FOBism - The Unspoken Barrier within Asian American Communities
What does FOB aka “Fresh Off the Boat” mean?
Have you ever caught yourself altering your behavior, manner of speaking, or the way you dress in an attempt to avoid being labeled as "fresh off the boat" or "FOB"?
The derogatory term "FOB," or "fresh off the boat," is applied to Asian immigrants perceived as not fully assimilated into American culture, marked by their accent, fashion, and dietary habits. The discriminatory attitudes or behaviors against unassimilation is termed "FOBism," and it manifests in three ways:
How individuals interact with others
How they view themselves
How they perceive societal norm
Some examples of FOBism include mocking accents, disdain for traditional attire, and a preference for Western norms. It’s a pervasive issue within the Asian community itself, driven by the pressures of assimilating into mainstream culture to avoid being perceived as a perpetual foreigner. This dynamic triggers a rejection of one's own cultural identity, which not only affects personal self-esteem but also fosters a communal sense of disconnection and insecurity. It's a cycle fueled by the fear of being labeled as a FOB, resulting in a diminished connection to one’s cultural roots.
Grappling with internalised FOBism
Reflecting on my own journey as an Asian American originally from Taiwan, I realize there were moments when I gravitated towards those who appeared more Americanized, deliberately distancing myself from my own people who I perceived as FOBs. It brought up feelings of shame, inferiority, and isolation despite wanting to be part of a broader community. It made me even want to distance myself from other people who looked like me to avoid appearing “FOB”by myself.
Regrettably, I judged fellow Asians based on their English fluency, mistakenly equating language proficiency with intelligence or value. I was also embarrassed by certain behaviors not aligned with U.S. norms, such as the peace sign gesture in photos, which I dismissed as a stereotypical Asian trend. Even in my professional life, I once believed that catering to mainstream American clients was the ultimate measure of success, failing to recognize the significance of my work with Chinese-speaking immigrants.
These reflections bring up an uncomfortable awareness of self-discrimination, but are crucial for confronting my biases and advancing towards a more inclusive and self-accepting viewpoint.
An internal conflict
When I first watched the TV show American Born Chinese, I was amazed to see this feeling of cultural inferiority illustrated so profoundly. The series follows Jin, an Asian American character, as he navigates his discomfort around Wei-Chen, a new student from China and a quintessential "FOB." Early in the show, before Jin has wrestled with his FOBism, he tries to distance himself from Wei-Chen by saying, "I have enough friends." And when Wei-Chen tries to speak Chinese to Jin, Jin shoots back, "You're in America. Speak English."
These examples illustrate the internal conflict many Asian Americans face – the struggle to fit in without being perceived as outsiders. The show not only explores the personal challenges of living between two cultures but also criticizes the larger social pressures that feed into this type of internal racism.
There was a significant shift for me after I took a group of American students on a two-week immersion trip to Taiwan. I was overwhelmed by the richness and value they saw in my culture and people. By the end of the cultural immersion, when we had the chance to reflect and share, I felt deeply ashamed of my previous embarrassment about my heritage. In that moment of reflection, I sobbed, releasing years of deeply buried feelings of FOBism.
How to address FOBism
Addressing FOBism requires a twofold approach: recognizing its harmful impact and actively promoting an environment that celebrates our diverse cultures, languages, and histories. We need to foster a community where Asian heritage is not seen as a drawback but as an essential component of our identities. By dismantling FOBism and championing pride, unity, and acceptance, we can celebrate the richness of the Asian American experience, which thrives on the very diversity FOBism seeks to suppress.
Tangible Steps:
Start with examining your own FOBism. Where do you notice FOBist attitudes or behaviors within yourself? Why do you think you feel or act this way? Is there a fear underlying this? What are the roots behind your FOBism?
Learn more about traditional Asian culture from people who are familiar with it. What are the values of some cultural practices that you might have been previously embarrassed of?
Consume Asian movies, music, food, and other cultural elements, and surround yourself with people who appreciate them. Discover new aspects of Asian culture that you truly enjoy and incorporate them into your life.
Begin to share traditionally Asian aspects of yourself that you might have hidden previously. Embrace these elements openly and confidently as part of your identity.
Confront FOBism when you see it and initiate conversations with others. Challenge FOBism in your social circles and take steps to educate those around you.
This is me wearing a very functional hat (blocks sun on back side and light/cool) that I previously viewed as stereotypically FOB-y
Final Thoughts
I believe the U.S. should be a place that embraces all imported cultures. I live in Los Angeles, and I think what makes this city so beautiful is the diversity of cultures, foods, and traditions—and how they are celebrated! It’s disheartening when, under FOBism, people feel pressured to abandon their cultural roots just to fit in. Though broad cultural change may seem daunting, I believe we can at least start in our own Asian American community to embrace the valuable diversity among our vibrant population.
This article was written by Dr. Kenneth Wang. Dr. Wang is a Professor in Clinical Psychology at Fuller Seminary, a licensed psychologist in California & Illinois, and a fellow of the American Psychological Association. Prior to Fuller, Kenneth taught at University of Missouri and worked as a staff psychologist at the University of Illinois and a counselor at National Dong-Hwa University in Taiwan. Kenneth’s research focuses on perfectionism, cross-cultural psychological adjustment, and psychological measurement. He is also a coach for executives who are perfectionists.
