Asian America

Final Stretch

2008-04-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

So our group project is coming together. I missed one class, but I've been coming pretty consistently for our project. It always seems like one person isn't going to show up and that just puts a wrench into our gears. The story should be nicely illustrated with our dances and we'll have a great narrator in Nimish, but otherwise things are going as planned. We are meeting tonight to flesh out the entire scene and hopefully we'll have it finished and ready to go for our thursday performance. I for one know that I won't have much time to do anymore rehearsal if we need it so it has to get done tonight.

Also, I'm not really feeling the shirtless performance. I'd rather wear the costumes than anything else. I guess I'm not terribly serious about this, but I still want to do a good enough job to show respect for the art form itself. Its about respect. You don't have to be the best or do the best, but you have to show that you put effort into respecting its style and so forth. The one thing that I do believe is important is respecting yourself. If you feel uncomfortable performing then you shouldn't perform in the manor that makes you feel uncomfortable because thats not respectful to yourself and to the art form. Performed Arts shouldn't make you feel bad while performing unless you are supposed to feel bad as an actor or any of those exceptions. My point should be clear a guess.

Yeah so thats my blog

2008-04-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

So I didn't make it to last class. That sucked. I had a lot going on that day and ended up working through my classes instead of going to them. Its kinda stupid not to go to class. We pay for them for some reason it seems that sometimes it feels better just not to go. It really doesn't make sense because they only take up a few hours in a day. In high school, classes took up 7 hours at least and then you still had to do hw. Here most people will have maybe 3 hours of class a day on average, if that or maybe a little more depending on how they schedule their classes.

Anyway, I think that my group is doing a good job and I'm working pretty well on my own even though I haven't been able to meet with them. I guess our schedules just didn't work out. I'm really interested to see what the other groups come up with because I really don't know most of the people in the class that well because we really don't do much talking during class. Will the performances be reflective of what we actually think of the subject matter? I don't expect brilliance, but effort and commitment isn't hard to miss if its present in the performance. We'll see what happens.

Class 4.8.08

2008-04-08T13:10:00.001-07:00

So I went to class today. I'm proud of that. Its frustrating when all of your group members show up, but we did make progress today so I'm happy about that. I forgot to do my stretching which I had gotten pretty good about in the past so I'm kinda disappointed about that. I was able to touch my toes last week so I was pretty excited about that. Hopefully I'll be able to do it again next week as well lol.

Thats all i have to say I think. Honestly, I just want to be able to work on my group project more than anything else.

I'm back, sort of...

2008-04-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

So its been forever since I've posted something.

Its kinda sad, but I completely forgot about having this blog. I think a good goal is to be able to post here at least a few times a week up to our final performances...so maybe 10 entries total.

Lets see. I've been making class a lot more often than I was in February. I really blame my schedule on my poor attendance. It was kinda dumb of me not to schedule in time for lunch...after my 11-1220 class, all I want to do is go eat, which makes going to this class harder because I'm already hungry :(

I didn't go to last weeks thursday class, but i was there for thuesday. Joey told me that the Thursday class was really great and that it was one of the only times that he felt like everyone connected to each other in the way that the art was intended to do. That made me excited to hear and kinda pushed me to want to come this week. The attendance problem is bothering me some. I guess I'm not the most serious person in the class, but I do try to respect Francis by coming as much as possible. I think that there are some people in the class that only took it because either Francis or Sravya were teaching it. Thats a problem because if you are taking a class just because someone you like is teaching it doesn't mean that you are actually going to care about the subject matter. I like Francis. He's been good to me even though I haven't always been able to be just as nice back and I respect that. He puts a lot of faith in us. I'm not taking this class because I like him, but because I wanted to find out what made people so passionate about the Ramayana.

The previous classes that I took with him were amazing because the people in the class were amazing. Francis facilitates the learning process and never forces it on you and never tries to get you to understand something in only the way that he understands it. He's very good at helping his students develop their own ideas and interpretations by guiding them in the direction of self understanding within the realm of the subject. So having said that, the people in his class's were awesome and I knew that a good number of those people had also taken his SEA styles class. So ultimately, I wanted to be a part of that as well, so thats what lead me to enrolling. He did of course encourage me to do so, but i wouldn't have enrolled if I didn't actually wanted to learn. I'm not sure if everyone here actually wants to learn.

I'm also not as optimistic as Francis when it comes to peoples true motives in taking the course. When you are trying to get a group project done, I think its alight to feel a little bothered by the lack of attendance. If you aren't coming for the teachers at least come for your classmates. I don't blame any of you for having other reasons for not coming and i'm not judging you because I've definitely been missing classes, but now that we are actually doing something that should matter to each and everyone of us its time to step up and suck it up regardless of how much you like the material we are studying. This course counts as a grade and even if you could care less about Hindu tradition and the Ramayana, at least come to class so other people can get the benefit of learning that would come with having everyone there. Besides, we miss the full room and we miss our friends who can't come. We worry when our friends don't show up because we wonder if they aren't showing up because we are there and they'd rather be with other people at that time instead of with us like they should want to.

its a lot to think about, right?

2008-02-25T18:01:00.001-08:00

So I finally showed up to class. I was proud of myself because I think I finally started to "get" it. Francis's class are never about what you are learning, but about what you learn from learning what you are learning...if that makes any sense haha.

my goals are still to reach my toes by the end of the semester and read the entire Ramayana, both of which I have a long way to go. If I can do those things I will have accomplished what I wanted.

