Japan's Aftermath, 2 Weeks Later

2 weeks ago, the earthquake and tsunami disaster destroyed a big part of Japan.
On my blog, I collected a bunch of pictures into one post.

http://thebulablog.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/japans-aftermath-2-weeks-later/

After seeing a lot of the images, how do you feel? Have you donated lately, or done anything to help out the people of Japan? Do you have any friends or family in Japan, and have you heard from them lately?

After the VOICES event...

What has surprised you during that event? Has it change your meaning of what an Asian is all about? Was this event inspiring to you? How?

New Beginnings

through out the class there has been good times and bad just like any class. Over all what did you like best about the class. What could you recommend for incoming students. Also what could you suggest to improve the class next quarter?

closing time

Now that the class is now coming to an end, what was your favorite activity you participated in during the quarter. Also how did this activity help your learning experience through out the class.

Ready for the final?

From Kelly Kanemori:

Now that our last class meeting and final exam is tomorrow, what are some things
that you have gotten out of this class? Are you prepared for the final?

What is Haunani-Kay Trask's poem in the reader, "Apologies" talking about?

What is the underlying theme in Dong Hwan Ku' s story in the reader, "War Zone". I cant figure it out.

Another Response to Asians in UCLA library

Mr. Mendoza briefly talked about Timothy DeLaGhetto's response to Alexandra Wallace's rant on Asian Americans in UCLA's library in class, and being a fan of TimothyDeLaGhetto I had to watch his video. I strongly agree with this video and all of the ideas that TimothyDeLaGhetto had in which to handle situations like these.

VOICES

Did you like the VOICES presentations on Monday? Did you feel like this was a positive experience for you and why?

Response to Asians in the UCLA library

For those of you who weren't in class last Wednesday, we discussed the racist vlog that UCLA student, Alexandra Wallace posted regarding her point of view of Asians on campus. Watch this video and answer this question: How do you feel Jimmy Wong, the artist, responded to Alexandra's rant? Do you think it was positive or negative? What do you think we can do to prevent future events like this from happening?

Philippines Independence Day? Asian History Month?

If we have Philippines Independence Day and Asian History Month how come it is not as big of a holiday or month like Cinco De Mayo, Dominican Independence Day, 4th of July or Black History Month? Is it because there's only a little bit of Asians in America? Why we don't celebrate our holidays as hard as White, African, and Mexican holidays?

UCLA Video Rant

From Margarita:

Being in an Asian American class how has the UCLA video rant affected you or
someone you know? Asian or not, do you feel offended?

Awareness

How can we raise awareness of Asian American culture just within our own community? As in friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc..

Women in Office

During the International Womyn’s Day Celebration, Councilmember Rose Herrera mentioned that the reason that not a lot of women hold high positions in government is because there are very few women to even vote for. She asked how many women at the celebration would be willing to run for a office in the next election and take on the political world and very few raised their hands. Is confidence the problem in this situation? What can women do to gain more confidence? If they can, what can men do to help?

Giving Aid

The natural disaster in Japan and any others in the past have been devastating. But from these disasters there have always been those ready to give aid. But is this aid really in the goodness of their hearts? Are they genuinely concerned about those affected, or are they simply trying to put on their "charity mask" in order to hide their true intent. Some that offer aid could be simply trying to make it look like they are the good guys trying to help those in need when in reality they are just trying to earn an "I Owe You" ticket. Or could they possibly be trying ensure their international assets like import/exports, foreign oil, or anything else they may rely on?

parents speak in their mother tongue and me responding in English?

For Asian Americans, do you think learning your ethinic language and your parents' using the language at home ultimately helps you to be more competitive or makes you confused and less competitive by not being able to focus on English?

Why the hate?

From Melissa:

With everything that is happening in the world and right here in America,
there are still miracles happening like the baby being found in Japan. It's supposed to be a time to pull together and help each other and be there for one another. Why
is it that there is still hate going around? What should one do to help change?

Confidence problems or confusion

From Alex:

Through out the text the Authors seemed to have confidence problems or
confusion with being Asian/ American. Do you feel like it's still the case
with our generation?

Mathematics

when it comes to mathematics, it is widely believed that Asians are superior to Americans and Europians; alomost every international mathematics contest , students from Aisa countries win the contest. For what reasons do you think, if any, Asians are better at mathematics than Americans and Europians?

Raising Funds for Japan's Relief Efforts

Hey guys,

I just wanted to go ahead and share this with all of you.

