Identity: Spring 2014

GENERASIAN NYU's premier Asian American publication SPring 2014 • Vol 12 • No 2

from the

Letter editorS Dear read

ers,

Here at G enerasia n we alw maintain ays seem and the m to be stru ggling to a n y is s reminded ues we w find a bala ant to ad us at his nce betw d ta r ess in our lk een the g at NYU in their ded publicati rades tha February ication to o t we have n .

B , th u k t e goal is to eep filmin as Phil Yu to there. In g , k , the Angr e k e e p ep taking time, eac writing. y Asian M h of thos I p a ic m tu p res and k an, roud of G e adds up eep tellin enerasia to what G g stories, n’s memb enerasia e ers for v In this se en if it’s ju n is today mester’s st one po : the voic is s s e u t e o h f o ere and Asian Am f the mag ethnicity azine, Ge ericans a . As man nerasian t NYU. y of our m e to keep o x embers, plores th n expres including e struggle sing ours myself, g s of perso dispersed elves wh raduate th nal identi erever w througho is semeste ty beyon e are. On ut society d r, I e e n day, each courage e that will of these li point bac ach of us v k e to s will be on this maga Until nex e of hund zine. Go t time, forth, an reds d be stro ng.

Evelyn C heng Editor-in -Chief

Dear readers,

sian is--what we ing what Genera fin de r he rt fu in in America. a milestone us as Asian youth y year since, been es er fin ev s de t ha ha as -w s, nha generatio This year en exposed to the blog, but our creasing, we’ve be agazine, or even m -in e er th ev st is ju it t of No ge e. ra ar t through rise or media cove e overt senses. Ye ination is on the ttings, and in mor se ay yd e Whether discrim er ev al, th in casu oppressed. We ar cist sentiment, bo hushed, quieted, ra be e to or m se d fu an re e or we , m riod of fuse to be lowered s ushered in a pe en--our voices re . This semester ha er th ge to r e it all, we have ris ge on d we are str r goals remain th ce of adversity, an r our methods, ou fa ve e te th ha in w r t ge bu , on es str clear lin Generasian vision between un ish. I am proud of di pl of m g, co in ac ht we fig at in th r all unease, of e and respected fo ing the word. ized for who we ar ith us and spread w gn g co in re ck be sti r -to fo es, m sa k you, our reader od fight, and I than for fighting the go e! all the rest to com mester--here’s to se t ea gr a r fo u Thank yo Sincerely yours,

Catherine Ye Editor-at-Large

What’s Inside 01 Cover Graphic Evelyn Cheng 02 Letters from the Editors Evelyn Cheng & Catherine Ye

Commentary

Race & Ethnicity

04 Queer and Asian Pacific Islander Alexis Lim

16 The “Outrage Machine” and the Facade of

Anecdotal Racism Mark Tseng Putterman 09 The Gates to (Academic) Paradise Christina Leong 19 Give Me a Worker, Hold the Human: 12 The Struggles of Christopher Yuan Evelyn Cheng 14 Asian Americans: Good Enough for College,

Israel’s Invisible Residents Jolene Hsu 23 Why We Should Not Burst the Asian

but not for College Sports? Eugene Cheng

College Bubble Michael Dong 25 ABC: Between ‘Chinese’ and ‘American’ Linda Sun

Narrative

Culture

27 Somebody That I Used To Know Amelie Zhao

34 Pretty in Pink? Victoria Lee

Art

36 Translation Obfuscation Huiqun Ong

30 Ink Art Kim Chen

38 Say Aloha to the Far East Justin Lyu

32 Warhol Dynasty Georgie Fu

39 Eat Your Heart Out: A Snapshot

of Dim Sum Nicole Bernardo 33 A Day at the Market Rachel Liu

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Editorial Staff

Evelyn Cheng

Editors

Alexis Lim

Catherine Ye

Mark Tseng Putterman

Rachel Liu

Justin Lyu

Editor-in-Chief Editor-at-Large Art Director Operations Manager Public Relations Manager Community Manager Online Art Editor Online Editor Media Directors

Kim Chen

Duan Liu

Jacqueline Mai

Jennifer Tseng

Joyce Chen

Layout Editors

Amelia Chu

Jennifer Tseng

Jonathan Yuan

Tina Yu Joyce Chen

CHECK OUT GENERASIAN.ORG /nyugenerasian

Table of Contents 3

Queer and Asian Pacific Islander

by Alexis Lim

My life has always been a contradiction of dominant narratives. I am a child of immigrants, mixed race, non-white, queer, subject to laws regulating female bodies. My social positionality renders my body and my experiences political, and difficult to pin down.

I always find myself with one of my identities just outside of the door. Dominant narratives make it difficult for me to have a complete picture of myself. Complicated experiences are flattened and silenced, passively or actively. To give voice to these layers and nuances and intersections, I created portraits featuring queer Asian Pacific Islanders, and collecting their own thoughts on their identity. By exploring these particular intersections, I hope to complicate people’s understanding of queer, and of Asian Pacific Islanders, and to give voice an experience seldom asked about. In particular, I want to explore ways the two identities affect each other. Further, although queer and Asian American are identities I share, there are many ways this lived experience is manifested, and I hope to start conversation on the complexities of this range of multiple, hyphenated, and mixed identity expression.

Alexis Lim is a senior at Gallatin, studying Photojournalism and Disrupting Hegemonic Narratives.

4 Commentary

Intersectionality is complex for me as someone with identities that are

Lohla /Shannan /MCC Major /Model

inherently multiplicitous—I am a mixed race, Indian/Asian-American, femme queer woman. Femmeness and creating and owning my own beauty empowers me. But that’s all complicit in a veil of whiteness/brownness that flutters around me and falls on and off of me depending on a number of unseen factors including who I’m with, how I’ve styled myself, what I say. I experience privileges and at the same time experience invisibility. It’s often hard for me to parse out the differences in both privilege and visibility I experience based on which parts of my identity I occupy and at what time—and I almost never feel fully present in all of them, because they contradict each other. At the end of the day, I see the complexities within myself as the positive collapse of flawed constructions.

r Read our blog

generasian.org

Queer and Asian Pacific Islander 5

Monique /Filipino /Queer I had my first girlfriend when I was 15, but was in the closet for most of the time until my first year of college. My parents are part of this very-involvedin-your-life, cult-like religion and my thoughts on sexuality were shaped by that. Leaving home meant that I could be whoever I wanted to be. I made queer friends. I joined the LGBTQ club on campus and began to explore my sexuality personally and politically. I never had a strong Filipino community around me but by joining with queer political groups on campus I was able to find FIRE (Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment) a Filipino women’s organization in NYC. Identifying as a queer POC API is a process I am still trying to understand. Between beginning college and the present, I went through stages of feeling very uncomfortable in my skin as a woman and as someone who was attracted to various people across the queer rainbow spectrum. As I heard the “queer” more often from other POC who identified with it, I felt more comfortable using the term. For a while I also identified as androgynous and had dressed to fit this type of presentation by shaving my head and wearing men’s clothing; part of me was rebelling against gender norms. However, this did not help to answer fundamental questions I had about why patriarchy exists and why I never felt safe or comfortable being a woman (whatever being a woman really means). Nowadays I am dating a cis male but feel okay about this, while at the same time still strongly identifying as a queer POC. I have also recently grown my hair out and started to wear dresses but that doesn’t mean I won’t wear men’s clothing and shave my head again next year. My gender representation is fluid and as for my sexuality I don’t try to fit it in stereotypical archetype forms.

