Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

What’s next: A Chinese U.S. President?

Following Obama's election victory, I've asked my students what they've thought of it. Pretty much complete silence was the response. I'm sure they had plenty to say, but because I wanted them to speak in English, I think all of them were too afraid to relay their thoughts to me. "Is it good, bad, so-so, or not a big deal," I asked one class. "Good" one anonymous student said shyly.

Some of my students have noted that Obama is handsome and young. One student said he liked him because he was a "negro." I wanted to find out more. So today during my Chinese tutoring session, I asked my tutor and her boyfriend what they thought about the election. What her boyfriend said surprised me.

"If America can elect a man from Africa, it makes you wonder if America will ever elect a Chinese as President," he said.

It's funny. In the past week I've read articles talking about how minority parents can now confidently tell their children that they too can be president one day. A few days ago I read about how a little boy wants to be the first Latino U.S. President. But throughout the week, never did it occur to me that perhaps one day America will elect a Chinese or Asian person as President.

I really don't ever see that happening, at least anytime within the next 15 years. There just aren't too many prominent Asian politicians. And I don't think I've had one Asian friend talk to me about entering public office. It's just so left-field, I really have trouble imagining that happening. Part of it may also have to do with the fact that there really aren't too many famous Asian-Americans in the U.S. "Asian-Americans just don't do these type of things" might be one way to put it. (Great, now I'm promoting stereotypes.)

But as I learned happily this week, things do change. A student named Lily who texted me earlier this week said it well. "Nothing is impossible," she texted. "Maybe Obama is an example."