serves as convenient political talking points to serve the interests of the day.

[@berny2191]

The sentence "Filipinos arent dismissed they are overlooked" is one of the most true statement ive ever heard. Whenever someone asks where my family comes from, they guess china, thailand, or even mexico. As a Filipino American, i love this video.

[@GHOSTPLANEtable]

Lol first Filipino girl I ever met I immediately had crush, and ended up dating couple years. But overlooked I attest to firsthand, it astounded me out of my white world.

[@Narutowatcher465]

Quite true, I've been asked if I was Mexican, well tbf we do look similar but I'm just Filipino.

[@victoriaburns1487]

@@Narutowatcher465 Story of my life, too...and JOLLIBEE!!!

[@megshimatsu8615]

The answer is obvious. Southeastern Asians are looked down upon by "fancy Asians." See the Ali Wong clip on her standup.

[@elylioney6390]

Ah, same in Australia

[@Yesnog05]

I'm Japanese-American (half Filipino and half Japanese). Everytime I visit the Philippines and Japan and reconnect with extended family and my roots, I find it very humbling, but at the same time, very lonely as an Asian-Americans are too American to be Asian and too Asian to be American on both sides. Thank you so much for bringing this issue up and educate others in our struggle.

[@milliamp]

You are beautiful and unique though.

[@llmelvisofrtfll]

Totally get how you feel. (I'm 1/3 Viet, 1/3 Filipino, 1/3 Caucasian, fwiw.) When you get both sides of your ethnic makeup saying “you’re not a real (insert ethnicity) here” or "not (ethnicity) enough"... calling a person half-anything is gonna mess with some identity and feelings of belonging. Like since when did 1+1=1, right?

[@Cab00v]

You are a Filipino-Japanese-American. You want to fit in a box? There it is. Though it may be a small box, I'm sure there's other Filipino-Japanese-Americans that will fit in it with you. I find it silly to want to be in a box. To want to fit in with others. The whole idea of the founding fathers of America was to escape identity, and become something new.

[@ericktellez7632]

The problem is that all of the people in the US should seen each other as “americans” that is something I don’t understand from the US, in our case in Mexico we dont have enclaves or groups like that we all ser each other as Mexicans, our government doesn’t even do polls on racial groups seriously we dont have to check boxes for our race during census at all, only nationality.

[@kstar1489]

But you are Asian-American enough to be Asian-American. I think Asian-Americans have made their own identity and space and that’s ok. (And of course I include the different Asian identities as there own like Japanese-American). But yeah it sucks not to be fully accepted by wider societies.

[@frankly8087]

Don't believe the model minority myth. Some of us Americans of Asian descent are working very hard to be mediocre just like everyone else. Two generations in, we're doing worse than our parents!

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

I'm not surprised, it's a ton of work and these days hard work in general isn't rewarded. So, anybody depending on hard work to get ahead is probably going to be worse off.

[@KABNeenan]

I felt that in my soul.

[@royhuang9715]

Life in US is getting harder, wage has been stagnant for 40 years. And college degree doesn’t mean a damn thing, need a PHD to stand out.

[@amyqb117]

Loool why did I read this so seriously. Fuck off man😂

[@hardrays]

is that from a standup routine? thats good stuff.

[@phredbookley183]

"I can't think of a single reason to beat up a car." *Street Fighter music intensifies*

[@DC-ru5xz]

Don’t beat up cars, beat up racists. Very close to death

[@elodieelvira7913]

Thank you for the nostalgia this comment brought to me

[@Crowley9]

Isn't that Final Fight, not Street Fighter? edit: Ah, it's both. My mistake.

[@Toasty25000]

I was hoping so much for a clip from Street Fighter where you destroy the car hahaha

[@MikeB12800]

@@elodieelvira7913 yeah! Completely forgot about it!!!

[@colintang3910]

As an Asian American, This hits deep and hard. I have worked very hard in order to fit the "model minority" and multiple people have told me that the conditions I find myself is inhumane.

[@yakuza01]

That whole push of 'model minority' image is gaslighting at its 'finest'

[@kevinc8955]

Drug abuse, education, income, single parent families, crime, literally you name the category and you will see if it’s bad they are the lowest and if it’s good they are at the top. It’s not gaslighting if it’s true.

[@karinadavis1353]

@@kevinc8955 Didn't John Oliver just say that our statistics for AAPI people are like this because we group 20+ countries/ethnicities together? Or did you just not watch that part?

[@TheEnmineer]

@@kevinc8955 Do consider that the reason the statistics are like that is because the broad term "Asian American" includes a large number of groups with disproportionately high qualities in specific categories. So much so that it's actually really effective at portraying them as superior statistically, if one doesn't tease apart the subgroups which actually have major issues that get covered up by the averages of the other subgroups. Though I do think that it isn't gaslighting to call them a model minority, it's just misrepresenting data.

[@kevinc8955]

@@karinadavis1353 So what. We group whites together and they come from dozens of different nations. Same as Hispanic people which actually get included with whites in some statistics. Why make an exception just for Asian Americans just because Asian american exceptionalism makes some people feel bad?

[@kevinc8955]

@@TheEnmineer Their issues within their own communities are legitimate but if they are being specifically ignored, it’s because that sub-community is so small that their votes statistically don’t matter to politicians. That’s how democracy works, which is why it’s actually more beneficial to work as a single voting block than it is to split up your group. Think of the power than African American wield, who represent 12% of the American population, because they are a monolith. To me this entire topic by Oliver is counterintuitive to how our system of government works.

[@Scendence_]

U.S: "We love Capitalism!" Japan: *Makes cheap cars* U.S: "Fuck..."

[@janmelantu7490]

Clearly we should try protectionism. That always works! It definitely won’t just result in Japanese cars being built in the US.

[@paulgoogol2652]

@@janmelantu7490 It would be quite a throw back enonomically but why not for the funsies? There will be harder labour, more expensive products, more ressource consumption and more local co2 emmissions. All the fun things. Until robots will do the jobs.

[@yqx8103]

And today: US: capitalism! China: capitalism with Chinese characteristics! US: 🧐🤬

[@sniperfreak223]

Not only did they make cheaper cars, they made cheaper cars that were more reliable than the American ones.

[@charlesramirez587]

@@sniperfreak223 that's because our Auto industry is just built for unreliable performance in a scheme to be replaced. The high cost resulted in lower sales but the industry here justified it under regulation and taxes. The US has lost it's manufacturing prowess for multiple reasons.

[@sarahraisingmyvoice]

My favorite moment in middle school was when a boy (whose dad was the conductor of a major symphonic orchestra) asked our English teacher if he could do his biography project on YoYoMa. Our teacher asked who that was and he told her that YoYo Ma is a famous musician...and she told him he was not allowed to write about a rapper. The joys of 2006....

[@donovanlocust1106]

Now I want Yo-Yo Ma to release a rap album lmao

[@benbateman6522]

@@donovanlocust1106 bro saaame, it needs to be a collab with teo cellos

[@michaelyoung4056]

LMAO!!!

[@chebbiereadsandknits672]

Omg. So messed up.

[@h3nta1]

@@benbateman6522 YoYo Ma said he wanted to do a collab with chance the rapper

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

Overlooking Filipinos is a weird thing. Especially during covid times, Filipinos who populate hospitals as nurses not just in the US but all over the world, have been on the frontlines dying to fight off this pandemic for almost 2 years now. That and your east and south Asian medical professionals who are all doing their best to keep everything together.

