LETTERS from the
Dear Generasians,
EDITORS
I am so excited and proud to bring you our first magazine in 2015. This issue holds an especially dear place in my heart as the last magazine I will publish in my NYU career. As I graduate with my fellow seniors, I can’t help but reflect on my experience and growth as both a student and a member of the Asian American community. It’s been a breath-taking journey, replete with challenges and rewards alike. I’m honored to be Editor-in-Chief of a magazine I’ve loved since my freshman year, and blessed to be able to address readers and supporters like you. Generasian will always have a fond place in my heart, and I am blessed to have been a part of it for so long. Our theme this issue is ‘synergy’. Synergy is defined as the coming together of organizations, people, or substances to produce a combined effect or impact greater than that of each of the individual components. In other words, it embodies the idea that we are stronger together, that while each of us is incredible in our own right, we can accomplish even more inspiring things as an organized group. Generasian’s writers and artists have worked tirelessly to put together this issue for you, and their time and effort shine through in their work. We sincerely hope you enjoy reading our magazine as much as we did working on it, and look forward to seeing you again in the next issue! With all my love,
Catherine Ye Editor-in-Chief
Dear readers, The Asian American community is a multi-complex of an identity, built out of the many, many different ethnicities, genders, sexual identities, backgrounds, economies, and political parties. Like a diamond, each facet of Asian America creates a new sparkle—shines a new light. Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Separately, our parts are great; each salient identity can be independently discerned and untangled. However, it is when we join together that Asian America becomes the force that it is. Synergy does not imply that all facets of the Asian America will blend and perfectly coexist, but rather demonstrates that solidarity and understanding of difference will better ourselves as a community. This semester, our staff of writers work with their own brand of synergy. As always we each contributed our own ideas, perceptions, skills and time to mold the issue into what now is in your hands. The differences housed under one publication’s name make Generasian the dynamic magazine it has been for years. Thank you for the support this past semester; we hope you will enjoy reading this issue. Cheers,
Jolene Hsu and Kim Chen Editors-at-Large
WHAT’S INSIDE 01 Cover Graphic Avery Chang 02 Letters from the Editors Catherine Ye & Jolene Hsu and Kim Chen
IDENTITY
COMMENTARY
04 Stories of Home: A Chinese Experience Will Shi
24
The Asian Advantage: All Fun and Games Nicole Bernardo
27
The Asian American Mental Landscape Avery Chang
29
The Things We’ve Lost Nora Hexter
08 Don’t Wear Me Down Jolene Hsu 10 Stepford Asians: Seemingly Perfect Casey Lee
ENTERTAINMENT 14
Rocking the Boat Shirley Foo
16
Crime and Punishment: Korea Vs. America Swan Cho
18
ART 7
Bleeding Mountain Georgie Fu
13
Mouse Deer Demi Phoon
I Need an Asian American Hero Huiqin Ong 20 Shilin Windows Larry Wu
NARRATIVE 22
32
Self Portrait Cindy Qiu
EXECUTIVE STAFF
EDITORIAL STAFF
Catherine Ye
Layout Director
Jolene Hsu and Kim Chen
Avery Chang
Layout Editors
Avery Chang
Nicole Bernardo
Kim Chen
Joyce Chen
Will Shi
Hui Ong
Swan Cho
Will Shi
Nora Hexter
Joyce Chen
Casey Lee
Editor-in-Chief Editor-at-Large Art Director Treasurer Public Relations Manager Community Director Media Director Online Editors
Swan Cho
Pigeon Man Jamie Sung
Jolene Hsu
CHECK OUT GENERASIAN.ORG /nyugenerasian
Table of Contents 3
STORIES OF HOME A CHINESE EXPERIENCE by William Shi
C
hinese immigrants in America have a long history encompassing
Sometimes, Kong would be
laborers. Seeing an opportunity, he took
heckled by the white miners. He had
up the laborer job and began working
most of America’s life as a nation. What
seen newspaper reports of the brew-
on what would be known as the Cen-
follows are the stories of three fictional
ing anti-Chinese sentiment: “Chinamen
tral Pacific Railroad, the western half
characters at key points in the history of
are getting to be altogether too plenti-
of the Transcontinental Railroad.
these Chinese immigrants in America.
ful in this country,” as the governor
After working there for many
himself stated in response to growing
years, Kong saw the dramatic increase in
Chinese immigration. It was a good
not only his fellow countrymen, but also
man living in the bustling city of San
thing for Kong and other Chinese min-
in the discrimination directed towards
Francisco. It was 1853, and he had ar-
ers that he had found a large group
them. Chinese laborers were paid paltry
rived in the United States to escape
of Chinese miners to work with.
sums compared to their white counter-
d
Kong Ah was a middle-aged
from the high taxes being levied in his
Kong was always fearful
parts. The Chinese laborers were usually
home country, Qing China, following
though, as he should have been. As
tasked with handling the dynamite
the Opium War. Tens of thousands of
soon as he arrived, California passed a
for tunnel explosions, subjecting them
others like him had immigrated to the
foreign miner’s tax, aiming to generate
to extremely dangerous conditions,
US in search of fortune and a better
tax revenue from non-citizen miners. Of
especially during bad weather. These
life promised by the tales of the Gam
the 20¢ Kong would make per day, more
laborers were also working 14 to 16 hours
Saan, or gold mountain, that repre-
than half would go to the state. However,
a day. These issues came to a head when
sented the American Gold Rush.
that didn’t deter Kong - following the
Chinese workers went on strike, Kong
floods and droughts that plagued his
included. They demanded higher wages,
down to the local camp to look for gold.
hometown in the province of Kwang-
reprieve during dangerous working
Although the white miners had started
tung, he considered the money he made
conditions, and 10-hour workdays. The
using a new mining technique called
in America to be more than sufficient.
men in charge of the railroad offered
Everyday, Kong would go
“hydraulicking,” Kong learned from his
Kong lived in the area for
no concessions however, going so far as
fellow Chinese miners and utilized the
many years, traveling with his group
to withhold food from the entirety of
older method of placer mining. Even
of Chinese miners to other claims after
the striking workers for over a week.
though it was less efficient than “hydrau- one had dried up, sending some of his
Kong was understandably malnour-
licking,” Kong and his compatriots found
savings home to support his family, and
ished and tired of the strike, and when
that their combined efforts in placer
even taking some time off on occa-
presented with the opportunity to return
mining could provide sufficient amounts
sion to visit the ample brothels in San
to work with the only punishment being
of gold from claims that white miners
Francisco. One day, however, Kong was
a mere fine, he, and others, took it.
had deemed unproductive.
told of opportunities further to the east.
“Chinamen are getting to be altogether too plentiful in this country,”
4 Identity
After leaving his hometown,
Companies were
Kong would never see his family again.
building massive
He spent his life working in the US and
lines of rail-
sending money to his loved ones. Kong
roads across the
died of lung failure shortly after the pass-
country and they
ing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.
were looking for
d
Chinese immigrant miner utilizing placer mining http://image.hnol.net/c/2008-08/13/16/200808131613004561-200765.jpg
Yak Fun Sum was a young man
try into the country despite their Chinese
living in Canton when his father, Wah Bo
nationality. Yak was one of hundreds,
Sum had returned from America after
even thousands of Chinese immigrants
many years. Yak hadn’t seen him since
who would enter the country as the sup-
he was a boy when Wah left in search
posed son or daughter of “citizens.” But
of a better life abroad. It was now 1906
life was better here in the US. He would
and Wah had successfully claimed his
realize that over the next decades of
status as a US citizen before returning to
his life as China descended into revolu-
China in order to bring his family back
tion, factionalism, and warlord states.
with him. San Francisco had just had a
giant earthquake that resulted in the loss
ing odd jobs over the years to support
of many documents, including proofs of
himself and his father. Wah had broken
Yak found himself work-
citizenship. Although many of his friends his leg working and was no longer able were not as lucky, Wah found himself
to perform manual labor tasks. Yak,
passing the rigorous inspection of his
therefore, had to support his father as
well-crafted history. Now back in China,
well as his family back home by work-
not only could he bring back his own son, ing multiple jobs. Eventually, he had he could also attempt bring back his oth-
saved up enough money to open his
er family members, close friends, and,
own laundromat. It was a good profes-
perhaps, even strangers, under the pre-
sion, Yak thought. Anyone would want
tense of them being his “sons” or “daugh- their clothes clean, and, for a small fee, ters.” However, Wah saw too much
he would be the one to clean them.
risk in doing so, and opted, instead, to
only bring his biological son back.
laundromat, he met his future wife.