6 Commentary

Rin /Taiwanese-born /NJ/NY raised I have some unresolved culture clash and am starting to see the connection between gender-queerness and cultural upbringing. My being first generation made me feel like an outsider because at home, in visiting Taiwan or in my parent’s household, I’m seen as an “ABC” or American [Born Chinese]. Then when I go to school I’m immediately stereotyped for being Asian, as if my skin automatically makes me the speaking authority for everyone who looks Asian.

As if my not being white makes me less American.

Also, isn’t it interesting that mainstream Taiwanese and Japanese media tend to portray androgyny as glamorous, beautiful and dare I say, acceptable?

Read our blog

generasian.org

Queer and Asian Pacific Islander 7

Elliott /Organizer /Nikkei Hapa /Trans-masculine Femme

8 Commentary

The Gates to (Academic) Paradise

by Christina Leong

T

he trek up the cold, heartless metal stairs was a long one, but

I knew it would be worth it. I followed behind hundreds of other thirteen-

close-knit community. We struggled

skewed representation of New York

together against all odds to make high

City racial demographics, many people

school the best four years of our lives.

have spoken out against the SHSAT as

Stuy is one of nine Specialized High

an unfair method of acceptance. With

and fourteen-year-olds who were, like

Schools in New York City. The other

only a single exam testing the knowl-

me, eager to make it to the top of the

eight are: Fiorello H . LaGuardia High

edge and skills of middle schoolers, how

steps. The gates to academic paradise

School of Music & Art and Performing

can the test be called unfair? Because

lay there, after all, waiting for us just

Arts; the Bronx High School of Science;

there is no other basis for admission,

beyond the long, daunting bridge. As I

the Brooklyn Latin School; Brooklyn

the SHSAT is considered without bias

neared the steps, I saw what I had been

Technical High School; High School for

to any one group of people. It would

waiting all of middle school for, practi-

Mathematics, Science and Engineer-

appear there are no other factors in

cally all my life for: a cold, metal banner

ing at the City College; High School of

getting a high score other than simply

reading “Stuyvesant High School.”

American Studies at Lehman College;

succeeding in answering questions.

Queens High School for the Sciences at

The exam reasonably gauges the skill

was ready for anything anyone threw

York College; and Staten Island Tech-

level of students to appropriately

at me, including those mean set of

nical High School. For admission into

place them in certain high schools.

stairs. What lay ahead of me, I knew,

all of these schools, it is required that

Some people, like Mayor Bill de

was a great four years at the top spe-

students in the eighth grade take the

Blasio, have argued that the test prep

cialized high school in New York City.

Specialized High School Admission

culture around the SHSAT is what

Test (SHSAT).1 This test consists of two

makes the test unfair. According to the

anxious freshmen around me who, like

sections: one math and one verbal.

Daily News, de Blasio cites a “rich-

me, were sporting new, shiny book bags

The verbal section consists of order-

get-richer phenomenon” that the

filled with empty pages waiting to be

ing sentences, logical reasoning, and

exam creates. He claims that wealthy

filled with the hopes and dreams that a

reading comprehension and the math

parents can afford test prep for their

Stuyvesant education would bring. In-

section involves, much like the SAT,

children in order to succeed on the

stead of potential friendships, however,

problem solving. To gain admittance to

SHSAT, and thus their children are

I saw in my classmates potential com-

selected schools, students must score

the ones getting into the specialized

petition. We were, after all, arguably

higher than the specific cut-off scores

high schools. However, statistics show

the top 10% of high school students of

for each school. Although these scores

45-60% of students in the three top

New York City. To survive against such

vary from year to year, Stuy normally

spe- cialized high schools receive free

odds was to beat out all competition.

has the highest cut-off, followed by

lunch, complicating the mayor’s “rich-

Even before entering the classroom,

Bronx Science, and then Brooklyn Tech.

get-richer” phenomenon as the sole

It was the first day of school and I

I remember glancing at the other

even before meeting my new class-

The only requirement for admission

factor for skewed racial representation.

mates, I was already preparing to win

is the SHSAT, an test that requires stu-

in the game of survival of the fittest.

dents simply to be adept in reading and

aren’t wealthy, most still go through

math skills. Yet, even though this test

rigorous test prep courses in order

to prepare myself for. Because, de-

is “unbiased,” the top three specialized

to secure a spot in a specialized high

spite the competitive nature of Stuy

high schools in NYC are 60-75% Asian,

school. Access to these prep courses

(Stuyvesant High School’s nickname),

about 20% white, 2-8% Latino, and

is meant to be available to everyone,

our school remained one unified,

1-8% black. Because of this extremely

rich or poor, and no matter what race.

But it was a game I never needed

Even though many of the students

1 With the exception of LaGuardia HS, for which an audition is required in addition to the test.

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The Gates to (Academic) Paradise 9

There are many public programs

I found through my time in Stuy,

knows that they are competing against

that give students of all backgrounds

and even meeting other alumni of

their classmates to get into the top

resources to prepare for the SHSAT.

these high schools, that most students

colleges. Everyone wanted to do really

One such program is called Dream -

in these schools have a similar

well in all of their classes and would

Specialized High School Institute (SHSI)

mindset and understand each other’s

be very disappointed by grades that

and targets low-income students.

motivations, especially through all the

were lower than a 90 or sometimes

The SHSAT, in that way, is

competition. Justyna Bujno, one of my

even lower than a 95 or 100. Every

supposed to act as a fair assessment

classmates in Stuy (Class of 2012), saw,

little point mattered,” Justyna said.

of whether a student should be

too that our high school cultivated a

But at the same time, there exists a

allowed admission to a special-

different mentality. “There were so

mutual quest for knowledge and learn-

many busy days and sleepless nights

ing among all the students. Individuals

there isn’t a lack of resources or an

we all had to suffer through. It was

at these high schools are completing

unfair advantage for any single student.

something that people outside the

research projects, participate in na-

Because there is only one factor opening

school would never understand.”

tional competitions as top contenders,

ized high school. In my opinion,

these “doors” to academic paradise that

The infamous competitive nature

and are receiving top scores on SAT

is these high schools, a unique learning

of these schools, after all, shapes a

and AP exams. “At Stuyvesant, most

experience and atmosphere is created.

community like no other. “Everyone

individuals are incredibly driven or

10 Commentary

As I neared the steps, I saw what I had been waiting all of middle school for, practically all my life for: a cold, metal banner reading “Stuyvesant High School.” Photo Sourec: try4stuy.org

intelligent, and in many cases, both,”

because of the empirical nature of the

is also formed. To abolish the SHSAT

Tanim Jain, another graduate of Stuy,

admission process. “If you were to take

is to destroy a unique environment

pointed out. However, she also noted

middle school grades, recommenda-

of mutual intellectual curiosity and

that “this view of people I had held has

tions, and other criteria into account

understanding. “Many things drew

changed drastically since I started in

during the admissions process, there

everyone together like complaints

college and met people who did not care

would be no way to fairly evaluate

about testing, classes,” said Tanim.

very much for academics or attaining

every applicant,” Justyna said. Take the

She also jokingly added:

knowledge for their personal interest.”

college application process, for example.

