Asian American X

1. Asian American X By Arar Han and John Hsu

2. The Team • Kevin O’Neil (Facilitator): Japan and China = Chapters 18, 30 and 34 • Kruti Shah (Co-Facilitator): India = Chapters 2, 4, 21 and 25 • Ariana Perez: Taiwan (one Korea and one China story) = Chapters 13, 20, 22 and 35 • Laura Pierson: China = Chapters 3, 7, 10 and 11 • Maria Ramirez: China = Chapters 14, 17, 31, and 33 • Jason Weber: China = Chapters 23, 24, 26 and 27 • Mark Viguri: Vietnam and Hmong = Chapters 5, 8, 9, and 29 • Angela Lopez: Philippines and Cambodia = Chapters 1, 19, 28, and 32 • Heidi Lopez: Korea = Chapters 6, 12, 15 and 16

3. To thank you for helping us out…Our notes are on a blog as well! • You can find them here: • http://asianamericanx.wordpress.com/

4. Japan

5. Japan Brief Info and History - Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1912) - Emperor Meiji was moved from -Kyoto to Tokyo. Tokyo became the capital - Japan was forced to sign unequal treaties with western nations - One-sided economical and legal advantages for Americans and Europeans in Japan - Japan tried to become an independent state and modeled their systems after Western nations -In 1889, Japan established its first Constitution Source: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html

6. Lost and Found • Was questioned as being a “full Japanese”. • Jessica did not feel like she fit in with the Asian club. • Being a yonsei, she could only identify with the American culture. • She cared more for the stories about Japanese Americans in US history. • Did not feel attached to Japanese ceremonies, songs, culture • Concludes by stating that Asian Americans will become more diverse; need to share experiences

7. Language and Identity • Jeffrey was called a “gaijin” in his home city, Kobe. • Father: American, Mother: Japanese • Went to American high school academy • Noticed cultural difference, not afraid to speak up; individualistic • Became more accustomed to American culture • At first was afraid to speak, being seen as “different” • Met friends back in Kobe, did not feel like he fit in • Did not have a solid identity to subscribe himself to • Finally, he found that he could create his own identity; was not afraid of what others thought of him

8. South Korea

9. Geographic location • Korea is bordered by the People’s Republic of China and separated by the East China Sea. It is across from Japan and separated by the Korea Strait. Korea is separated into two sovereign states; North and South Korea. The population of South Korea in 2010 was 48,219,000 (Wikipedia).

10. History • In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and remained so until the end of World War II in August 1945 • The US acted as an ally towards Korea during the beginning of the war

11. History Cont. • Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953 it consisted of five articles providing for a suspension of all open hostilities, a system for the transfer of POW's and a set demarcation line with a 2.4 Mile "buffer" or demilitarization zone.

12. Additional Information • South Korea has an open market economy • South Korea also has a democratic form of government • Christianity is the most practiced religion at 29.2 % (U.S Department of State, 2011).

13. Seoul Searching Essay 6 Name: Rebecca J. Kinney Ethnicity: Korean American Family Background: Grew up in Detroit - Parents (both descendants of poor sharecroppers) - Older sister also adopted - Rebecca adopted at six months old Likes: ‘Why Was I Adopted’ (Favorite childhood book) Dislikes: Being asked “Why can’t you speak Korean?”“Are you Korean?” Quote: “Han- guk mual mol-la-yo.” – “I don't speak Korean.” Rebecca returns to South Korea to reconnect with her culture. As an “invisible native” she feels comfortable roaming around Seoul. Her need to fit in comes from feeling she doesnt completly fit in as a “White American.” She wonders if “Being Korean in Korea is the same experience as being white in the United States.” The only thing that gives her away is not really being able to communicate fluently in Korean and when that happens she feels ashamed to let others know that she doesn’t speak Korean. For a while Rebecca would have also been embarrased to talk about having been adopted. While in the beginning of college Rebecca desired to have a last name like Kim, or Lee or even Park and not have to talk about the complicated history of why it was Kinney instead. Since then she has changed her outlook on her circumstances and finds herself on the three month trip to her birthplace. “I am at a stage where I am challenging the rules society places upon us. I am a self identified woman of color who takes pride in her claim to Asian American identity.”- Rebecca J. Kinney