Yak arrived in San Francisco
Not long after Yak opened his
Although a customer at first, she would
as the son of a fake US citizen. He was a
spend inordinate amounts of time just
“paper son,” allowed into America under
to talk with him. They began dating,
a provision in the Chinese Exclusion Act
and, before llong, got married. They
that gave the children of US citizens en-
had three children together, and Yak
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Records of a “paper son” http://jrjung.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/jungben1921.jpg
Stories of Home: A Chinese Experience 5
and his wife made just enough money to send them all through school, making sure they were provided with a good education to ensure their futures.
Yak would live to see the
repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 with the passing of the Magnuson Act. He thought it was great how China and the US, his two home countries, were allied in war, and hoped for better relations between the two countries and further relaxation of immigration restrictions. However, he would not live to see his birth country reunited; Yak died of old age before the end of the war surrounded by his wife and children. d
Flushing, NY http://urbanomnibus.net/redux/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Flushing-Chinatown.jpg
Ling Hao Zhang came to Ameri- mother who was still living in China.
ca as a young medical professional on va- cation in 1989. It was during her time on
Ling met her husband during
her second year of residency. Although
science. Ling and her husband were distraught. They truly wanted only to make their son happy, and they thought
vacation that the Tiananmen Square Pro- they were both doctors, they found
that medicine would lead him to a safe,
tests occurred in China. Following these
a reasonable balance between their
secure, and prosperous life. But when
protests, America granted refugee status
professional lives and their personal
they heard just how passionate Michael
to any Chinese scholar or student in the
lives. They were married to each other
was about software engineering and
country. Ling, shocked at the sudden op- by 1995. The following year, Ling gave
technology, they relented. Although
portunity presented to her, and believing birth to a son. She and her husband
medicine is “safe,” it wouldn’t have
her future prospects to be much better
decided to name him Michael.
brought Michael happiness. Ling came
in the US, decided not to return home
to understand that and supports her son
and stayed in America permanently.
up intelligent and athletic. Michael was
in his studies in computer science now.
always ahead in schoolwork and partici-
She hopes that he can find happiness as
Ling arrived in New York City
Ling watched her son grow
in 1990, with one of the largest Chinese
pated in the community’s local youth soc- a software developer after he graduates.
populations in the entire country. How-
cer team. Ling, always wanting the best
d
ever, she had trouble establishing herself for her only child, told Michael how he
in her new home, finding the need to
should grow up to be a doctor. She knew
all Chinese immigrants in America.
constantly balance between studying for
first hand the job security, prestige, and
No story really can. But what they do
her medical board exams and work-
salary that the profession provides, and
represent are shared, generalized experi-
ing part-time as a waitress to pay bills.
it would set her son up for a happy life.
ences that most immigrants can relate
Discovering the large Mainland Chinese
Michael, however, had doubts about the
to. They represent a history of these
population in Flushing, Ling moved into
medical field. Although he acknowledged Chinese immigrants that come over from
a small studio apartment in the area.
the practical benefits of entering the
a land on the other side of the world in
By 1992, Ling had managed to finish
profession, he agonized about the years
order to find a better life in America.
studying for her medical board exams
of study he would undertake and the
They represent a shared identity. This
and passed. She found a residency at a
pains and sufferings he would endure
identity is unique, because they are
major hospital in the city and received
of the patients he would see everyday.
not born into it. Rather, they find their
a resident’s salary of $30,000. Lin was
He voiced these concerns to his parents,
way into it, contributing to it, and,
ecstatic as this was the most money she
but they were ultimately dismissed.
ultimately, leaving a cultural legacy. G
had ever made, and decided to send a
sizable portion of her salary home to her
Michael decided to major in computer
After entering college in 2014,
William Shi is a Junior studying History and on the Pre-med track at the College of Arts and Sciences.
6 Identity
These stories don’t represent
MOUNTAIN BLEEDING
By Georgie Fu
This piece is a reflection on the relationship between human and nature. I used watered down oil to create a light wash over the wood, and black marker to create a distance from the landscape and face. There is a serenity found in nature that cannot be replicated through urbanization. I found that I was very inspired by the wood I painted on rather than looking through magazines or online. I took the liberty to hammer down and destroy some parts of the wood to create more texture and dimension, as nature is not always smooth and beautiful. Medium: Oil and Marker on Wood READ OUR BLOG
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Bleeding Mountain 7
DON’T WEAR ME DOWN
T
By Jolene Hsu
his May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala
will open their latest exhibition: “Chinese Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film and Fashion.” Scratch that. The committee was just given notice that the term “Chinese Whispers” is actually offensive, implying the Chinese language and culture totally incomprehensible. This May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala will open their latest exhibition: “China: Through the Looking Glass”. Down the rabbit hole we go. Since Marco Polo, westerners have been admiring, altering, misunderstanding and stealing foreign customs and costumes. Purti Pareek, 20, thinks about Iggy Azalea’s music video for her song Bounce, which was filmed in India. She says “two hippie Williamsburg directors decided to film in india because they think Indian culture ‘deserves so much recognition and the clothes and smells and women were worthy of attention.” Your basic “white man’s burden rhetoric as if [the Indian culture] couldn’t just stand on its own.” So while the media has often reported what white celebrity has decided to play offensive dress up, what’s less often talked about is when people of actual Asian cultures wear their traditional attires and why these clothings so important to them. Jacqueline Szeto, 19, plays the traditional Chinese instrument the Guzheng. Every time she performs, she wears a Cheongsam, a traditional Chinese dress. Wearing the dress while playing makes her feel connected to the long standing history of Chinese musical culture. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something important, like I’m a part of something bigger” Szeto says. “When I put on the dress and tie up my hair, I am not just performing an instrument; I feel like I’m in a part of history.” Jenny Mai, 20, echos Szeto’s sentiments. Every Lunar New Year, Mai dons the Vietnamese Ao Dai. “It’s just a part of the celebration. Everyone in my family dresses up and we have a big dinner...I think I would feel weird not wearing one on Lunar New Years.” While misinformed costumed white celebrities have the spotlight shown over them again and again, perhaps a better way to learn is by example. It’s more fruitful and positive to celebrate Asians wearing their heritage clothing. There is pride, history and legacy in cultural clothing and this approach will best teach those foolish individuals to think twice before they start speaking in Chinese Whispers. Jolene Hsu is a Sophomore studying Media, Culture and Communications in Steinhardt.
8 Identity
G
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Don’t Wear Me Down 9
THE STEPFORD ASIANS
by Casey Lee to be Asian American! Imagine a Stepford, Connecticut filled with Asians. A quote from the website: “Asian Americans are the highestincome, best-educated and fastestgrowing racial group in the U.S, with Asians now making up the largest share of recent immigrants. A Pew Research survey finds Asian Americans are more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction of the country, and they place a greater value on marriage, parenthood, hard work and career success” (Pew Research Center 2010). A majority of Asian Americans also believe that life in the United States is better than in their countries of
Photos courtesy of pewsocialtrends.org
Identity Crisis?
W
hen you are a minority, it’s kind of hard not to think
about race. Race was skin color. It was
to get ahead, better conditions to a figment of your imagination. Uh?
