Wow I cant believe this semester is over! Seriously it went by super fast. I swear my mom started to get all sentimental last nite and was like my baby finished her first year in college...im so proud! lol! Anyway, I am really to have had te opportunity to have been in Asian American Studies. I really love any ethnic studies class. I took American Indian Studies last semester and it was great!!!!! This one was just as good as well. What i liked about this class was that it was not strictly reading from a text about history. That is what I expected but was happily suprised when it was not. I feel its better to talk and learn about what is happening today and what is happening around as well taking a look at ourselves and seeing if we need to make positive life changes. My def fav thing we did this semester was the fasion show! I was so excited to tell my friends and family this is what i was doing in college. I like to express my creative side. I feel that it was also great in letting me learn more about other people, cultures and countries. This is a great class and i will def missssssssssssssssssssssssss it a lot. Thank u all for a great semester!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
HEATHER
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Dr Alan Nishino
Having focused on stereotypes a lot this semester in AAS it made me take time to reflect on the times I have witnessed stereotypes in my own life. I remember during high school how we had our superintendent come visit our class one day and tell us how he got to where he is. He is Japanese American and works for the Morgan Hill Unified School district. His name is Dr Alan Nishino. Here is what the news paper had to say about him, “Morgan Hill School Board President Julia Smoot says that when Nishino started at the district, it had comparatively low academic scores, unevenly taught curriculum and underpaid teachers. Since his arrival, her recommendation states, Nishino has raised student participation in Advanced Placement courses, brought teacher pay closer to that of Bay Area standards, emphasized efforts to help minority students, and hired key personnel to improve the curriculum”.
During his speech he went into detail on how stereotypes of Asian Americans have played a huge role in his life. He has heard them all from teachers, the public to colleagues. He never let them hinder him though. I just really respect who he is and what he does. Its interesting to see how people are willing to put you down so much when you are just trying to be successful and do something good as well as make an impact on the lives of young people. To me he anther great example on people who move past the stereotype and set new examples for young people.
********heather**********
During his speech he went into detail on how stereotypes of Asian Americans have played a huge role in his life. He has heard them all from teachers, the public to colleagues. He never let them hinder him though. I just really respect who he is and what he does. Its interesting to see how people are willing to put you down so much when you are just trying to be successful and do something good as well as make an impact on the lives of young people. To me he anther great example on people who move past the stereotype and set new examples for young people.
********heather**********
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
POP. Holdin it down for 210.
So, despite the fact that we were the last group to perform at POP and we happened to be the most thorough with our presentation, I legitimately enjoyed myself. Now I see that Pop wasn't so much as a end of the year show we had to do, but a bonding experience while speaking out to the community. The skits, dance, spoken word all intrigued me and I was super stoked on the fact that through all those different types of arts there was that common thread of "Asian American Culture". As a class, we all came together to hold it down for the 210 classes, and personally I think we did just fine. I am proud to say that our class bonded a lot more than normal just despite the fact that we had to stay together for like 3 hours, haha. However, I feel as if we raised awareness with all the presentations and a sense of truth was delivered to the crowd. I'm not going to lie, It was super ill to see our T.A Ben and our Teacher Irene rippin' it right before we got on stage! I'm glad that everyone was able to showcase their talent, put in their all, and deliver to the crowd an outstanding performance. Our class definitely approached the presentations differently, but it's completely fine because the ones that go against the grain are the ones that are remebered! =]
Congrats Ethics 210 class, we have had a great year together!
-Vincent Santiago
Congrats Ethics 210 class, we have had a great year together!
-Vincent Santiago
Asian American Poet - Alvin Lau
So I was browsing for Asian American Poets on youtube because I knew that there would be some def jam poetry that would spark my interest. And just as I expected, this man Alvin Lau popped up. I decided to check out his video and this is what I saw. It's called
"Asia-America, Where have you gone?"
Check it outtttt!
Alright, so while im listening to this man speak, I realize he's talking about everything our entire class is based on. He speaks about how Asia America has so many different aspects to it, but somehow the true "Asia-America" is gone. Alvin speaks about how these different views of Asia America are tainting the true Asian America. For instance, he makes references to americanized asian food and honda civics drag racing in china town. He also speaks about how day to day he tries to find the true Asia America but somehow he falls short and ends losing parts of his culture. I found all these things interesting because we talked about the same themes during class, specficially about losing your culture and becoming more American than Asian. Personally, i've never been a big fan of poetry, but recently def jam poetry has definitely sparked my interest. And this poet specficially was capable of providing some real, deep, truth and portraying it in a few lines. I was amazed when I heard his poem because he is speaking for all Asian Americans when he talks about the stereotypes and the struggle that we all face to find who we are.
-Vincent Santiago
"Asia-America, Where have you gone?"
Check it outtttt!
Alright, so while im listening to this man speak, I realize he's talking about everything our entire class is based on. He speaks about how Asia America has so many different aspects to it, but somehow the true "Asia-America" is gone. Alvin speaks about how these different views of Asia America are tainting the true Asian America. For instance, he makes references to americanized asian food and honda civics drag racing in china town. He also speaks about how day to day he tries to find the true Asia America but somehow he falls short and ends losing parts of his culture. I found all these things interesting because we talked about the same themes during class, specficially about losing your culture and becoming more American than Asian. Personally, i've never been a big fan of poetry, but recently def jam poetry has definitely sparked my interest. And this poet specficially was capable of providing some real, deep, truth and portraying it in a few lines. I was amazed when I heard his poem because he is speaking for all Asian Americans when he talks about the stereotypes and the struggle that we all face to find who we are.
