--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was quite strange that people were…" description: "\"It was quite strange that people were saying I wasn't Asian enough. It's like, 'Oh, you're not Asian enough to play an Asian role.' So what does that m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfb/henry-golding-6847_enough_it-was-quite-strange-that-people-were-sa_924268.jpg" --- # It was quite strange that people were saying I wasn't… ![“It was quite strange that people were saying I wasn't Asian enough. It's like, 'Oh, you're not Asian enough to play an Asian role.' So what does that mean for people who come from mixed heritage? I grew up in Asia; I'm Malaysian.” quote by Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfb/henry-golding-6847_enough_it-was-quite-strange-that-people-were-sa_924268.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfb/henry-golding-6847_enough_it-was-quite-strange-that-people-were-sa_924268.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfb/henry-golding-6847_enough_it-was-quite-strange-that-people-were-sa_924268.jpg) > “It was quite strange that people were saying I wasn't Asian enough. It's like, 'Oh, you're not Asian enough to play an Asian role.' So what does that mean for people who come from mixed heritage? I grew up in Asia; I'm Malaysian.” [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal expectations can impose narrow cultural labels, ignoring complex identities. **In simple terms:** People face pressure to fit single cultural boxes. Key Takeaway Embrace your full heritage. Themes identity culture diversity Mood thoughtful critical Type personal social When to use this quote - casting decisions - personal identity - social media discourse Key Concepts intersectionality representation stereotypes Questions to Reflect On - How can media broaden representation? - What does being 'not Asian enough' mean to you? A Different Perspective Stereotypes can limit opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [Malaysian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malaysian/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [The fact is, I'm half-British, half-Malaysian. 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I was a loud-mounthed, brash, broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/once-again-my-dad-knew-something-i-didn-t-looking-back-i-realize-it/) [Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/) > [I used to date Olivia Munn.. when she was Lisa. That was the problem. She wasn't Asian back then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-ratner/i-used-to-date-olivia-munn-when-she-was-lisa-that-was-the-problem-she/) [Brett Ratner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-ratner/) > [ Well you know, the comic strip \[Doctor Strange\]... yeah, was an Asian man, in fact, a very ancient Tibetan man living on the top… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilda-swinton/well-you-know-the-comic-strip-doctor-strange-yeah-was-an-asian-man-in/) [Tilda Swinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilda-swinton/) > [Margaret Cho is definitely one of the people, like just watching or hearing her stand up back in the days when stand-up albums were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bowen-yang/margaret-cho-is-definitely-one-of-the-people-like-just-watching-or/) [Bowen Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bowen-yang/) > [Not only was I not white, to many people I wasn’t Asian either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/not-only-was-i-not-white-to-many-people-i-wasn-t-asian-either/) [Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/) > [“Tukul tangkal balik pintu, budak nakal memang macam tu”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zamidah-hashim/tukul-tangkal-balik-pintu-budak-nakal-memang-macam-tu/) Zamidah Hashim > [“They don't respect you, they don't respect our flag, they don't respect our King and they don't respect your parents. If you allow this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ong-kim-swee/they-don-t-respect-you-they-don-t-respect-our-flag-they-don-t-respect/) Ong Kim Swee > [I'm not an expert on the Malaysian sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stiller/i-m-not-an-expert-on-the-malaysian-sense-of-humor/) [Ben Stiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stiller/) > [“Malaysians don't like to read. If you're reading this, you must not be liking it, or not Malaysian.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-yap/malaysians-don-t-like-to-read-if-you-re-reading-this-you-must-not-be/) [Brian Yap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-yap/) > [The Malaysian authorities... briefly imprisoned us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-healy/the-malaysian-authorities-briefly-imprisoned-us/) [Matty Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-healy/) > [I am particularly fond of Malaysian food but strangely its not that well known in Britain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-stein/i-am-particularly-fond-of-malaysian-food-but-strangely-its-not-that/) [Rick Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-stein/) > [A lot of people think that because I'm from Malaysia, I'm driven by Malaysian sound, but actually, it's mostly just my melodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuna/a-lot-of-people-think-that-because-i-m-from-malaysia-i-m-driven-by/) [Yuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuna/) ## More by Henry Golding > [You can have Asians being leading men that are sex symbols. You can have leading women powering through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/you-can-have-asians-being-leading-men-that-are-sex-symbols-you-can/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [I've lived 16, 17 years of my life in Asia, and that's most of my life. I was born in Asia - I've lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-ve-lived-16-17-years-of-my-life-in-asia-and-that-s-most-of-my-life/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [Jon M. Chu is one of the most creative, convincing humans you'll ever meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/jon-m-chu-is-one-of-the-most-creative-convincing-humans-you-ll-ever/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [People look to cinema to spread the word and to tell these wonderful, outrageous stories or true-to-life documentaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/people-look-to-cinema-to-spread-the-word-and-to-tell-these-wonderful/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [We've all been that young love, trying to impress the in-laws or having these crazy cousins that we're related to by blood - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/we-ve-all-been-that-young-love-trying-to-impress-the-in-laws-or/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [There's so many places, personally, that I would love as a film fan to explore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/there-s-so-many-places-personally-that-i-would-love-as-a-film-fan-to/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [I've lived so many different Asian cultures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-ve-lived-so-many-different-asian-cultures/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [I'm a big fan of old Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-m-a-big-fan-of-old-hollywood/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [I'm super confident in who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-m-super-confident-in-who-i-am/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [The fact is, I'm half-British, half-Malaysian. For an Asian who's grown up in America to be commenting on how Asian I am when they've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/the-fact-is-i-m-half-british-half-malaysian-for-an-asian-who-s-grown/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [A well-fitted suit is something that never goes wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/a-well-fitted-suit-is-something-that-never-goes-wrong/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [The one thing that I learned very young was to own my identity. And, I knew, I'm Asian through and through. There's nothing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/the-one-thing-that-i-learned-very-young-was-to-own-my-identity-and-i/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [Kids are ruthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/kids-are-ruthless/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [I'm definitely more Asian than a lot of people who have never been to Asia. But by blood and by race, they instantly say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-m-definitely-more-asian-than-a-lot-of-people-who-have-never-been-to/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [The joy of tasting different cultures is it gives you a broad perspective, and you don't judge people from stereotypical characters you see in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/the-joy-of-tasting-different-cultures-is-it-gives-you-a-broad/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) [Explore all 97 Henry Golding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) ## More Asian quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When you are in America, at least for me, as an immigrant, I try to be as Americanized as I could. I just want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-are-in-america-at-least-for-me-as-an-immigrant-i-try-to-be/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [The narrative needs to change. Asian-American actresses don't want to be the damsels in distress anymore. We don't want to be saved, especially by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-chung/the-narrative-needs-to-change-asian-american-actresses-don-t-want-to/) [Jamie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-chung/) > [It's always fun to see faces that are either familiar or resemble yours. I was fascinated by movies like 'Big Trouble in Little China'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/it-s-always-fun-to-see-faces-that-are-either-familiar-or-resemble/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-think-li-na-and-some-other-chinese-ladies-have-done-so-many-amazing/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [I don't want to have people brought in simply because they are black or Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-phillips/i-don-t-want-to-have-people-brought-in-simply-because-they-are-black/) [Trevor Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-phillips/) > [We grew up in rural Arkansas without any Koreans close by, and when I go to Korea feel out of place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-isaac-chung/we-grew-up-in-rural-arkansas-without-any-koreans-close-by-and-when-i/) [Lee Isaac Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-isaac-chung/) > [I've been lucky to come up when there's such a huge explosion of women, and especially Asian women, in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-ve-been-lucky-to-come-up-when-there-s-such-a-huge-explosion-of/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I knew I was half Chinese, but Iceland is so homogenous that I wasn't able to identify with the Asian part of myself. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/i-knew-i-was-half-chinese-but-iceland-is-so-homogenous-that-i-wasn-t/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) [Browse all 1,157 Asian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was quite strange that people were saying I wasn't Asian enough. It's like, 'Oh, you're not Asian enough to play an Asian role.' So what does that mean for people who come from mixed heritage? 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