I am writing this from North El Monte, an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County sitting on the margins of the ethnoburban region now popularly known among Southern California Asian American youth as “the 626.” Ever since the Fung Brothers came out with their Ode to the 626 music video earlier this year, this playful toponym has been gaining currency. The Los Angeles Times even published an article about it this morning!
The use of the area code to refer specifically to the ethnoburbs has rubbed me the wrong way since I first heard it back in February. It reminds me of the disconnect between the entirety of the area and people indicated by the area code and slim, privileged sectors that “the 626″ refers to.
The 626 area code goes far beyond the middle class, largely Chinese and Taiwanese ethnoburbs east of Los Angeles, though “the 626″ as a geographic descriptor means those regions exclusively. What about places in area code 626 like Baldwin Park, La Puente, or El Monte, which are largely Latino and working class? What about mostly white Monrovia or San Dimas? It’s not even clear if the region’s big city of Pasadena can claim to be part of “the 626,” except perhaps when the 626 Night Market is held there.
“The 626″ is also extremely narrow as a demographic descriptor. I think we can agree that the term refers specifically to youth, so the middle-aged and older do not need to be part of the discussion. Can immigrant youth in “the 626″ claim to be of “the 626″? Can non-Asian residents of “the 626″ claim to be of “the 626″? My sense is no. The people of “the 626″ are exclusively US-born or raised, English-dominant, middle-class or upwardly-mobile Asian American youth, and the geographic “626″ is specifically the parts of the San Gabriel Valley ethnoburbs where these youth play, if not also live and work.
“You don’t fit anywhere, so you create something new,” says Aileen Xu, 21, who grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. “A lot of us don’t necessarily connect to our homeland. We’re not from China. We speak English.” – from the LA Times article, emphasis mine.
“The 626,” both as it refers to people and as it refers to geography, is far too grand a term. It is laden with privilege of race, class, citizenship, language, generation, and age. Not everyone living in the 626 area code of the North American Numbering Plan is in or of “the 626.” This claim by a narrow, privileged segment of the population to the area code effectively makes everyone else disappear.
When you think of “the OC” do you think of the poor and working class Latinos of Santa Ana and Anaheim? What about the large Vietnamese communities of Westminster and Garden Grove? My concern is that “the 626″ will take over the image of the San Gabriel Valley region and make even those who live here forget that it is far more diverse than the architects of this new identity would have you think.
August 27, 2012 at 2:16 pm
That’s the whole point of a dominant narrative, that it’s dominant.
When Jay-Z reps Brooklyn, he’s not talking about Williamsburg. He’s talking about Marcy Projects. Should the white hipster butchers be mad he’s not representing their BK experience? When Theophilius London (a black hipster rapper from Brooklyn) films his music videos exclusively in Williamsburg, is Jay-Z furious that Nostrand Ave didn’t make the final cut?
Nobody is being anti-anything. It’s just pro-boba.
August 27, 2012 at 2:33 pm
“Nobody is being anti-anything. It’s just pro-boba.”
LOL. That statement is quite witty, but let’s take a step back for a minute. Can we agree that the dominant narrative is characterized as much by what it doesn’t include as it is by what it includes?
Pro-something is often implicitly anti-something else. As an extreme example, let’s take the concept of “white supremacy.” That can be reformulated as “pro-white.” On the surface, there is nothing indicating that they’re anti-something else.
August 27, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Being white is something you are born into. Liking boba is something completely up to you.
If you want to be cool in East LA you have to be down with the dominant narrative. Same situation once you cross the border into Monterey Park.
There are pros and cons to any movement and anything in life. There are cons to even getting a job promotion (more money but more responsibility and commitments etc.).
You did/do a great job of understanding potential con(s) (some of which I think are debatable, others more valid – namely that 98% of Hispanics living in the 626 do not care about ‘not being included’ whatsoever) of Asian kids in the 626 developing a stronger sense of pride and self-identity. Weighed against the pros, it’s not even close…the pros greatly outweigh the cons.
We are talking about communities that already were existing completely exclusive of one another and never on track to intersect in the first place. Now one group has some cool things and they’re obligated to share with the other groups…who get this…have absolutely no desire to be included!