[@autumnjacobs1164]

writing sm to take up space ⏮⏭3️⃣6️⃣3️⃣8️⃣🔢8️⃣⏮⏮⏭2️⃣4️⃣🔟🔢⏺🔽⏭⏮⏭3️⃣⏺⏮⏺

[@NurseMJ986]

I appreciate the recognition. Nurses all over the world is true for sure! And still here trying to save the healthcare systems of several first world nations from the US to the UK to Australia/NZ. And Filipino nurses have been in the Middle East since the 80’s. We are in Canada, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. Pretty much any country where nurses are better compensated, you will find Filipino nurses. It has caused a brain drain back home. But people have to do what they can to survive and have better lives for themselves and their families.

[@rumblefish9]

Because most Americans consider "Asian" as just East Asian and it doesn't help that Ali Wong coined and made popular the term "jungle Asian". We're "jungle Asian" to most Americans which is EXTREMELY racist and elitist.

[@sanseijedi]

Act of Recission 1946. During WWII, the US basically told Filipino men that if they helped fight the Japanese, they would qualify for healthcare. When it came time to honor that promise, congress said that'd be too expensive & paid money to Philippine government instead. Look up 'Repeal the Act of Recission 1946'. Similar to the fight more recently in UK to allow Gurhka troops (fighting for the Queen) to be allowed to actually live in the UK.

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

@@sanseijedi I had relatives who were Filipinos but worked as US scouts during WWII. Some got to move to the US others weren't so lucky.

[@tristanchik4432]

Nothing more therapeutic than a British man explaining systemic racism on a Monday afternoon.

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

If you go to these partisan and extremely biased sources to learn about systematic racism, you're probably so indoctrinated and radicalized to a point where you aren't realizing that you're being misled. It's like asking a bird on how to kill off birds. Or letting foxes build a henhouse.

[@phreak074]

woke af british dude 🤔

[@justinianthe1st790]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 Okay fascist

[@justinianthe1st790]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 Also Bidens your president and Chauvin the killer is going to prison Cope

[@destyon9966]

I hate the UK but this British dude is chill

[@mstie3252]

This reminded me of conversations I had with friends in high school, way back in the 80s. I'm white, they are Vietnamese and Indian. They told me about how even a "good" stereotype is a stereotype, and just puts you into a category rather than seeing you as an individual.

[@sidneyboo9704]

Well said. Smart individuals :D

[@averysmith5911]

all races have stereotypes, some better than others

[@armstrong.r]

@@averysmith5911 All stereotypes are bad because they are dehumanizing. That's the point.

[@alexanderphilip1809]

They've been americanized culturally to even care about it. Anywhere else in the world they would much rather mind their own business.

[@alexanderphilip1809]

@@armstrong.r no they are not. You havent lived in a multiracial, multireligious multilinguistic society, i have. So just stfu.

[@radosbarner1734]

Ah, my favourite show "Half an hour of existential dread at midnight with Zazu" uploaded again. Just in time, I was about to have a good nights sleep.

[@GuyNamedSean]

I got so confused for a moment because I forgot the re-done Lion King was a thing. Zazu is still Rowan Atkinson to me.

[@ueblay]

incredible

[@brendat.5890]

Nice...

[@queenofbuttercream]

@@GuyNamedSean thank you because I didn't even know why he used zazu's name in vein. Forgot about the re-do

[@lnguyen119]

As a Korean-Vietnamese or Vietnamese-Korean and a huge John Oliver fan, I do appreciate this bit. It's a cultural and ethnic quagmire to feel between and among cultures. The coverage about defining what Asian American means, and the emphasis of model minority is spot on... We are not a monolith. Thank you for sharing! ✌️💕

[@rclementine77]

As a Filipina, I got emotional just being included in this conversation. The experience under the "Asian American" umbrella is not universal

[@Q_QQ_Q]

but whites want asian wife is a thing .

[@andrewokamoto]

@FromHeadtoHeart Tigers? that's racist

[@paddor]

lol have you ever been to SEA? It really is like that there. The darker your skin, the more people look down on you. It’s fucked. But the movie is accurate in that way.

[@paddor]

An emotional pinay. Eh di wow. Ano pa new ate? Lol I just had to

[@kismet8010]

Musta

[@SweetAngel8642]

"Jollibee can get it" is a quote I never thought I would ever hear, and now that I've heard, it I'd have to say I agree.

[@simonwyzik8661]

That bee will haunt my dreams

[@lS-qp6zq]

Wow first murderous wasps invading the U.S. Now that. Thank goodness John Oliver could see the difference :D

[@kimlee6379]

Hey angel 👋

[@Litaonyo]

I dont. Hahaha! Haaayyyy naku.

[@A1w1n]

🤣🤣🤣

[@yonggongaming]

As a Korean American adopted by wonderful parents. The first time I celebrated Christmas at age of three, I wished for Christmas to be white because my family was white and the community around me was white. I was bullied for being Korean and at age of THREE I knew I was treated differently. My mom who taught ethics and religion told her students that story to show inequalities are easy to understand and can happen to people close to you.

[@whynottyg7250]

And your point is?

[@mindurownbiz8857]

@@whynottyg7250 If you want to know his point, just read his comment. It's right above yours.

[@ArialTheCat]

Thank you for telling these stories. I’m a Taiwanese immigrant, have been living in the US for 24 years. I’m showing this video to my daughter because she will not learn this from school. She needs to know that’s how people will treat her and why they do so. I lived in NYC for 20 years. I used to feeling safe walking around in Manhattan, but it felt different after pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, a grocery deliver person pulled up her turtleneck to cover her nose and mouth as soon as she saw me open the door. I said thank you, she didn’t answer. Just staring at me with the look of scare or disgust or a bit of both. My Taiwanese face meant virus in her mind. I’m definitely worried about worse racism against Asian Americans in the future.

[@BeelzebozoTime69]

My wife is a Korean adoptee. She was regularly beaten up in the 70's by other kids blaming her for what happened to their dads in Vietnam. Meantime a friend of our's who's also a Korean adoptee was pulled over by a cop who tried to speak Spanish to her.

[@rgderen88]

Sounds about right.

[@youngsuit]

im korean. growing up in a white town in pennsylvania i had to walk on eggshells cause the whole town knew my family and where we lived. when i moved to california, it suddenly switched to me being profiled and randomly pulled over

[@bubbagump2704]

@@youngsuit Sorry to hear that, hope it improves.

[@Ellron23]

@@youngsuit devils advovate: what makes you say you're being profiled?

[@youngsuit]

@@Ellron23 it kind of goes into what is being discussed in this segment. whereas where i grew up there were almost no asians whatsoever, they were generally middle class, like restaurant owners, or upper class. in california you have far more asians in poverty or in gangs. police would ask me what i was up to, what i had in the car, and if it was lowered (a common stereotype was around drag racing). it was not something I had grown up with.

[@UnsolicitedContext]

I legitimately had a conversation with a Med school classmate who said something along the lines of ‘if I’m not a doctor, as an Asian man, I’m not anything in America.’ That wasn’t even coming from his parents who had embraced his previous career as a teacher, but was completely internal, because he felt he needed the prestige to have a place.

[@joseescobar9751]

Damn. That’s so sad…

[@satyathota9546]

Dude that’s just a reflection of the Asian immigrant mentality (not assuming he is one, but that mentality comes from immigrants)

[@Deoxys911]

@@satyathota9546 And from prejudiced immigration laws and pro-Asian propaganda made in response to the same bigotry that led to the aforementioned laws in the first place.

[@Samperor]

He is making an excuse.

[@joseescobar9751]

@@Samperor what makes you think that?

[@Blackronin357]

As a black man, I've grown up with the model minority mindset when looking at my AAPI brothers and sisters. The brainwash of America on its many people's is still prevelant and is still trying to be broken. I pray John and his writing team keeps up the fight to bring some enlightening info to us.

[@forresthsu582]

It's terrible. We used to fight side by side in the Rainbow Coalition, but they used these narratives to drive us apart.

[@TrungNguyen-uf8cv]

Asians suffer, too. Can't we be normal people having our own pace instead of having to be ultra elite in school stuff?

