Taking "Asian America" To New Heights
by Elizabeth Khan, Special Contributor

If you ask anyone to list a few common stereotypical characteristics of Asian-Americans, the word "short" will invariably surface. This is the case especially for Asian-American women. What does this mean for anyone who doesn't fit the stereotype? For this half Asian-American woman, it has meant a lifelong love-hate relationship with my own height. I am 5' 9" tall, which, according to a recent article in the British newspaper "The Guardian," is about the average height of an American man. However, for a woman of Asian descent, it's extremely tall. I was always the tallest member of my high school's Asian-American club.

For a long time, I hated my height. In elementary school, a "friend" of mine told me, "I'm glad I'm not as tall as you". I always had to sit at the back of the classroom to avoid obstructing the view of the shorter students (which included just about everyone else in the class). Classmates would look up at me and utter the painfully obvious phrase I have heard at least 600 million times in my life (conservative estimate): "You're so tall!" or the equally ubiquitous, "Do you play basketball?" I especially hated the latter as I am the least athletically inclined person in existence.

People don't always outgrow such childish attitudes. Magazine articles about height often read, "Tall men have it easier, but tall women have no luck in dating". They are filled with dire predictions with more than a little sexist bent. "Tall women are less likely to get married", implores an article on the BBC News website. "Tall women are more likely to get breast cancer", claims an article from CNN. Some historians are quick to assume that every tall woman in history was actually a man suffering from a hormonal disorder. The message is clear: If you are a woman over 5' 6", you are a freak.

Until very recently, I believed I was a freak. I never wore high-heeled shoes. I told everyone I was 5' 8 1/2", just to appear shorter. I even began to dread being with my family in public, because everyone would stare at us: my father, who is Asian-Indian and 6' 5", my mother, who is Greek and 5' 10" (Greeks aren't known for their height, either), and my 14-year-old brother, who is already taller than me and still growing. I'm surprised people don't stop us and ask to take photographs.

Then something happened. I realized that there are advantages to being tall. I can reach all the high shelves at the library or the supermarket. Furthermore, being tall commands respect; people tend not to think of you as a dainty damsel in distress when you are as tall as they are - or taller. I don't slouch or pretend to be 5' 8 1/2" anymore. I still don't wear high heels very often, but only because I find them uncomfortable.

Here is my message to all the tall Asian-American women out there, however few in number they may be. Never slouch or wish you were 5' 2". Walk proud! There are many people (yes, even other women) of all races who would love to be your height. Are you still feeling like the only tall Asian woman in the world? Remember that if everyone were exactly the same height, the world would be a very boring place. And who wants to be exactly like everyone else anyway? You're unique. Be glad of that.