August 27, 2012 at 9:05 pm
To be honest, I’ve actually never heard the SGV be referred to as “the 626″ while growing up. I think the “626″ was something that I’ve heard it be called in the more recent years, maybe in the past year or two.
I must admit, that our blog does use the phrase “626″ a lot, because we’ve come to understand and adopt it as a means to describe the Asian food coming from the SGV. However, I do agree that by creating this correlation between Asian food and “the 626″ we definitely throw to the side other food scenes that are present in the San Gabriel Valley.
I feel that using the phrase “626″ is a form of branding… kind of in the sense of how people can say “SC” and know that they are referring to “USC” and such. However, I sometimes feel that by using the term “the 626″ it narrows the scope of what the San Gabriel Valley really has to offer. Growing up in North El Monte/Arcadia, I know that there’s a lot more than just Asian food in the SGV. I also feel that the Latino/Hispanic population also makes up a significant amount of the San Gabriel Valley, but perhaps this may be more towards the periphery of the region of which people associate the “626″ with. From the understanding of many people I’ve spoken to, that are not from the SoCal area, they understand the “626″ as mainly MPK, Alhambra, and San Gabriel but nothing more.
August 28, 2012 at 1:04 am
To me.. if it can even be taken this far out.. might even be a ply to stir up business in the area? They’re basically selling an image of the ‘culture’ in the area. Maybe because the area is a predominantly cultured area– meaning not a lot of upper classes do not know how it is to live in the areas.. so they rely the media to describe to them. I’m assuming because they don’t drive through the towns much. The news article was simply a showcase of the locals from the 626? And ‘advertise’ for them? Hmm, maybe that’s a stretch though. I guess if taken from that angle…. this article is actually kind of a good thing for the Asian markets and restaurants and shopping malls? Yup, its spotlight. And people love to stare at the people in the spotlight. Well I guess while the Asian markets, restaurants, and malls get all the attention for a short period, all the other cultured areas might lose some revenue.
Meh, I guess if one looks at it from a economical stand point.. :\
August 28, 2012 at 8:19 am
That is hardly a stretch. The Fung Brothers have been explicit about drumming up business for Asian restaurants in the area and turning it into a more widely-known food destination.
August 28, 2012 at 11:58 am
You’re basically nitpicking. The whole 626 thing is overwhelmingly a positive thing for the community, people finally feel like they actually have something and now all of a sudden it’s a bad thing because you point out a few tiny trends that extrapolated, could be viewed as potential cons.
A classic scenario: people who don’t do anything to actively uplift the region criticizing a movement that is overwhelmingly positive by pointing out the tiny flaws.
August 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm
I’m not saying its a bad thing.. I’m simply pointing out one viewpoint. The 626 wave of trends can have a great side effect such as an overwhelming sense of belong to a certain culture, but for the most part is fueled through one song that promotes food– in simplest terms. Lets not get ahead our selves and make this ONE music video that two Asian American citizens made let represent a whole culture with much more depth than food.
August 28, 2012 at 8:55 pm
By the way, how can you assume that I don’t do anything to ‘actively uplift’ the region.. If you can define that for me.. we can then start comparing. Creating a music video that talks about food isn’t actively uplifting by my definition. Would someone who is courteous and polite ‘actively uplift’? Would it be those who work hard every day to make sure they’re a working part of society? Or is it those who get lime light for a couple minutes enough to be called heroes for their courage to display their culture to everyone.
Everyone has their own culture, its nice that the 626 was showcased but lets not call this ‘actively uplifting’ and an ‘overwhelmingly positive thing’. I understand that one gets excited when they’re in front of everyone to see.. but it’s also something else when they stretch it and start claiming that one article in the LAT posted on several sites (not even separate reports.. just the one report reposted over several sites..) is to ‘actually have something’
August 28, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I grew up in the 626 and have always considered the Latinos in Alhambra, El Monte, Arcadia, La Puente, etc. to be a part of the SGV/626 and upbringing even as a Taiwanese American. A lot of people I grow up with feel the same way and the dialect the LAT article alludes too is not only peppered with Chinese dialects, but Chicano slang as well.
I think it’s important to call out (as the LAT did) that the Fung brothers are from Seattle and are bringing their own unique perspective to redefining the area. It’s not a new identify per se, depending on who you talk to and everyone takes a different outlook.