[@charlesramirez587]

The model minority trend isn't rooted in racism but by overcoming racism that classical liberals adopted mid 20th century. It is not an impossible thing to do and all people that do it find high amounts of success. If the Irish did it no reason for another large minority to do it as well. We see it in hard working conservative cultures coming here from Latin America and Asia to great success. The emergence of the black Middle class was founded in this as a way to subvert and overcome prejudice. I cannot see combating this as anything less than throwing away the highest quality that fights poverty and discrimination. It seems only as a retaliatory act in spite disguised as virtue to justify personal failure instead of actually aspiring to higher goals.

[@eshbena]

Hey, Jews fought against slavery for centuries here and abroad, helped fund the Underground Railroad, marched with Blacks in the Civil Rights era, and fought against inequality and racism, yet the Anti-Semitism that has been used to separate us has led to a lot of violence, hatred, and vitriol between Blacks and Jews. Turning minorities against each other, so we can't band together against the establishment, is a tried and true practice.

[@coffeetimeisanytime7759]

Maybe you start by enlightening members of your own race to stop attacking/killing Asian Americans without provocation. Or make songs like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fabckHuYnt9jgNk

[@giraffemush]

Thank you!! As a Sri Lankan-Malaysian I’ve always identified as Asian, even when my white friends have tried to tell me that I’m wrong about my own heritage 🙄🙄

[@PhilShnider]

I am a Sri Lankan Filipino, I thought I was wrong to be me. I ended up calling myself a Latino, apologies for bringing my rant

[@SurgeryIsWoke]

@giraffemush you must say "Get a map, how tf you gonna tell *ME* ??" constantly

[@islandneni1829]

​@PhilShnider but u are not Latino.😐🤨🤔

[@markd8369]

You are, who YOU are. Don't let anyone try to change that! 🙌🏾

[@Mira-pm3ni]

​@@Anabeausoleil As an Indian I have always considered Nepal , Sri Lanka , Bangladesh and Pakistan as desi .

[@LuvJT101]

“Where are you from?” “Here.” “No, where are you really from?” “I was born here.” “Oh.” 😳... “Where are your parents from?” It’s like a persistent and never ending deja-vous loop.

[@literarymusings8886]

Africans king sold poor Africans to Europe and then Britain and America freed them later

[@Maryyeung12894]

I usually ask where are they from then sometimes they are shocked that you asked. Then they tend to stop asking you because they so confused/taken aback.

[@vedantpatel4590]

@@michaelpowell9164 ya I'm from the south too it's so weird!

[@wzt9376]

@@literarymusings8886 wtf are you rambling about.

[@jtjc7705]

but.. where are you really from? Just asking because you must be a sister from another mister :3 -it's the internet, I should clarify this is a joke both being J T

[@coena9377]

Saying “these weren’t the kind of men you send to jail” in reference to two white murderers is a condemnation of America’s prison justice system that’s far more scathing than anything I could’ve come up with.

[@GiantEagle610]

"These policemen weren't the kind of cops you send to jail..."

[@kevinc8955]

America’s prison justice system of nearly 40 years ago...

[@alfthai]

​@@kevinc8955 while this is technically correct, the black civil rights movement was only around 60 years ago and not a lot has changed. So while you are suggesting this is 'of a different time', time doesn't mean much, and when racism isn't addressed it gets to hang around under the radar. For the record, a civil case followed and one man was ordered to pay 1.5 million in 1987 due to the lost future earning potential of a 27 year old engineer. We're now 34 years out and he hasn't paid a dime as of 2015 (the amount grew to 8 million with interest and charges at the time).

[@sarthakmunda3914]

I once heard an american lawyer say it best, that in America, you have a judicial system, NOT a justice system

[@deeznutz8320]

Where was this when Chesa Boudin did it with that black kid that smacked the 70 year old Thai guy to death in San Fransisco?

[@alg9330]

He didn’t mention this, but Vincent Chin was actually murdered the night before his wedding, when these two white guys saw him at a bachelor party with his friends.

[@luhuang5256]

That and Vincent Chin also worked in the American auto industry.

[@scruffmcgruffthecrimedawg5661]

Don't forget that blacks tend to despise Asians for being model citizens

[@r01dtox15]

*RIP* 🙏

[@alga2368]

@@scruffmcgruffthecrimedawg5661 Are you black? Or are you giving your opinion about something you don't know to create more conflict???

[@scruffmcgruffthecrimedawg5661]

@@alga2368 dont have to be black to understand statistics

[@darkphoenix4568]

I'm a Korean-American. 26 years old. I've grown up from this. This news means a lot, especially in these times.

[@gooby_pls]

sum ting wong monkaS

[@justodet]

I had to hold back tears when the 'perfection' thing hit. My parents are from Asia and I nearly killed myself trying to be as perfect as my stereotype. Luckily I broke a circle of not talking about mental health, but so many children of Asian parents are struggeling with this.

[@jasonfernandes2197]

exactly! Being caught in the middle of so many different expectations and so many limitations and so many pre-judgements can make life unbearable.

[@michaelyoung4056]

Yep, I had to go to therapy to resolve this.

[@ArmchairBruneianRants]

The “perfect son”. FML. 😔

[@ritab5153]

im so glad that you were able to break that chain, @dearjessie. You are setting up future generations for success AND happiness.

[@destroyer-fr4dz]

This just proves that the model minority idea is true, except it is a veil in many cases for emotional abuse or neglect and high expectations for the sake of societal success.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

During the Great Depression, on the southeast side of Detroit along the river, my father and his family lived above a Chinese restaurant, The Chinese Tea Pot on E. Jefferson Ave. The family that owned and ran the restaurant fed my father and his family when they were hungry.

[@gracemunich1476]

good to hear. Hope they fed many other hungry people regardless of their race, when possible.

[@jsjuhbdn]

The answer to "name a well known Joe" should clearly have been "Joe mama"

[@nkosimataka5565]

I second to this, be better John

[@noahluppe]

i was shooketh when he didn't say that

[@takashi.mizuiro]

ikr it should’ve

[@sk31370n]

69% - Joe mama

[@aquilegia9734]

Joe the Plumber

[@EccentricEnthusiadam]

The guy at 25:14 explains it so damn well. But as Andre Gide said “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.”

[@syk0saje]

thank you for this quote

[@flipina]

Ah I need to read other works by Gide

[@yidavv]

Such an eloquent quote that sums up so much of our problems. How have I never heard this before

[@Keolli04]

Wow, this episode made me feel seen. Even though I’m a white-washed fourth generation Japanese-Korean American, I never truly felt “American.” Growing up and always having others constantly ask where I’m really from, what kind of Asian I am, or people saying Nihau to my face and walking away has been very frustrating, yet I never felt like it was appropriate to outwardly complain about it. Now that AAPI hate has become more apparent to my generation and others through recent events, I hope these conversations continue and don’t fade into just another fad.

[@crazychinese7315]

@Dwayne D do you even know where Asia is...

[@HaleyJo1992]

@Dwayne D Which part of Asia? And how in the world does another country's racism excuse ours?

[@Acidfrog475]

@Dwayne D Bruh, what are you on about? Who cares? Doesn't excuse racism in the West.

[@tenacious645]

Is someone asking you what your heritage is considered "hate" to you?

[@rysler]

@@tenacious645 It's just fucking rude.

[@ThrottleKitty]

America to the world: DO CAPITLISM NOT COMMUNISM DAMMIT Japan: Okay, here's some cheap cars Also America: NO THATS NOT FAIR DAMMIT

[@informitas0117]

Toyotas may be seen as boring by some but if you like reliability I'd pick them over most American cares. If only they had cat eyes and sharp teeth as in the ad they showed.

[@natureallmighty]

Exactly!

