You have until the beginning of class on Tuesday, 9/22, to submit brief comments/questions on the previous 2.5 weeks of course materials.
Cultural Productions:
Yao Ming
Dat Phan
Yao Ming
Thief of Baghdad
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Questions/comments that have already been submitted to me count; but if you haven't commented on a particular reading or film from the past 2 weeks, you have until Tuesday 9/22 to do so; and the format of these comments can be brief, 1-3 sentences, since that's what the format was before the blog idea was introduced. Does that make sense? Apologies for any confusion.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just want to clarify - so starting next Tuesday - before each class, we need to submit one response to that class's reading, and a response to a classmate's response to the previous class readings, and also a cultural production related to that day's readings/film. So we need 3 things all together. Is that correct?
ReplyDeleteOn Race: The Power of an Illusion.
ReplyDeleteOh PBS - Why is it that for the hour or so I had to watch this I felt was being indoctrinated into someones relatively baseless agenda? Well perhaps not baseless but certainly biased. My sense is that while many of the scientific points were valid the research was done with those who had pre-cognition social agendas. Similar, are those who once brainwashed the population years past by so-called science which proved that certain races we're inferior it was done without counter arguments and filled with agenda. Similarly we should be just as careful not to accept all 'science' as fact and question why we are not hearing other opinions of those who believe that races do exist. But it doesn't and it leads my to ask why and the only reason I can come up with is that they are very intentionally attempting to shape my beliefs.
The theories are not without their flaws for instance. One logic fallacy occurs when the narration details how humans are actually only very slightly different from each other genetically. It, also, however goes on to state that because each persons sampled DNA will only have slight genetic differences it helps to demonstrate that race is simply an illusion (I am aware that this is only part of the argument). My issue is that if it is true that humans are only slightly different then it necessarily follows that slight differences in genetic make up would be necessary to create relatively extreme differences from our perspective.
Ok, this rant is boring. In summation - I'm not saying that the main point of the video is not valid but that it's risky to be entirely receptive to this one sided argument just as it would be another. And I approach with caution.
Actually, also, while it may ultimately turn out to be true that race is an illusion scientifically it CERTAINLY does exist as a social construct and therefore quite relevant. (I'm arguing the opposite in my African Studies class btw)
@class: Also, attachments of cultural productions are not necessary until Thursday, 9/24, since the next two classes are covering general critical theory.
ReplyDeleteOn Grace Lee:
ReplyDeleteI talked about this extensively during class so now here's a segment I like to call 'Leftovers: The Best of the Rest!!'
Leftovers:
1. You ever just look at someone and come up with a complete narrative of who they are? I remember being thirteen in my junior highschool and kid coming in the first day of class and I hated him. Often times I feel quite correct in my preconceived notions of who I will hate or like. What? You want me to tell you all who between you I already like or don't like? Well, I wont do that - unless you pay me. Actually, I will if you really want me to. Well anyways it turned out that that kid Benjamin became my best friend that year and its actually quite nice. So why am I writing about this
"Did you ever just know something john?"
"All the time."
Sorry, I interrupted myself to quote 'A Beautiful Mind' Great movie. The thing is that we often times know things we don't know. When all of those 'man on the street' interviews took place in the Grace Lee film regarding people recounting Grace Lee's they knew I had trouble believing these they were actually describing the Grace Lee they knew but rather the Grace Lee they invented in their minds. They barely seemed to know these Grace Lee's and I'd imagine that often their options of Grace Lee for instance as being studious was a projection of their own constructed image of the Grace Lee they knew in their mind. As I said last class, I believe that is a major theme or point from the project: Once you actually pierce through the veneer of these particular grace lees you learn that these archetype descriptions are superficial constructions which often serve more to deceive us. When we get to know people beyond our superficial judgements we may find far more interesting narratives than we'd otherwise observe. I fear that my statement is a bit too corny, neat and trite but that's why it's a merely a leftover and thus a best... of the rest.
2. Is it me or did that young kid reminds you of Keanu Reeves? 'Whoa' Is Keanu Asian? He might be part Hawaiian. Did you know that Yoko Zuna was Hawaiian and not Japanese? For video of Yoko Zuna go here
On Orientalism:
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I watched this so some of my thoughts on other important subjects regarding the orient are lost on me.
This one I'm gonna teeter on being offensive - and this makes me glad!!
I was pissed off watching this! What kind of a radical pr...
