Pathos: I want the audience to feel assured that my stance is derived from something once-respected and well-known. Conventional ideas often guarantee comfortableness. What also should give reason for the audience to confide in me is that I have good judgment of what old principals to take and believe in. My last line, "I will jump-start you to make the change", and my finger pointing at the camera should invoke awe in the viewer and inspire him or her to make change. By voting for me, he or she will be taking the next step in doing so.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Running for "Community Organizer"
Pathos: I want the audience to feel assured that my stance is derived from something once-respected and well-known. Conventional ideas often guarantee comfortableness. What also should give reason for the audience to confide in me is that I have good judgment of what old principals to take and believe in. My last line, "I will jump-start you to make the change", and my finger pointing at the camera should invoke awe in the viewer and inspire him or her to make change. By voting for me, he or she will be taking the next step in doing so.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Most interesting details of all of my conducted research on Asian American history
Throughout all of the research I have done so far related to the Asian American experience, I found the history of early exploitation of Asian American immigrant labor on the now-Hawaiian islands the most interesting. History of such exploitation dates back to 1835 when William Hooper of Boston arrived to the islands to establish sugar plantations. There, the company which ran the sugar plantations first exploited the island's natives to work for them. When paying the natives turned out to be too expensive for the company, the company brought over those who were Chinese from overseas to replace the natives. The cycle continued on with those from other Asian countries; the sugar plantation company continued to replace their workforce with workers from different Asian countries in order to gain more profit. It is often viewed in our American society that the only group of people of color that have been oppressed through out American history are those perceived as Black. However, based on my research, that is in fact not true as Asians have also been oppressed in our country and by our government as far back as the early 1800's. This conducted research not only informs me that my Asian ancestors and predecessors have been in America for longer than I believed them to have done so but also gives me a greater sense of comfort as an American in this country because of their long, historical presence. I feel less of an alien and feel more of one who belongs in this country.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Bitch
Ethos: Serious-mannered, genuine supporter of Feminism
Pathos: I want my audience to feel guilty and slightly intimidated. I am strongly assuming that the young and male audience I am speaking to has used to word "bitch" before. My purpose is to "scare" my audience into being honest with themselves about whether or not they have been oppressive of women before and to invoke my audience's feelings of guilt that what they have done is not right. My serious tone is intended to indicate that the use of the word "bitch" is a serious issue.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Sugar Kingdom: The Making of Plantation Hawai'i
The essay "The Sugar Kingdom: The Making of Plantation Hawai'i" written by Ronald Takaki is an informative essay on the history of the sugar plantations in Hawaii during the 1840's. The information is relevant to the Asian American experience and Asian American Movement because it reveals that those who are white have oppressed Asians long before the timeline U.S. history textbooks state so.
In 1835, William Hooper from Boston would arrive to the island of Kauai in order to establish a mercantile trading house called Ladd and Company. Him and other settlers would hire the natives of Kauai to work in their newly acquired and established sugar plantations. However, these natives would continue to develop great distrust towards Hooper and his partners and so Hooper would eventually bring those who are Chinese to work on his plantations. Exploiting Chinese immigrants would save Hooper labor and profits. These Chinese workers would also ultimately develop a lack of trust towards their employers. Hooper would continuously use the method of continuously bringing over and exploiting labor from immigrants from all over Asia like Koreans, Japanese, and Filipinos when those he previously brought over would decide not to work anymore.
In 1835, William Hooper from Boston would arrive to the island of Kauai in order to establish a mercantile trading house called Ladd and Company. Him and other settlers would hire the natives of Kauai to work in their newly acquired and established sugar plantations. However, these natives would continue to develop great distrust towards Hooper and his partners and so Hooper would eventually bring those who are Chinese to work on his plantations. Exploiting Chinese immigrants would save Hooper labor and profits. These Chinese workers would also ultimately develop a lack of trust towards their employers. Hooper would continuously use the method of continuously bringing over and exploiting labor from immigrants from all over Asia like Koreans, Japanese, and Filipinos when those he previously brought over would decide not to work anymore.
Asian-American Movement
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/uhic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=UHIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Reference&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&source=&sortBy=&displayGroups=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ2338230577
This database article gives a fairly long history of the Asian American Movement. More in-depth information on the influence of the Vietnam War on the Asian American Movement was found in this article in comparison to the other resources I have cited thus far.