[@gnrdontcry]

LOL....That is on the spot

[@Fate263]

Nailed it

[@steve1978ger]

... Asia: hey here's loads of cheap stuff US: STOP DOING WHAT I WANT

[@mastergecko1178]

My biggest problem as an Asian American is basically I’m too Asian to be taken seriously by Americans and too American to be taken seriously by Asians, it’s like I’m stuck in this weird limbo lol

[@DizzyBusy]

You are complete as you are. It's alright not be part of a grey zone group. Your personhood is as valid as that of an Asian from Asia, or of a white American (somehow still the default over there, when they weren't even native to the location)

[@kcried1081]

Black Americans have the same issue, but within their own community bc not everyone can be “hood” or love “rap” music. I love Asian culture and I love my Asian American brothers and sisters. But Ik that thier are some, not all but some asains who really can’t stand black ppl even if they are smart and intellectually inclined. I was made fun of by some Asians students in high school on why I didn’t act “black enough” I just laughed it off and tried my best to befriend some of them but some were very reluctant. Not all but some.

[@radiobob1908]

You're definitely not alone there. Margaret Cho, Allie Wong and Joel Kim Booster all talk about that feeling in their stand up specials.

[@damiester1]

@@kcried1081 Asians and the black community have been pit against each other as shown in the video. There are going to be ignorant people in both of these communities unfortunately.

[@kcried1081]

@@damiester1 I agree 100%. I’m realistic about it, we’re not going to win everyone over I wish we could just get it to like 50/50 instead what seems more like 10/90

[@rerouting]

I'm not a Maldivian American, but a Maldivian who's been a fan of yours since your Community days. Loved the shoutout ^^

[@okiwangko]

I didn't think John would one day talk about Jollibee's mascot, but here we are.

[@snsrml]

Our moment has arrived sis 💅

[@marisolaquino719]

Really? Haven’t you seen some of his past shows. More of like if he’ll ever, but more like when

[@VanVeniVidiVici]

I thought he'd do it during the McDo episodes but oh well.

[@ethantemple506]

It’s about damn time Jollibee got their due respect

[@ProfPsycDad]

THE BLINKING OH GOD THE BLINKING......

[@Karim-rv7rc]

This segment hits differently when your name is Karim.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

But are you Maldivan though?

[@shoreside9673]

not one of the 137 but totally hyped to even hear him say Maldives

[@Karim-rv7rc]

@@elizabethbennet4791 unfortunately not.

[@Fahad-gf1wx]

@@Karim-rv7rc Pakistani or Indian?

[@alga2368]

Hey Karim, John like you

[@alvinoveritas2033]

Need a payraise for the Hemsworth joke’s writer, it was smooth

[@JohnWhiteHere]

I demand a firing instead

[@antifableach]

I was going to share this with my father until I realized he'd more than likely hate it. I love it though; good job. Well done.

[@guntotingmonk]

It was truly a thing of beauty.

[@destyon9966]

It’s weird how he didn’t add Central Asia and Middle East lol and Siberia 😭😭😭

[@adetolaakinbiola7103]

Dead joke but I really enjoyed it

[@himesilva]

I can’t imagine the pressure Asian Americans who struggle with learning disabilities, or disabilities in general, must feel to be successful. They already have to deal with the road blocks of neurodivergence on top of the “model minority” standards.

[@eldrinveloso2626]

As a Filipino, I'm willing to be called to any court to provide supporting evidence on how Jollibee can get it.

[@Bernicemarie]

Same here! I am willing and able to show proof 😂😂

[@aznbbygirls]

As a Chinese in America, I can confirm that Black people hate on us because we are successful.

[@Gabowsk]

Is Jollibee the most f**kable bee?

[@stantears]

@@aznbbygirls as a black person in america, i can confirm that most of us don’t care.

[@charleswilliams4247]

@@aznbbygirls Sounds like you have a persecution complex.

[@sapaulgoogdmen9542]

First thought: I feel like more people should’ve said Jackie Chan Second thought: I’m part of the problem

[@sambeetle6080]

I feel like more people would've said Lucy Liu. That was my first thought. Or Ken Jeong.

[@sth5033]

@@sambeetle6080 i thought lucy liu immediately, it's such a memorable name.

[@girhen]

I thought of George Takei. Anyway, I'd rather be able to name any Asian than be in the "I can't think of one" category.

[@horace6851]

I got George Takei, I feel proud now. (it was a lucky guess, I just remembered he doesn't have a foreign accent so probably was born/brought early to USA, I know, I'm part of the problem too)

[@coobk]

Markiplier was my first thought

[@marcokuhner2445]

That guy really nailed it when he said it’s about human dignity.

[@clintonwashington8609]

In all reality that’s what racism takes from you. Dignity and humanity. 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@Barrelrollz]

He insulted Whites throughout the entire video for laughs, then talked about putting races in a box and human dignity. He's nailing it, truly.

[@Tomtomhonour]

@@Barrelrollz you know where it's from? i'd be interested.

[@aliquidgaming1068]

He's insulting and putting down white people throughout the entire video. Dude is a hypocrit. I'm a black and hispanic man and honestly find it disgusting that this is allowed. The sins of the father don't carry to the son right? So why the fuck do we allow.this to be the case for white people? This is disgusting. Dude also shows constant examples from the past and almost nothing of the present. Im.so done with this shit! We cannot Fucking fight racism with racist tactics. I've also multiple times on other videos asked legit questions about BLM and issues like black on black crimes and real.issies effecting the black community but every time they delete my comments. He doesn't care. And now we even saw multiple BLM leaders step down cause the founder was using funds for personal gain. Even Geroge Floyd mother condemned BLM. Yet he has yet to speak on it at all. Dude is full of himself and a hypocrit.

[@ivonedefigueiredo9301]

@@aliquidgaming1068 As a white South African, I think it is important that the offending race be highlighted as the one that has done the exclusion. Although in principal I understand, and wholeheartedly agree with you, that there is a need to treat all people equally, and that injustices be highlighted, no matter where they are perpetrated, I think we should never forget exactly which (i.e. whose) injustices we are trying to surpass. At this point in world history, too much has been forgotten, which is why we are dealing with the Putin, Bolsonaro and Trump’s of the world, and race and gender equality and fairness are losing ground. Until fairness, compassion, empathy and respect for human dignity is instilled in children in the home and in basic eduction, we cannot forget. When will this happen? Your guess is as good as mine. Indications are, not soon. Remember that John Oliver is a comedian first. What he and his team have been able to do is, and it’s a unique talent, is to inform to a certain degree, and at the very least cultivate curiosity for many many varied subjects. Judging by many of the comments I’ve been reading since he started his show, he is enlightening many Americans, which is kind of sad. In the end, if his comedy attracts an audience which isn’t his usual audience, but includes people with differing views and stances, then that is a small victory because generally people are so divided that they will only listen/ watch news/ documentaries, etc., that don’t cause them cognitive dissonance. On top of that, not all episodes are as good as others, and perhaps the current news on racism towards Asian Americans could have resulted in this episode going out without enough work. I agree, it’s a bit superficial.

[@joecseko2]

HBO, please stay on this path. These exposes are necessary! Thank you.

[@jeanniemaycrawford4466]

There was nothing exposed, just propaganda and Gaslighting

[@titanimarklee]

“A coalition is not a monolith.” -what an important concept.

[@hanakim8813]

cool

[@lloydgush]

Unless they don't agree to a medical procedure, then they must be a monolith.

[@alandolawson1924]

I saw this comment the moment he said it, weird

[@AceofDlamonds]

@@lloydgush could be a monolith in terms of getting their info from the same source.

[@lloydgush]

@@AceofDlamonds Yes, the same source which is a diverse disconnected group of people who aren't "in a big club and you ain't in it". Any source that doesn't say exactly what they want said (even if they said it) is the "monolith".