“And [of course] the escala-

Because of there are so many factors

tors [that never worked].”

In my time outside of Stuy, I’ve also found that there’s nothing that com-

considered, a homogenous, like-minded

pares to the insatiable thirst for knowl-

community like one of the specialized

edge that many people maintain in our

high schools can never be created.

high school. The environment we up-

in creating an environment where

manded intellectual curiosity and rigor.

intellectuals hungry to learn can do

This atmosphere of Stuy that we

Read our blog

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Christina Leong is a sophomore at CAS, majoring in Biology.

In the end, the SHSAT succeeds

held through this thirst was one that de-

all experience was made possible only

G

exactly that. Competition no doubt exists, but an unbreakable community The Gates to (Academic) Paradise 11

The struggleS of Christopher Yuan

by Evelyn Cheng

I

n 1998, Christopher Yuan sat in jail. He was a gay man in his early

teenager had a sexual relationship with

much chance at home to discuss his

a 30-year-old man. After that, his mom

feelings. Once he left for dental school,

20s, a former dental student once very

made him attend with her a purification

Yuan discovered the perfect environ-

close to graduating, now sentenced to

program hosted by the Church of Scien-

ment to come out in, and find the

six years for drug dealing. As removed

tology, but his lifestyle changed little.

friendships and support he needed

as those circumstances and identity

Throughout this time, Yuan’s father,

from the gay community. “After a child-

are from the environment I grew up

Leon, was aware of family problems.

hood of being rejected by my peers, it

in, I realized in reading his story that

But since immigrating to America, he

felt great to be so readily accepted,” he

the experience of growing up Asian

had immense pressure from his mother

said (11). For many who have grown up

American in the late 20th century is

to be a filial son and send money home.

in suppressive, conservative cultures,

nearly the same. The same stereo-

As a result, he focused on pleasing her

being different often requires hiding

types and expectations exist, but the

and working at his dental practice. In

hurts. To me, Yuan wanted the comfort

life Yuan describes in his book Out

time, frequent arguments with his wife

of a community that accepted him the

of a Far Country, co-written with his

turned to silence on his end, leaving

way he was without judging. In his

mother, breaks that stereotype. He and

his wife frustrated with their marriage

description of his group of men who

his family reunite not just physically

and his sons estranged from him.

had all separated from their same-sex

but in spirit through Christianity.

Yuan grew up with his older brother

Few would have known about these

partners, I realize we all have pain.

events at the time. The Asian, and sub-

But Yuan turned to drugs after several

in a Chicago suburb in the 1980s. His

sequently Asian American, community

broken relationships, which thrust

parents had both immigrated from

often shies away from discussing pri-

him into the lavish world of his clients:

Taiwan as graduate students, much

vate issues openly. By telling his story,

celebrities such as famous actors and

like my father and the parents of many

Christopher Yuan opens up precisely

the cover models for men’s magazines.

of my friends. After Yuan’s father

on themes Asian Americans often find

As I read about this social circle, I

received his Ph.D., he started his own

objectionable: Sexuality. Communi-

wondered if the need for acceptance

dental practice. Again he followed the

cation issues. Drugs. Clubbing. Yuan

had also driven them to their positions.

typical Asian immigrant trajectory:

also shows that there is no shame in

study hard, get a reliable job in engi-

talking about them, and that conflicts

gay identity and her husband’s apathy,

neering or medicine, and be successful.

can be resolved with discussion. Often

Yuan’s mother realized that she could

Asian American families, especially

not control everything. She had always

same of her children. They were honor

immigrant ones, will stick to maintain-

been against religion, but in despera-

students and had articles in the news-

ing the appearances of success rather

tion she opened herself to the possibil-

papers about their awards, forming a

than dealing with the root causes. The

ity that the Christian God could make

success streak that lasted until about

Yuans had deep family issues that I

a difference. Slowly, with these new

high school. Yuan had always wanted

believe many can identify with, mostly

beliefs, she was able to let go of her

to fit in at school, but he was always

stemming from lack of communication.

self-righteousness and desire to turn

picked on for being Chinese, loving

Their family found a solution in coming

her son and her husband into what

the arts, and not being good at sports.

to faith in Christianity, a belief that

she thought was a perfect, successful

“I always felt like an outcast,” Yuan

forced them to recognize the problems

family. Her husband had also been

said (11). Then the situation changed

and give them an ability to tackle both

closed to religion, but when his wife

for him. He encountered gay por-

personal and relationship problems.

asked him to go with her to church,

As a teenager, Yuan didn’t have

he agreed. Over time, they became

Yuan’s mother, Angela, expected the

nography as a nine-year-old and as a 12 Commentary

When confronted with her son’s

the dance music that went with it. He considered how he might return to those clubs after he served his sentence, “but nightclubs could too easily lead me back to drugs--and I didn’t want that,” he said (184). In addition to having to complete his prison sentence, Yuan discovered he was HIV positive, which continues to affect his health.

He considered himself a gay man, until he read a pamphlet on how the Bible supported a homosexual lifestyle. “...[A]s I started reading the book and the Bible passages it referred to,” Yuan said, “God’s Holy Spirit convicted me that the assertions from that book were a distortion of God’s truth” (186). Rather, he realized that his Christian faith called him to pursue holiness - focusing all his sexual feelings towards one woman. But building that desire will take time. He hasn’t gotten married yet. Neither will he continue along with the Asian American paradigm of becoming a dentist.

Today, as Yuan finishes up his doctorate dissertation at a seminary, he goes on speaking tours throughout the country. He continues discussion of the issues he has faced online. His Twitter feed is full of quotes from the Bible and thoughts that challenge simplistic views Christopher Yuan and his mother, Angela, co-wrote Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope in 2011.

of Christianity, especially on the inter-

Photo Credit: Christopher Yuan

to be a believer: “#LiesSatanTellsUs:

section of sexuality and what it means

devoted Christians. Meanwhile, Yuan

this God more through a Gideon Bible

‘Once you get married, you’ll no longer

believed he could only depend on

left in a prison cell, and eventually

struggle with porn/lust.’” Issues like

those friends who would support and

led other prisoners in Bible studies.

these are still a challenge for him, but he

understand him. That did not include his mother, and definitely not church.