I intern at a start-up company called "Goodjoe" and we are a t-shirt and apparel company that unites artists with non-profits. The basic premise is that for every shirt sold, a dollar of it will go to community-nominated non-profit organizations.

In light of the recent events in Japan, Goodjoe's artists collaborated on a t-shirt design that represented Japanese culture. 100% of the proceeds would go directly to GlobalGiving.org's Relief fund.

If you like the design or want to help and get a shirt for your efforts, make sure to check out the shirt. It is called: Flying in Unity






Our thoughts and prayers go to those affected by the devastation in Japan.

Here is a quick description of the shirt:
On March 11, 2011, the north coast of Japan was hit by a horrible tsunami after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred 80 miles offshore. Goodjoe and our passionate community of artists have collaborated to bring you the Flying in Unity t-shirt to raise funds and to inspire others to contribute in whatever way they can. Each of the participating artists created a crane or a bird as a positive thought to send toward the people affected by this disaster. Inspiration from Paper Cranes for Japan

100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to GlobalGiving.org's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Our goal is to raise $1000 and we will report the results of our fundraising efforts at the end of this two week campaign.

Goodjoe would like to thank all the participating artists for donating their time and Boots for piecing together all the cranes and birds into a unified flock.

International WOMYN'S Day

From Moe D:

Why was the rally spelled WOMYN instead of WOMEN? Is it to abbreviate
something?

UCLA Student's Racist Rant

Just yesterday, a video was posted of a UCLA student who ranted in the video about "Asians in the library". The video went viral in a matter of hours, receiving hot responses from viewers who simply put this as a "racist rant".

The girl talks about Asian students who talk on their phones in the library, claiming that they should use "American manners". She states that Asians parents don't teach their children to fend for themselves and we rely heavily on family member to do our work. She tries to classify herself as smart by saying she does "political science theories and arguments", but after stereotypes the all Asian languages into "Chingchonglinglongtingtong", proving how ignorant she is about different cultures. She even refers herself as being a "nice polite American girl her mother raised her to be". Do nice polite people American girls make racist videos and post them to the public? Then she even rudely brings up the recent tsunami in Japan out of nowhere, showing indecency. How do you feel about this?

Some people have gone and found her phone number, address, and personal information and sent her hate mail and death threats. People have even found her classes that she will be taking finals for and are planning to go there and protest against her. Others have taken a different action by bringing this to UCLA's attention, hoping they will do what is right sine she goes against the UCLA Student Code of Conduct. How do you think people should handle this matter?

For those of you who have not seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9785ryOlg8 (If the link doesn't work, I'm pretty sure you can type in "UCLA Racist Rant" or "Asians in the library".)

War Zone

In his writing, War Zone, Ku expressed his frustration of not being able to learn English well and his struggles with racist attacks from others. As students with different backgrounds, did you also have the same struggles? if not, what kind of struggles did you have and how were you able to overcome it?

Bich Minh Nguyen and Korean American History Stories

From Alison:

Q1: Bich uses impressive food in her writing, such as toll house cookies, green
sticky rice cake and american meat; in your experience, what food is related to your
Asian American identity and experience? Explain.

Q2:By reading of some Korean American immigrant history stories, what could they do to make a positive differnt when their social-economic status is not ideal in Ameica compare when they are back in Korea? Would you regret about the immigration and if that happen to you and would you still want to go to America?

Japan

The massive earthquake in Japan has devastated many big cities an densely populated areas in Japan in addition to the Tsunami. With all this devastation in Japan and usually in many big natural disasters, why does the country that had been the victim of the disaster usually wait to ask for assistance from foreign countries even though they know they will eventually need it. The US along with a few other countries had offered their assistance and are waiting to be called upon to help. Why has Japan waited to accept their help? Is it because Japan is unsure of how much help they will need? I understand that there are still aftershocks and tsunami warnings still out, but why wait to accept the assistance of others? Is it just so the Japanese government can do as much as they can before they pile in more helpers from foreign countries and keeping them out of danger as well?

Race in the US Past and Present

From Alex:

The United States seems to have had a lot of discrimination to other races and ethnicities like the Chinese in Angel Island and the Japanese Internment camps during world war 2, however during 9/11 the Al Queda or the people of Middle Eastern decent where not put in the internment camps do you think this is due to the United States being more accepting of other races and acknowledging that just cause a few people does a bad thing doesn't mean a whole race is involved? Or do you think that
there are other reasons.