By the Book
So what “counts” as Asian-
brown eyes and black hair. Race was
American anyway? Well, The Office
being the one green apple in a second
of Management and Budget (OMB)
grade class full of red apples. But that’s
says anyone with “origins in any
not really what race is. Race is actually
of the original peoples of the Far
a “social construct.” It’s kind of mind-
East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian
boggling, to understand intrinsically,
subcontinent including, for example,
characteristically, whole-beingly
Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea,
what something is and yet be told
Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine
that it is not. It might elicit some soul
Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.”1
searching and provide some food for
In 2010, the Pew Research
thought: questions like “What now?”
Center came out with an infographic
and “Who am I?” or “What is this life
about how Asian Americans were
then?” Being Asian (American) is a
faring in the US.2 There are a lot of
HUGE part of many of our individual
statistics about all sorts of things. It’s
identities; even when you occasionally
actually pretty impressive. On their
forgot that you are Asian, it’s much
website, you can even filter through
like standing in the shadow of a huge
by ethnic groups to see numbers
statue. There stood this monumental
specifically concerning them.
pillar of your personhood and you just learned that for two decades it’d been
The infographic painted a pretty nice picture. Hey, it sounded great
1. http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/asian.html 2. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/asianamericans-graphics/ 10 Identity
origin, providing more opportunities raise children, and more freedom to express political views and practice religion among other things.
The Stepford Asians Like Nicole Kidman’s character in
the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives,
one can’t help but search for the flaws in the apparently perfect lives of the Stepford Asians. Even the one statistic about racial discrimination looked docile! Life isn’t perfect and living in minority status makes that doubly true. There had to be something. Something these infographs were missing. Shruti Kumar (18), an Indian NYU Stern student from Jersey, sees both sides, “There are a lot of problems that Asian Americans face that aren’t represented by the infograph. The whole phenomenon of balancing the values your parents taught you and the values you see on TV or with your friends can’t be represented by a statistic. It’s a very
It’s kind of mind-boggling, to understand intrinsically, characteristically, wholebeingly what something is and yet be told that it is not.
no one really talks about, like
are so many stereotypes; the notorious
the Men’s Club of Stepford?
tiger moms, the math prodigies?
Shawn: “I feel like Asian people, in terms of marriage… the concept of divorce doesn’t exist.
unique Asian American experience.” Jason Lee (19), an NYU CAS student,
Everything centers around the kid so they know if they got a divorce it
thinks so too, “It’s hard to generalize
would screw up the kid’s future. So
things because there are so many
their willing to sacrifice their happiness
people out there. [….] Statistics never
for the sake of their children.”
tell the whole story but it’s not like
What about the fact that 39% of Asian Americans say parents place too
“That’s the trickiest thing about numbers and facts, they don’t lie and yet they can’t be wholly true.”
Shruti: “[A]s an Asian American
I disagree with anything. They’re
kid that grew up here I don’t think
numbers; you can’t lie with numbers.”
that [the US] that amazing because I
much pressure on their children to
can see the problems that exist. But I
do well academically and that 49% of
American Stern student, says, “I’d say
can see why our parents would think
Asian Americans have a bachelor’s
quantitative wise, based on finances
that it is because they came to America
degree or higher (as compared to
and education, Asian people are
for a reason[…]. They believe in the
28% of the U.S. population)?
in a really good spot. But I feel like
American Dream and if you think that
there’s this emotional instability in
the American Dream is true and real,
such a high value on education that
Asian American families that are
then you would think that America
it’s the highest priority sometimes.
addressed by this ‘model minority’
is awesome. A lot of people think that
They place too much stress on it
label that are placed on Asians.”
they can go from rags to riches by
for their kids, which is not a good
Shawn An (19), a Chinese-
That’s the trickiest thing about
Jason: “Asian Americans place
virtue of living in America, but there
thing because it […] doesn’t place
numbers and facts, they don’t lie
are a lot of socio-economic boundaries
enough value on relationships.”
and yet they can’t be wholly true.
that are unique to America, not just
So for all those nice figures about
for minorities, that keep people from
stereotype that their kids have to be
the importance of marriage, family,
moving up, which is pretty ironic.”
doctors or whatever so in terms of
education, is there a darker experience READ OUR BLOG
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And what about education? There
Shawn: “There is that Asian
that I think that… well it’s like that The Stepford Asians 11
immigrant factor. They think “I threw
agreed that stagnation is
because we’re becoming more and
everything (life family, language,
something to watch out for.
more American. Most of the Asians
and society) away to come here”
Shawn: “[O]nce you get comfortable
in the US now were foreign-born but
so they could build better futures
where you are you lose the drive
the longer we stay here, the longer
for themselves and their kids so we
to go further. I think that a lot of
we’ll become like the norm.”
need to acknowledge that fact. Like
Asian Americans will break through
for my parents, they could’ve done
socio-economic barriers but I think
can see the problem so when we
fine had they stayed in China but
a lot of them will stay stagnant.”
grow up we’ll be more disillusioned
they knew for me, I would do better developmentally here in America.” So what about the future? The interviewees generally
Jason: “I think the statistics will
Shruti: “We grew up here so we
than our parents. Also, I think the
likely average out as the years go
statistic about success will become
by. Like they will get more similar
more even [to the general population]
to the general population of the US
[laughs] because every successive generation is more American. Like you can see it even now—I know Indian kids who refuse to call themselves Indian and want to be as far removed from the culture as possible.” Statistics leave out so much of the human experience. Race may be a construct, yes. People may have prejudices due to said racial construct, yes. Those prejudices may or may not be true. Point is, a lot of that information about being highest-income, most lifesatisfied, highly dedicated parents and partners is true. They would be great things to aspire to, to look forward to. But life isn’t as magenta-tinted and 2-D as the data on a screen. Those numbers tell only that which we have already achieved. Our personal definitions of what it means to be Asian American may still be a bit hazy, maybe not. But getting there takes time, a little everyday. It’s a dialectic of sorts fdssthat changes as we give meaning to it. Maybe the infographic and the statistics then are less about who Asian Americans are now and more telling towards who we can be. At the end of the day, we are who we are. As Shruti puts it, “As hard as the Asian American experience is, I want [my kids] to have it because [the difficulties] makes them better in the end.”
G
Casey Lee is a freshman majoring in Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences.
12 Identity
THE MOUSE-DEER AND THE CROCODILE
By Demi Phoon
In high school, I had to tell a folktale from my culture. I searched and found this fable about the mouse-deer. The mouse-deer is highlighted in Malaysian culture because even though it is small, it is very smart. So I choose the story about The Mouse-Deer and the Crocodile for my project in high school. I thought it would be interesting to bring this story as a cartoon on paper for Generasian. Medium: Digital READ OUR BLOG
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Mouse-Deer 13
ROCKING THE by Shirley Foo
F
BOAT ABC, 2015, Fresh Off the Boat
resh Off The Boat,
based on celebrity chef Eddie Huang’s memoir, has recently been one of the most widely talkedabout new TV shows on broadcast television, and it is no surprise why. The show has been named the first AsianAmerican focused sitcom in 20 years since 1994’s KoreanAmerican comedy
All-American Girl starring Margaret Cho, which was later canceled by ABC after one season due to low ratings and offensive content which was severely criticized. It was a caricature of Asian America rather than a showcase and served as an apology for the race, instead of a celebration. Unlike All-American Girl, Fresh Off The Boathas received positive reviews and appears to be here to stay. Set in the nineties, the Taiwanese Huangs move from Chinatown in Washington, D.C. to a predominantly white neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, experiencing culture shocks and differing levels of difficulty in assimilating into whiteAmerican culture. Fresh Off The Boatis seen as a breakthrough for the AsianAmerican community, who are one of the least represented minority groups on television. With an estimated 18.9 million people of Asian descent living in the 14 Entertainment
United States, we are still largely invisible on television. TV shows in America are mainly dominated by white culture, so for a show to feature
With an estimated 18.9 million people of Asian decent living in the United States, we are still largely invisible on television.
a predominantly Asian cast is a definite feat. There are, of course, other shows besides F resh Off The
Boat that feature nonwhite leads. Having a person of color as a lead character in popular shows is indeed progressive, but it is not enough, as many characters still have backward portrayals. Asians cannot be limited to onedimensional stock roles. This only emphasizes the fact that Asian characters are in dire need of complex and dynamic makeovers, which is why Fresh Off The Boat is such a hit.