[Ok I'm gonna stop for a moment. First, I'll say this. It was the first time I thought of the orient as people from Arab states. I found that interesting]
...opaganda am I watching? I mean, questions about why Terrorists in movies such as True Lies are portrayed by Arab speaking people? Really? Seriously? Is that such a stretch? Hm, I suppose those James Bond movies of the 60's should have had communists villians played by guys named Ralph in New Jersey. Stupid Ralph... commie! And all those WWII movies should have Nazis played by Hindu Indians - I bet you there's like, you know, three. And then I had to hear the Timothy McVay argument?! Seriously, Timothy Mcvay - argument circa 1999?! Ok. So this is the pass I'm gonna give it - This video MUST HAVE been created before Sept 11th and for me anything dealing with american relations or perceptions of Arab peoples before 9-11 are just too dated. I mean - TIMOTHY MCVAY!?! Ok, so we found some angry white guy who instead of becoming a serial rapist/murder - like most normal crazy white dudes do - allied himself with a lameduck one lucky shot organization.
I remember the day Timothy was executed - June 11th 2001, I call it Timothy McVay Day it's 2 days after June 9th What I call Natalie Portman day (her birthday): So gorgeous. I remember his execution being only months before the SECOND attack on the world trade center (first in 1993) on September 11th 2001. And what I also note is that September 11th 2001 feels like months ago to me while June 11th 2001 feels like what it was, a decade ago. That dramatic change in mental distance is one obviously not of time but in circumstance and our collective societal/cognitive shift. The game changed (or at least should have) after 9-11-2001 and how we look at Terrorism and international terrorists and the groups that link themselves to such obviously must be viewed as different as the cognitive shifts between June 2001 and September 2001. That video I watched was of the June 2001 world and mind frame and for many purposes I found it to be just far too dated and non-applicable to today.
Hm. This wasn't nearly as offensive as I would have hoped. So tame! How did I become such a scaredy?
For what it's worth. I'll be posting about my personal 9-11 experience on my personal blog soon.
REPEAT ALERT: This was in the testing section. I'm placing it here where it's more appropriate. I think if you're gonna read something of my this is the one. It's shorter, more inspired and I find it to be funnier. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOn Heterogenity, hybritity, multiplicity.
I've only read a few pages and hence my questions may be answered as I continue on with the reading but in those few pages I had a few thoughts I figured I'd share...
What struck me was an uncanny scene expressed by the author of a narrative in which two women we're each terrified of the others impression of them particularly for not being Chinese enough. So now I'm wondering, would it be naive for me to think this is a more Asian American phenomena? Or in other terms - should I or should I not be particularly fascinated by this scenario? Do other cultures feel this sort of pressure to perpetuate the traditions of their native culture to the pathological degree which appears to be implied in this text?
I was thinking of my own quasi-Italian American culture: Sure, there is a pride in being Italian we hava-the-besta-food. We hava-the Frank Sinatra. We hava-the-plastic-on-all-the-furniture (and yes I'm essentially just making fun of my grandmother). We may even hava-the-mesiah? But it seems from my perspective that there is a more jestful pride when thinking about our (Italian) culture. Yes we're italian, we're proud of it AND it's all in good fun. Never can I picture myself in a scenario where I'm playing heritage poker with a guy wearing a white-t and gold cross named Vinny over who moves their hands more when they talk.
So I suppose bottom line I'm wondering. If it is true (it may not be) that Asians in America have more pressure on them to maintain their traditions why is that so? And moreover why, based on this example are the implications so high that it brings out fear in people?
I can go on answering these questions but I'll stop and leave the discussion over to all of you.
For any student willing to read my long crazy rants I would suggest reading my posts on either 'On Orientalism' or 'On Heterogenity, hybritity, multiplicity.' They're crazier and their rantier.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate anyone who takes the time to read them. Thanks!
In the History of Asians in America" it shined a light on Chinese men and how they 'were forced to live a harsh and lonely bachelor life that of ten featured vice and prostitution" Why do they have to settle for these types of jobs? Do they not have a choice? Even withing Asia, each country has their own types of cultures and problems that occur. This reading also showed the statistics of Asian recipients in the field of U.S. science and engineering Doctorates. I think that this goes into the stereotype of how Asians have a high degree in a field. And also on how Asians study very hard. Some might automatically think they are smart, intelligent in their studies because they are Asian. I think mathematics is one of the subjects.