From Yuri:

We have been talking about racial discrimination a lot in class. Was there a time in your life that you felt discriminated or offended by a racial comment? Up to what point is it okay and when is it crossing the line?

Dong Hwan Ku

From Ana:

What seems to be the issue for Asian Americans that American dream is
unattainable as per the life story of Dong Ku here in united states.

Round Eyes

From Anh:

In the "round eyes" the author mentions about the single eyes which we often see
in Asian people , because they want to adapt with white people so they try to
make it become double eyes. In my opinion , I love both single and double eyes.
Each of them have their own beauty. I love the way I look for being Asian. How
about you? How do you think about the eyes and the way Asian look?

Mid-term Exam

From Albert:

What is the Asiatic Barred Zone?

America Is In The Heart

From Ana:

What seems to be the main factor why Asian Immigrant including Filipino,
experienced Inequality in this country from 1910 to 1950 in relation to the
story of Angel Island and the story of America is in the heart, and what is the
important lesson of the story from the past that we can learn in our generation
today.

From Dennis:

The two brothers perform some tough labor but they do not receive the proper
amount of payment for their work. When and where are situations like this still
happening?

Angel Island Poems

From Kelly Tanimura:

In what ways to the detainees view life differently than today's generations?
(Even if they are descendants of the the detainees.)

It is important for our country to rmember our history and wrong-doings so that
we do not make the same mistakes. In #31 the author said "I must remember that
this chapter once existed". Why is it important for him to remember? Why
wouldn't he want to forget the trauma of being detained?

In #58 the author said, "Life is worth worrying about and you should restrain
yourselves". How does this differ from today's school of thought that claims
things like, "don't worry, be happy", "live life to the fullest", and "Life's
short".

From Linda Lam:

What kind of emotional state do you think the detainees were in
while carving on the walls? What do you think motivated the first
person to write on the wall?

The Latehomecomer, 1/28

From Yuri:
While writing your essay for The Latehomecomer, was it easy to relate
your experiences to Yang and her family? Why or why not?

From Terry:
At the refugee camp the author's father is said to have met some other women there
for the issue of "giving birth to sons," and he brings his daughter.

The author doesn't give us full explaination and details regarding the issue brought
up; does it mean the truth is unknown or she just doesn't want it to be publicized?

"The Gift"

From Ana: In the poem "The Gift" there is a line that reads "the flames of discipline." What kind of discipline does a father implement?

From Vicky: "The Gift" is based on the past, a memory of the speaker's father. Why did the poet include a present moment when the poem is based on the past?

From Margarita: The last three lines of the poem reads the following:
"I did what a child does
when he's given something to keep.
I kissed my father."
What do you think the author implies he is receiving, as a gift so to speak,
from his father?

From Kelly Tanimura:
What makes a gift special?; Is it the cost, the person who gave it to you; does
it even have to be tanigible?; What's the most precious or special intagible
gift someone has given you.

The late homecomer

How is the author be able to comprehend so much about the war, the immigration of the time when she is still a little baby, spends her childhood in American and absorbs American's education?

The Latehomecomer, 1/19/2011

From Quanyi Yang:

What did you learn from Kao Kalia Yang's story and do you have
similar experience with Kao Kalia Yang?

From Ana Marie Dequinia:

What is the interesting part of the story do you think as a student that tells
something about your own racial or ethnic background in relation to the said
story.

The Latehomcomer

When the author refers to her mother's mom or her father's brother, for example, why doesn't she simply say "grandmother" or "uncle"?

The Latehomecomer 1/15/11

Before crossing the Mekong River, the author's mother buried her pictures of her brothers' and promised to come back for them. Did she have a chance to do that? to get back all her memoirs of her brothers?

The Latehomecomer

What lead Kao Kalia Yang's parents to make the decision to get married in a war of no tommorow? Would you have done the same?

The Latehomecomer, 1/10/2011

From Melissa Nguyen:

How is the author able to care so much about her grandmother when their
interaction is so limited to be able to describe her so well? How is your
interaction with your grandmother?

From Jeremy Shih:

How is it that the mom's family seemed more prosperous?

From Ana Marie Dequinia:

How Yang mother and grandmother survives in the enemy camp and was able to unite
with yang father that escape them from the said camp? for those married student
how is your relationship to your mother in law?

From Kelly Kanemori:

What does the birth of babies mean in a time where food is scarce and tomorrow
is unknown?

Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai's "Making Guacamole"

From Sherwin: What are three words in the poem that jump out at you?

Introductions

Please write a few sentences in the comments section below to introduce yourself to the class.