Who Do You Consider Asian?
By semicolonp
@semicolonp (518)
Philippines
March 12, 2013 6:49am CST
My local news interviewed someone staying in Rome, asking if the lone Asian Bishop Tagle has a chance of being Pope. She said the people surrounding her doesn't believe he has any chance whatsoever because, they said, Jesus wasn't Asian.
Apart from the sheer racism inherent in that statement -- what does race have to do with being a Pope? Does that mean they think Jesus was European? -- it made me wonder something. Because from what I remember, Jesus was born in Jerusalem and lived in Galilee (feel free to correct me if I'm remembering wrong) and both of those places are in Israel. In the Middle East. In Asia.
So, wouldn't that mean he's technically Asian? I looked online and apparently, most US Americans consider "Asian" to mean East/Southeast Asians, while in the UK, it usually means South Asians. People online have posted that Jesus is Jewish so he can't be Asian, but Jew is a nationality/religion that doesn't contradict which continent you were born in, so technically, Jesus is both Jewish and Asian.
There are many classifications under the term "Asian", but in terms of nationality, I personally always considered it as, "person born from and/or ethnically related to a country in Asia."
In terms of nationality, who do you consider as Asian? Or is it one of those things that you've never really thought of?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@sweety_81 (2124)
• India
12 Mar 13
The fact is that Italy, Germany and most European countries have hold on the Pope's position and its more of a question of who is closer to the governing group and who is not. And Europeans have more of a chance than others because of this reason.
@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
I'm not good in geography but I guess our own pope could not compete with those who are from Europe. However, if they are looking at the qualification, abilities, and character of the cardinals, then they should look into the goodness of the person not their nationality. Hope they vote the best of them all.
@jp24garcia (36)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
It's really obvious that most of the popes elected are really from European countries. Blessed Pope John Paul II is from Poland and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is from Germany. I mean only a few have been chosen as pope not hailing from Europe. They also have the highest number of cardinals. But, it would really be a great honor for the Asians especially us Filipinos for Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to be selected as the first Asian Pope. I also agree with you, Jesus came from Israel therefore he's an Asian. In conclusion, whatever race you are, it has nothing to do with being a pope. Too much racism.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 13
In 1998 I had a lovely trip to Israel and Jordan. Whilst in Jerusalem I did an afternoon visit to see the Church of the Nativity in the town of Bethlehem over on the West Bank. The people living in that region are Asian. The Bishop Tagle does have a chance of becoming the pope.
An Asian person is one born in one of the Asian countries. His or her mom and dad would be Asian too. Some people have migrated to another continent or they have an Asian look even though they were born in my home country. Yesterday in the steam room I was chatting to a lady that has a Chinese appearance.
@lowloy (316)
• United States
12 Mar 13
In terms of nationality it could mean a couple of things. First it could mean where you were born, and secondly it could mean where your permanent residence is and if you were a green card holder. As with Jesus and the Cardinal nationality don't mean a thing. I am not Jewish, but I have a little bit of Jewish heritage in me. By that I mean I am a believer in Christ. By the way this American might become Asian, because I am thinking of moving to the Philippines, and join that Christian race or group of people.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
I am hurt that they seem to be racists when they say that. Can't they just consider the accomplishments and the integrity of the person since he started serving the Christian faith?