I also need to finally finish up my movies and stop ignoring them. I have 3 films 3/4 finished Francis and its killing me that they just sit there with out text. I have a feeling that they'll be done after spring break because I plan on locking myself in my room at home till they are done.

2008-02-14T11:35:00.001-08:00

Even though I enjoyed what we did last class and thought it was the right thing to do, I still think that it was too cold to have class outside, especially a dancing class :(

I guess thats why I'm not there today, its kind of a bad pattern. It seems that thursdays just aren't good days for me. I had an exam this morning that was way harder than I could have imagined, but thats fined, should have studied more. Hopefully the whether is nicer next week because I would like to go to both classes and learn what Francis has to teach. More than ever I wish that everything was the same as it was at the beginning of the week so that class could continue as normal, but sadly things won't ever be the same. All we can do is move forward and I guess having class outside is party of things never being the same. I understand the statement, its just that I was comfortable in PBK, but now I have to step outside of my comfort zone...again. I admire all of you who came to class today. You have more conviction than I do. Hopefully I will be able to join you next week :).

2008-02-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

I've missed two classes. I'm not too proud of it, but I think that it was the right thing to do. I have reasons, but doesn't change the fact that I didn't go. I'm happy that I've gone to both Tuesday classes each week. I know now that having class back to back for 4-5 hours isn't what I want to do next semester. The schedule is great, but its just nicer to have it all spread out instead of everything all at once with no chance to breath between classes. Its not easy to transition from multivar to dancing, but thats not the reason for my absence...anyways.

I've found the class refreshing and I like the fact that I sweat. Hopefully that fact doesn't bother other people. I'm self conscious of the fact that I sweat a lot...I can't help it, I just get hot and I sweat, just one of those things I presume. I've been stretching outside of class, but haven't really made progress yet, we'll see what happens.

2008-01-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

I came to class today, but was late. Progress was made, but I still feel kinda silly doing the dances, but its obvious others do as well which makes it less awkward. Actually, even though I feel silly, I'm not really embarrassed. A good vibe exists at least. I'm excited to see what we learn the next class, but I know that before hand I need to start stretching more than just in those classes. The help is definitely needed >_>

New Semester

2008-01-27T17:34:00.001-08:00

I haven't begun to record anything related to class here, but I guess is a better time than never.

I've been to all three classes that have met and I am enjoying the class. My body isn't limber and that is my greatest challenge to conquer this semester. To be honest, having a clean and healthy body, and stretching the muscles helps plenty for this, is more important than any spiritual journey provoked by the class because if you are healthy in the body your mind will follow. It is true that if one is physically fit that more oxygen is being supplied to the brain thus allowing for more "intense" thinking if you wish to put the idea into words. Thats kind of a roundabout way of saying that I just want to enjoy myself in this class and not take it as serious as I have the three previous classes with Francis. That doesn't say that I won't work hard because I definitely will its just from here on out I will focus strictly on doing the dances properly and work my body towards being able to perform them adequately.

On another note, I enjoy the setup of the class and have found it challenging both physically and mentally.

Rain doesn't always happen outside

2007-12-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

I finished Cleveland Raining....

Not really sure how to respond or what to say...

When I picked it up I couldn't put it down, does that say enough?
I'm not yet caught up to the class, at least I don't think I've caught up.

The play reminded my of Francis' Purple, mainly because of its symbolism, not really any connection in the plot. I guess I don't have much to say, these past few days have been weird for me. School needs to end pretty soon. I'm missing something and its hard for me to give myself to my work and studies. Am I taking it too seriously? Probably, but I can't shake this feeling, things aren't what they used to be. I guess I have to keep my head high and march forward. The post, this post, is a record of my reading the play.

Bobby, thank you for your post. I hope my final project will shed some light on where I am coming from any the anger and frustration that I feel. Its easy to go to the hate party, but even easier to forget that you gotta go home sometime. Hope is where we have our homes. Hope that we'll find happiness and hope that peace will settle into our lives. Its not easy to see things clearly when you are in the middle of things, but once the lights go out and everyones asleep you can start to hear the world again. Maybe then, just for a little bit, you can hear whats actually being said, in the silence that follows. Maybe

Prolific?...not so much

2007-11-29T01:42:00.000-08:00

Well its getting even later and I'm just all about wanting to talk and talk and talk. Honestly, the later it becomes the more selfabsorbed I must get eh?

I want to make something perfectly clear: Cultural organizations are a great thing and should continue to persist indefinitely.

That is what I believe. What I think is wrong is the tendency for hyphenated Americans (whites included) to use their association as a way out of owning their beliefs and actions. There are plenty example of INDIVIDUALS that embrace their culture and camaraderie, but don't let it determine who they are as people and citizens of the United States. Its just not going to help anyone.

I still don't know what I'm trying to say...honestly...I hope that if anything it spurs others to question.

Bondage among other things

2007-11-29T01:08:00.000-08:00

Yeah its pretty late right now...but never late than never right? Gotta wear that saying out ya know.

I read Bondage during class while trying to keep focus on what everyone was saying around me. It was awkward, but somehow I knew that I should have read it, especially to be able to put the other plays in perspective. It was a great read. In fact it raised a lot of questions about racial relations that I have wanted to see explored for quite sometime.