The differences that faith made in

realizes the possibilities that lie outside

Yuan’s life were readily apparent. His

of an identity bound to sexuality or

prison sentence was halved from six

ethnicity. As Yuan has often told others:

with her husband, Angela never

to three years when the judge saw his

“Change is not the absence of struggle

stopped praying, visiting or caring

exemplary. As for drugs, he had no

but change is the freedom to choose

for their son. When the drugs and

longing for them at all. “I believe that

freedom in the midst of struggle.” G

money were gone, Yuan discovered

God simply and miraculously took it all

that the only and best support he

away,” Yuan said (183). He knew that

had were his parents, whose mar-

many others struggled with addiction

riage had been restored by their new

for a long time, but he wrote that he

faith in a God. Yuan came to know

missed the glamour of clubbing and

But she was his mother. Together

Read our blog

generasian.org

Evelyn Cheng is a senior studying Journalism and Urban Design & Architectural Studies in CAS.

The Struggle of Christopher Yuan 13

Asian Americans: Good enough for college, but not for college sports?

by Eugene Cheng

F

rom afar, Brendan looks like a

level for youth soccer in the country,

dedication and hard work. For Bren-

typical NYU student. A fresh-

and has represented the United States

dan, his soccer abilities during his high

man in the liberal studies program, the

in international competitions in his club

school years were honed through a

native Texan, like about 15 percent of

soccer team. With

rigorous weekly routine; he practiced

the undergraduates at NYU, is Asian

his prolific ac-

American, which probably wouldn’t

colades, Brendan

draw him too much attention. Asian

received a multi-

Americans make up a significant por-

tude of offers to

tion of the student body at most top

play on several

universities in the United States. In

Division III soccer

fact, while Asian Americans only make

teams. Ultimately,

up approximately 4.6 percent of the

however, he chose

general population, 14.6 percent of the

to forgo college

university population in the United

athletics in order

States is Asian American. Additionally,

concentrate on his studies at NYU. His

Mondays and Wednesday with his

some of the top academic institutions

decision to turn down college athletics

high school team from 6-10pm, worked

in the United States have significant

is not unique; Asian Americans only

Tuesdays and Thursdays with a private

Asian American populations: Berke-

make up about 0.5 percent of college

coach, performed strength and condi-

ley’s entering class is 46 percent Asian

athletes in the country. This begs the

tioning training on Fridays, and played

American, while UCLA has an Asian

question, why is there such a large

organized soccer. This heavy work-

American Student body of 34.8 percent.

disparity between Asian American

load took a toll on his academics, as he

college students and Asian American

admits that he often had to skip classes

student, outside the classroom Brendan

college athletes? Could it be that strict

and miss homework in order travel

is also a top level soccer player. Having

Asian cultural standards of educa-

and practice for games. This amount

played organized soccer since he was

tion have created a populace of great

of commitment towards athletics and

seven years old, Brendan made the

minds devoid of college athletes?

inevitable trade off athletics in favor of

Apart from being an astounding

varsity soccer team at his Dallas private

“Everybody’s dream is to play soccer professionally, but at some point there’s the realization that that goal isn’t really realistic and that even if you achieve that goal, it isn’t really fruitful.” Instead, he wants to focus on his studies and eventually become a doctor.

To say that the main obstacle to more

academics are things that most Asian

school as a freshman in high school,

Asian American college athletes is due

American parents cannot come to terms

played club soccer in the North Texas

to any innate physical limitations is

with. Brendan comes from a strong soc-

League, participated in the US Soccer

naïve. After all, successful athletes are

cer background—his maternal grand-

Development Academy, the highest

not born, but molded through years of

father played professional soccer in

1 http://www.nyu.edu/ir/pdf/fastfacts/2011/TotalUndergrad.pdf 2 http://nymag.com/news/features/asian-americans-2011-5/index2.html 3 http://www.admission.ucla.edu/campusprofile.htm 4 http://www.nwmissouri.edu/library/ResearchPapers/2012/Stegall,%20Ryan.pdf

14 Commentary

sport was in season. Moreover, the average number of credits taken by student athletes dropped on average from 15.26 to 14.7 credits when their respective sport was in season. These studies indicate that being a college athlete has an adverse effect on one’s academic performance. For those who cannot compromise their academic standard for the sake of college sports, like Brendan and many other Asian Americans, college athletics becomes less desirable.

Education forms one of the most essential pillars of the Asian community, especially amongst first generation immigrants. For most Asian immigrants, the main reason for emigrating away from their native homelands is so that they can achieve a more prosperous life. For many, this prosperity is achieved through academic success and eventual financial security. Thus, the commitment, price, and overall negative effect that a college sport has on a college athlete’s academics deter Asian parents from accepting the idea of college athletics. For most Asian parents, a college’s main function is to instill higher learning and Top Left: Jeremy Lin played for the Harvard men’s basketball team, a rare sight at the Division I level. Photo Source: bleacherreporter.com Top Right: Most Asian parents are unwilling to participate in athletics and activities that might interfere with their academics. Photographer: Jenny Goodall Bottom: Asian American make up a significant portion of the student body at most top universities.

Photo Source: calstate.fullerton.edu.

future career prospects. Anything else that doesn’t fall under this category is considered mundane and irrelevant.

As we progress towards second, third, and even fourth generation Asian Americans, we may see a softening of these stringent academic ideals as Asian

Korea, and his father is a huge fan of the

lege soccer and leave Texas for NYU. As

Americans open to activities that don’t

game. Brendan’s parents were extreme-

he puts it, “Everybody’s dream is to play

necessarily involve academics. A more

ly supportive of his soccer endeavors,

soccer professionally, but at some point

tolerant attitude towards college sports

making his situation a dime a dozen in

there’s the realization that that goal

will naturally segue to more Asian

this regard. In terms of Asian parents

isn’t really realistic and that even if you

Americans in college athletics. Until

and their academic expectations, Bren-

achieve that goal, it isn’t really fruit-

then, we will likely continue to see

dan said it best, saying that it’s “almost

ful.” Instead, he wants to focus on his

significantly more Asian Americans in

taboo to not to do any studying.” He also

studies and eventually become a doctor.

the classroom, and not on the field. G

added that he knew many of his Asian

Brendan’s perspective brought on a

friends who probably could have played

new question—that is: is being a college

on the collegiate level, but had parents

athlete worth it? Studies have shown

who dissuaded them from that path.