-Vincent Santiago
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Asian American Fashion Designer
When most people think of high fashion, usually France or Italy comes to mind. But here in the states we have an excellent array of Fashion designers who show hard work, talent and determination. What is more interesting is how there are many great and talented Asian American designers. Labels like 3.3 Phillip Lim, Thakoon. Anna Sui, Baby Phat, Derek Lam and Peter Som are making huge names for themselves in the Fashion industry. Michelle Obama white inauguration dress was made by Jason Wu, a young and talented designer.
Yet one of the most world renowned designers ever is of course Vera Wang. Every girl dreams of being able to wear one of her wedding gowns. She was born In New York and lives there and designs today. She has made wedding dresses for Mariah Carey, Posh, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman and many others. On the red carpet you can see many Celebrities sporting evening looks. She has been awarded many lifetime achievement awards for her success and her looks are often printed in Vogue and Oprah has also done a segment on her. She is a very talented lady and a leader in the fashion world.
********Heather*******
Yet one of the most world renowned designers ever is of course Vera Wang. Every girl dreams of being able to wear one of her wedding gowns. She was born In New York and lives there and designs today. She has made wedding dresses for Mariah Carey, Posh, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman and many others. On the red carpet you can see many Celebrities sporting evening looks. She has been awarded many lifetime achievement awards for her success and her looks are often printed in Vogue and Oprah has also done a segment on her. She is a very talented lady and a leader in the fashion world.
********Heather*******
Pop Reflection
I know this class is all about Asian American studies. But at times I find myself reflecting on my own heritage a lot of the times. For the performance the dance group did we did old and traditional dances. I feel that in most cultures youth sometimes get lost with their heritage and forget sometimes of where they came from. It’s the challenge of being a real “American” and adapting to the “American” way of life. That to me means forgetting about who you are and where you came from. Its sad but it’s a fact of life. Youth get caught up so much with the media and whats popular. I feel this dance and performance was good for everyone and to give something back to their past.
I myself remember when I was little and would go to pow wows with my dad and spend summers with my family on the reservation. Since he past away I have completely neglected that side of who I am and It makes me sad and guilty. I feel that he is not here anymore is too much of a painful reminder of something that I lost. Its easier to forget about that side and focus on what I have. I know its hard for some people to understand but it is the truth.
There are many different reasons why we sometimes neglect who we are. But its not fair to our family to do that. This event made me relize on what I am doing wrong and I need to make some some changes in my own life!
********Heather********
I myself remember when I was little and would go to pow wows with my dad and spend summers with my family on the reservation. Since he past away I have completely neglected that side of who I am and It makes me sad and guilty. I feel that he is not here anymore is too much of a painful reminder of something that I lost. Its easier to forget about that side and focus on what I have. I know its hard for some people to understand but it is the truth.
There are many different reasons why we sometimes neglect who we are. But its not fair to our family to do that. This event made me relize on what I am doing wrong and I need to make some some changes in my own life!
********Heather********
Monday, May 18, 2009
Asian Am. Dreams
Beyond our shadows:
“What Mom and Dad couldn't tell us was what it meant to be Chinese in America. They didn't know--they were just learning about America themselves. We found little help in the world around us. Asians were referred to most often as Orientals, Mongols, Asiatics, heathens, the yellow hordes, and an assortment of even less endearing terms. Whatever the terminology, the message was clear: we were definitely not Americans.”
This passage I feel is how most people feel about there race in America. It’s a hard place to fit in when you want to keep your culture. Sometimes I feel most people find it hard to juggle the two. This takes me back to history class when back in the day they had classes for immigrants to take that made them more “American”. But what is American anyway? Is it blue jeans, baseball, and apple pie? Mabye it was back in the day….But now the term American means so many things. Theres Asian American, Native American, African, etc. Theres not just American. Its better this way so people don’t feel left out. America has this motto that “we are united”, but its easy for people to get lost along the way with racism, stereotypes, etc.
I myself have seen family members struggle with their native American background. I have witnessed the hard life on the reservation when I would visit my aunt during the summer. They struggle to fit in with contemporary American society when they ancestors struggled with so much hate and pain. Especially the idea sterotypes and the effect it has on young native youth and what it does to their self esteem. Its easy to see the effect the idea of “True American” has on people.
*******hEATHER******
“What Mom and Dad couldn't tell us was what it meant to be Chinese in America. They didn't know--they were just learning about America themselves. We found little help in the world around us. Asians were referred to most often as Orientals, Mongols, Asiatics, heathens, the yellow hordes, and an assortment of even less endearing terms. Whatever the terminology, the message was clear: we were definitely not Americans.”
This passage I feel is how most people feel about there race in America. It’s a hard place to fit in when you want to keep your culture. Sometimes I feel most people find it hard to juggle the two. This takes me back to history class when back in the day they had classes for immigrants to take that made them more “American”. But what is American anyway? Is it blue jeans, baseball, and apple pie? Mabye it was back in the day….But now the term American means so many things. Theres Asian American, Native American, African, etc. Theres not just American. Its better this way so people don’t feel left out. America has this motto that “we are united”, but its easy for people to get lost along the way with racism, stereotypes, etc.
I myself have seen family members struggle with their native American background. I have witnessed the hard life on the reservation when I would visit my aunt during the summer. They struggle to fit in with contemporary American society when they ancestors struggled with so much hate and pain. Especially the idea sterotypes and the effect it has on young native youth and what it does to their self esteem. Its easy to see the effect the idea of “True American” has on people.
*******hEATHER******
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