There is a clear lack of Asian protagonists on American television. Asians are often relegated to secondary roles or side actors who play into Asian stereotypes. Han Bryce Lee in 2 Broke Girls is portrayed as asexual and unable to understand American culture. Rajesh Koothrapalli in The Big Bang Theory is crippled by his inability to speak to women. Such roles clearly sideline and heavily stereotype Asian presences on screen and also contribute to the emas-
culation of the AsianAmerican male
acter in a dominantly white context. If Fresh Off The Boatrevolves
and the “foreigner” aspect of Asians in general, who are shown as unable to
around AsianAmerican culture and be-
Fresh Off the Boat successfully places racialized characters in a nonracialized context. assimilate into whiteAmerican culture. On the other hand, while F resh Off
The Boat is rightly hailed as a standout and a breakthrough for Asian American presence on the screen, its arrival has perhaps diminished the accomplishments of other AsianAmerican actors who have also played significant, non racialized roles onscreen. Lucy Liu in Elementary, Aziz Ansari in P arks and Recreation, and Mindy Kaling in The Mindy Projectare all examples of Asian protagonists in shows that are not centered around their race and do not rely on stereotypes to form the basis of their characters. The fact that they are Asian is not a defining personality trait of their characters. Yet, they are still typically the single AsianAmerican char-
ing Asian is an important aspect of the Huangs’ life, is the show racialized, then? We must remember that
Fresh Off The Boatis not simply a story about an Asian family and it is not only focused on the race of its protagonist, even if race is an important theme of the show. F resh Off The Boat is based on a nonfiction book, celebrity chef Eddie Huang’s memoir. Hence, it is perhaps less of a show about race, and more of a show about how a young boy grew up in a world where he was different. F resh Off The Boat successfully places racialized characters in a nonracialized context. The cast of Asian leads is the main focus of the show, yet somehow, it does not singularly revolve around the theme of race. While the show would certainly be different if the cast was not Asian, the fact that the characters a reAsian is not the driving force of the plot. Although Fresh Off The Boat does indeed promote diversity on the televi-
ABC, 1995, All American Girl
sion screen and provide an outlet of expression for Asians as a minority group, it does not strive to be a savior for us all. It does not represent every single AsianAmerican, nor does it attempt to brand itself as the mouthpiece of AsianAmerican culture. It is first and foremost an individual’s reflection on his life––the fact that he is an individual of Asian heritage does not make Fresh Off The
Boatthe final solution for all other Asian Americans. G Shirley Foo is a Freshman studying journalism in the College of Arts and Science.
Nahright, 2013, Eddie Huang;
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Rocking the Boat 15
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT:
KOREA VS. USA by Swan Cho
S
tars, they are just like us.
forgiveness between both cultures is
him. His newest album released in
And like any of us, they at
incredibly vast. One of the greatest
2014, “Miss Me or Diss Me”, received
many points in their lives make the
falls of the Korean entertainment
mixed reviews but the overall reaction
wrong choices. Individuals of the
industry is a young man named
was negative. MC Mong is a prime
entertainment industry both in
Shin Dong-Hyun also known as, MC
example of what breaking the law as
Western and Eastern cultures break
Mong. Shin released his first single
a celebrity in Korea looks like but not
the law. The difference between the
album in 2004 with the album “180°”
the only one. No Hong-Chul, a variety
stars and us is that the world gets to
which allowed him to finally break
TV favorite, radio show host, and a
watch their mistakes unravel. What
through into mainstream music and
Korean “fashion” icon was caught
is truly interesting to observe, is
gain the attention of the country. His
drunk driving and was edited out of
the reaction of the culture to which
“monkey-like” looks and humorous
all his TV episodes and immediately
these entertainers belong. Why is it
music videos captured the hearts
replaced. Kang Ho-Dong, an award
that the same crime committed by an
of many people all over the world
winning TV Host and considered a
American star in American culture
and he slowly rose to fame. Five
Korean legacy, was arrested for tax-
is received differently when than
albums later, MC Mong had his own
fraud and was forced to retirement.
a person commiting a crim in the
radio program, was a permanent
Korean entertainment industry?
member in multiple variety T.V.
As celebrities continue to come and go – it becomes obvious that the gap of
shows and even had his own online shop. Then in September 2010, MC Mong was charged with deliberately extracting teeth as to avoid Korea’s
As celebrities continue to come and go - it becomes obvious that the gap of forgiveness between both cultures is incredibly vast.
mandatory 2-year military service requirement for all male citizens. As these allegations hit the public, he was immediately cut out of all variety
Noh Hong-Chul. Photo from DramaFever
16 Entertainment
These Korean artists, actors, and
shows he was a part of (regardless of
entertainers who have been in the
whether the episodes had been filmed
industry for years and loved by the
or not), his music was no longer
people were instantly shunned once
played on any radio stations, and he
they commit a crime. The celebrities
was banned from performing on live
are not required but expected to hold a
television. Ten months later, after
nationwide press conference explaining
he was proved innocent, meaning
their wrongdoing and apologizing for
the court recognized that his teeth
disappointing their country. They
extraction was not intentionally
are supposed to stop being active in
performed to get out of military
public and most citizens request that
service, Korea still had not forgiven
they give up their careers altogether.
Many celebrities retire after making a mistake but if they do return, they start from the bottom again. They lose their “seniority” and their careers are defined by their crime. Anyone would agree that they should be disciplined, they did break the law therefore they must face the consequences but is ending their career the correct punishment? On the other spectrum are American celebrities who have broken the law. Mike Tyson an American boxer and a former undisputed heavyweight champion was arrested for driving under the influence, drug possession, and physical violence in public throughout his career. Justin Bieber, a teen idol, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and drag racing in 2014. Chris Brown, award winning recording
Mike Tyson (left) and Chris Brown (right). Photo from WireImage
Perhaps neither society has the correct approach and there should be a balance between the two cultures.
role models and as public figures have an obligation to be perfect. On the other hand, the American culture is incredibly individualistic. People encourage these public icons that
artist and platinum record holder,
fall to redefine themselves or use
pleaded guilty for attacked his then-
their new image to build something
girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. Will Smith,
arrests during his early acting career
new. They are punished much less
a renowned American actor, was
over drug related charges, including
than the average citizen for the same
arrested in 1989 over a vicious assault
cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. All
crimes and are given very special
that left his victim with a fractured
of these entertainers are still very
treatment throughout their sentence.
left eye. Robert Downey had multiple
famous today and are not solely
The question that remains is, which
remembered for their crimes. They
reaction is the appropriate one? And
served their time, minimally or not at
why are the reactions so different?
all due to their status, and continued
Should celebrities be shunned from
their career. They are revered for their
the industry after they commit a
comebacks and proclaimed as “brave”
crime, or should they be given special
for being able to fight drug addictions
treatment because they are famous?
and turn their life around. Even those
Perhaps neither society has the
who are known for their mistakes,
correct approach and there should be
such as Mike Tyson and Chris Brown,
a balance between the two cultures.
are both still active on television and
Without a doubt, all people should
Brown has released multiple albums
be required to take responsibility
after his arrest. Their mistakes are
for their actions, famous or not.
either forgotten or their wrongdoings
Nonetheless, they should be given
are attributed to their personality.
the opportunity to be forgiven
The Korean culture, as many
and to receive a second chance. G
Eastern countries, is based on an Robert Downey Jr.’s mugshot in 1999 for
honor system and their celebrities are
Swan Cho is a junior majoring in Mathematics
drug possession. Photo from DigitalSpy
expected to be at their best. They are
in the College of Arts and Science.
