By Ted W. Lieu,
a U.S. Air Force Captain
"Are you in the Chinese Air Force?" the elegantly dressed lady sitting
next to me asked. For a moment I was left speechless. We were at an
award dinner, and I was wearing my blue U.S. Air Force uniform, complete
with captain's bars, military insignia, and medals. Her question jarred
me and made me realize that even Air Force blue was not enough to reverse
her initial presumption that people with yellow skin and Asian features
are somehow not Americans.
I have had strangers come up to me and attempt to mimic the Chinese
language in a derogatory manner. I have been told countless times that I
speak "good" English. I have been asked why someone like me would be
interested in watching NFL football. On any given day, if I walk around
with a camera, I will be mistaken for a tourist from Asia. Most of the
discrimination I have encountered centered on the view that I am not a
part of this great nation, even though I grew up in Ohio, graduated from
law school in Washington D.C., and received my commission in the U.S. air
Force in 1991.
It is time to reverse the irrational and insidious presumption that Asian
Americans are foreigners, have dual loyalties or are somehow linked to the
government of a foreign country. As an officer in the U.S. Air Force, one
day I may be called upon to give my life for my country. It would be a
shame if some people still question what I mean when I say "my country."
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