Background of "Fake ABC"
“Fake ABC” is a new term formed online. It is used particularly to refer to people who pretend to be an American-born Chinese by performing features that an authentic one would possess. In 2013, famous Facebook blogger Plastic Thing uploaded two portraits of the images of Fake ABC and stirred up heated debate.
Aims
This website aims to discuss the relationship between the construction of “Fake ABC” and the local identity of Hong Kong through the data collected from different online platforms.
First, we try to decipher the nature of prejudice related to the topic on "Fake ABC". How do negative connotations associate with the Hate Speech "Fake ABC" in online discourses?
Second, we try to find out what does "Hong Kong Identity" mean. Are we looking for only similarities but ignoring the differences between different Hongkongers?
Third, we attempt to arouse younger generation's awareness on the prejudice in "Fake ABC" debate towards locals who may be fond of Western style. It is hoped that one could be more objective when judging others as "Fake ABC" and respect the differences between each other.
Significance of research
Firstly, “Fake ABC” is a hot issue in online forums and daily conversations. Moreover, compare with other discriminative terms such as “Kong Girls”, “MK (Mong Kok) people” and “Locusts”, there is no research conducted on “Fake ABC”, making this topic more worthwhile for us to investigate.
Discrimination on "Fake ABC"
"Prejudice is a negative feeling or negative attitude toward the members of a group" (Stangor, 2000). Some locals prejudice against another group of people (“Fake ABC”). They are discontented with the so-called "Fake ABC" due to their "pretentious" accent and appearance. Prejudice arises as people debate "what is 'Hong Kong' identity?" and perceive the "fake ABC" as denying their cultural roots.
Organizations of research
In “Literature Review”, researches on social positioning, social categorization, social identity and Hong Kong Identity are examined. In “Examples”, the online data collected from on “Fake ABC” are included.