that on average, the average GPA of

Ultimately, it was Brendan himself, not

student athletes dropped by .07 points,

his parents, who decided to forgo col-

from a 3.00 to 2.93, when that athlete’s

Read our blog

generasian.org

Eugene Cheng is a sophomore at CAS, majoring in Chemistry

Asian Americans: Good Enough for College, But Not for College Sports 15

The “Outrage Machine” and the Facade of Anecdotal Racism

by Mark Putterman

K

aty Perry’s yellowface. Alexis Fishman’s (a.k.a. “Arexis

and, of course,

Fongman”) sorry attempt at satire.

right confluence

University of Illinois’s absurd #fuck-

of factors and the

phyllis incident. Amy Chua’s Triple

right re-tweeters,

Package anti-Black posturing. SNL’s

the Machine can

yellowface (oh, the ever-popular

churn out a new

yellowface!). Suey Park’s unstop-

outrage trend

pable hashtag hype machine...

within a matter

I’ll be honest—I’m exhausted. As I

Twitter, March 2014: Tweet from the Colbert Report

outrage. With the

of minutes. And

write this piece, the Asian American

this phenomenon

community is up in internet arms yet

is by no means

again over The Colbert Report’s decid-

limited to the Asian American commu-

pinball machine, how can we take the

edly anti-Asian tweet. And because

nity, though we seem to have become

time for substantive analysis and reflec-

Twitter’s stringent 140-character

masters of its inner workings. In any

tion? When we view each outrage as an

limit makes it a limited platform for

given week, the Machine is at work in

isolated incident of interpersonal rac-

critical conversation and debate (to say

any number of communities—just look

ism, how can we begin to acknowledge

the least), these conversations have

at Justine Sacco’s AIDS “joke,” Julianne

and address the systems that create the

become more and more divisive. As

Hough’s blackface, Columbia’s “offen-

conditions from which these incidents

the Suey Park-speared #CancelColbert

sive olympics” sorority party, and Ellen

emerge?

campaign drew ire from some, and as

Degeneres’ transphobic Liza Manelli

prominent Asian Americans across the

Oscars joke (just to name a few).

country are forced to “choose sides,”

Mainstream contemporary understandings of race and racism are charac-

Let me be clear: I am by no means

terized by the notion of “postracialism,”

I can’t help but feel we’ve missed

arguing that incidents of racism (or

which presumes that the victories of

the point somewhere along the way.

homophobia) do not deserve to be con-

the Civil Rights Movement (the Voting

What was the point of all this again?

fronted. Quite the contrary—racism of

Rights Act, the end of Jim Crow, etc.) es-

As social media has transformed

all sorts must be called out, especially

sentially resolved issues of institutional

the way we communicate, as well as

when the perpetrators are public fig-

American racism. Postracial ideologues

the ways that social justice advocates

ures whose visibility endows their ac-

point to the election of Barack Obama as

disseminate information and mobilize

tions with greater repercussions. How-

proof that race and racism are no longer

their supporters, we have seen the

ever, we have to think critically about

issues relevant to contemporary Amer-

creation of a seemingly unstoppable

how productive the Outrage Machine

ica—after all, a Black man inhabits the

Social Justice Outrage Machine. The

we’ve created really is. While we bounce

highest office in the land. At best, pos-

Machine feeds on controversy, snark,

from outrage to outrage like a societal

tracialists understand modern racism

1

as purely interpersonal—the realm of 1 Aptly dubbed by Orchestrated Pulse contributor RobtheIdealist 16 Race and Ethnicity

fringe xenophobes, Klan members, and

American Music Awards, 2013: Katy Perry performs “Unconditionally”

personal acknowledgement of fault white supremacists; not as a founda-

color; in which racialized xenopho-

from the offender. Certainly, when

tional pillar that has shaped and guided

bia informs the profiling of supposed

Katy Perry dresses in a geisha costume,

American society from 1776 to 2014.

undocumented immigrants throughout

when Julianne Hough puts on black-

This differentiation is crucial to

the Southwest, and post 9/11 “counter-

face, or when college students think it

understanding the pernicious ways

terrorism” mandates the unregulated

appropriate to lash out against a school

that institutional—rather than inter-

surveillance of Muslim American and

administrator with racist and sexist

personal—racism continues to dictate

South Asian American communities. In

language, an individual lapse of judge-

As social media has transformed the way we communicate, as well as the ways that social justice advocates disseminate information and mobilize their supporters, we have seen the creation of a seemingly unstoppable Social Justice Outrage Machine.

turning a blind eye, a

ment is involved. However, these are

postracial or “color-

not atypical instances of racism in an

blind” mentality is

otherwise postracial society; they are

by no means innocu-

not exceptions to the rule of multicul-

ous—it condones

tural understanding and harmony. No,

the maintenance

they are symptoms of the rule itself—

and perpetuation of

public manifestations of a culture of

entrenched sys-

exclusion, xenophobia, and racism that

tems of racism.

pervades every nook and cranny of

It is in this light

American society, from public policy

the American justice system, legisla-

that I argue we need to tinker with

to foreign intervention, from televi-

tion, domestic and foreign policy, and

our Outrage Machine. We need to flip

sion culture to family life. We need to

social norms. We live in a contemporary

a switch in all of our brains to under-

understand them as such, and organize

context in which Stand Your Ground

stand every incident of outrageous

our communities’ responses according-

laws devalue the lives of Black men and

racism as symptoms of the unaddressed

ly. And jumping from issue to issue on

women (and boys and girls); in which

realities of institutional and normal-

the outrage machine doesn’t seem like

white Conservatives seek to restrict

ized racism, rather than as anecdotal

the most productive way of confront-

voting access among communities of

incidents that can be resolved through

ing the system roots of these issues.

Read our blog

generasian.org

The “Outrage Machine” and the Facade of Anecdotal Racism 17

While these incidents of “pop cul-

especially if the victim is black or

racism, rather than as anecdotal or

ture” racism are certainly troubling

brown. While these incidents of vio-

personal. She wrote: “As with [George]

manifestations of American society’s

lence disproportionately target Blacks,

Zimmerman’s acquittal, the case has

undiagnosed tumor of racism, they are

they also impact Asian American com-

reopened a testy public conversa-

unfortunately not the most troubling. As if Katy Perry and Amy Chua were not enough, the news is similarly riddled with news of unwarranted violence against men, women, and children of color. From 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, murdered by neighborhood watch vol-

The question is how we, as organizers, students, journalists, parents, teachers, and members of American society channel incidental outrage towards movement building that confronts institutions rather than individuals, and that builds momentum towards a common cause rather than bouncing from case to case as if they were isolated, unrelated incidents.

unteer George Zimmerman,

tion about race, often reluctantly engaged in, often marked by silence and denial. That conversation is largely concerned with debating individual racism. The ways in which bias are institutionalized in our systems, however, go unexplored... The focus

later acquitted on Florida’s Stand Your

munities—specifically South Asian and

therefore tends to be on whether

Ground laws; to 19-year-old Renisha

West Asian individuals who have been

someone is deliberately biased. We saw

McBride, shot in the face while seeking

the targets of misplaced anger post-9/11.