ReplyDeleteEach culture has their own traditions. Whether it separates the role of women and men and how they are perceived to be. Every society has their own representation of what roles we have to play. I like the fact that there is some kind of recognition and statement of this subject. In Lisa Lowe's "Heterogenity, Hybridity, Multiplicity Marking Asaisn American Differences" it starts out by Janice Mirikitani, a Japanese-American Nisei woman, receiting a poem of how she wants to break this box-cutter tradition of women in here socity being submissive and dressing a certain way. She wants to break free from this controlling culture that she lives in. This poem gives a sense of inspiration and anguish that she is experiencing through what she has seen throughout life. Culture is very important and there are certain values that are attached within each society. As this reading progresses, there is the topic of Chinese culture and what is "original". There are many conflicts that arise when talking about westernization and the new culture breaking free . This can be seen as a negative aspect because people may view that as defying their true culture and upbringings. This is a topic of concern for many individuals that can be hard to understand for elders because they have these old fashion values instilled in them.
ReplyDeleteI think the Grace lee project was a very good idea but not a very well made documentary. The director Grace Lee was looking like an amateur with this documentary. But even with that i was fascinated with the idea of this documentary. I always wanted to know how other Pemba Sherpas were too. The only other Pemba Sherpa i know is my uncle and hes a commanding captain pilot, and thats alot to live up to. Just like grace lee had sayd in her documentary she has alot to live up to according to the other grace lees she had met along the way.
ReplyDeleteOn Heterogenity, hybritity, multiplicity & The History of Asians in America
these chinese people are basically put out to be a certain way,like when i think about it. everyone is put out to play a certain role in someway from the eyes of a foreigner or even one of their own. We are all constantly judged by everyone around us to be "ourselves".
Also pointing out to edward saiid, oreintalism basically has no beggening. the guesses are that it had all started because of the skin changes and media we are being fed. Ofcourse it is more noticable now that were are being racist and the media is showing abit too much off one race. But what can we do to prevent these things? And like edward saiid said, we must first start with outselves. we can listen and hear everyone in the world talk about oreintalism and how it shuold be stopped but we are the oonly ones who can stop it within us.
@hunter801
ReplyDeletetalking about breaking free from tradition is always seen as a bad thing by anyone and everyone. from outsiders and especailly people from your own country or race. For example when i was a freshmen i had tried out for my high school varsity basketball team and when i was in the tryouts everyone looked at me as if i was in the wrong place. As an asian, they do not expect anything outa me in the courts and i always seem to find that funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8XzxMQRH6I
ReplyDeleteAsian norm defied
Comments on Previous Documentaries/ Readings
ReplyDeleteThe Grace Lee Project
This documentary puts a very creative spin on the epic question "whats in a name?" With a name like Grace Lee, it would not be a surprise to assume that the person with that name is Asian. Many people have assumptions based on preconceived notions as to what an Asian American girl should be like. Of course, they picture an Asian American girl to have a quiet and reserved personality, but be remarkably intelligent at the same time. As the documentary showed off a whole range of "Grace Lees", it did a great job in shattering the idea that every one with that name would share a similar personality.
On Timothy Fong, “The History of Asians in America” and Documentary: Ancestors in Americas
I think that this reading and the documentary we watched in class complimented each other well. Both focus on the development of the Asian culture in the United States. In past history classes, I remember learning about Asian immigration during the 1800s, particularly to the west coast, but it was never a topic really throughly covered. I heard the term 'coolie' before but it was interesting to learn that the term comes from both the Chinese and Hindi languages and means practically the same thing in both "bonded labor."
On Lisa Lowe
Lisa Lowe focused on the quintessential problem of Asian identity. The terms "heterogeneity, hybridity, and multiplicity" highlighted the struggle of an Asian American to live up to their American identity, while not completely abandoning their Asian heritage. In fact, this can even hold true for any group who immigrates to the United States. The United States is such a melting pot of cultures, yet rings of its own identity. Immigrants, especially the children of immigrants, must find a balance between adapting to the American lifestyle without forgetting their culture.
@ Anthony Paul A
ReplyDeleteI thought your comment on the part in Lisa Lowe's article where the "two women we're each terrified of the others impression of them particularly for not being Chinese enough" was funny, but I agree. I can't really say if this applies particularly to Asians because I am not Asian, but I've heard stories from my Asian friends of their parents making them go to Chinese school on Sundays so they can learn to read and write in their language. I am proud of my Russian heritage and my parents always encourage me to speak in Russian more frequently not to forget it, but they would never push it upon me to go to "Russian school" Similarly, I can't imagine having any competitions with my Russian friends (in more than a joking manner, anyway) on who is the better Russian. I guess my bottom line question is the same as yours.