Interracial relationships are my "thing" because I am in one and have been in others. I don't seek them out nor do I think I have a fetish, but they happen and it hasn't become an issue until I've come to school. Strangely it is an internal conflict. Now that I think about it, in reality its pretentious of me to think that other people really give a fuck about who I'm...ya know...But the difficulties are real, if they weren't i wouldn't be obsessing over them.

Bondage put my "issue" in perspective because both of the characters were playing out fantasies in a way that didn't reveal their own ethnicities even though the action of the roleplay concerned the specific races of their personas. The scene where Mark? (I don't have the play in front of me) is a white man picking up a black woman played by Terri? or Tara (I'll just have to change this when I get my hands on that book.) surprised me because I could totally relate, not that I try to pick up black women by being offensive or anything. Liberalism is killing our equality.

Coming from my previous posts, its definitely an issue to become too "equal". The liberal white mans manual on how to pick up black woman instructs them to fuck their mind first then their body instead of treating them like real women and just go for the gold like any self respecting man would looking for satiation in a women requiring the same fix. But instead he must compliment her intelligence or that she appears intelligent. We should not otherwise just because of her race? She seems to think so and is offended...playfully...flirtfully. Instead of directly addressing the issue we still see the woman use this subversive "insult" to better position herself for what she's after in her man. Is this "technique" of picking up black women really an insult or is it an over reaction on her part?

That is the question to answer and quite frankly from his point of view he might honestly be thinking, hey I want this woman to know that I set her apart from these stereotypes while I'm trying to get into her pants because if she thinks I see her as a woman instead of a black woman she get down to business like we both want...etc. Its all about positioning! Sadly in this case there is no right answer (or never...). Both parties are EQUALLY offensive. HA!

Kinda lackluster but I had to put down in writing eventually

2007-11-28T07:51:00.000-08:00

I reread my post from yesterday and I'm not going to take it down. I'm sorry if what I feel and think offends people, but its how I feel. It would have been more respectful for me to say things different, but it would change the fact that those are my feelings and thoughts.

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about racist injustice and feelings of contempt towards white people for marginalizing and keeping minorities down. It makes me sick to know that some people base their existence off of fighting the man and rising up against their white oppressors. What ever happened to our self worth as human beings? Where did that go? Why isn't it enough to be yourself instead of joining people that look like you. I don't have that pleasure and I know it. I can't find something in common with another person just because I look like them...it just doesn't work that way for "white" America. White America is diverse and full of ideas so polar of each other some can't even have rational, calm conversations when left to their own devices. Why can't people that associate themselves with minority groups look at the differences inside their groups and embrace them?

Seriously, The more we make it "US and THEM" the more we fuck ourselves. Almost like the quote from francis' When the Purple Settles. I do feel guilty, but what else can I say? If people of minority race are able to congregate based off of common ancestry and fraternize based off of a assumed shared belief system, why can't I do the same? I can't and all of you know it, none of us can. Its just not helping anyone.

Some would argue, we need to group together to protect yourselves. There is merit in the statement but in the end it'll only divide our nation further. The racists of the past are dying out, don't help create new racists for tomorrow. Its so easy to turn everything into a hate party and I have to catch myself from just blowing through emotions blindly.

I hope this puts things in perspective and makes my statements a little less offensive if any of you were offended.

Better Late Than Never

2007-11-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Kimchee and Chitlins.

It was an emotional ride for me because I feel so strongly about race relations, especially those between black people and people of other ethnicities. I hate to say this and I hate to feel this way and it makes me feel guilty, but reading what the character Reverend was saying in the play made me fill up with so much emotion I was afraid I would throw the book across the room. After reading the End of Racism I couldn't help but feel anger towards any group or people who pushed their strife onto white America, not just black people as a group. I know its racist to say this, but its time for minorities to wake up and realize that the beds they lie on have not been made by white people, but by themselves because they have made the choice to lie where ever they may be.

This might seem insensitive, but I've honestly had enough of people complaining about racism this and racism that. Do you think in the end any of this shit matters? HONESTLY, if you want something, racism of today's America is not going to stop you, in fact if you pull the "racism" card you will be pushed to the forefront of whatever field you choose and that is something I wish wouldn't happen, but it is our reality.

The reverends statement that Black people cannot be racist because they have no power is utter blasphemy to my ears. Racism is not the consensus. It is the interactions we have with our neighbors, friends, teachers, and bosses, it is not who we associate with but whom people associate us. I'm not a minority and my skin isn't dark, but I know what it feels like to be discriminated against and I know what it feels like to be marginalized for something I cannot change. Everyone can act white to make it "okay", but I'm unwilling to change who I am as a person just so I can fit in and make friends "their" way. I know what it means to have someone project their racism onto me and expect that its my racism being pushed onto them...it makes me sick and humiliates me because where do I stand? A white man cannot call out a black man calling him a racism bigot. To many, my standing up would be racist...even our own cries for help as people are deemed unworthy as the cries of a group member, a nobody, a racist and certainly not an INDIVIDUAL.

M Butterfly

2007-11-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

Yeah I definitely haven't written anything in this blog in too long. Its kinda of ridiculous to be honest. I don't know what came over me, but there just wasn't the motivation to say anything nor was there any motivation to read what others had written. Its hard to run away for ever. Starting again now is better than never resuming.