this play out during the Henry Louis

help after a car accident; to 17-year-old

This past February, after Michael

Gates arrest incident (was the white

Jordan Davis, shot by a 45-year-old

Dunn, a 45-year-old white man, was

cop racist?) and throughout the Martin

white man after being asked to turn

failed to be convicted for murder after

case (was Zimmerman racist?).”2

down loud music being played in Davis’

shooting and killing unarmed 17-year-

vehicle; violence against people of

old Jordan Davis, writer and activist

public displays of (nonviolent) racism

color is all too common, and the justice

Rinku Sen published an eloquent article

must certainly be recognized as varying

system has shown time and time again

lambasting the failure of mainstream

in terms of severity, our collective in-

that outright murder is not always a

America to understand race-based

ability to make sense of these incidents

punishable offense—

violence as a symptom of institutional

as symptoms of larger systemic issues is

While race-based violence and

the same. The question is not whether Trayvon Martin: self-shot

George Zimmerman, Michael Dunn, Katy Perry or Amy Chua are racist, though certainly a mix of racism, prejudice, and sheer ignorance seem to be common factors. The question is how we, as organizers, students, journalists, parents, teachers, and members of American society channel incidental outrage towards movement building that confronts institutions rather than individuals, and that builds momentum towards a common cause rather than bouncing from case to case as if they were isolated, unrelated incidents. G Mark Putterman is a senior concentrating in Postcolonial Studies and the Politics of Power in Gallatin.

2 http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/2/trayvon-martin-jordandavisracefatigueimplicitbiasstandyourground.html 18 Race and Ethnicity

AFP/Getty Images: Rose Fostanes celebrating after winning the X Factor.1

Give Me a Worker,

Hold the Human:

workers, images of Thai nannies in Taiwan and factory workers moving from rural to urban China seem more commonplace than workers moving to the Middle East. However, of the 109,000 migrant workers documented in Israel, about half are from Southeast Asia, with the Philippines and Thailand

Israel’s Invisible Residents

taking the lead, followed by migrants

I

migrant workers in Israel began in the

by Jolene Hsu

f you had to guess the winner of The

from Eastern Europe and Africa.1 ,2 The increase in the number of

support Fostanes has from her Israeli

1990s, when Israel wanted to find a new

X Factor in Israel, I’m betting a Fili-

fans, her migrant status makes it impos-

source of non-Palestinian labor.2 Today,

pino migrant worker would not be your

sible for her to sign a recording contract

these migrant workers are the founda-

first guess. Rose Fostanes, who moved

or tour the country via Israeli corporate

tion of the Israeli economy, performing

to Israel to work as a caregiver, was just

support. Though a standout on stage,

practically every low-cost job in the

crowned the winner this past January.

Fostanes is just one of the thousands of

country. Common jobs include those of

Fostanes represented a huge milestone

migrant workers in Israel, struggling

caregivers like Rose, as well as sanita-

in Israel for immigrants, as their pres-

against the Israeli immigration system

tion workers, field hands and construc-

ences tend to be marginalized in society

that too often denies not only citizen-

tion workers. These jobs are dirty, dan-

rather than thrust into the spotlight.

ship, but proper labor and social rights.

gerous or dull—the less desirable jobs

However, despite the overwhelming

When one thinks of Asian migrant

that are nonetheless essential to society.

1 http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/meast/israel-x-factor-winner-philippines/ 2 http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/israel-balancing-demographics-jewish-state

Read our blog

generasian.org

Give Me a Worker, Hold the Human: Israel’s Invisible Residents 19

Though these workers are in fact key

to work more hours than permitted

the lack of alternative opportunities.

to Israel’s economy, there is a general

under Israeli law. Since 2009, at least

Migrant workers do not only have

disregard towards their protection.

10% of the workers, about 2,950, have

issues with employment, but in their

Many of these workers are unaware

been injured on the job, yet migrant

familial affairs. Since coming to Israel,

of their rights and are never edu-

workers are not guaranteed medi-

they have started families which brings

cated about them. They are easily and

cal care, housing, or social benefits .

a new complication to migrant policies.

often exploited, working too long for

Even if workers are aware that they

The children of migrant workers are

too little. For example, of the 30,000

are being abused, they often continue

born in Israel, placed in Israeli schools,

mostly Thai migrant agriculture work-

in these conditions fearing the loss of

speak Hebrew, and learn Israeli culture,

ers in Israel, 90% have been reported

what little income they do receive and

but can never become Israeli citizens.

3

2

GlobalPost: Roe, a child of an immigrant worker, showing off his picture drawn at a daycare in Tel Aviv.6

20 Commentary

Many children are considered “state-

policy, but they are the lucky few.6 The

Chinese, Thai and Filipino migrant

less,” stuck in limbo without citizen-

standards for “fluent” is extremely

workers were set to be deported.6

ship. In recent years, a policy was

high, and the parents’ papers must

Though many children consider Israel

passed to allow select children between

be in perfect order, making the pool

to be their home, under this policy,

the ages of 10 and 18 that speak fluent

of candidates much smaller. Instead,

they would be forcefully removed

Hebrew to become citizens and grant

many migrant children feel the weight

to countries that, aside from their

their parents permanent residency

of a conflicting policy set by Prime

ethnicity, they have no connection to.

under the condition that they enlist

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that

in military service.4 As of now, about

aims to deport migrant children born

issue of immigration and loosening up

500 families have benefited from this

in Israel.5 In 2010, 1,200 children of

on the naturalization of foreign work-

2

Israelis are tough to budge on the

ers. In 2002, they announced a “closed skies” policy to limit the number of migrant workers and created the Immigration Authority unit within the Israeli police force to ramp up deportations of migrant workers and their families2.

Israel’s strict immigration policies are inherently tied to the state’s unique history and Jewish Identity. The current state of Israel was founded in 1948 with the intention of becoming the Jewish state- run by Jews, for Jews- especially after all of the persecution they had faced in the past, attempting to co-exist in other societies. It was intended for Israel to become a predominantly Jewish country in order to never allow such discrimination and persecution against their people again.5 Mark Rosenberg, an advocate for Jewish migration to Israel says, “The idea is that this nation is a homeland where Jews can be free.”5 Thus, the issue of migrant workers complicate the concept of a Jewish majority.

By allowing migrant workers to become citizens, Israel perhaps runs the risk of giving up the core purpose of creating the state. Allowing migrant workers citizenship also leaves the gates wide open for rights for other groups that reside in Israel, such as the Palestinians and the Bedouin societies. The Palestinians had previously inhabited Israel before being relocated to Palestinian territories in The West Bank and The Gaza Strip with limited access to the rest of the state.10 The Bedouin were nomadic tribes that cyclically traveled in and out of the same lands for hundreds of years before Israel was created and restrictions were placed on the tribes’ movement Read our blog

generasian.org

Give Me a Worker, Hold the Human: Israel’s Invisible Residents 21

and claim to the lands.11 The citizenship

rable to the Civil Rights Movement in

farmers that sweat in the Israeli fields,

rights of these two groups along with

America in the 1950s and ‘60s. The Civil

the children that grew up waving the

that of the migrant workers are all tied

Rights Movement is famously high-

Israeli flag, the caregiver that rose to

closely together; it is difficult to justify

lighted by Black leaders such as Martin

be Israel’s favorite singer—they are

advancing one group’s rights without

Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and John

humans. Treat them accordingly. G

allowing the other two to follow suit.