[@julesgan]

I have always found it amusing that many Americans think that “Asian American” = Chinese. “Asia” is a freaking continent. Forget continent. Malaysia, where I’m in, has over 60 ethnic groups not including the many indigenous peoples (Orang Asli) in the peninsular. 4 main languages are spoken (Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil), and there are almost 100 local dialects.

[@alexbaum2204]

Yeah! And just like we do here in America, you treat your neighbors to the south like second class citizens! In fact, yours is easily the most racist country I’ve ever been to! It puts the United Stares to absolute shame!

[@lunabella8944]

exactly! same many other Asian countries! Chinese has 56 ethnic groups. and hundreds of local dialects. even in Russia, there are over 100 ethnic groups.

[@Phlimbob]

I think it's because Americans classify most non-white American like this. Blacks are called African American because most blacks come from slaves and they can't name which country their ancestors were kidnapped from. American think of all Latin Americans as "Mexicans" because they all speak Spanish with the exception of Brazil. Americans apply the same flawed logic to Asian Americans even though most if not all Asian Americans can name the country of their ancestry, and all they all speak different languages.

[@MostWantedYouTuber]

Ask an American which is the largest continent and answer will be North America.

[@WubbyPunch]

And technically Russia. Which is full of bizarro versions of white people

[@matthewadams3438]

Plot Twist: Those Japanese cars are still on the road today.

[@bananaempijama]

And are way better than American ones.

[@olivierl2172]

@@bananaempijama thats-the-joke.gif

[@madmachanicest9955]

ya i still drive that model on in 2221.

[@GMAMEC]

Yes, and they saved Americans thousands of dollars.

[@esobed1]

.... If you mean those specific cars that were beat up. that would be hilarious!!! I saw a 87 toyota with 570,000 miles ten years ago... Dont know what happened to it. My Avalon 97 has 333,727 right now.

[@jer103]

This whole thing just shows the racial stereotypes our society uses. Whether you are Asian American, black, white, or any other color that we are all human beings and need to treat each other with kindness, respect, and love.

[@libelldrian173]

Pornhub has a better ethnic classification system than the US census.

[@erwanne1305]

Nice one

[@unslientminority1063]

They are even sorted by bOOb size.

[@obiwankenobi661]

first time i checked pornhub for research purposes

[@wzt9376]

Touché!

[@Fuctmentality]

@@obiwankenobi661 I'm pretty sure that makes you an adult now

[@arvinrajmathur378]

Oh, you're forgetting an important fact: when we do face discrimination, it is sometimes rationalized because we're "privileged"

[@sholem_bond]

"Facing-discrimination-due-to-how-allegedly-'privileged'-you-are-five!" - me, a Jew, holding up a hand for a high-five edit: also, constantly being viewed as a foreigner/having divided loyalties (although this one might be less common for Jews these days, and also, Catholics get this a little bit too, although again, less so nowadays I think).

[@arvinrajmathur378]

@@sholem_bond exactly! And the people telling us how privileged we are are usually white. Worst of all, ever since Indians started supporting Trump, now i have to deal with even more racism from both the left and the right. I've gone to administrators and everything. My institution even tried to recommend me for disability services when I got sick of the racism and double standards and decided to complain. That's how bad the gaslighting is

[@krisclem8290]

One reason I will never agree with most leftists. They argue that racism can only happen to black and brown people. They also don't recognize the idea of privilege depends on the country and the majority in that country.

[@lemontonk]

@@krisclem8290 WHAT HAHAHAHA. I feel like you have this weird skewed idea of what a “leftist” is in your head sir

[@utkarsh2746]

@@krisclem8290 As a starting point maybe understand that this binary distinction of left-right is what shuts down any meaningful conversation? Or that the American "left" is barely left-of-center in any other part of the world. Or atleast hold what you think is the "right" to the same standards of hypocrisy?

[@Rogers1977]

Asian American here, and I can't tell you how VALIDATED and SEEN I feel watching this. As someone who was bullied a lot (sometimes because of my mixed race), I struggle a lot to explain to people these things.

[@chimingito]

SEEND FDEE and SDEE

[@chimingito]

Formery Ccuhks

[@harshitjain575]

Yeah! No one is going to talk about the obvious bias in ivy league schools against Asian Americans.

[@normanplombe2889]

If a John Oliver show makes you feel VALIDATED...you should think about your life a little more and maybe raise the bar.

[@arkoisagoodboy]

Top median earners in the country. Statistically more likely to get loan approvals, lower mortgage and student loan rates, you're overrepresented in top tier and ivy league schools... seems like you've been getting seen more than the rest of us but apparently not as much as you want.

[@stephengordon2014]

I'm honestly in awe for the way he unfolded such a complex theme! Thank you for the hard work!

[@ZekkSkywalk]

My problem as a Korean adoptee is that I look quintessentially Asian American but I have the most Anglo name you will ever hear and I work in a Japanese industry...so I get all sorts of problems from both sides :D

[@hbanana7]

oh man...that is a cultural train-wreck! I feel for you.

[@BartRos1980]

Sound rough. Good luck with it. I do not live in the US. But I have Indonesian heritage but look caucasian, with a caucasian name. I get what you are going trough in a reverse way.

[@RubelliteFae]

I had a coworker of Korean heritage who was adopted by white Americans with a Scottish last name and customers would mistake him for Mexican. I have no idea why

[@carmeloshin]

@@RubelliteFae doesn't look white or black? Must be mexican

[@TigerNightmare]

I have Filipino heritage, but I grew up in an English speaking home where we ate more spaghetti than adobo. But all my life, people ask me my nationality, and a lot of native Filipinos aggressively seek me out to clique up with and tell me I should visit "our" homeland and some have even barked Tagalog at me, assuming I know anything but the dirty words.

[@kbl437]

When I was a teenager an old lady came up to me and asked if I was oriental, ya know from the east. I didn’t know what she was talking about because I was born in the USA and never heard about the term oriental as a race, but thought of oriental rugs. Ignorant teenager me was like, I’m a rug? 😅😂

[@RaverHates]

Don't think you were the ignorant one in that exchange

[@wmnpwr98]

The old lady was the ignorant one 🤨 not you,

[@command_unit7792]

@@wmnpwr98 umm...not ignorent just outdated...

[@qpSubZeroqp]

@Juragan Muda don't click on that link. It's a stupid bait to get more views

[@RubelliteFae]

You say ignorant, but you were correct. Calling a person oriental is like calling a lamp drunk. Certain adjectives aren't meant for certain nouns (though I guess this _can_ be done for artistic effect, the artistic effect is only achieved because we intuitively know those words don't normally go together).

[@benjamingardner3314]

John Oliver: devoting his life to a comedy show deconstructing the fall out of his ancestors' British Imperialism every Sunday.

[@kil-roy]

nice

[@doctormo]

The imperial deconstruction hour was always on after gardener's question time and before The Archers 3rd omnibus repeat.

[@enntense]

John Oliver playing you like the simp you are because his pay is based on viewership count... Duh..

[@kaizokuo5850]

@@enntense as opposed to most show hosts who make their money when as little people as possible watch? Got it 😂

[@jochem1986]

@@enntense Don't use the word simp, mister red pill. We know you're tough.

[@vincechin3417]

This is a fantastic segment. It is a very good introduction to the subject of Asian American history. I appreciate the succinct manner is which Oliver delivers the story and the crisp writing. Keep up the good work.

[@dmgreenberg]

“These weren’t the kind of men you send to jail.” Right. They’re the kind of men you send to the gallows. The judge who let them off with little more than a slap on the wrist should have been immediately disbarred.

[@sigmaprojects]

For reals. It's sickening to hear that the murder isn't in question, like the judge sees they murdered Vincent, yet these are good boys who just need a time out. Like how is that even legal, Jesus...