14. A Little Too Asian and Not Enough WhiteEssay 12 Name: Matthew Noerper Ethnicity: 100 % White Family Background: White Jewish/Christian suburb in Chicago - Mother and Father (German American) 3 adopted sisters from Korea 2 adopted males (including himself) from Korea 1 adopted Caucasian brother 2 African American brothers 2 Caucasian brothers Likes: Becoming part of an organization in college as an Asian Merican mentor Dislikes: Being called “Jackie Chan” by peers. Quote: “It seems for the time being that I cannot afford to be either white or Asian” Matthew is open and honest he lets the reader know right away that he doesn’t consider himself Asian. He makes the point that he has learned the concept of racism and discrimination differently than a fellow white person just by the fact that he looks the “Asian part.” He grew up believing stereotypes that were made as comments by his mother, brothers, and sisters. As he grew up he realized that he resented his white culture for being unwilling learn about other cultures and the Asian community for their unwillingness to acculturate. H e ends the essay with these words: “I have developed extremely complex feelings towards Asian America . . . At the same time I empathize with Asian Americans’ struggle to gain acceptance within American society and their fight against malicious stereotypes”

15. Roots and Wings Essay 15 Name: Joann Yi Jung Huh Ethnicity: Korean American Family Background: Moved from Korea when Joann was seven to California - Mother and Father (Father born three years before the war) - Daughter ( Joann) Likes: Learning about Korean History Dislikes: Having to fit a standard definition of what it is to be Korean American. Quote: “Heritage is a more serious reality than it is often viewed to be. It is not simply knowledge of culture, custom, and history; it is how these aspects impact your heart and soul ” Joann Yi Jung Huh recalls the civil war through her father’s eyes. He tells her stories some sad, others tragic and some even humorous. What she learns about her ancestors’ country during Japanese colonialism as she puts it makes her “heart bleed.” She mentions the “comfort women,” executions of independent fighters, and the murder of Yu Guan Soon. She describes the Korean War as fratricidal, as a civil war within the country itself. Joann writes about struggling with what she describes are her two halves “American” and “Korean” cultures as civil war within herself. She goes on to write “I am not being “Asian” when I choose to keep quiet in class , and I am not being “American” when I decide to speak up.” Joann shares with the reader a life lesson she has learned which is that “We have a right to formulate our identity, but with it comes the responsibility of being just to others.

16. Creating Myself Essay 16 Name: Curtis Steuber Ethnicity: Korean Family Background: Grew up in a White neighborhood in Holland, Michigan - 2 White Parents - 2 sisters ( biological children) -2 adopted children from Korea ( Curtis and his twin sister Christen) Likes: To be and feel independent Dislikes: Getting stares when traveling with his family (when younger) Quote: “I am a person, and that is the only thing people should see” Curtis sees his Korean ethnicity very differently than his twin sister. She is proud and embracing. He doesn’t feel any connection with that part of his background, they way he sees it is “Why should I feel or be Asian when I don’t know what being Asian actually is? He wonders if his sisters consciousness stems from her being genuinely proud of her heritage or from a need to belong and fit in what Curtis calls ‘white’ America. He writes how he wishes he could visit the days of when he and other children were only interested in playing and he was naïve about issues of race. Curtis is determined to not be identified with what he calls “outside factors” which he feels could inhibit his evolvement to adapt and change . “My morals, thoughts , and ideology form my identity. Thus, my identity is my own creation.”- Curtis Steuber

17. Taiwan

18. Half and Half • Considers herself to be half Taiwanese and half American • Lesbian • Ex-girlfriend described her as “flakey” she feels flakey about all aspects of her life (race, musical • Preference, language, sexual orientation) • Raised in Taiwan until age 11 • Never thought to define herself racially because everyone around had black hair/eyes and yellow skin • Parents wanted her and siblings to become doctors and return to Taiwan • Shocked at how their children turned out • Mother asked her if she was possessed by the devil • Parents taught “money buys everything, even happiness” • A new identity that is neither Asian or American • Living half of her life in Taiwan and half in the states has made her home sick in the sense that she • Doesn’t really have a home • “If you cannot decide whether you are a bird or a mammal, then you are neither

19. What parents taught • Work hard and you will succeed • Respect elders and any form of authority • Respect societal norms • Family comes first • Be realistic • Money buys everything, even happiness • Be humble • Be disciplined • Education is important • Persistence goes a long way

20. What they didn’t teach • Working hard isn’t enough- Networking • Respect doesn’t mean following blindly • Societal norms aren’t always “right” • Family comes first, but friends are especially important when family isn’t there • Be idealistic • Money buys as much as we think it buys • Being humble is not equivalent to to being bashful • Play • Education is not limited to textbooks • There is a fine line between being persistent and stubborn

21. Asian F http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUOwn0Cl8ZM

22. Another American Mutt • Chinese Mother- • Father is “white” from a family hailing from Ireland • Mother is Taiwanese, not “Thai”