Lewis, but they were not without sup-

Still, there are many advocates for

port from people of all colors, includ-

increasing rights for migrant workers and their families.

Non-Government Organizations

Jolene Hsu is a freshman in Steinhardt, majoring in Media, Culture, and Communications.

Perhaps they could all get better pay and fairer hours. Perhaps their children could stay in the country. Perhaps allSudanese, Thai, Ethiopian, Palestinian, and Chinese- migrant workers could have a better opportunity in this country.

such as Kav LaOved and the ACRI work to gain migrant worker

ing the Asian Coalition for Equality.8 During the most recent strike held

rights. Children of Israel aims to protect all children born within the

by the African workers in Israel,

territory of Israel, no matter their

most Asian migrant workers kept out

parent’s citizen status.6 Perhaps the

of it, keeping their heads down and

most current and one of the biggest

their stores open. But imagine what

movement in recent Israeli news is an

would happen if they decided to join

informal grassroots movement cre-

the movement. Perhaps they could

ated by word of mouth by Northern

all get better pay and fairer hours.

and Eastern African migrant workers.

Perhaps their children could stay in

Tens of thousands of migrant workers

the country. Perhaps all-Sudanese,

and refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia and

Thai, Ethiopian, Palestinian, and

Eritrea banded together.7 They went

Chinese- migrant workers could have

on strike from their jobs and marched

a better opportunity in this country.

along the coast of Tel Aviv, showing

Swiss writer Max Frisch once

their solidarity and determination

said: “We asked for workers. We

for more rights as both workers and

got humans.”9 As of now, the Israeli

refugees.7 Though this strike is spear-

government sees migrant workers

headed by African migrant workers,

as only a source of faceless employ-

any benefits won from this fight will

ment, replaceable and disposable. But

inevitably be reaped by Asian immi-

these workers have become more than

grants and any other migrant workers.

helping hands. They have been woven

The situation is perhaps compa-

into the fabric of the country. The

3 http://www.irinnews.org/report/86808/israel-new-report-highlights-exploitation-of-migrant-workers 4 http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/israel_studies/v015/15.1.elias.html 5 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8524723.stm 6 http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/israel-and-palestine/100528/foreign-workers-israel 7 http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/07/22217017-israel-migrant-worker-protest-strike-over-human-rights-enters-third-day 8 http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/aa_intro.htm 9 http://www.ilw.com/articles/2009,0804-shanfield.shtm 10 http://www.merip.org/primer-palestine-israel-arab-israeli-conflict-new 11 http://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/eng/bedouim_eng.htm 22 Commentary

“Fung Bros.” Photo Credit: Los Angeles Daily News.

Why We Should Not Burst the Asian College Bubble

by Micheal Dong

W

ith more than 100,000 views

out with other Asians.” At first glance,

versity through a two-tiered process.

on YouTube, the “Asian College

this seems to be a problem. This sort of

Diversity is cultural dissemination

Bubble” video by Fung Bros details

“racial clustering” opposes the prized

that helps facilitate conversation while

a phenomenon present on campuses

integrative diversity that all institu-

increasing awareness. Step one is for

across the nation: Racial cluster-

tions try to achieve, but this might not

Asians to better understand their own

ing. A casual observer on campus

be true. Although counterintuitive, the

culture. Social groups foster a deeper

can witness this, be it Asians sitting

racial clustering of Asian Americans in

understanding of heritage. Through

together in dining halls or the random

college actually benefits everybody.

peers, students learn more about their

stranger’s remark: “she only hangs

Racial clustering nurtures di-

own ethnicity and background. Step

1 http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/review_of_higher_education/v037/37.1.kim.html 2 http://racerelations.about.com/od/historyofracerelations/a/RevisitingtheYellowPowerMovement.htm 3 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/college-diversity-racial-segregation-peter-hinrichs_n_2412828.html Read our blog

generasian.org

Why We Should Not Burst the Asian College Bubble 23

two is students, armed with greater

movement began in higher education

community might not have progressed

understanding, sharing with the rest of

schools such as UCLA and Yale through

as a quickly without the guidance of

the college community, creating diver-

clubs and organizations like Asian

the African American community.

sity. For example, NYU sets the month

American Political Alliance. It spread.

Racial clustering is a good thing. It

of April as Asian Heritage Month to cel-

“By 1970, there were more than 70

leads to open dialogue that helps to

ebrate Asian culture and serve as an op-

campus and community groups with

advance social justice and equality. It

portunity for students to learn from the

‘Asian American’ in their name. The

mobilizes activists and brings about

various culture clubs on campus. This

term symbolized the new social and

change. Racial clustering in college

has led to more awareness including the

political attitudes that were sweeping

provides fertile ground that started the

involvement of organizations such as

through communities of color in the

Asian American civil rights movement

the Persian Cultural Society and Turk-

United States,” says activist Gordon Lee

and can further advance the needs

ish Student Association at NYU. The as-

in an article in Hyphen.2 Now there are

of the Asian American community.

similation of Asian culture in America

an increasing number of schools, like

has ventured into new frontiers creat-

NYU, offering ethnic studies courses.

video, there is a give and a take to racial

ing an Asian American culture filled

That is, of course, not to discount an-

clustering. Although racial clustering

with bubble tea and K-Pop that has

other key factor in the Asian American

allows for diversity on campus, builds

infiltrated the masses. Stars from Asia,

activist movement, the Black Panthers,

community, and involves students in

like Jay Chou, are coming to America

a black revolutionary socialist organi-

social change, there are drawbacks. It

because there is now a big enough fan

zation. During the early stages of the

is up to students to navigate how they

following. Asian culture has spread

Asian American movement, civil rights

want to experience higher education. G

from Asian American communities to

leaders drew heavily on the actions of

non-Asian American communities.

the African American movement via

Yet assimilation is not always

a Japanese American member of the

sucessful, is it? Diversity is not guaran-

Black Panthers, Richard Aoki. Had

teed. Students may remain anchored

there not been diversity and intereth-

in their Asian social group. Racial

nic interaction, the Asian American

As the Fung Bros stated in their

Michael Dong is a senior at Stern, majoring in Finance and Statistics

clustering if taken to the extreme can have negative effects and lead to ignorance and inequality. Students may also overemphasize ethnic differences, making it difficult for them to find common ground with members of other races and feeling uncomfortable dealing with others. Why do colleges encourage culture clubs if there could be such negative consequences? Because racial clustering has another benefit, community. Due to a similar upbringing or shared interests, there is the common ground to grow a tight-knit community.