August 28, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Most of the anti-626 comments come from people who live in the SGV, drink boba on a daily basis, and live the lifestyle. As an Asian American Studies minor, I know the 626 craze is not about a minority trying to defeat stereotypes & getting heard. We just caught fire. I urge those who don’t want to associate themselves with the 626 to move or brand their own lifestyle. I support you all the way.
August 28, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Thank you for recognizing that I am very much a product of “the 626,” as are many of the others who have expressed doubts about this movement (if you will). I was born and raised here, and though I’ve moved away I continue to visit several times a month. In fact, I’m writing this comment right here in North El Monte!
Thank you also for pointing out very subtly in your comment that there is very little “uplifting” to be done among the residents and parts of the San Gabriel Valley ethnoburbs to which “the 626″ refers. As far as I know it is a thriving area for small businesses and the level of anti-Asian stereotyping and racism is markedly lower than in just about any other part of the mainland US. If Weezy would be kind enough to explain what he means by “uplift,” however, we could have a lively debate.
For the record, I do not condone having boba every day. That is not very healthy and we all know it.
August 28, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Do you think the 626 was a highly-functioning COMMUNITY before this recent boon in identity? Do you have a reference for what a great community even looks like?
Maybe it’s because you were cloistered away in academia or maybe you lack perspective but if you haven’t noticed…prior to the “626 thing” nobody was doing anything for the community. The 626 (save for San Marino, Arcadia, and some TC) are nowhere close to a Cerritos/Irvine/Walnut type community. A lot of kids waste their days away at community college and boba shops doing nothing constructive. The first step moving closer towards having youth that actually give back to the world (apparently you’re satisfied with “well-fed but apathetic”) in a positive way is empowerment. Empowerment through ownership. Once you own your community, the responsibility is on you to maintain and improve.
There numerous charities that have benefited from the Night Market and dance competition. Awareness has been raised about various causes…just the sheer act of being pro-active and throwing events for the community has an incredible ripple effect impact over the long-term.
It’s funny to me how you’re criticizing the whole “626″ thing when you offer no better solutions. Would you rather have the status quo maintained? Should it just have stayed an undefined area that just happened to be dominated by Chinese people and businesses? You complain that groups are left out…yet neglect to mention that those groups do not have any desire to be included.
Get off your high horse…cool you get street cred points – you grew up in El Monte which is one of the poorest parts of 626 so that somehow makes you angry at these “middle-class kids” are defining their own personal experience and narrative? Because they don’t see the “truth” like you do? A bunch of Asian El Monte HS kids get boba everyday too. And “middle-class” is a gigantic range. Theres lots of kids on free lunch at any school close to the 10 freeway (Keppel and Rosemead included).
You sound like a whiny liberal-arts school academic that is ineffective operating in the real world. You make points about lack of racism and stereotyping – which are all true but completely irrelevant to the point at hand. It’s the very lack of racism and stereotyping that makes kids in the 626 bored and complacent (they think they’re white because of their majority, they lack context to even digest what it means to be Asian in America). I think the 626 stuff will encourage them to do more.
August 28, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Dude, Weezy.. I understand where you’re coming from– but damn man you’re starting to attack the person and totally went off topic.. We’re commenting on the article and the issue at hand. If someone has a point lets not weaken it because of who said it..
Now, I understand that this whole 626 thing is a positive thing too. It serves as a catalyst for the community to create a culture for itself and rise up? Its nice! Its a nice idea to create events for the community and be pro-active, yeah! And I don’t think the people mind the whole 626 idea either I mean its cool to have a catchy name.
And I think you’re assuming too much about academics.. There are a great number of very well functioning men and women of academia in the world. Who are you to say that someone sounds like a ‘whiny liberal-arts school academic that is ineffective operating in the real world’ over a simple comment. I think you need to get off your KEYBOARD because you are taking this small comments’ section a tad bit too seriously. If raging on someone because he has a different viewpoint than you is your way of doing things, even if you have key points– that’s still a loss in my book.
August 29, 2012 at 11:52 am
A loss? As if we are accumulating debate points…over the internet?
There’s a REAL movement taking place, with REAL things happening in the community…things that neither you nor Calvin have any REAL part in.
