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It was hard for me to do the show (All American Girl) because a lot of people didn't even understand the concept of Asian-American. I was on a morning show, and the host said, 'Awright, Margaret, we're changing over to an ABC affiliate! So why don't you tell our viewers in your native language that we're making that transition?' So I looked at the camera and said, 'Um, they're changing over to an ABC affiliate.'

Margaret Cho#35

IdentityMargaret choTelevisionLanguageAsian americanIgnorance

About this quote

What does it mean?
Cho recounts a moment where a TV host assumed she spoke a native Asian language, exposing the ignorance around Asian-American identity.
In plain terms
A host asked her to speak her native language to announce a channel change, revealing he did not realize she was Asian-American.
What can you take from it?
Assumptions about nationality and language persist even in mainstream media.

Where it applies

  • watching morning shows
  • discussing race on TV
  • experiencing microaggressions

Putting it to work

  • calling out TV hosts
  • advocating for accurate representation

Questions to consider

  • How many assumptions do we make based on appearance?
  • What counts as a native language in the US?

Another view

The quote describes a specific interaction that may lack broader context.

More from Margaret Cho

  1. The National Enquirer published this thing called the 'Chow like Cho Diet,' which was this fake diet that I never went on, with all these fake quotes from me, …

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  2. [quoting her producer] 'The network is concerned. They're concerned about the fullness of your face. They think you're really overweight, and you're going to h…

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. A Korean reporter once asked me, 'Do you think your Korean parents are ashamed because you talk about what you talk about on stage?' I said, 'I don't think the…

    Permalink to quote #33

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