Cultural Production:
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to find a clip of the nerdy Asian girls in Mean Girls to show how the movies depict the typical Asian as a brilliant student, but I couldn't find a clip of that. So:
http://comedians.comedycentral.com/dat-phan/videos/dat-phan---asian-stereotypes
Dat Phan, comedian, jokes about stereotypes of Asian. Its probably self explanatory how this relates to our class..
But anyway, this relates to Lisa Lowe's article in the sense that Phan expresses the ways in which Asians are stereotyped. Perhaps the pressure to live up to the expectation of being good at math is one of the factors that fuel the competition between the girls in Lowe's article to be more Asian.
The Grace Lee Project
ReplyDeleteThis was a brilliant documentary. i found it to be very unique especially the characters/people who were in it. My favorite character was the old grace lee. she was very energetic for her age, she was also very motivating. Her involvements in the volunteering of the communities were rather odd at first. because she was an asian american but she was helping out minorities such as african americans in their neighborhoods. But once she started talking i had forgotten she was an asian american. i guess my own stereotypical mind had gotten the best of me.
On Heterogenity, hybritity, multiplicity & The History of Asians in America
Asians were always stereotyped by everyone even amongst themselves really. and in this article we see how races are sorta put in their own places. Like in many ways such as their behaviors. But i think that women are more closely watched when it comes to being put in place. i believe there is a lot more objections when women defy their norms.
@naruto sherpa
ReplyDeleteI do believe that we are judged by everyone to be "ourselves". But i wonder who or what is it that made this stereotype about everyone being themselves. I really would like to know how is it that asians are the ones that are now seen as nerds or good at math and so on and so on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyJM_F4xki4
ReplyDeleteonce again another norm broken.
I thought the short documentary on Orientalism was very well done. Said brings up a valuable points, when he shows the sharp duality of how the western media/cultural productions have portryed the Arab World (and how that image developed over centures), in contrast to the actual reality of living there. I think it is really important for us to recognize that there is a difference. With ignorance of a certain culture and values, it is natural for people to imagine another group of people to be more different than they actually are (when they are similar). We can end up otherizing groups of people, in perhaps sexist/violent ways (in the case of european hypersexualization of Arab women in classical art/literature, as well as the demonizing of islamic men very prevalent in the media today). Both of these involve creating an image of a certain people that is distant and unidentifiable with oneself. It is also very hazardous. I often hear from people, with regard to the Arab world, that it is 'uncivilized' and 'barbaric'. I've heard people use that as a justification of war for countries lumped together--different populations of people with different cultures, and different aspects of religion.
ReplyDeleteBut what i want to end this post with, is some kind of thought regarding the power of what is portrayed and what isnt. There's one clip I want to share, which is from the Thief of Bagdad (1924). I found this when I was youtubing two months ago. The plot is about the city of Baghdad being invaded by Monguls. It somehow manages to combine valentino-shiek-orientalism (w/ douglas fairbanks), flying carpets, and yellow peril all at the same time. And there have been 4 subsequent film adaptions nearly 10 years afterward (and I'm not counting Aladdin which I feel has very close ties to this vision). Orientalism is very marketable. It fantasizes, and contorts real pictures. It isn't always making a frightening image, but is pleasurable too, but it isn't reality that we're seeing, which I think is Said's point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-CXlbeAWGY
@ Naruto Sherpa,
ReplyDeleteSome may make you feel unwelcomed or not part of the "group", like an outsider. Why cant't Asians play sports?Just because there are stereotypes on Asians does not mean it goes or applies to all Asians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEjjx5zPDQ&feature=related
ReplyDeleteThis is a small clip from the television show "Family Guy", on which the Asian reporter Trisha Takanawa has a distinct accent when she speaks English. Also she has a small eyes, a single eyelid. The white reporters are talking amongst themselves asking if she is Chinese or Japanese and the male reporter says "Wow, I know a Japanese women". It is as if Japanese people are rare.