According to this article, the Vietnam War was heavily influential factor that sparked the Asian American Movement. The racism experienced by Asian Americans affected their anti-war protests to be different to those of white people. Asian American activists during the 1970's thought hard about the Vietnam War and about how it underscored racism towards Asian people. Due to the racist nature of the war, Asian American activists held signs that protested against the war's racist aspect instead of ones that advocated for general peace and bringing American soldiers home.
This database article gives a fairly long history of the Asian American Movement. More in-depth information on the influence of the Vietnam War on the Asian American Movement was found in this article in comparison to the other resources I have cited thus far.
According to this article, the Vietnam War was heavily influential factor that sparked the Asian American Movement. The racism experienced by Asian Americans affected their anti-war protests to be different to those of white people. Asian American activists during the 1970's thought hard about the Vietnam War and about how it underscored racism towards Asian people. Due to the racist nature of the war, Asian American activists held signs that protested against the war's racist aspect instead of ones that advocated for general peace and bringing American soldiers home.
"All Power to the People" Social Movements for Justice
http://allpower.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/discussion-asian-american-movements-1/
""All Power to the People" Social Movements for Justice" is a blog run by a Pomona College professor whose students discuss topics reviewed in their history course on. I found this discussion on injustice towards Asian Americans through out the years informative. I viewed it as a reliable source because the students do refer to the titles of books they have read in addition to their thoughts and opinions stated in the posts. One post in the discussion by student Abbie Wang caught my attention specifically among all the posts I read:
"What resonated with me the most from discussion was the issue of identity that the Asian American movement faced. There was a subset of this issue brought up in class that concerned where Asian Americans’ loyalties lay—whether it was with their ethnic country or with the country where they lived. I think this loyalty was a more immediate issue because of the greater amount of immigrants that came to the United States at this time. Several of them still had strong connections to their ethnic countries and identities, yet had to assimilate into American society in order to support themselves. Immigrants also faced a problem with the American-born Asians—on what level could they connect with them, and perhaps more importantly on what level could they not? Something that was brought up late in class today about Amy Uyematsu’s “The Emergence of Yellow Power” related strongly back to differences between immigrants and American-born Asians. Someone mentioned that Uyematsu was calling out Asian Americans for being “soft-spoken” and allowing the whites to take advantage of the “silent oriental” stereotype. While I am not disagreeing with this, I think it’s important to look at this through the eyes of the Asian immigrants as well. At least in particular, in Japanese culture and lifestyle there is much less emphasis on the individual and speaking out against those in control is not encouraged. Changing from this lifestyle to the outspoken American one can be jarring, and I think it is an important factor to keep in mind when we look at the different Asian American experiences."
Wang brings up a point relating to a prevalent issue many Asian Americans faced in their communities. Identity has always been huge issue for many Asian Americans as they have to deal with the conflicting ideas of Asian culture and what is perceived to be American culture.
""All Power to the People" Social Movements for Justice" is a blog run by a Pomona College professor whose students discuss topics reviewed in their history course on. I found this discussion on injustice towards Asian Americans through out the years informative. I viewed it as a reliable source because the students do refer to the titles of books they have read in addition to their thoughts and opinions stated in the posts. One post in the discussion by student Abbie Wang caught my attention specifically among all the posts I read:
"What resonated with me the most from discussion was the issue of identity that the Asian American movement faced. There was a subset of this issue brought up in class that concerned where Asian Americans’ loyalties lay—whether it was with their ethnic country or with the country where they lived. I think this loyalty was a more immediate issue because of the greater amount of immigrants that came to the United States at this time. Several of them still had strong connections to their ethnic countries and identities, yet had to assimilate into American society in order to support themselves. Immigrants also faced a problem with the American-born Asians—on what level could they connect with them, and perhaps more importantly on what level could they not? Something that was brought up late in class today about Amy Uyematsu’s “The Emergence of Yellow Power” related strongly back to differences between immigrants and American-born Asians. Someone mentioned that Uyematsu was calling out Asian Americans for being “soft-spoken” and allowing the whites to take advantage of the “silent oriental” stereotype. While I am not disagreeing with this, I think it’s important to look at this through the eyes of the Asian immigrants as well. At least in particular, in Japanese culture and lifestyle there is much less emphasis on the individual and speaking out against those in control is not encouraged. Changing from this lifestyle to the outspoken American one can be jarring, and I think it is an important factor to keep in mind when we look at the different Asian American experiences."