1. http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/133359/20141108/why-is-mc-mong-receiving-so-much-negative-feedback-for-his-comeback.htm 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tyson 3. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2216135/Will-Smith-1989-mugshot-connection-attack-left-man-blind.html 4. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269279/chris-brown-charged-with-assault-on-rihanna
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Crime and Punishment: Korea Vs. USA 17
I NEED AN [ASIAN AMERICAN]
HERO by Hui Ong
T
he faces on television are white, white, white and Will Smith,”
Shing Yin Khor penned above a watercolor sketch of the Yellow Ranger looking wistfully into the distance, as she writes from experience as an Asian growing up in America. Amidst the sea of superheroes on screen she finds herself drawn only to the Yellow Ranger: “She is my goddess. Jesus Christ is white, but Trini Kwan looks like me.” The absence of racial diversity in children’s entertainment can indeed be punishing for the self-esteem of most American kids – save for white boys, according to a 2012 study published in Communi-
“What would Trini Kwan Do?” Shing Yin Khor1
would be relinquishing his role as Captain America to his
cation Research. Children are affected psychologically
African-American partner Sam Wilson. Yet, as Jeff Yang -
when they do not see themselves represented. Simi-
columnist of Tao Jones on the Wall Street Journal and editor
larly, lead characters in superhero comics or cartoons
of two Asian-American graphic novel anthologies - expressed
are predominantly white (think Batman, Spiderman,
in a commentary for the CNN in July 2014: “The problem with
and an overwhelmingly large proportion of the suppos-
non-white characters taking over the legacies of established
edly all-inclusive X-Men). Other races, if present at all,
white characters is that the changes never seem to stick… The
are commonly reduced to the margins of the narrative,
costume almost always reverts back to the original wearer.”
rearing their heads as forgettable sidekicks at best.
In the readers’ minds the white narrative has already been
Fortunately there has been a turn towards diversifying
firmly cemented. To stuff a new character under the same
the pop culture that children are exposed to, not begin-
cape for conspicuous purposes of diversity is effective only
ning and certainly not ending with the realm of com-
in highlighting the contrasts between different racial ex-
ics. Last August, Marvel announced that Steve Rogers
periences, which can make the story seem disjointed.
To stuff a new character under the same cape for conspicuous purposes of diversity is effective only in highlighting the contrasts between different racial experiences, which can make the story seem disjointed.
What is really needed, then, are “fresh, new heroes who represent us in all our vibrant diversity,” Yang emphasized, “with origin stories that are authentic to their identities.” They would come from backgrounds that Asian-American kids can readily connect to, with none of the historical baggage of rehashed storylines. To help you get started, here are four AsianAmerican superheroes to look out for:
18 Entertainment
1
Tony Chu, from Chew
Set in an America plagued catastrophically by birdflu, Chu plays the unlikely hero as a cibopath, i.e. with a bite of anything he gets a psychic vision of the subject in question. He is swiftly picked up by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an extremely powerful bureau in this strange world, and encounters wildly unusual characters with other food-related supernatural powers.
2
Cindy Moon, aka Silk, from Marvel Released in stores in February, Moon is the first Asian-American female to get her own Marvel series. (“It’s funny that this is 2015, and these are still firsts,” said Jeff Ayers, manager of the
Chew2
comics store Forbidden Planet, in an interview with the NBC.)
Born in Queens, Moon was bitten by the same irradiated spider that produced Spiderman. She was locked in a bunker for her own protection for thirteen years, and upon release joins forces with Spiderman to fight villains.
3
Amadeus Cho, aka Prince
of Power from Marvel This Korean-American is not strictly
Cindy Moon3
a superhero, but a superhuman with a hypermind. It enables him to work out an infinite number of mathematical calculations within moments. If you remain, for some reason, unimpressed: Cho deftly hacks into Iron Man’s state-of-theart suit with a fourth-generation GameBoy and manages to outmath a laser-guided missile. Amadeus Cho4
4
Ken Mack, aka Mettle, from Avengers Academy. He was just a typical teenager surfing the Hawaiian waves, before an accident at sea revealed the red iridium skull under his skin. He is quickly transformed into a full body of pure iridium, realizing his abilities to exhibit Herculean strength and withstand scorching temperatures and blunt trauma. G Mettle5 Hui Ong is a Sophomore studying Economic in the College of Arts and Science. 1 http://the-toast.net/2014/07/02/ what-would-yellow-ranger-do-cartoon/ 2 http://majorspoilers.com/2011/07/08/review-chew-19/
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3 http://marvel.wikia.com/Cindy_Moon_(Earth-616) 4 http://marvel.wikia.com/Amadeus_Cho_(Earth-616) 5 http://marvel.wikia.com/Avengers_Academy_Vol_1_13
I Need an Asian American Hero 19
SHILIN WINDOWS
By Lawrence Wu
20 Art
The Taiwanese nighttime heat and humidity, the stench of grilled squid and stinky tofu, the iconic game over sounds within an earshot from the numerous arcades are the sense I remember most. Each storefront, cramped between others, is just a small window to people’s lives and their culture. READ OUR BLOG
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Art 21
SELF PORTRAIT
by Cindy Qui
Silver w ings of hope Brought me to a spaceA space of confusion And ut ter happiness. They say of this place, Sunshine w ipes dr y tears Of wear, of despair. They said, you’ll be the w inner Of this golden race.
In the crayon age, I dabbled outside the lines. They used their reds and v iolets To make eter nal gardens. I used bland c harcoal To draw abst rac t shapes They’ll never perceive, For they saw circ les From a mesh of squares. Only light hair in sight, I revered dark ness. I k new not a world Where I can paint different tales, Without flashy-sk in teens Sit t ing on my dreams. Girls w ith eyes like mine Wave that magic marker Hoping lines w ill c hange their fate. I also drew lines, On outsk ir ts of our young lives, To say we’re not the same. Not a sunshine-haired scant, Nor a fair-sk in per fec t plan. Just a menager ie Of shat tered color ful glass. P iecing the par ts together Shows an incomplete pu zzle.
22 Narrative
The poem that I wrote, entitled “Self-Portrait,” juxtaposes tales of journeys: physical journeys, such as migrating to a foreign land, and emotional journeys, such as navigating the labyrinth of friendships and relationships. “Self-Portrait” outlines that chronology, based on my own experiences, from the actions and thoughts of fifth graders to those of college students. It tells of times when it was only accepted to follow the status quo of middle school or high school hierarchy. And that is certainly relatable. However, gradually, one (hopefully) realizes that the status quo is simply an imaginary, fickle concept meant to be broken. The idea that one needs to follow a certain life path is instilled, but meant to be challenged. The stage of c hange is set. I showcase my blue hear t, Inscr ibed w ith their names. But in rooms w ithout air, I breathe through small holes Of laughs about this phony place. I lear n too muc h too late About false promises And red envelopes of difference. I never smoked societ y To c limb to their high. Obsessed w ith silver screen da ze, They dressed away their wage. My enemies’ enemies Broke their promises to me. It’s a ladder w ith no end Even when I reac hed the sky, I saw flashes, but no signs. Four years of c hanging escapes, Through unreflec t ive mir rors, A hollow pic t ure of me Persists t il the ver y end. Once colored w ith pure, pink paint, Now spot ted w ith dots of gray. Changing lyr ics r un my brain, Unw illing to sway its pace, Til I found my c hosen phrase. Now I tell fragmented tales Of a nomadic young life. Mov ing away from things Without thought, st ill my for te. St ill judged by blac k lines on eyes. But your voice, a faint blemish On my glow ing t ic ket out of here. Some say they like the lines. Some tell me to add w ings. G Cindy Qiu is a Freshman studying English in the College of Arts and Science.