[@RaymondHng]

@@sigmaprojects The judge thought they were having a bad day.

[@RaymondHng]

Charles Kaufman later retired from the Third Circuit Court of Michigan and died in 2004.

[@sigmaprojects]

@@RaymondHng the only thing I can see being rational for the judge to just allow these two off with just a slap on the wrist is that the judge was a bigot.

[@sigmaprojects]

@@RaymondHng reading his bio and seeing how he was a POW in Japan during WW2 makes me think that maaaybe he still harboring hate towards Japanese and people he believes are just like the.

[@Vampiro12]

I could've sworn the top joe known currently would be exotic

[@БулатМиннуллин-р8щ]

I expected Joe mama joke

[@edboimcdedboi2314]

I dunno but the biggest joe is definitely joe mama

[@Pyrozoid]

@@edboimcdedboi2314 right with you on that brother.

[@leonschmidt6913]

I hoped it would be average Joe...

[@LeagueIMO]

The Joe in the video named, Joe Rogan, would also be a pretty good bet

[@sdpinoy78]

Historical Facts: The first recorded Filipino to set foot on North American soil was a Filipino slave on a Spanish Galleon on October 18, 1587 at what is now Morro Bay, CA. The first known Filipino Colony in North America was founded in 1763 in St Malo, Louisiana. In November 2009, Congress passed a resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month later signed by President George W Bush. Filipinos have been part of North American history even before there was a United States.

[@jwh0122]

4:23 origin of the term Asian American 9:04 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act 11:25 Japanese American internment camps in WWII 12:43 1965 Immigration Act 17:19 murder of Vincent Chin 23:14 targets of geopolitical crises

[@SurgeryIsWoke]

@Winston Smith you forgot the bit about the model minority stereotype and it's sociopolitical objective. Maybe you'd like to still make use of it..

[@DarkGob]

"I can't think of a single good reason to beat up a car" Uh, a street fighting tournament? Get it together John.

[@fourlightsorchestra]

"perfect!"

[@nicholasgarcia399]

The target demo has no idea what that is

[@kevinramsey417]

It's all fun and games until some sumo wrestler comes around and destroys your car.

[@diallo1347]

Facts! 🤣🤣🤣

[@treebeard7140]

Welcome back to man vs. car!

[@osmazn5125]

This video means so much. Just to hear that I’m not the only one who went through the racist bullshit against Asians, that it wasn’t all in my head…it’s so validating and I appreciate it.

[@jevogroni4829]

I'm happy to hear about how this video is doing real-life good.

[@bobthetroll]

It's all in your head though

[@Crossword131]

I'm so sorry you dealt with this. I am glad you are here.

[@jesuswesleyramirez4165]

@@bobthetroll wonder whats in your head j-boy. cant wait to get my hands on it

[@davidr6234]

You needed a white man to validate your feelings?

[@XiShenping]

I find that the only time people want to talk about Asian American discrimination is when it's used as a reason to discredit the discrimination of other races.

[@jamesmarhen]

It's similar to when people bring up black on black crime. When having to discuss certain issues having to do with minorities you bring up black on black crime or Asian Americans to change the subject so people don't have to address or learn about other issues being discussed.

[@ProjectEchoshadow]

That’s true, I’ve only heard it brought up to prove blacks can be racist too. Though the events referenced to prove that were valid proofs of that it still did nothing to help either minority experience.

[@Hencid]

top comment

[@mrcrowly11]

​@@jamesmarhen Ya'll start a movement called Black Lives Matter and then didn't want to talk about the thing actually threatening black lives.

[@loreleiflare7388]

@@mrcrowly11 Yeah, uh, you realize that whole little catchphrase just proves how segregated communities are, right? Exact same is true of white-on-white violence. Maybe ask yourself why there are so many guns and so many violent cops on the streets, and stop trying to waste people's time with ill-understood numbers that mean basically nothing.

[@TazChham]

Being Cambodian American I complain about this all my life. Thank you for bring it to the public.

[@jdawg206A]

Thanks John Oliver for shedding light to the public on this complex subject of identify and racism towards Asian Americans. As an Asian American myself, I really appreciate it and hope it'll change people's perceptions of us.

[@DC-ru5xz]

Your fellow people of Asian descent stand with you

[@darylingoteborg3178]

“There is no nice racism” True ‘dat

[@ultimatehawkeyefangirl]

And the fact some people have to be told that is a problem on its own

[@amyqb117]

@@ultimatehawkeyefangirl I swear!

[@maximus5668]

Well there is a lot of racism called ¨positive discrimination¨wich imply discrimination by its name and is profoundly racist.

[@darylingoteborg3178]

@@maximus5668 I had to look that term up since I’ve never heard of it but I guess it’s like how in Australia they give aborigines preferential treatment for university acceptance or workplace hiring as as a minor consolation for having their homeland invaded which isn’t directly racist but in essence fosters discontent with people with better qualifications who miss out as a result and have as human beings : also been colonized at some point in history. So: not really racist actually but more of an inefficient attempt to resolve previous racist treatment

[@woosnext]

but there’s rice nazism.

[@dantio3195]

The last interview shown was really driving the point home. "you could have it worse" is not the answer to injustice.

[@victorpradha9946]

That's the message sold to "house" slaves, so called indoor slaves. Also, it was the message given by Nazi camp guards to the Jewish prisoners whom they recruited to . help manage the rest. Sadly, some took the bait. Divide and conquer was used by the European colonizers from the beginning of their hostile occupation of other lands. The Brits excelled at it. Look at what they did to India. The Dutch did this too. The French. The Spaniards. Europeans set native populations against each other. Lock at South Africa and Apartheid. And where there was bitterness and ethnic rivalry before the colonizers poured gasoline on that so they could come in and proclaim themselves peacekeepers while they gradually (sometimes not so gradually) became the rulers and decisionmakers using deadly force to impose THEIR brand of ORDER!

[@0MG.N0]

Funny how, no matter what -ism you cover (racism, sexism, fascism, ...), Joe Rogan absolutely always gives you the material you need.

[@SweetAngel8642]

"These weren't the kind of men you send to jail" to describe Vincent Chin's case, has the same energy has "he was having a bad day" to describe the Atlanta shootings. Tell me white male privilege isn't a systemic issue.

[@bluewilliams4911]

Also same vibes as “he doesn’t look like a rapist” about Brock Turner.

[@vincentvalenhyde]

They'll just say, it was a different time, so they get a pass.

[@avigutierrez8948]

So true

[@ardard354]

Usually, a judge tries to determine what amount of punishment is enough to rehabilitate criminals so that they can safely return to society. In this case it looks like the judge was right in this aspect. On the other hand ..in setting deterrents.. (insert your systemic racism argument here)

[@TheSnoopKat]

@@ardard354 The problem isn't whether his decision was right, it's how he came to that conclusion. Did he just let them off because they were well off and white? Other races just don't get this kind of treatment.

[@Pravaification]

"I can't think of a single good reason reason to beat up a car" Jon has clearly never played Street Fighter

[@bakedmomo5693]

just use blanka and spam that electric

[@jasonfernandes2197]

Exactly!

[@tekbarrier]

Or Final Fight

[@jesuswesleyramirez4165]

@Anal Farmer "this show has distortions and outright lies" thank you for the opinion king sheep farmer

[@bluecanine3374]

@@bakedmomo5693 nah, it takes E Honda to destory a Honda

[@adrielsebastian5216]

Fun fact: technically the Middle East is in Asia. Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iran, even Turkey (the parts east of the Bosporus, which is like 90% of the country) are in Asia.

[@AntheaRutherford]

The problem with that landmass is that Asia and Europe are contiguous: the separation is completely arbitrary and meaningless.