My Response to M Butterfly:

I've seen this film before and I've seen it with a much different audience as well. The Audience really makes the film and honestly I don't mean to be so blunt, but Bobby its not fair of you to tell people that he is a man from the start. The point of the film is to toy with the idea of him being a man and not knowing for sure until the very end. Its that illusion that brings about the true meaning of the film because even though it isn't the greatest film, the ideas that it brings out are quite dense and have many facets to be explored.

When I first saw the film I wasn't sure what to think. Being who i was then, I was frightened by the way Rene acted and wondered if I could fall into that trap. Of course my fear is false since I've established that my relationship is not built on some fantasy that I have. I would not construe to think that my "oriental" lover is by any means "oriental" as to say that I am the occident to her orient nature. Its quite the contrary. Obviously we have cultural differences, but her and I being human beings has never been in doubt.

Seeing the film a second time wasn't as enjoyable of an experience as the first time that I saw the film. Its not any less brilliant in ides, I'm just a little more critical when it comes to its production value and continuity. The storyline pushes the boundaries of believability and the lines are definitely fake. It is a deception that is being created, but its so painfully cliche at times that it hurts. If the story were a book, not a play or a film it would probably be a much more powerful experience and something that could really change minds and move people to behave in a different manor. Maybe its just too painful to stare at a bold example of Orientalism and all of its embarrassing and shameful implications.

meh

2007-10-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about FIND and I'm not sure if I'll ever get around to talking about the things that are really on my mind.

This weeks Chapter:

The treatment of the Chinese seemed to be just as harsh as the kind received by the Japanese immigrants. Marginalization caused by ignorance proliferates and we the populations are concentrated into urban communities that limit employment to a handful of menial occupations. Second generation children are spurred to action by educating themselves to a standard much higher than the average "American" of the early twentieth century, only to find that the color of their skin limits them regardless of the qualifications of their hard earned degrees and training. Can I be made more depressed? I'm tired and discouraged. Reading about how much life sucked for Chinese and Japanese doesn't make me feel any better. I don't care if I'm selfish. My "Caucasian" brothers and sisters were ignorant, naive bigots that had no manors or refinement. I am embarrassed to think that people like this still exist. We can have our racism and we can have our hatred, but we CANNOT have our belittlement and ostracism.

Ugh. We can think all we want about other people and thats how they should stay. Thoughts that become beliefs that become actions that mold our character totally fuck us up. What else can I do or say after reading about how bad things are? Should I cry and curl up into a ball and rock back and forth because my deceased family members probably issued racial slurs to undeserving human beings who looked a little different? Am I supposed to listen to others complain about how NOT good things are today when in reality things are SO much better?

I don't know...doing nothing is stupid, but doing something could also be a waste of time. I believe that educating oneself can change the world more than doing any single thing. Leading by example changes others views. One doesn't travel to foreign lands to lend a helping hand until one understands the brevity of their actions. There is no way to comprehend another's situation unless one comes to terms with their own. We cannot relate unless we understand what is it that creates any relation, which means we must ultimately learn to be ourselves.

And another...

2007-09-30T20:50:00.001-07:00

I feel like I'm running away from questions that are constantly being asked of me. What am i supposed to do when eventually fighting myself for answers prevents me from honestly approaching them. Francis asked me to come out and say exactly what I think and feel and that my brutal honesty will be accepted. I don't know if I can answer that "question"...maybe Francis will accept what I have to say as a teacher and friend, but I don't know trust everyone yet. That might sound rude, but lets be frank, we've only been a class for little over 5 weeks, if even that much. Can you say that you trust me? Can you trust me to be level headed and not judgmental. How can I live up to an expectation like that and how can all of you? We judge each other. We make decisions based on our judgments every single fucking day. We are in THIS class because we are judgmental and live in a world of rank and disassociation.

Anyways, on to my brutal honesty.

I don't know why I'm in this class, I don't know why I care so much. For the longest time I believed it was because Charisse, my girlfriend, is Filipina and because my girlfriend prior was also 1/4 Japanese and explored openly that part of herself, however minor. And then again, who is to say what is minor or not...I'm sure somewhere along the way in my past there was asianic blood mixed into my family tree. I know that 4-5 generations back a native American married into the family line on my mother's mother's side. The point is why am I interested NOW. Why do I CARE NOW.

I remember distinctly last year in Sex and Race in Plays and Films a discussion that broke out in class about the Asian male/female stereotypes. There was a girl who spoke up, an Asian girl, and said how angry she was about white guys goings for Asian girls. She hated how some of her white friends were just like...man I want to fuck an asian chick, blah blah. That actually offended me because I'm dating an asian girl and I'm a white guy. I didn't speak up though because I believe for the first time I finally understood what it meant to be the Other and what it meant to not always be this or that, but to but the excluded. I wanted to speak up, because I felt it was unfair but something kept me from voicing my opinion. It might have been how angry she was, it was the first time I had ever seen her that passionate. I want to say that somewhere along the line a white guy had gone after her because she was asian and not because she was who she was. That would piss me off, too. You have expectations to meet that shouldn't be there.