So go sit in the stands, watch, and criticize while the 626 transforms itself into an amazing community, no thanks to anything you guys do.
August 29, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Well at least we know the people that are supporting this movement are civil enough to talk their intentions with reason and rational thinking rather than feelings and emotions.
August 29, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Its sad how its ‘join us or bust’ and not ‘let’s be a community together’
I understand the point of it, but obviously your attitude about this whole thing is just off. People SHOULD be able to question anything. So what if we have a different opinion on the subject– it doesn’t mean I don’t like the overall idea. If everyone just accepted whatever was thrown at them we’d all have the same taste in music, style, and food. We’re all different, and just because we think differently doesn’t mean we should have to ‘go sit in the stands.’ I don’t think you understand that people in a community are different– not everyone likes the same things you do.
This 626 movement can be expanded to create an even BETTER community if it expands to unite all cultures and races that live in the area… IF that is what you are trying to do with the movement. If not, then please do tell me what the point of the movement is then. Who IS this supposed to benefit?
August 29, 2012 at 7:11 pm
You’re entitled to your opinion, in the same way I’m entitled to let you know why your opinion is wrong.
Nobody is telling you “sit in the stands”, as perpetual spectators that’s your natural habitat. You’re just a fan in the stands telling Phil Jackson to take Kobe out because he’s “shooting too much”.
August 29, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Uh no, I’m the one sitting in the stands (because I came to support my team) and merely suggesting to Phil Jackson way unto improve the team by changing strategy.
Don’t be so self-involved as to say my opinion is the wrong one because yours is the correct one. My arguments present good points, yet you chastise them as going against the team because your only desire now is to win this argument. Look man, this is a comments’ section, these are simply to post ideas and opinions on .. and why are you still here fighting me? I thought you cared a lot about this movement.. If I’m the one who’s on here just criticizing.. then you’re the guy criticizing the guys that criticize!
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September 13, 2012 at 11:26 pm
If there were no prior representation for the Asian Americans in “The 626″ and The Fung Brothers did and put “The 626″ on the map…why are we even criticizing them for it? So what if they left out all the other races…They merely wanted people to know that Asians exists in “The 626″. And from what I see, the term “626″ or “The 626″, pertains to only areas with a large demographic of Asians (Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, & El Monte). If all the other non-Asian races produced a video and left out certain demographics, are you going to criticize all those videos as well? Why don’t we appreciate those people who cares about their community, learn from them and rep for your own community?
September 14, 2012 at 12:12 am
If you read carefully, you will see that I did not criticize the video, or the fact that they made one. I criticize the assumptions that underlie the “movement” that sprung out of it.
And the San Gabriel Valley was hardly lacking in digital representation before that video came along. They were not the first San Gabriel Valley YouTube stars, nor were they among the first food bloggers, Yelpers, Xanga writers, etc.
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November 18, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I don’t really see how this can be construed as some kind of marginalization process – that’s very ungenerous. Admittedly, I have no first -hand experience of the region or the cultures therein, but from the outside I don’t see how a relatively small group of Asian people using the term “626″ amongst themselves, and a single mainstream article in the LA times constitutes any kind of marginalization.
It seems that we should be celebrating that there is somewhere in the US a truly American culture deriving from Asian roots that enables young Asian-Americans to feel a sense of belonging and, dare I say it ….pride! Instead, it seems like this sub-culture is being framed as fundamentally detrimental to the general community. Again, it seems to me that this term (626) is being used by this small group of Asians to describe themselves and they have as much right to use it as anybody. Why not focus on the potential positives that could be had from this apparently confident and assured (how often do we hear that!) group of young Asians and their sub-culture – surely there must be some?
Most disturbing to me is that much of the time in America a common response to any Asian success is one of disquiet, resentment, or a sense that there is something implicitly unfair to other people when Asians do well – and this seems to be the tone of your post (and the foodblogger article). So whilst it is admirable to want to be inclusive and fair, we also have to be fair to ourselves and look at these kinds of issues rationally and reasonably because mainstream America generally refuses to deal with Asians rationally or reasonably.
Personally, I don’t think that it is reasonable to refer to some vague potential negatives that may take place at some point in the future, but to neglect to point out the many potential positives for the general community and Asian-Americans.
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