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Self Portrait 23
THE ASIAN ADVANTAGE: ALL FUN AND GAMES by Nicole Bernardo
H
ard work, a logical numerical system, and a language that enables enhanced memorization have been pin-
math is fun and important to life. With multiplication alone, the Japanese have at least three ways for their students to find solutions, all of which are
pointed by author Malcolm Gladwell as tools in the Asian
arguably more fun than Western methods. Answers to the
math arsenal, but what if there were even more? Perhaps
most basic problems, such as 8 x 8, are taught very early on in
it is not just mundane methods that improve math profi-
the form of multiplication tables. This sounds familiar to the
ciency. Asians are putting a positive spin on mathematics
ubiquitous rows of factors and products we had to memorize
allowing their younger generations to view the daunting
as kids, but the main difference is in the method of memori-
subject as a fun puzzle or a challenging game. What hard
zation. Rather than monotonously reciting the problems or
truths can we learn about the West’s educational approach
copying them down over and over, Japanese schoolchildren
to math and the ways are we failing our schoolchildren?
memorize their times tables by singing. Yes, singing. The
For British broadcaster Alex Bellos, who holds a math
song, called kuku, is comparable to a nursery rhyme in its
degree, Asian superiority in mathematics is an enigma.
prevalence and reputation. Children recite basic multipli-
It is hard to pinpoint just one thing that makes them
cation problems to a tune with some of the words changed
more adept at the skill, but there are certainly concrete
to sound more musical and therefore easier to remember.
methods that seem to be working in mysterious ways
Often, they learn the song before they learn its meaning, so
we have yet to fully understand. Bellos traveled to Japan
the words become second nature, like memories. This must
and narrated a radio podcast for BBC that broadcasted
make it hard to forget simple multiplication! Bellos visited a
first in 2012 and again in August 2013. What he found
Japanese bar after the work day was over to see if the rhyme
there was slightly different from the robotic, rigid con-
was still used by adults. When he asked a lady what 8 x 8
trol we had assumed made math so simple for Asians.
was she remembered right away and said she had thought
Bellos believes the Japanese approach to math is a posi-
of the rhyme in her head. They remember the sounds of the
tive factor. Math is typically seen in America as tedious,
problems more than the meaning, but the answer is the same
convoluted, and absurdly abstract to those who do not favor
either way and is noticeably faster to recall. Plus, the nega-
it. From personal experience, mathematics was never a
tive stigma of forced memorization is erased since Japanese
strong point. I felt that the classroom was a battlefield of
adults are recalling a nursery rhyme rather than the cringe-
privates who were sacrificed and left for dead if they did
worthy lists of times tables American adults must envision.
not grasp basic concepts early on, and of elites, the officer division who excelled at such left-brain reasoning and were rewarded with A’s and friendships with the teacher. Most of the math I was taught from K to 12 was taught from similar textbooks, in similar manners. If you did not understand the teacher’s first explanation, most likely you would never get
Asians are putting a positive spin on mathematics allowing their younger generations to view the daunting subject as a fun puzzle or a challenging game.
the concept because many of the teachers could only explain the solution process one way or maybe two. Math was almost never fun for a student like me who was better with words
The second method allows students, with a bit of ef-
than with numbers and who could not visualize an equa-
fort, to solve more complex multiplication problems. Let’s
tion being imperative in the real world. What the Japanese
take the problem 123 x 321. Without a calculator, this would
are doing is different. They are teaching their children that
be arduous work by hand. The Japanese use a system of lines to solve problems like these with ease and accu-
24 Commentary
racy. First, you need to represent 123 with lines. Each
This brings us to the third method—the abacus.
group of lines represents each digit from left to right,
The abacus allows Japanese students to not only solve
so the first line by itself would represent the hundreds
multiplication problems, but also other basic math op-
place, the second cluster the tens place, and the last
erations such as addition. Bellos implies in his pod-
cluster (on the far right) the ones place. Like so:
cast that this small, originally wooden contraption
To represent 321, you need to draw groups of lines
may be a large factor in the mystery behind why Japa-
from left to right as well but perpendicular to the lines
nese enjoy mathematics more and are better at it.
of 123 so that you create a sort of grid-like pattern.
Next, you need to mark all the points where the lines intersect. You separate these points into areas that are close to one another.
Abacus Diagram from abacus.etherwork.net
An example of an average abacus is shown above. As Bellos lamented, half of U.K. adults have the mathematical skills of an 11 year-old, which costs the economy greatly. In Japan, where no such issue exists, a million children a year learn the abacus. Called soroban in Japanese, the abacus is a vertical contraption with five beads on each rod. With training, calculating a sum on the abacus is faster than using pencil and paper. With an abacus, one can often solve thirty multiplication problems in three minutes. In Japan, it is popular to take after school abacus learning classes. Bellos visited such a school. The voice that crackled over the podcast adding up a number over a trillion with several other numbers in the billions in Then you add up the points in each area. The numbers become the digits in the product, or solution. Because there are more than 9 points in the center area, you
about thirty seconds, was that of a small child. The students in that abacus classroom were between the ages of 5 and 7. Bellos has a math degree and said he would not have been
carry over the one like in regular multiplication, so the
able to even write those numbers down in the time it took
14 becomes 4 and the 8 becomes 9. The number of points
to solve it. The teacher at the abacus school said that even
in each area represent the solution from left to right.
though the abacus is old-fashioned, it is used to help children
Therefore, the answer is 39483. Check with a calculator—
gain basic math skills such as concentration and memori-
did you get it right? Yes! This is the Japanese line method
zation. Bellos said the soroban was comparable to judo or
to multiplication. Supposedly, this method always works
karate in that there are levels
even for huge factors, so if you have the time, try it out.
of mastery with the top level
Praised as the Japanese “trick” to accurate multiplication,
mainly about competition.
this method proves that there is always more than one
In Kyoto, the beautiful
way to solve a math problem, and there is always more
former capital, there is an
than one way to approach one. This method is effective
annual soroban competition.
in that no calculator is needed and there is no chance of
At the competition there are
mistaking 7 x 7 for 45 or something similar while in the
different categories, one with
long process of multiplying by hand the Western way.
paper questions like an exam, one with an orator who recites the numbers
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Image by Deviantart user sapphiresky1410 The Asian Advatage: All Fun and Games 25
better. With the time spent on average by Japanese schoolchildren learning the soroban, usually three hours a day, it is suggested that a student practicing how to solve math problems with pencil and paper for that same duration could drastically improve as well or perhaps at the same level. Perhaps the abacus alone does not majorly improve math skills, but the practice and effort put into mastering the method does. And by viewing math as a fun challenge and important skill equal to that of sports or other extracurricular activities, Japanese have become more successful with math than Americans. Bellos also visited a shrine where a contestants must add up (it sounds much like an auction)
sangaku from the 1680s was displayed.
and one where there is also an orator but no sounds of the
Japanese people, often priests, throughout history would
clacking beads of the soroban because contestants solve the
hang up these mathematical demonstrations above the
equations in their heads. Visualizing an abacus in this way
entrances of shrines. Almost like proofs, these large sheets
is called anzan, or mental abacus. In flash anzan, fifteen
served as a kind of entertainment and an offering to the
numbers are flashed on a screen and contestants have to
gods. To Japanese, mathematics is beautiful. It is something
add them up mentally while getting less than a second to see
of value, and when new solutions are discovered they are
each number. The numbers get shown faster and faster until
shared with all. To them, mathematics is a public gift.
eventually it takes less than two seconds to show all fifteen
Perhaps then, America has much to learn from our East-
numbers! Each of the numbers are between 100 and 999, with
ern counterparts. How can our education system make math
the last round taking only 1.70 seconds to display all fifteen
fun? I personally think the greatest obstacle in American
numbers. Though open to all ages, the flash anzan champion
mathematical achievement or improvement is students’ per-
was an adult man, proving that the benefits of the abacus
spective of math. To Bellos, the abacus reflects a culture not
can allow for great mathematical feats into adulthood. Adults
as scared of math as British people or Americans are. The so-
in Japan are still enjoying and succeeding at basic math at a
roban, kuku, and Sudoku, all with origins in Japan, show that
higher rate than Western adults perhaps due to the abacus.
