Call to celebrate Asian connection

Auckland doctor Dr Angela Lim is proud of her Malaysian heritage, but is also a staunch Kiwi.

The 28-year-old, who works at Starship Children’s Hospital, moved to New Zealand with her parents and siblings when she was 15.

In her experience, Kiwis’ knowledge of Asia only touched the surface of what was a very rich culture, people and region.

“I think that we have a good appreciation of the more public cultural elements — stuff like Asian food, Asian languages. I think we have a good understanding of that.

“But it’s superficial. There’s a lack of understanding from a cultural perspective. What are the values that we hold? How are we building those relationships?”

Lim said she was not surprised that many young Kiwis knew even less about the real Asia, as many got their information and news via social media. The social media tools we used today did not allow for crosspollination.

“Unfortunately, because of the negative perceptions that are spun out in the media and the idea of ‘how do we perceive Asians’ — when you have such negative stereotype, you do not want to know more about the country, by association.

“By association, we don’t immediately think about Asia when we think about work and play.”

Lim called on all New Zealanders to celebrate what it meant to be Asian, what it meant to be people living in the Asia-Pacific region and learning about the people.

“I think those are the things that are yet to be challenged — beyond the superficial: ‘I have dumplings for lunch and therefore I understand’,” she said.