23. You’re not really Asian, just Half • “To refer to someone has “Half” Something is to ignore the other half.

24. Not a “what” • “This colorful breed of human is the result of an experiment conducted on an air force base in California. He is not good at math but loves to read and enjoys odd foods that you do not”

25. Chinese Mother- Cavan Reagan=

26. “You’re not really Asian, Just half” To refer to someone as “Half” something is to ignore the other half

27. Not a “What” “This colorful breed of human is the result of an experiment conducted on an air force base in California. He is not good at math but loves to read and enjoys odd foods that you do not”

28. Minority Based Scholarships • Achievements and background are not linked • Scholarships to suit everyone • What is enough?

29. Shen ai shi ren • Being Chinese not a huge value • From Taiwan and spoke Mandarin Chinese • Tried to abandon culture at young age • Avoided Asian groups in school and joined itervarsity christian fellowship. Ironically the largest percentage Asian group on campus • Tried to avoid everything Chinese but went to Berkley which has the highest rate of Chinese students in the U.S. • Went to a seminar at Berkley where she began to embrace her heritage rather than avoid it.

30. Reminiscings • 3 main memories before age 6: father always beating her and her brother, being robbed while living in Taipei and her mother divorcing her father because he would beat all of them and chase mother around with butcher knife • Mom remarries and new dad legally adopts her and her brother • Divorce not culturally accepted by Chinese • Moved back to China during middle school • Joins many Asian American social groups in high school

31. China

32. U.S Relationship with China - The Treaty of Wanghia (1844) is what started the relationship between these two countries. - Among many other issues, the treaty fixed trade tariffs, which granted U.S. nationals the right to build churches and hospitals in specific Chinese cities. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S was forced into the war to take the side of China. U.S helped the Chinese with a great deal amount of aid. Both the U.S and China got involved in the Korean War out of support for both the north and south. At the height of the Cold War, China got into a closer relationship with the U.S due to the border clashes with the Soviet Union. The more recent opening of the Chinese economy has meant a closer and increased trade relationship between both countries.

33. Brief CulturalChinese Info. Has approximately 1/5 of the worlds population and growing at over 1 Billion There are between 7 and 13 main regional groups of Chinese Languages. Main languages consist of the following: most spoken, by far, is Mandarin (about 850 million years old), followed by Wu (90 million years old), Cantonese/Yue (70 million years old) and Min (50 million years old). The most recent Dynasty has been the Qing Dynasty which started rule in 1644 all the way up to 1911 Literacy rate for the overall adult was 97%, but split between women and men, Men held the advantage of 99% to 95% for women. Core Values for the Chinese Culture lie in the harmonious convergence between humans and nature, harmonious inter-relationships between individuals, as well as peaceful co-existence between states.

34. Brown Skin • Half Chinese and half Thai • Called many names including ChaiAmerican like the Thai tea • Darker skin then all other Chinese girls. Being dark is considered ugly in Chinese culture • Migrated towards Chinese people in high school not Thai people • Dated two people in high school and when they broke up she believed it was because of her dark skin • Began wearing sun block two months straight to try to become lighter skinned • Went to Stanford and became immursed in Asian studies and joined Asian groups

35. The Jazzian Singer • First started singing when she was 7 • Became scared to pursue singing because their were no Asians on mtv or any American music show • Joined performing and visual arts group in high school and began playing the piano • Listened to many iconic pop and divas like Maria Carey and Celine Dion • Ella Fitzgerald inspired her to want to sing Jazz • Believes that the public would not support an Asian American singer • Applied to colleges with the intention of majoring in piano performance • Finally while attending Rice University she got a vocal coach and joined the band • Now as a senior in college she still sings and resents not singing and joining choir at younger age

36. China Pearl • With relatives that haven't seen for decades and they speak Cantonese. • She’s Chinese however does look like one and describes her self has bumbling foreign since her father is white. • Gets memories when she was and got made fun of by her class mates • Is in Hong Kong and thinks if she would of stay there how would her life be different.