Because of that, I've question my true motives for even studying Asian history and Asian American History. I'll admit that I am attracted to Asian Woman, but I never thought of it as something perverse or abnormal. If i find a woman attractive she is attractive. I guess I have a greater affinity for Asian woman now because the woman that I love happens to be Asian so that part of my sexuality that has grown accustomed to her finds greater attraction in those who are similar in complexion and form. Its embarrassing actually because I dont want to be one of those guys. I don't want to be the guy that makes other girls talk behind Charisse's back, like oh she's with that white guy, what a slut. She is far from being a Slut, I definitely wouldn't say she's pure...not the slightest, but she has morals and dignity just like the rest of us. I don't want to be like the soldiers who fucked Vietnamese women in the war or the soldiers in the Philippines or the ones tin Iraq. I am not that guy and honestly...those men have no women. Who can blame them for going after what is around them. I don't want to believe that it has to do with anything other than availability no matter how fucked up that sounds. See thats another thing that pisses me off, gosh.

Anyways that leads me to this post. You might find this hard to believe, but I feel like I've become more racist after taking these classes and I don't know why. As we get older do we become more bitter and judgmental? I hope not because I want to give everyone a fair chance even if they don't give me a fair chance. Its this overwhelming guilt that pushes me back, like I can't feel these feelings because they aren't correct. I've been told that we can't help our feelings, the only thing that we can do is decide what we do with them.

I should probably talk about the book now...I'll just go on and on. The 5th chapter definitely stimulated my emotions because it dealt with the life of the Japanese after they decided to make America their permanent home. It is what spurred my previous response. I guess I don't have much to say directly about the chapter other than he points out how it became so important for children of Asian immigrants become educated and how pointless it was for them because they wouldnt be employed no matter how educated and qualified they were. THAT FUCKING PISSES ME OFF

Here we are getting an education. I wouldn't be able to stand it if someone told me that my friends couldn't get a job that I could have strictly because they were a different race than me. I want to be a doctor and I know other kids that want it so much more than me and yet if this were 80 years ago I would be a doctor and they 'might" be one...even if they were smarter and much more qualified than I. That hurts my feelings and makes me pain because I know what its like to toil to do well on a test and to push myself to my limits just so in a year or two i can look that much better on my Medschool apps. That hurts me. It doesn't make me feel guilty it makes me feel wronged because smart individuals versed in two cultures with high qualifications couldn't do the work and the research that they should have. Doctors weren't trained that should have who could have saved more lives and teachers were never hired who could have changed the way children see each others faces. That is atrocious.

DONE

Hawaii

2007-09-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

I decided not to respond to Monday's discussion because i wasn't sure if I would respond maturely. I don't agree with everything Francis had to say and I wanted to wait to see what he had to say the next class. After hearing about what had happened prior to his coming to class, its safe to say that his lecture was tainted. He said so himself. On the other hand, a lot of what he said is true. I try not to think that things are so hopeless, but where is the honesty of the situation?

Anyways, I finished reading the fourth chapter and I have a few initial opinions on its contents.

Takaki uses a lot of numbers in this chapter which I think is a good thing. I no longer feel like he is using them to compensate for a lack of argument or something like that. They really paint an interesting picture where he uses them but for the most part they only show us what he's told us previously. The number of Asian immigrants living in Hawaii increased over time...which is obvious, but what is striking about this chapter is the impact that these increasing populations had not only on the islands themselves, but on each other because there were so many ethnicities represented in the work force.

I get a sense of nostalgia from reading this chapter. There is something raw and visceral about a pioneer "civilization" of people. To me, its an opportunity I feel like I may never have a part of, and thats okay. I still get the sense that there was great satisfaction in overcoming oppression for those who were oppressed by planters and the system of plantations that controlled the islands. I know no other way of explaining what that feels like, but feeling like one is part of something greater than themselves gives a sense of purpose to life because it makes the pain of everyday living not so painful. A goal, a hope, a dream, anything that brings motivation to lives that don't have the comforts we today in this nation would call normal, are only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to the shear humanity involved in creating a community. To relate this to myself, I could say that my wanting to understand cultures is my way of being part of a developing community of other people that want to be a "global citizen".

Our Third Chapter

2007-09-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading the latest chapter and I have to say that I'm really liking Takaki so far. Not everything he says I agree with, but the read is enjoyable and he has a readable style, something a few historians could brush up on.

Takaki's point of this chapter is to examine the Chinese role in the industrialization of the United States in the mid to late 1800s. A few key facts stick in my mind. The first is Chinese immigrants were first viewed as "compatriots" when they first arrived in California. Leadership saw the union of both European, American, and Eastern nationalities as important to the success of the nation. It was only till other leaders came into power that anti-racial legislation came into being. The second point is how few Chinese women were present in the earlier "colonization". Men were thrust into a womenless world in which they often felt disheartened because they had left their wives and families behind in China. The Third is how the nations opinion of Chinese changed over the century, from one of curiosity to disdain as "the discovery of unemployment" began to take hold in the quickly industrialized nation. More workers were being flooded into the nation as fewer and fewer jobs were being created to employ them. This, coupled with ingrained racism of American's, did not create a welcome home for most Chinese.

Takaki makes it clear that Chinese immigrants were not like Blacks and European immigrants. He quotes many people representing the Chinese population as being the most educated and morally disciplined of all immigrating and non-white people of the United States. This point is driven home when he quotes white business owners celebrating the virtues of Chinese laborers over any other labor because of their thoroughness and dependability. One was even quoted saying that if there was a choice all workers would be Chinese in his production. I don't think this reflects a racist bias on Takaki's part, but as a contrast to what he says next.