Wang brings up a point relating to a prevalent issue many Asian Americans faced in their communities. Identity has always been huge issue for many Asian Americans as they have to deal with the conflicting ideas of Asian culture and what is perceived to be American culture.
The Asian American Movement
http://asianamericanactivism.tumblr.com/post/7295351113/the-asian-american-movement
The post titled "The Asian American Movement" on Your Asian Wasn't Quiet, an astounding blog that posts about Asian American activism, shares brief information on the formation of the Asian American Movement:
Before, Asian Americans were originally identified derogatorily as "Orientals". The blogger explains the creation of the term "Asian American" and its purpose. It was "...a term that served to empower communities and unite Asians in America under a collective identity, a collective voice, and a collective goal."
The Asian American Movement influenced Asian American communities all over the nation. The social movement would encourage many Asian Pacific American groups and organizations to form in order to educate, empower, and change their communities. These groups and organizations still exist today (I am personally a member of one called the Chinese Progressive Association) fighting for social justice and equality for Asian Americans. Participants in the Asian American Movement had also successfully convinced collegiate institutions throughout the 1970's to implement ethnic studies into their schools. However, the fight to preserve programs and courses still live on in our current day.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Invisible Minority: Chong and Voting
http://www.apimovement.com/invisible-minority-chong-and-voting
"Invisible Minority: Chong and Voting" is a brief blog post on current events relating the to invisibility of Asian Americans in society.
Daniel Chong, a student of University of California, was thrown into jail by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and was forgotten about. Chong was left in his cell for five days without necessities. It was reported that he did not have access to a toilet facility and was left starving and thirsty during his time in jail. Chong had to spend a week in the hospital and the first few days he was in intensive care.
A survey was done to find out the percentage of the Asian American voter population that have been outreached to by Democratic and Republican parties. It was concluded that only 23% of the population has been reached out to by Democrats while an even more measly percentage of 17% was reached out to by Republicans.
Both current events are examples of Asian Americans being institutionally-neglected in society.
"Invisible Minority: Chong and Voting" is a brief blog post on current events relating the to invisibility of Asian Americans in society.
Daniel Chong, a student of University of California, was thrown into jail by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and was forgotten about. Chong was left in his cell for five days without necessities. It was reported that he did not have access to a toilet facility and was left starving and thirsty during his time in jail. Chong had to spend a week in the hospital and the first few days he was in intensive care.
A survey was done to find out the percentage of the Asian American voter population that have been outreached to by Democratic and Republican parties. It was concluded that only 23% of the population has been reached out to by Democrats while an even more measly percentage of 17% was reached out to by Republicans.
Both current events are examples of Asian Americans being institutionally-neglected in society.
Asian American Movement 1968
The blog post, "Introduction to the Asian American Movement 1968", is an informative article on key events that took place during the beginning of the Asian American Movement in 1968. The post states three Bay Area events that took place in 1968 prompting the Asian American Movement. These events are:
- The formation of the Asian American Political Alliance in Berkeley
- The Third World Liberation Strikes at San Francisco State University and University of California in Berkeley
- The International Hotel tenants' eviction notice
Mentioned are also large-scale happenings during the 1970's that heavily-influenced the Asian American Movement such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, and the Vietnam War. The initial focus of the early protest actions of the Asian American Movement were the implementation of Ethnic Studies programs in colleges. The implementation of such programs would battle against institutionalized racism; college students of color would have the opportunity to learn about their ancestral history in America as oppose to in lands unfamiliar to many American-born Asians. This focus would eventually lead the Asian American Movement forward to fighting for the important cause of bettering Asian American communities nationwide.