[@adrielsebastian5216]

@@AntheaRutherford that's why it's called Eurasia

[@Happydayz-2025]

You are absolutely correct.

[@6Germanicus]

@@AntheaRutherford so the separation between US and Canada is also meaningless? Just because it is contiguous, it does not imply that the border is meaningless, right?

[@AntheaRutherford]

@@adrielsebastian5216 Which means referring to anyone as 'Asian' or 'European' is equally arbitrary and meaningless when geographic location as labelled by Europeans is used as the determining factor.

[@binboy1312]

this video HIT oh my god i feel so understood. the model minority myth is so harmful, and i fit it perfectly, which is frustrating in a whole new way. every time i worked my ass off in ap classes and got all 4s and 5s on those exams, the success was dismissed because "you're supposed to be smart anyway." and my ex friend who is hispanic was complaining about hispanic stereotypes and when i brought up the model minority thing, she got angry because "at least your stereotype is good." i get what she means but it sucks that this is the viewpoint so many have. i was terrified to apply to colleges with that race since my mom always warned me that they'll throw me out for being asian. i get asked monthly where i'm REALLY from. i've been called slurs and had kindergarteners scared of me bc they thought i ate dogs. it sucks to see these things get completely ignored and it frustrates me to no end when people claim that asians have it just as easy as white people because no we don't. we're still below them no matter what. i hope this video helped some people realize how frustrating our existences can be as well.

[@MollyOckett3]

I do really appreciate him putting things in terms of Hemsworth so I can understand

[@idon.t2156]

Too bad he likes using racial slurs on his own race. Why so racist? Did he get his job because of his skin color, or does he work hard for it?

[@sithpsychopath3189]

@@idon.t2156 foh Nazi

[@gfox-ck5xx]

@@sithpsychopath3189 e's a russian bot.

[@Milubee]

it was a powerful moment indeed

[@JaharNarishma]

@@8848noelle Exactly. Cracker is not about the crack of the whip when forcing slaves to work the fields. Cracker is not a slur at all. I have nt spent enough time reading and talking about racism with well informed sources and people. Racism is structural, it is systemic, it is about power from one group oppressing another group. With the globalisation it's about the west world whites (exchange whites for males and you basically have the patriarchy) oppressing everyone else. How are "counter" slurs affecting the system? It is a small detail, but it seems to be used in debates every once in a while.

[@yoma32]

As a Japanese living in Japan, when I visited US and stayed there for some time, I was deeply surprised that American society was so complicated. And I thought that staying in US as Asian needs a lot of energy, because you are forced to be constantly conscious about your identity all the time. Here in Japan, my identity is just my age and sex, monotonous but no tension. I feel the respect for American people there who are always coping with the issues of diversity of culture and races.

[@annelissemarie]

It must take a lot of energy to cope being another race in Japan too?

[@yrretgnortsmra8955]

Because Japan is mostly homogeneous and therefore it is really no cultural racial differences over there so I course your identity is just who you are your age, sex or whatover.

[@annelissemarie]

That's true, most folks are ethnically Japanese, I was speaking for the folks who aren't. It can be really hard for the people who are considered racially different in Japan. I think similar to here in the US. Maybe you might not notice if you were in the majority. And such a big majority!

[@soscobra]

Every country with a racial majority has tensions like this. My caucasian friends in Japan say they are often stopped by Japanese police for random searches, most recently just when they stepped out of their apartment for walking to the nearby convenience store at night, because they looked like a 'suspicious foreigner'. And if you don't carry id/papers on you they can detain you per their discretion.

[@Funkopedia]

@@annelissemarie it does, but the number of non-Japanese is comparatively small, so the number of cultural conflicts is proportionately small

[@samiislam3886]

"The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it." George Carlin

[@algorithmicalychallenged.291]

He died a millionaire... And so will his kids.

[@algorithmicalychallenged.291]

@skyZZo he lived the American dream and made it possible for his kids. He wrote jokes for poor people to laugh at...not beileve.

[@benmaghsoodi2067]

@@algorithmicalychallenged.291 American dream is not "some people are successfully and rich". It claims ANYONE who works hard can become successful. Carlin was a genius successful white man. Him dying a millionaire is not a testament to American dream.

[@adriantorres4431]

@@algorithmicalychallenged.291 Do you think people listen to the poor? No. They listen to the wealthy. And, in some cases, the wealthy have honest and smart things to say. 🤷‍♂️

[@EchotheLost]

I'd say, "you first", but Satan doesn't take walk-ins.

[@mailinglist2451]

In high school, unlike the stereotype, my (East) Asian American family was poor. I often felt burdened by what my parents actually felt burdened by. Plus, I didn’t like being pigeonholed as the model minority, so, I started to give up on academics. Once, in chemistry class, I failed to complete my portion of either homework or an experiment. My non-Asian POC partner angrily snapped, “BUT, YOU’RE ASIAN!!” I felt so small and unimportant. I had chosen her to be my partner earlier in the semester because she seemed kind. She chose me because I am Asian. Sigh.

[@chuuu4610]

I just wasn’t good at maths lol. I studied 2-3hrs a day on Khan Academy and with tutors like the good East Asian kid I should be and got like 84 in grade 12 calculus. I had well above 90 in everything except calc and physics. My calc teacher would never help when I asked and just told me to ask my friends (also Asian). I had As earlier on before calc but only bc I learned early at home. My older brother got 100. Every time. Like literally. Little to no effort, he just got it. Just like my mom. Our parents put roughly equal pressure on us- little to none really. But I felt pressured by all the other Asian kids doing supremely well despite my parents telling me not to stress over it. Like it feels bad bc we still see every other Asian kid is being a living bragging right so you can’t escape expectations even with chill parents.

[@kawaiiafangirl]

7:48 "Some Hems, are worth a lot more than other Hems are worth". I'm Filipino and even though I appreciate this segment by John Oliver, I think that line was the one I thought about the most. Lol.

[@ButchBitch95]

honestly same, i'm chinese and japanese and that was the line that made me laugh out loud lmao everything else i already knew, but good use of the platform john!

[@techspider7486]

I knew this line would be criminally underrated. It's perfection.

[@STANDRDUSER]

I’m 4th Generation Filipino American. My great-grandfather arrived to Maui via ship in 1938 at 17 years old. He was a part of a group known as the Sakadas. Also, he witnessed Pearl Harbor.

[@livb6945]

So, you are American. As long as there are no "Euro-Americans" I don't see the point in calling yourself "Filippino-American" 🤔

[@thekaryodysseys6360]

Dang i feel like i'd like to see a movie about him (or someone like him), there are hardly any stories about 1930 filipinos, esp those who migrated. Also regarding the commenter above ^ i feel the opposite, you should totally celebrate your roots and can be both filipino and american without them cancelling each other out. Just saying

[@SharienGaming]

@@livb6945 as long as the "euro-americans" (aka white americans) are treating everyone else as second class, sadly there is a point to this ideally everyone would just be "people" with origin, place of living or looks not mattering - but as long as they do, denying those people who are being denied equal treatment a term to rally and organise under is just perpetuating the inequality when they stop being treated differently is when those distinctions will lose meaning and fall out of use

[@kenc2257]

@@livb6945 What?? There are loads of hyphenated Americans tracing their roots back to Europe. Irish-Americans, German-Americans, and English Americans are probably the 3 largest groups. And, in any case, you are not some sort of arbiter on how people identify themselves, Dude.

[@fernandaarmas1004]

@@livb6945 Europe is a continent, Philippines a country. There’s plenty Italian Americans, French Americans, Polish Americans, and more. I haven’t heard anyone call themselves euro american but I know plenty of third, fourth generation italian and greek americans who are proud of being americans and proud of their roots. I don’t understand if your comment was meant as a stupid gotcha, but if it was a joke then my bad, just ignore this.