American racism towards "celestials", another name for Chinese and people from eastern Asia, Takaki argues, is greater than that of their racism towards European immigrants, even though the number of Chinese doesn't even break 400,000 total, while European immigrants come flooding in at over 1,000,000 a year. I don't know if these numbers are correct, but it is common knowledge that many more Europeans immigrated to the United States than Chinese during the mid/late 1800s. Basically, the Chinese were treated unfairly and unfairly blamed for the lowering of wages and growing unemployment, when the European immigration was a more obvious threat. This speaks to the inherent prejudice of one against another that looks far different from ones own countenance. Chinese were not allowed to become citzens, they were not allowed to immigrate into the county after 1882, thus excluding many already in the United States from their families. Also, the lack of women immigrants created a sinful need in the male populous, thus the majority of Chinese women in the United States were prostitutes in the California "Chinatowns" of San Francisco and industrialized cities.

At first I felt perturbed by Takaki's universal bias towards Americans of the mid/late 1800s. After reflecting on what he has said and regarding the truths he's recounted as probable exaggerations, the fact is still the same and is hard to deny. Chinese men and women were unfairly subjected to racism and oppression in the United States because of ignorance. If a more cordial relationship, even without "friendship", had been created an even greater prosperity might have been created in the Western states. It is no fairy tale that many Chinese immigrants were respectable workers with skills that were over looked. Escape from our ingrained human prejudices is a flight many cannot make it seems. Reflection on such attitudes and histories can only bring us closer to an understanding, but only if both sides are willing to give.

Chapter two

2007-09-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished the second chapter of our reading in Takaki. My emotions are mixed. His points are stimulating, but I'm left with confusion as to what he really wants us to think.

A couple times Takaki mentions the experiences of his relatives relative to whatever it is that he is talking about at that moment. I'm not sure what to make of it. At first I feel like it takes away from the point that he's trying to make. This chapter is about population composites of the different Asian nationalities that immigrated to the United States and Hawaii in the mid/late 1800s and early 1900s. Randomly exemplifying his relatives as if they must be included offsets his well written history. The purpose, I'm assuming, was to bring it "closer to home", like "this happened, really, I promise". I can believe numbers and I am also tempted to believe what he writes, but including these examples bothers me for some reason.

You might say I'm missing the point, but I also think that Takaki was clouding what he was already writing eloquently. The "facts" speak for themselves. Asian men were hired as contractors for plantation work in Hawaii and California by western business. Women were not needed only until it became apparent that men that have their sexual needs met tend to get along and work more efficient, thus the influx of wifes/ females. Its harsh and its not pretty, but businessmen used other people's dire situations to coerce them into a "better" life that wasn't much different from the life they left.

Takaki makes it clear that in most cases immigrants were going to better instead of worse. But what is the difference between more worse and the most worst? Its clear that the United States and Hawaii were beacons of hope for those impoverished in transitioning states such as China and Korea. Japan was eager to push its workers out, making sure only the best were allowed to leave in order to show the rest of the world the superiority of the Japanese over their neighbors. Takaki doesn't say that directly, but its implied simply because every emigrant from Japan was interviewed researched by the Japanese government prior to departure. That fact is the most interesting to me. We are also informed that no Asian people were forced to come to the United States and Hawaii, they came on their own accord. Obviously, they were in dire situations and in some cases were obligated to repay debts through labor in the foreign, lands but it is quite clear there was no slave trading occurring. The only real tragedy, in my mind, was the subjugation of women to prostitution through the lies of "emigration salesman". There is nothing more wrong than a young woman being tricked into a live of enslaved prostitution. Takaki rightfully hangs on this point, making sure to tell us the proportion of woman who were prostitutes in each countries emigrating population.

Truth, sorta

2007-09-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

Francis was definitely right. We don't really remember much of what we hear. The notes I took from class yesterday don't really outline anything important. I have some key quotes, but nothing really springs "facts" into my head, other than the fact that we dissected the weight in truth that facts may or may not hold. Emotions are all I can remember and I believe that I can relay what it is that might have made me feel them.

At first, I was uncomfortable. I don't really care about heat too much because I can get used to heat, its temperature changes, as weird as it may sound, that really affect me. Going outside made me sweaty somewhat, but I didn't mind too much because it was so nice outside. Only good can come from fresh air...for the most part.

As the discussion began I noticed hesitance in our group. The difference between this class and my last class, Sex and Race in plays and Films, is obvious, but there is promise. Our classmates are open and opinionated, but not insensitive. We can have our ideas and our feelings and the consensus is one of acceptance, its the confidence to share our thoughts isn't really developed yet. Some might disagree, but ask yourself, were you the one confident? I felt comfortable, not confident, but I could see others holding back, which is fine. You can't tell everyone your secrets too early. I think TCKs can appreciate that more than most.

There were a few events that left "emotional" memories. I left the class with a sense of foreboding, not so much negative, but of genial apprehension. That might not make sense, but I was questioning what was in store for us as a group. What sticks out most in my mind is our discussion of truth. The idea itself is something I feel passionate about, and I can safely assume that most people who have given a rats ass to think would question what "truth" really means to them. That brings my mind to another thought.