math is seen there as something to have fun with and to learn
Mathematical successes using the abacus suggest that
from. We have to start from the bottom-up, and show our
physical props make students more comfortable with
children and schools everywhere that the Asians got it right
numbers than approaching them in an abstract way would.
when it comes to math. Math is something desirable to learn,
In America, math is taught as an abstract concept, and
something to be proud of succeeding at, and an honorable
students must grasp at thin air to imagine how to solve
skill that shows a reverence to the cultures that instilled hard
problems. Anzan counters this issue by allowing students
work. By aiming to achieve great wonders through math-
and adults to envision a physical, understandable object
ematics, Asians are also leaving behind a public gift to benefit
in their head, and they can subsequently visualize math
the children of tomorrow. Isn’t it time we did the same?
problems as tangibly solvable challenges rather than imagi-
Nicole is a Sophomore majoring in English
nary abstractions. According to Butterworth, the abacus
in the College of Arts and Science.
actually changes the way the brain makes calculations. Parts of the brain that control motor function and other areas are activated when the Japanese process calculations versus when Westerners try to solve the same problems. Of course, no one is sure if training with an abacus or spending more time with pencil and paper math would be
26 Commentary
Works Cited: 1 Bellos, Alex. “Land of the Rising Sums.” Audio blog post. BBC Radio 4. BBC, 7 Aug. 2013. Web. 4 May 2014. 2 “How do Japanese multiply??” Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 27 June 2008. Web. 4 May 201
G
THE ASIAN AMERICAN MENTAL LANDSCAPE
W
ithin a society that prides
itself on having such an
by Avery Chang
any amount of attempted suppres-
to act accordingly when in certain
sion. To many young Asian Americans
situations that call for certain cultural
inexhaustible amount of opportunity
equipped with the Eastern values of
norms. At home, they are taught a
that happiness is barely even a hop,
their parents and grandparents, depres-
code of behavior that aligns with more
skip, and a jump away, it comes as no
sion is often trivialized as just one facet
traditional values that their parents or
surprise that coming to terms with
of the pursuit of the American Dream.
grandparents lived by in their country
one’s depression is a most daunting
Psychological research has congregated
feat. While it is necessary to note that in recent times, America has made steps towards a more careful comprehen-
Depression is often trivialized as just one facet of the pursuit of the American Dream.
sion of mental health, we must also remember
1
of origin. But at school or anywhere
a wealth of evi-
outside of the home, these young Asian
dence supporting
Americans are taught more western
the fact that young
principles of living. So, it is unsurpris-
Asian Americans
ingly that these young Asian Americans
possess a mental-
are under a great deal of stress just from
ity caught between
having to decide on how to behave.
two wildly
There is often public and self-
that much of the mental landscape
contrasting cultures. Culture has a big
inflicted stigma attached to depression
is still rather uncharted territory.
effect on the human mind - much big-
within the Asian American community.
ger than we typically give it credit for.
Public stigma arises from Eastern val-
a whole may be moving towards accept-
A person’s culture can act as the very
ues that emphasize suppression of any
ing and understanding mental illness
foundation of their psychology. Culture
sort of weakness that does not inspire
- but that is not to say that all of its parts
often dictates a person’s behavior, the
self-improvement. While Western
are moving at the same speed. From
way they view their self in the context
culture emphasizes care of the indi-
afar, the Asian American community
of a larger society, and even the heuris-
vidual before care of the group, Eastern
appears wholly perfect. Hard-working,
tics they draw from when confronted
culture focuses itself much more on
successful, intelligent - images consis-
with any sort of problem commonly
the opposite - the group before the
tently reinforced by the model minority
encountered in the human experience.
individual. Such a value would cause
myth have caused many to forget that
Young Asian Americans, who often
a person to try to repress any sort of
mental illness arises in anyone despite
have to switch from one cultural men-
weakness that has proved itself difficult
tality to another, are under great stress
or impossible to fix. But mental illness
Slowly, but surely, America as
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The Asian Mental Landscape 27
reports of sadness and hopelessness are ignored. Even if the individual has come to terms with the existence of their sadness or hopelessness, without the help or acceptance of their family, they may not be able to receive proper assistance. Many parents may construe signs of depression as typical young moodiness and write off such behavior. And others may downright ignore the signs, only acknowledging them to chastise their children for being unhappy despite all that they have, being here in America.
Often, ignoring a problem
only causes the problem to become worse. Such is the case in regards to the stigma of mental health issues in the Asian American community. Refusing to recongize an issue can only result in furthered and unnecessary pain. For today’s generation of 3 Infographic depicting the gap in suicidal thoughts between
Asian Americans, the space outside of
Asian American students and students of other races.
home is becoming more understanding and more accepting of mental and
is not something that goes away even
less were rampant enough to inter-
emotional health. As they continue
under the pressure of continued, consis-
fere with their daily lives. This figure
to grow in such an environment, it
tent personal effort, which ultimately
compared to those of students of other
is inevitable for the Asian American
would give rise to self-inflicted stigma.
racial groups (28 percent) is higher.
attitude to move in a direction that
The development of such a personal
recognizes metal health as a legitimate
brand of shame and disgrace that is
asked about, the gap between Asian
concern. One day, the environment
only augmented by the unwillingness
American students and students of
both in and out of the Asian Ameri-
to help of those who belong to greater
other racial groups only increases.
can home will match up in regards to
society to which one also belongs,
Upon asking Asian American stu-
recognition of mental health. Younger
would only cause one to descend deeper
dents if they had seriously considered
members of the Asian American com-
into a negative place of thinking.
suicide during the past year, the CDC
munity are becoming more aware of
reported that 19 percent answered
the concept of mental health and will
American teens possess stable emo-
yes, compared to 16 percent of all high
hopefully lead a change in the Asian
tional and mental health, surveys
school students. And about 4 percent
American perception of mental health.
conducted by Centers for Disease
of Asian American teens reported a
Control and Prevention (CDC) have
suicide attempt within the past year
shown that quite a few have emotional
that required medical attention, com-
struggles. 29 percent of the surveyed
pared to 2 percent of all students.2
Asian American students reported
feeling “sad or hopeless� for at least two
ings of sadness and hopelessness may
weeks in a row during the past year.
actually be clinically depressed. But of-
Such feelings of sadness and hope-
ten in the Asian American society, most
And although most Asian
When suicidal thoughts are
Not all teens who harbor feel-
1 journal.animationstudies.org/alison=loader-were-asian-more-expected-of-us 2 journalismcenter.org/article/adressing-stigma-mental-health-asian-american-communities 3 aapivoices.com/model-minoirty=mental-health 4 newamericamedia.org/2013/09/a-psychological-lifeline-for-asian-american-teens.php 28 Commentary
Avery Chang is a Sophomore studying Psychology in the College of Arts and Science.
G
THE THINGS WE’VE
LOST transnational adoptees are often un-
familiar with Korean culture, values and norms. Therefore, many Korean adoptees who have grown up outside of their birth country feel “personal and collective losses, violations, and Lillian and Nora Hexter, 4 months
as part this transnational diaspora.
M
ost people grow up hearing
stories about their births:
the hours of labor and the first happy cry upon entering the world. They are cleaned up, swaddled in warm blankets, and passed immediately into the tired, blissful arms of their mothers. Pictures of these momentous occasions, taken in crowded hospital rooms, are tucked away into family photo albums. For transnational Korean adoptees living in the United States and beyond, their stories often do not begin in a hospital room. Most often these stories begin on a plane, babies flying an ocean away from their birthland. After fourteen hours in the air, Korean adoptees arrive in their new homes, awaiting the open arms of excited new parents. Though pictures of teary-eyed family and friends at bustling airport terminals now fill the family photo albums, adoptees must cope with the loss of the crucial first months— sometimes even years— of their lives. For many Korean adoptees living in the U.S., their han has traveled with them READ OUR BLOG
consequent resentment” precisely because of their removal from Korea
by Nora Hexter
generasian.org
over thousands of miles of land and sea.