@Naruto Sherpa
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's certainly a lot of assumptions surrounding asian-american athletes. I guess it's because we have a male-grace-lee stereotype surrounding them, as if they're all predispositioned to do accounting and calculus. But it seems rather difficult for me to continue the myth, because my most built and physically active friends are mostly asian. And with the increasing number of asian-americans getting involved in professional sports, I don't know how these sterotypes can still exist.
Questions on Orientialism:
ReplyDelete1. Is the Western view of the Orient justified? Is it based on historical facts or historical bias?
2. The video says that Western people have a "preconceived notion" of the Orient. Where does such notion come from?
3. Does the Western view of the Orient truly distort the reality, as Said argues? Is there any room that at least the Western view is built upon the availabile glimpses of reality that they are able to catch?
Questions on Ancestors in the Americas:
1. Early Asian Americans were perceived as "perpetual foreigners." Is such outlook still alive today?
2. What distinguished Asian Americans from other "foreigners," such as slaves from Afirca.
3. How was Chinatown able to grow so fast and so large?
On Race: The Power of an Illusion
1.
Questions on "The History of Asians in America"
1. Timothy Fong states that Asian in the United States were at once visible and invisible. In what ways were Asians like that?
2. How did the multiple waves of Asian immigration to the United States affect the way Americans viewed the people from the Orient?
3. What was the reasoning behind many Immigration Acts enacted by the U.S. Congress that restricted immigration in 20th century, such as the 1965 Immigration Act?
Questions on Race: The Power of an Illusion
ReplyDelete1. If people of different races aren't so genetically different, then what could possibly account for the differences in how people of different races perform in various areas, such as academics and sports?
2. Why are we so conscious of race?
3. Where does the bias of certain races come from? How is it form? Is it justified?
Questions on Lisa Lowe's "Heterogeneity, Hybrditiy, Multiplicty: Marking Asian American Differences"
1. In terms of heterogenity, what distinguishes Asian Americans from European Americans?
2. What are the limitations of identity politics, especially among Asian Americans?
3. Loew states that Joy Luck "represtns antagonisms that are not exclusively generational but are due to different conceptions of class and gender among Chinese Americans" What are some examples of such antagonisms?
On Orientalism
ReplyDelete- If a "middle eastern" person is depicted as a terrorist in a movie or if an African American person is depicted as a mugger in a TV show we tend to get outraged about how each person is depicted. Yet I think the people watching should be able to discern between movies and real life and not draw any huge conclusions out of movies like "all middle eastern people are terrorists." We tend to baby eachother and say, "oh, it's not your fault, this is just how it's depicted" but I believe that it is each person's personal responsibility to make an effort not to generalize messages about certain groups of people. I also think it's important for us to encourage a sense of responsibility in others about how they react to media. I believe that if perspective changes, the media will change to reflect it.
The Grace Lee Project:
- I don't think the part about the woman and her son at the end were incongruous to the rest of the film. I think they were included because the director wanted to show examples of strength and diversity in the different groups of Grace Lee's. I also think it's significant because the son took his mothers last name, knowing full well that it had no legacy beyond his mom's.
Race: The Power of an Illusion
- The video tried to make the claim that that we are all equally different and therefore cannot be categorized, and backs it up by looking at DNA chains (as a side not, what does MTDNA have to do with anything?). I think this video tries to make the claim that by everyone being equally different, we are all the same, but I think this misses the point. There are certain traits that are found more frequently in some groups than others (the video does account for this by talking about "populations"). I think the main point is that there is no scientific support for an inherent inferiority in any area (physical, mental, etc) in different groups, and this is much more significant than, we are all equally different genetically (which I feel is not adequately supported in the video).
On Orientalism (posted by Melvi)
ReplyDeleteIn class we discussed very briefly about the influence of the media in our lives and how it helps to mold our own ideologies. I feel we should have (and hopefully we will) discuss a bit more about it. Briefly, Professor Terry asked a question about the responsibility of the media in perpetuating the American "superiority" in comparison to other cultures, or if the resposibility should lay in the audience's hands. In my opinion, the media is far more responsible than audiences because of the impact it can have on societies that do not posses a higher education level. By this I mean that media, specifically television, can reach communities where muticultural population has not yet been completely accepted. This unacceptance, in addition to the biased information presented on television, plus ignorance on the importance of various cultures in the U.S. can deeply affect the public's opinion.
I believe that many America's self-righteousness is slowly been transformed into a more informed society in the realm of pluralism. A proof of this assumption is this very class, and all the other classes that are offered as part of our curricula and that promote the awareness and importance of other cultures.