Honestly, our discussion of journalism and the state of it today, definitely sparked thought. Francis's openness is something we all have to embrace. He's our teacher and it could be argued that his responsibility is to open himself first, but for this class to succeed we all have to become the teachers. Amazing stories and adventures aren't what people need, but passion and emotion. When someone talks with conviction, I could hear the emotion in his voice, they spread that feeling to other people. No matter how logical we as humans believe ourselves to be we are creatures controlled by our emotions. No scientist does their work because they feel dutied to do so, their motivation is their passion for the "truth" and the exploration of what fascinates them.

I disagree with Francis on some level. The emphasis on dates and numbers in history really unsettles me. Denying their influence isn't what I'm doing, its just what those dates and numbers mean that is throwing me off. I HATE memorizing things. It is something I loath. I remember dates and key numbers because they matter to me, they hold emotional importance. The only way those dates can be remember is for them to be remembered in the way they need to be remember, as actually emotional events involving real human lives like our own. I can't remember the name of my classmate who said that she learned history best when her class reenacted events, but that is such a powerful experience in making history your own. If we can create a emotional response in someone regarding a date or number then it will be remembered. Our feelings are remembered so much more vividly than anything else. As a matter of fact, I would feel confident in saying that the more emotion or passion we have about an event the more vivid it is when we recall it. If we can force people to make a fact their own then they will have no choice in remembering it or not.

Strangers From a Different Shore

2007-09-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

Note: Edited for grammar, I'm sure there are still mistakes. >_>

I just finished our first reading assignment in Strangers in a Strange Land by Ronald Takaki (For those readers who might not actually be from W&M). My initial reaction was nonchalant, its what I've heard before. By the end though, it dawned on me that I still hold the same multiculturalism beliefs spoken against in Takaki's first chapter. Its almost disheartening to think about because now that I understand how deeply ingrained the "Other" is inside of us the scarier it is to think that somethings may never change.

Studying Asian American history is supposed to bring about appreciation for their achievements and to associate Asian American as American. Its so easy to think of them, them, as the other, just as easily as it is to type that pronoun. As I continued reading, though, Takaki also makes it clear that our pluralism as a nation is the reason why we are what we are. Our focus on creating a Caucasian centered society, he argues, in the long run is detrimental to our nation because that facilitates the lose of pluralism, our nations strength.

Accepting my predisposition to "Otherize" persons and peoples is the first step in the right direction. The next step is to understand my own history. Takaki points out that even Thomas Jefferson wanted our nation to be a land strictly for Europeans, hence Caucasians. So in retrospect, the United States was created so that every man could be free, every European man. Ethnicity was never written into the constitution, some would argue otherwise, it is only the laws created after the ratifying of the constitution, such as our immigration laws, that are based on ethnocentric beliefs. So what we have now is a nation built on principles that are colorblind, but run by those who are obviously not colorblind. That has changed.

The previous century has seen leaps and bounds in growth towards equal rights for all peoples of the United States. The problem though resides in our attitudes and opinions; equal protection under the law doesn't create equal protection of assumption. No answer or solution exists to fix any rift decisively. The only treatment is equal understanding. It is this assimilation of all of our histories and ancestries into one American consciousness that we strive for in courses such as this. There is no cathartic experience nor rapture, it is just by baby steps we hope to someday walk together.

I'd like to make a special point. When speaking of people it is so easy to generalize traits and create stereotypes. But, what I have found is that in interacting with people of said "group" these generalizations and stereotypes don't come into play. I've always judged a person by their actions and character, not by what I expect them to be or do. Its unsettling to realize that the closer you come to understanding something, such as another person's culture, that the farther you come from appreciating the big picture. I know that sounds a little loopy, but the point I'm trying to make is, we have ingrained feelings and thoughts that can't be overridden. People will argue otherwise, but our past experience is all we have to go on.

I would be lying if I said that I've been racially prosecuted and humiliated because of my skin color, but I would not be lying if I told you that I've had people be openly racist towards me. I guess in the end we all have to grow thicker skins. Some of us might say that certain groups of people have it worse than others in the United States, and thats obviously a true statement, but in the state the world is in now, we all have it worse outside of our borders. Understanding our differences and assuming that we all hold the same American ideals could go a long way in fueling our repair as a nation of many peoples.

Whats happened to History....as we know it

2007-08-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

A professor creates the first, EVER, Asian American History course at William and Mary. The only problem is no one could possibly know its about history because the title of the course has no such word or anything remotely resembling "history" in its title. Of course the true intention was to have the word "history" in the title to make it quite clear what was being studied and in fact that was the way the professor submitted the course in its approval stages, BUT when posted for students to enroll there was no such thing mentioned. Even after the professor talked to the chair of his department, the only explanation was that its ommitance was to prevent controversy. What is the meaning of this? I guess thats what I'm supposed to be answering right?

Honestly, to truely answer this question, at least do the justice it deserves, I could probably receive a PhD in comparative historical studies or something like that. Not to digress any further, I'll make my clear and decisive statement. The College of William and Mary is not ready to accept the study of Asian American History as a respectable field of academia.

Colleges and Universities on the west coast have accepted and promoted the study of Asian subcultures in the United States. Its ironic that the second oldest institution of higher learning, a beacon among the small colleges of the nation, hasn't taken a stand and pushed for broadening of minds. The study of history is not limited to the Other or the foreign nor of our past because history is our recorded story. If that were the case, then why wouldn't a study of Asian American History, the history of a group of people sharing common ancestry who have contributed imperatively to our nation's success, not be embraced and supported?