37. Drawing the Boundaries • A student is talking to a teacher about Latinos and blacks and explains that they are saying mean things to. • She explains that in the world my issues with the race and blended with my issues with the economic and it was discomfort that came from being Asian but by being from that being poor. • Uses three tips: • 1. to know your weakness and use it to your advantage • 2. to know your weakness and use it to your advantage • 3. To stay on guard and the match isn’t over yet until opponent is dead

38. Who am I? • Gordon is Chinese and is a neuroscience graduate student at UC Berkeley by this piece of information he asks if you can identify him just by knowing this. • He asks the reader that because you can give a physical description you should be able to give a personal one. • He is worried about what most people should be worried about, the government and the people who are behind them and who contribute to this place without consequence

39. Caught between Cultures • Margot is Chinese American second generation and can speak Cantonese like a 4 yrs. Old. • Her mother has a Boston accent and she thinks that Asian Americans lack to see the importance of Asian American issues. • In 6th grade she was offended by all the writing in the girls bathroom stall saying racial things towards African Americans, Asians or Chinese and that they don’t belong. • She can be the troll under a bridge angry who’s she people passing by and realizing that they might act the same way and instead they should educated instead of berate.

40. Death of a Butterfly • Felix Poon- “try and pick a word that is unique to you” • Felix would rather write a paper than pick ONE word • His neighbor chooses “pretty” for her word • Felix chooses “differ” • His teacher decides to have everyone describe each other, “Nobody has black hair”

41. Chinese Again • Yijing Yang resented being Chinese • Because other people treated her differently she treated herself differently • Her parents did not want her to engage in popular American culture • When visiting China she felt more at home than she ever did in America

42. ABC for Life • Katie Leung feels as though she does not belong in either America or China • When she became a teenager, Katie decided she wanted to live a more traditional American life style • She started to rebel against her parents • She began to drink and engage with the opposite sex

43. How Not to Eat Pho: Me and Asia America • Michael Sue was taught to embrace his Chinese culture but in private. • His father’s side of the family taught him to be as “American” as possible and his mother’s side of the family taught him the opposite • He felt as though he has to choose between being Asian and being American • Once he went to college he learned he could be the perfect balance of Asian American

44. Paradox: Too Chinese or Not Enough • Bryant lived in Monterey Park • Mostly Asian-American residents, less racism; however, discrimination still existed. • Vietnamese and Filipino stereotyped: poor, dangerous, no values • He tried to avoid being stereotyped, but angry when he was • Wanted to be seen as Chinese; no negative stereotypes • He also wanted to be seen as Asian-American, because being “too Chinese” was looked down upon • Segregation existed between the two groups

45. Paradox (cont.) • First was not accepted, later on was • Later, he reclaimed his Burmese and Chinese • Identified himself as API • Became ashamed of what he did • Realized there was still racism against Asian Americans • Became politically active; fights against racism

46. An Asian American Experience • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RneDgicNR6s

47. The Republic of the Philippines

48. Philippines Brief Info Part of Southeast Asia Related to Micronesian and Malaysian cultures Many Filipinos are mixed ancestry ~Asian mainland ~Spanish ~American ~Arab ~Indian Primary language Tagalog Secondary language English 93% literacy rate 2/5 live in urban areas, where 3/5 are in rural areas Core value is to uphold the solidarity of the family unit Lighter skin color is “desirable” trait

49. Relationship with the U.S. • Philippines was under Spanish Colonization until 1898 • U.S. territory 1898 until 1946 • 1898 U.S. defeated Spain for control • Filipino general, Emilio Aguinaldo resisted U.S. occupation • Resulting in Philippine-American War 1899 • 1899 U.S. senate votes to annex the Philippines • 1901 President McKinley set up democratic gov. and create public education system • Independent in 1946 after WWII

50. Label Us Angry • Jeremiah Torres • From Palo Alto, CA -described as a quiet, prosperous, sophisticated college town • As a child, he and his classmates were oblivious to race/culture • Pogressed through school, learning of diversity, he then saw he was different • First experience with overt racism in their hometown -while out celebrating friend, • Carlos’ 17th birthday • altercation with another driver, sped up to them, words were exchanged along with • derogatory racial slurs/labels, “low-life”, “chink”, “gangster” • Jeremiah and Carlos were sprayed with mace, suspect drove off • No one willing to help them at first, until one lady called the police • upon their arrival, the police helped to diffuse the mace situation, but then quickly • turned and asked if the boys were of any gang affiliation • Jeremiah wondered if he and Carlos were in a nicer car and dressed in Polo shirts, • would they have been called racial slurs or would the police have questioned if they were • in a gang? • Those “labels” made them angry, hesitated to share their story at first, but realized that • “trouble” found them so they needed to uncover the racism in their town • Jeremiah wrote an anonymous article in the school paper • He made a decision to live his life as usual and not allow that incident of racism change • his view of people/society • Carlos stayed angry making himself an outcast, eventually causing another incident • landing him in court as a convicted felon • You can not win against labels if you decide to act on them and feed into it