The Black Power Movement and The Asian American Movement
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~hist32/History/S18%20-%20The%20Black%20Power%20Movement%20and%20the%20Asian%20American%20Movement.htm
In "The Black Power Movement and The Asian American Movement", Evelyn Chin states the relation between the two social movements and how the Black Power Movement influenced the Asian American Movement into effect. Chin states that people of color (I will not use "minority" as I personally feel the term is politically incorrect and disrespectful) all shared experiences of racism and oppression. In addition, people of color also share the same goals of achieving ideal freedom and equality for all individuals. These shared experiences and goals eventually led to the formation of social movements in the 1950's and onward. Chin shares that Black Americans and Asian Americans have had similar experiences with one another since historical times, starting back when Blacks were being brought over to America for slave labor. After the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Asians were brought over to replace Blacks as slaves.
Ideas of activists such as the ever-so-famous Malcolm X who influenced the Black American-heavy Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement also influenced the Asian American Movement. Yuri Kochiyama, famous Asian American activist, once worked alongside Malcolm X and argues that his common activist ideas of self-determination and rejection of assimilation into American society prompted the foundation of a social movement specifically involving Asian American communities all over the country.
In "The Black Power Movement and The Asian American Movement", Evelyn Chin states the relation between the two social movements and how the Black Power Movement influenced the Asian American Movement into effect. Chin states that people of color (I will not use "minority" as I personally feel the term is politically incorrect and disrespectful) all shared experiences of racism and oppression. In addition, people of color also share the same goals of achieving ideal freedom and equality for all individuals. These shared experiences and goals eventually led to the formation of social movements in the 1950's and onward. Chin shares that Black Americans and Asian Americans have had similar experiences with one another since historical times, starting back when Blacks were being brought over to America for slave labor. After the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Asians were brought over to replace Blacks as slaves.
Ideas of activists such as the ever-so-famous Malcolm X who influenced the Black American-heavy Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement also influenced the Asian American Movement. Yuri Kochiyama, famous Asian American activist, once worked alongside Malcolm X and argues that his common activist ideas of self-determination and rejection of assimilation into American society prompted the foundation of a social movement specifically involving Asian American communities all over the country.
The Asian American Experience
http://gallery.sjsu.edu/oldworld/asiangate/asian_exp_full.html
In "The Asian American Experience" by Michael S. Liao, he contributes his thoughts of how a moral society is formed, particularly in America, and how its construction at the hands and influences of White individuals socially and wrongfully justifies the treatment and lack of support for Asian Americans. Liao reveals the true experiences of Asian Americans through real examples:
Liao points out the racism Asian Americans experience from both male and female ends. Asian American females are hyper-sexualized; their image being constructed by those of the dominant, patriarchal, white, and heterosexual society whose aim is to create standards for an ideal women. Hyper-sexualizing Asian American females leads individuals to objectify and dehumanize them. Asian American males are depicted as effeminate and homosexual individuals. Even as males in society, they are viewed as "less" than those who are white; therefore creating a hierarchy within the American male group. Stereotypical views of Asian Americans, as Liao states, normalizes racist behavior towards Asian Americans. Oppression is "justified" because of the "deficiencies" of Asian Americans. Unfortunately, this oppression contributes to the desperate, outlandish actions Asian Americans take in order to conform. Oppression and its effects gives reason for Asian American individuals to stand together to identify these issues in their communities and to take action for systematic change in our American government.
In "The Asian American Experience" by Michael S. Liao, he contributes his thoughts of how a moral society is formed, particularly in America, and how its construction at the hands and influences of White individuals socially and wrongfully justifies the treatment and lack of support for Asian Americans. Liao reveals the true experiences of Asian Americans through real examples:
Liao points out the racism Asian Americans experience from both male and female ends. Asian American females are hyper-sexualized; their image being constructed by those of the dominant, patriarchal, white, and heterosexual society whose aim is to create standards for an ideal women. Hyper-sexualizing Asian American females leads individuals to objectify and dehumanize them. Asian American males are depicted as effeminate and homosexual individuals. Even as males in society, they are viewed as "less" than those who are white; therefore creating a hierarchy within the American male group. Stereotypical views of Asian Americans, as Liao states, normalizes racist behavior towards Asian Americans. Oppression is "justified" because of the "deficiencies" of Asian Americans. Unfortunately, this oppression contributes to the desperate, outlandish actions Asian Americans take in order to conform. Oppression and its effects gives reason for Asian American individuals to stand together to identify these issues in their communities and to take action for systematic change in our American government.
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