Honestly, I can't think of a good reason why any course no matter how provocative or disturbing should be rejected. If the course were financially unreasonable or if it put students in danger then the course would obviously be denied, but something as simple as teaching history through the study of plays and films, the art of a people, should be accepted regardless. Its the propagation of knowledge. From the perspective of the college I could see them regarding it as "unnecessary", that there aren't enough people to "appreciate" whats being taught. Thats obviously not true, because the seminar has 15+ enrolled, when most are never that large. But to regard the word history as controversial when it is adjacent to the words Asian and American seems a little backward to me. My most logical guess is that there are still professors who still regard Asian American History as a unimportant subject in the grand scheme of their pedagogy. Even the Black and Woman studies programs pale in comparison to the breadth of choice other subject matter has offered at the college. To paraphrase the words of our professor, Tanglao-Aguas, "Its amazing that in a college built by slaves in a country built by slaves that the black studies office is the size of a 1 room apartment let alone not an entire department of study". This is after 35 years of offering a black studies major. Asian American History has much to push for it seems.

If its the professors that might create backlash then its the students that have to do something about the educators. Its not only our responsibility to learn what is being taught, but to uphold the integrity of our school and insure that what's offered is what really needs to be learned. A need must be met, but if there is no voice for the need then what is the point? Students have to be aware of what they are missing out on and have to see passion for subjects they've never considered. The College of William and Mary doesn't celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month (April 2008). One of the purposes of our course is to raise awareness on campus of Asian American history. Students already study east Asian and pacific Asian history, but none have ever studied the history of those peoples here in the united states.

I really like the way other cultural associations on our campus have put together culture "showcases". Taking up a similar program and sharing Asian American history in the same way would be just as effective if not more. Students would find it fascinating to not just learn about other cultures, but of the cultures here in our own country and how they affect everything from pop-culture to academia on this coast and on the west. I propose that we as a class gather leaders of the different culture associations and organizers of the culture showcases to create a showcase that only highlights the contribution of Asian Americans, not just those with ancestry of one nation or people. If we could show others passion for a subject being left out of the William and Mary curriculum then more course and professors would follow. History majors requesting to their professors more knowledge of Asian Americans, our history as a nation, then a movement would happen. The more aware students becomes of the deficit the more the need will become apparent.

If the Faculty are not ready for the inclusion of Asian American History as a proper subject there is nothing we as students can do about it. If we as students are not prepared to learn then there is something to be done. If we have the want and the need to know more about our past not just as Asian Americans, I am Caucasian/white myself, but as people of this nation, then our professors will only be obliged to do so. They will be forced to provide, that is the only way we can change.

The History in Asian American History

2007-08-29T18:37:00.001-07:00

As the first post in my blog, I'd to introduce myself to the rest of you. Introducing the real me will put a lot of what I say in perspective.

I'm a white male from a middle class family in northern Virginia. My parents pay my college fees and provide for other amenities. I also have a job as a certified pharmacy technician so I pay for the rest of whatever it is that I "want" other than my college tuition. My girlfriend is Filipina. Not Filipino as many people would say, but Filipinia because in Tagalog or in Filipino language their adjective system is similar to the romance language system of words describing "masculine" things ending in -o and "feminine" words ending with an -a. She is quite different from me. She isn't an American Citizen (will be soon) , and still lives with her parents at the age of 20. She is in college, but has to use loans and grants to pay for tuition. Her parents don't pay for anything, and not because they cannot contribute either. Her 22 year old sister who is not in school also lives at home and works periodically, but mostly does nothing. She also has her younger sister living with her as well. She also has 2 aunts 1 uncle and 3 cousins living with her as well as her lolo and lola (Tagalog for Grandpa/Grandma). We met almost two years ago and honestly neither of our lives will ever be the same.

Earlier today Francis talked about the reason its important to study Asian American history and how we must become a part of that history in order to propagate it. He also gave examples to reasons for being in the class or studying it. A few were generic, similar to the statement that I made at the beginning of the paragraph. Another, concerned being an Asian-American male coming to terms with white guys dating asian girls and being alright with it. He also restated that from the perspective of the white guy, asking whether or not he was truely interested in Asian girls for more than just being "hot", which is what pertains to me. Francis and I had an provocative conversation in which we frankly discussed that topic and I'm willing to share it openly. He knows that I'm dating a Filipina and he also knows the apprehension I had about the nature of my relationship.

I've learned a lot about the United States place in the world, especially in relation to Asian culture and society. Our past is one of imperialism and orientalism. The thought of my relationship being imperialistic and orientalistic scared me and my reason for pursuing more knowledge is for me to come to terms with my "Americanism" as Asian American students study Asian American history to come to terms with their "Asianism". The story of the old world parents new world children isn't one fresh, but a relationship of conflicting ideas that has solidified itself a staple of progress and the migration of people for 100s of years, if not 1000s.

So basically, I'm writing from the perspective of the white American coming to terms with a possible Asian fetish. Do you know how scary that is? What if you began to question your very world view because you finally realized how messed up and scary a country you live in. Don't get me wrong, the United States has done a great many things, but for every innovation and world moving event so much has been done against the world. When love is overshadowed by your fear of being an impostor what else can you do, but question and tackle the thing holding you back. Its only right that one questions whats been given them and its only right that a person takes the required step outside of their comfort zone.