•••
Han is arguably one of the most complex concepts in the Korean culture and language, seemingly transcending time, history, and space. It embodies countless meanings, but is most commonly associated with feelings of resentment, injustice, and grief. Han “expresses both personal and collective losses, violations, and consequent resentment—the tragedies of individuals and collectivities of different sizes and inclusiveness can all be represented with the term han—and also provides the victims with a means of representing and eventually resolving resentment” (Roy Richard Grinker). The universality of this concept connects the Korean people together via shared history--a shared past of pain and suffering, and most importantly, a shared urgency to resolve their han. Since the end of the Korean War, over 200,000 Korean babies have been sent overseas for adoption, nearly half of them to the United States. These
Maybe adoptees’ han is not the han their birth parents and grandparents and ancestors have possessed in the past. Perhaps this is a new kind of han that embodies a sense of loss and resentment adoptees’ ancestors would never have understood, but that adoptees living in the U.S. understand every day of their lives.
•••
Brendon is a 28-year-old Korean adoptee living in Boston, Massachusetts. He was adopted as a one-year-old with his four-year-old brother. For him, “the void,” as he calls it, “starts that our lives don’t begin where everyone else’s do….My life doesn’t even
You grow up and you have these questions, but the answers are never really as good as you want them to be...and you just continue to have this void.
The Things We’ve Lost 29
tion with them. It was just
guess this could be attributed to being
weird. It was bizarre. These
adopted, essentially with han--this is
things that you should feel,
a force upon you, this loss. You lose
you don’t feel and so it’s
your country and people, birth fam-
like, Why am I not feel-
ily. You’re taken away from it and so…
ing anything? But maybe
maybe that’s why I have attachment
I shouldn’t be feeling any-
issues, even to objects sometimes.”
thing because they’re really
in South Korea. He felt a certain sense
ever, I just have the void.”
of isolation due to his inability to
For many adoptees
fully communicate and understand the
like Brendon, the void or
language, but in other ways he felt com-
han cannot be overcome
fortable being surrounded by people
with one simple answer or solution. These feelings Brendon Albrizio, 28
start really with a birth; it kind of
Last semester, Jon studied abroad
just strangers. And so for-
of loss require a lifetime of questions and answers,
I understand [han] as a struggle against a higher power you can’t control.
almost starts with a paper death. My
some of which remain unanswered or
Korean name and my Korean iden-
unsatisfactory. Sometimes the resolu-
tity dies, or just disappears; it goes
tion to adoptees’ han is not in the grand
who looked so much like him--“my
away one day and then I’m born.”
reclaiming of Korea as their birth-
people, in a sense,” he says. Further,
land or reconnecting with biological
Jon explains that he feels his han more
to try to fill the void because I don’t
He goes on to explain: “I do things
relatives, but instead lies in the simple
strongly now after having lived in Ko-
know what the void is and I don’t
complexities of their daily life.
rea. Being there, immersed by the peo-
know how you fill it. We had a set of parents; I had a mom, I had a dad,
•••
Jon is a 20-year-old Korean adoptee
and then we get adopted and then you
majoring in Studio Art at Macalester
go through that whole process. You
College in Saint Paul, Minnesota . He
grow up and you have these ques-
explains his own conceptualization
tions, but the answers are never really
of han: “I learned about han when
as good as you want them to be...and
I studied abroad in Korea. There
you just continue to have this void.”
are a lot of different translations
For Brendon, filling the void means
country, he says, “I feel like I have more
han since studying abroad and learning what I’ve lost--learning more about the
since it can’t be directly translated
fostering his intense ambition to be
into English. I understand it as a
great at his job. He’s the head of the
struggle against a higher power
digital marketing department at an
you can’t control. It’s a simmer-
advertising agency in Rhode Island.
ing revenge-type of thing. It sits
While many adoptees return to Korea in
inside of you and it never goes
order to fill this void, Brendon says that
away and it continues to grow. It’s
returning to his birth country and even
always passive; it’s never aggres-
meeting members of his birth family
sive. It’s just sitting and stewing.”
did not resolve the han he has his life.
He goes on to discuss the ways
“I was in Korea but I might as well
in which he sees his han play out
have been in any other country because
in seemingly small instances in
I was a stranger in that country. I mean,
his everyday life: “I really hate
people looked like me but they weren’t
losing things. Misplaced keys or
me. I didn’t have this connection to
not being able to find something-
the land.” Upon meeting his birth
-thinking that I lost it or that
father’s brothers, Brendon explains the
someone took it--really upsets
confusing and ambivalent feelings he
me, I think more so than other
had: “I didn’t feel some innate connec-
[non-adopted] people. I
30 Commentary
ple, culture, and language of his birth
Jon Straker, 20
culture and reconnecting with my birth
who helped foster
mom.” He admits that he is sometimes
my sense of Kore-
overcome with grief when reflect-
an identity while
ing on how much loss he has endured
also reminding
through the process of his adoption.
me that I was
•••
I am a Korean American transna-
not the same as Korean Koreans. I
tional adoptee. I arrived in the United
became an Execu-
States on a late, humid July night with
tive Officer for the
my twin sister, Lillian. At four months
Asian Students
old, I had no conscious recollection
in Action club
of my birth family or country. Grow-
in high school.
ing up, my parents helped my sister
I was elected
and me in cultivating our identities
Vice President
as Koreans, encouraging us to at-
for the Korean
Lillian and Nora Hexter, 1 year old
tend culture camps and driving us to
American Student Association in col-
overcome in one sitting— potentially,
Korean school every Saturday morn-
lege. I declared an East Asian Studies
not even in a lifetime. Adoptees like
ing for almost seven years. Attending
major and devoted the remaining years
Brendon work hard to be great at their
Korean school strengthened my desire
of my university career to study-
jobs to fill an inexplicable void in their
to connect with the language of my
ing Korean culture and language.
lives; adoptees like Jon and I strive
birth country. I craved the sounds of
This is my han and how I am
to regain a sense of Korean cultural
this beautiful, unfamiliar tongue and
constantly struggling to reconcile it. I
identity that we were forced to give
fantasized about the day I would be
will always feel these missing pieces-
up when sent away from Korea. Other
able to create these sounds on my own.
-pieces of the shared history and
adoptees negotiate their han by moving
culture of the Korean people that I had
back to Korea to cultivate relationships
I was Korean, I always felt I was not
to leave behind 21 years ago. This is
with their birth families or legally
Korean enough. I wanted to be Korean
how I feel my han--through fractured
regaining South Korean citizenship.
without having to explain why my last
fragments of my identity that still
name isn’t Kim or Park or why I can’t
tell me I’ll never be Korean enough.
For most of my life, although I felt
speak the language. I wanted to be ac-
Han arguably follows most
For each individual, han
is manifested in intimately distinct ways; on a larger scope, the collective
cepted as Korean, no questions asked.
adoptees from birth into adulthood in
transnational Korean adoptee diaspora
And so, I made it a mission to not only
some capacity, whether consciously
has effectively lost the land to which
become fluent in Korean but to as-
or unconsciously, and each individual
we were born, the parents who gave us
similate myself into Asian communities
holds a unique approach in attempting
our blood and bones, and the language
until I felt I belonged. I dated a Korean
to resolve it. However, han cannot be
that sounded into our newborn ears. We may never be able regain all of the physical and emotional casualties that have occurred throughout our lifetimes. In order to resolve— or at least, come to terms with— our han, we must always remember this loss.
G
Nora Hexter is a junior majoring in East Asian Studies and minoring in Social & Cultural Analysis in the College of Arts and Science.
Lillian and Nora Hexter, 21
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The Things We’ve Lost 31
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By Jaimie Kim
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