Asian Tiger

1 Naomi

I saw Ashlyn run down the hall. I jogged after her. I don't know her very well, but I know how she feels. What Kyle did was crazy. I mean, even I know that blonde girls can be smart. Ashlyn is one of the smartest girls in our grade. I am always stereotyped about my IQ. Everyone expects me to be super smart because I'm Asian. Ashlyn stopped at her locker.

" I wanted to talk to you about our quiz", I said shyly.

Her face was super red, I hoped she would help me. I'm failing in biology.

" What?! You want to help me?!", she said, staring into her locker.

"No. Actually, I was wondering if you could help me."

"Listen, this isn't funny, didn't you see what just happened!"

" No, really I need help. Please."

"Look, stop-

She paused and finally looked at my face."I'm sorry, I'm being ridiculous", she said in a calm voice. "I'm just really upset about--you know. I hate stereotypes about my intellect. So, you were saying you needed help?"

"Yeah, I'm not doing so good in biology, and no one really helps me study. I was wondering if you could help me. If my mom finds out I have a C in science she will, uh........ she... gets upset...really upset."

"Of course I can help you. And I don't think we've really met. Hi, I'm Ashlyn."

"I'm Naomi."

"So, when are you available?"

"Umm, tomorrow I have book club, Thursday is dance, Friday is the test, Wednesday I have violin but it ends at 5 so.........I think Wednesday evening is good, if that works for you. "

" I'm available at 6. "

"Great. So, should I come to your house?"

"Sure, I'll just let my parents know. Here, I'll give you my number."

"Oh yeah, I'll give you mine."

We exchanged numbers and left for lunch. I went over to Chloe and Kaylee, plopping my lunch on the table.

"Did you guys see what happened with Ashlyn and Kyle?", Kaylee said.

"Oh my god yes, I can't believe it, that was a total smack down!", Chloe squealed.

I leaned toward them, "I can't believe Kyle said that. Like, blondes are not dumb."

Kaylee looked at me, " Well, they can be. I read an article that says blondes get their hair pigment from their brain waves, especially girls because of estrogen, so most blondes have a lower intelligence."

Chloe looked at her weird. I replied,"Kaylee, not everything you read is true, haven't you met a blonde before? Hair color is just a color. That's all."

"Well Asians don't really hang with blondes so no, I don't really know one. And there is a reason for everything, I mean why else would people come up with the saying that blonde hair and blue eyed girls are dumb?"

Chloe opened her mouth but Kaylee kept going. "I think Ashlyn got waaay to upset. She totally made Kyle feel bad when he hardly did anything. Right Chloe?"

Chloe paused, " Uhh, yeah......right."

"Let's just stop talking about this.", I said.

"Naomi, what's your problem?!"

"My problem is that you are stereotyping her when it doesn't even make sense!"Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Ashlyn watching.

" It makes total sense. I guess you don't understand things like we do, I mean we get A's easily, but it seems like you need help......"

"How do you not get it! Haven't you ever been stereotyped from your looks before? I can't believe you, now you're stereotyping me! This is enough and it needs to stop!", I grabbed my lunch and ran off. I can't believe no one understands. Has no other Asian besides me been stereotyped? Do they not get that you shouldn't be labeled smart or dumb based on your hair color or race !? I don't get it. Asians can be dumb, blondes can be smart, Brazilians can have blue eyes, Europeans can have black hair, does it even matter?

~=+=~

During literature, I grabbed a computer and started looking up designer dresses. I was supposed to be looking at literary characters but who cares. Then, 5 minutes before the end of period I got a ping on my computer. It was from grade book. I opened up my account.

Dear Naomi Chaung,

You have been alerted because you have activated alerts if your grade went below an 89. If you wish to turn off alerts, go to the reminders section, click on alerts, and check the box that says "no alerts". Please check your grades.

I clicked on grades. There, under math, was a big fat B. I started to shake. On the way home, I stalled as long as I possibly could.