[@Bernicemarie]

As a filipina American, I want to say thank you for mentioning Filipino labor leaders working with Cesar Chavez. That leader’s name is Larry Itliong, and I learned about him during a my club’s meeting: Kababayan at UCI. During that meeting, we learned the connection between why we say ‘Isang Bagsak’ at the end of every meeting and the Delano Grape Strike. Isang Bagsak-which means one falls, expressing that if one falls, we all fall-originated from the Grape Strike and it was a way for latinx and pilipinx farm workers to close off a long labor day at the fields. It was a way to communicate with each other because of the language barrier. #IsangBagsak

[@OGrandomunknownperson]

@GrutPlant and latinx

[@my_other_side473]

@GrutPlant I don't care if Fil-Am want to use Filipinx. My only problem is that, were not even the one who use it first. It's the Latinos, come on Fil-Ams, be Original.

[@ericktellez7632]

@@my_other_side473 Whats worse is that the americans are now using that term to refer to us non americans in latin america and we hate it. If yall gringos want to use that than is your decision but dont involve us we aren’t even from your country leave us alone.

[@rukiapyonpyon]

aray ko po sa filipinx... why? words like latinx and filipinx sounds weird. ambaho pakingan.

[@my_other_side473]

@@ericktellez7632 we don't involved you, blame the Latino-Americans for using the term Latinx.

[@0xredrumx078]

I'm Indian American and it wasn't American society or White people who pressured me into going to a top college, it was my mom.

[@SwordTune]

A question I have been asked: "You do speak Asian?" An answer I have given: "Yes."

[@aaronjanusch6090]

Fuckin' classic!!! 🤣🤣🤣!!!

[@michellesbae]

“Are you Chinese or Asian?”

[@Neh113]

My mom has a white coworker who proudly got a tattoo of her own name in "Asian". When my mom asked what language, she just looked confused and repeated Asian.

[@toddjones1480]

That reminds me of the criminal trial in The Cable Guy. This guy who murdered his parents for their money is trying to blame someone else and says “I think it was an Asian gang or something. I saw someone. He looked... Asian. And he was speaking another language. I’m pretty sure it was... Asian.”.

[@Red_Proton]

I've been asked, "Do you speak English?" My answer, "Not right now."

[@Redamhcs]

I love how racial equality and human rights is called “petty bullshit”

[@TH-hy9kr]

meanwhile, masks and distancing are violations of human rights equated to the horrors of the Third Reich by certain people (sigh)

[@10thletter40]

@@TH-hy9kr Yes. Some people say that garbage. It makes no sense. That still doesnt make masks very useful specifically for covid. Distancing sure, but masks at most blocked some of the larger water droplets. Spit and the sort. Air still went out the sides, and covid is small enough that the masks didnt matter. Not to mention, masks are mostly ineffective in under an hour, yet our service workers wear the same ones hours on end. Additionally, we generally are supposed to have biohazard disposal units, since all these masks should be quite infected. Yet we never implemented it. So yeah. This is mostly woke pandering

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Asian Americans vs affirmative action university SAT scores rules : Asians 1216 SAT score needed Whites 1148 SAT score needed Hispanics 1043 SAT score needed Blacks 966 SAT score needed Which party passed these affirmative action rules against Asians and others ? Answer the same political party that passed Jim Crow laws.

[@warrenrobinson6436]

Human rights and racial equality is great and important, it's the modern people that spout it nowadays that are petty and full of shit.

[@CarsonZXY]

@@THEREALZENFORCE that isn't an affirmative action thing. Also, did you know that history didn't end in 1960? Shit happened after that.

[@prabhanshsingh5715]

If I only had a dollar for everytime someone told me that I'm Indian and not Asian

[@JaydevRaol]

😄

[@egregiousqueef7781]

I now say "hello, (fellow) human" and when I see kids "hello, little human" ... you cannot go wrong with this regardless of your physical location on the planet or how that human individually identifies (because they are first and foremost HUMAN). It is the ultimate all inclusive language. Until of course Oumuamua transmits data across the Universe to the coming non terrestrial conscious/sentient complex lifeforms which land here ... THEN I will have to come up with something else I guess Case by case basis. Some people don't care about their lineage and just want to be called their name or no identifier at all.

[@underdestruction6192]

Is Asia on the planet ?

[@jwlgoesfishing]

Ohhhh my brothers are Indian and people deadass said "no you're black not Asian" to them...

[@RubelliteFae]

Superconfuse them and tell them you are Desi

[@claram4983]

Just started watching & listening to your KZbin videos. Now I understand why you won all your Emmy's! I'm a new fan, Thank You!

[@yetimaster17]

I'm a Japanese American, and I have Russian friends that also like to tell people they are "asian"... I've always been like "hey that's not a lie, go for it"

[@doodledile702]

I mean you won the Russo Japanese War so by international law you have the right to accept or reject their proposal.

[@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists]

Bullshit ! Russia from their western border to the URAL is actually EUROPE ! Get your education.

[@rgderen88]

Which parts are Asia? I know it's split, just not sure how far.

[@umitbisary2598]

@@MakeSomeNoisePlaylists nah, Russia is not a homogenously white /european country at all! And starting from Ural going eastwards, it is very much in Asia. Most of Russian territories used to belong to indigenous Asian people, who still live there. There are LOTS of Asian Indigenous people of Russia, such like Yakuts, Buryats, Tatars, Bashkirs, Evenki, etc.and this is just the tip of the iceberg! And I am not even talking about the CENTRAL ASIANS, from countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan etc., which used to be the Russian colonies. Central Asians usually speak perfect Russian as a second language. Still, they are very much Asians in the sense, that they often look similar to East Asians and therefore face anti-Asian racism in the US! By the way, since I mentioned Kazakhstan, people from Kazakhstan usually tell everyone they are Russians (because thank you very much, Borat, telling people that you're from Kazakhstan results in quite some shitty experience in the US) However, despite the way in which that moron depicted Kazakhs in his movie (which was, if you remember, nominated to Oscar this very year!), Kazakhs are Asians, and the fact that Borat (a movie which caused so much harm to Kazakhstani people) smoothly passed into the Oscars this very year is INFURIATING!

[@mkfd4571]

Asia starts at the Ural Mountains in Russia.

[@kamagoong]

That Jollibee bit was hilarious. But in all seriousness, the Jollibee Corp is facing several labor issue on how they treat their employees. Jollibee in the Philippines, at least.

[@paramjotsingh8]

Don’t worry. That clip will save them. All they got to do is show the judge that clip and they’re pretty much free to go.

[@papapawer4043]

Man! I really can't fathom those people who defend Jollibee as if they're some sort of stockholders. I mean, is that really hard for them to hold these greedy corporates accountable? All they focus is that issue of fried towel. But with regards to exploitative labor practices? Meh.

[@kirikomori7874]

@@papapawer4043 probably because jolibee is in fact public listed and is one of the cheaper & stable stock options in its home country. So much so that most of thier stock holders are the lower middle income and up that frequents thier stores aswell. Its only 4 bucks a pop champ, in ain't that hard to do the math.

[@jakeryan9469]

I used to live close to the Jollibee in Plano, TX. That clip makes me want some of their adobo rice.

[@literarymusings8886]

African kings sold poor Africans to Europe and then Britain and America freed them later

[@SmellsLikeBrass]

"Welcome to Carrie Bradshaw's bedroom. The white man is on top." --> I'm dead.

[@pjotrtje0NL]

That got me laughing out loud as well!

[@sarahlee9320]

🤣🤣🤣

[@EvilFookaire]

You can be dead, as long as you're white and male you'll still get to be on top there.

[@VKingMD]

Suicide is a leading cause of death in everyone 15-24. Teenagers aren't dying of heart disease and cancer.