Terrell Strayhorn, an associate professor at The Ohio State University, argues that a strong sense of belonging is key to a student’s success in college.1 A suc-

cessful student benefits the university.

Racial clustering in college campuses are instrumental in supporting the Asian American activist movements.

The modern Asian American activist

24 Race and Ethnicity

“Endo was a young Oberlin College student when he marched in 1963. Now an Asian American activist, Endo holds up a picture of the original Asian American marchers with the Japanese American Citizens League at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington”— Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Between ‘Chinese’ and ‘American’

by Linda Sun

I

am proud to be Chinese Ameri-

“the red, white and blue.” Like my

sroman of the American Born Chinese

can. But “A-B-C” is what some of

favorite satirical news anchor, Stephen

phenomenon is the type of tale that I

my parent’s friends used to call me. It

Colbert, I used to joke that I couldn’t

found myself in my search for identity.

stands for “American Born Chinese,”

see race. I could only see American

and is a constant reminder of my

When I moved again in New Jersey,

When I visited China, I felt like I was living in a dream. I didn’t blend in with

double identity – forever suspended

I found myself as an ethnic minority

the locals, although we share the same

between two cultures – or at least

for the first time in my life. However,

faces and the same skin. My Chinese

that was what I used to believe. This

it turned out that my experiences in

culture has not escaped my American

simple remark implied that there

middle school and high school would

upbringing. Yet, people are surprised

existed an impossible choice I had to

be some of my most treasured memo-

that I can speak Chinese. They as-

make: am I Chinese or American?

ries growing up. Amidst the white

sume that as an American, I wouldn’t

I was born and raised in Wash-

majority, I never experienced explicit

know the language of the locals. I

ington Heights, New York. I at-

racism for being Chinese American.

am an outsider. When I come back to

tended a private Catholic pre-school

In fact, I brushed any notion of the

America, strangers are surprised that

where the majority of my classmates

idea under the dusty rug of the past.

I can speak “such good English.” They

were either Latino, Black, or Asian.

I argued that because we were all

also view me as an outsider. While

I didn’t notice the differences be-

human beings, we were also all the

people called me ABC, I viewed myself

tween my classmates and me.

same. The differences – race, ethnicity,

as an American. Though, some Ameri-

Soon after, I moved to New Jersey

and gender - were irrelevant. Growing

cans don’t view me as an American.

and found myself in a new, predomi-

up, I never experienced a racial barrier

nantly Chinese community. I remem-

in friendships at school. Black, white,

ogy was beginning to waver. I left my

ber watching a video in school one

yellow or brown – we had no obvious

hometown bubble and began to grapple

day about skin color. In the fuzzy,

separations built between us based on

with the idea of identity. In my AP psy-

pastel-heavy documentary, the chil-

our skin colors. Only at gatherings with

chology class, we learned about Erik Er-

dren interviewed were asked how

my parent’s friends, did I begin to no-

ikson’s stages of psychosocial develop-

they would react to a new student: a

tice the alienation that could come with

ment. In the age chart, I was grappling

boy who had green skin. I remember

race and ethnicity, as I’d be introduced

with the identity vs. role confusion

each child responded with something

as the “ABC” to the Chinese adults.

stage. I felt like the tackling Alzheimer’s

along the lines of, “Green? Well, I’d

So what is the implication behind

By high school, my colorblind ideol-

patient in Scrubs, jumping out at loved

think I’d like-um-probably-um-to be

what it means to be American Born

ones, asking, Who am I?! In my AP

his friend.” We nodded playfully, and

Chinese? Before, I had interpreted

human geography class, I re-read over

there you have it – the end of racism.

“ABC” to imply a notion of otherness.

and over again the textbook chapter

When I asked my parents the origins of

on Identity, which defined identity as

rationalized that the various “colorful”

the phrase, they regarded it as simply,

“how we make sense of ourselves.” I

communities I experienced in my child-

“what you are.” In a quick Google search

looked everywhere for my answer.

hood were indicative of our post-racial

of “American Born Chinese,” the first

society. America - the melting pot of

thing that comes up for page after page

of my senior year, when I remem-

world cultures. We weren’t Latino,

is the graphic novel American Born Chi-

ber two freshmen boys passing by

Black, or Asian – we were people of

nese by Gene Luen Yang. Yang’s bildung-

my lunch table. As I bit into my red

From a young age, I internally

Read our blog

generasian.org

It was one day during spring

ABC: Between ‘Chinese’ and ‘American’ 25

“I felt like the tackling Alzheimer’s patient in Scrubs, jumping out at loved ones, asking, Who am I?!”

“it is a powerful experience to be able to embrace identity as a journey – learning through others and formulating our own definition of self.”

this together.” I

well not be an ultimate “solution” to

thought that

any of these social issues other than

green-black-yel-

time. But, by bringing awareness to

low-white skins

racial comments into the revealing

didn’t matter

eye of the public – we will be able to

to me, and thus

move forward gradually. By chal-

pepper sandwich, a piece of their

wouldn’t matter to anyone else.

lenging and evoking thought into

passing conversation stung even

I finally recognized the intrinsic

an issue – we can begin to learn to

hotter in my ear. “There are too

links between race and identity.

say sorry, and to better ourselves.

many Asians in this school.” It was

Comments like “Where are you

the first hit of reality targeting my

from?” are innocent. The language in

line in the sand regarding identity,

identity as a Chinese American.

questions like “Where are you really

or the ability to exactly choose what

from?” can be hurtful. I have always

identity we are composed of, it is a

never disappeared. Racism is no longer

had an internal struggle with this idea

powerful experience to be able to

as obvious as it had been fifty years ago.

that I’ve never been able to verbalize -

embrace identity as a journey – learn-

In the millennial era, there is a new

like the instance one day in senior year

ing through others and formulat-

implicit form of racism called microag-

during lunch. That was an act of micro-

ing our own definition of self.

gression. It is a subtle, but still hurtful,

aggression. It was the first notion that

and we’re just beginning to challenge

made me realize that we were not living

ferent I was from Stephen Colbert’s sa-

them today. I assumed posters of

in a post-racial society. It was what I

tirical ideology. Now, as a first year col-

what resembled my childhood - La-

had wanted to believe in, but I couldn’t

lege student, I have come to learn that

tino, Black, White and Asian children

now. It made me realize that I needed

my race is an amalgam of my twofold

holding hands were a real reflection of

to own my identity, because I wasn’t

identity. I don’t have to choose between

our “color-blind” generation. I thought

just American or Chinese. Now, I have

one and the other. I am not bound by the

that having Asian oriented clubs and

never felt stronger in my identity.

hyphen, but by garlands of my own. G

What I had brushed under the rug

Chinese school on Saturdays were unnecessary, because we were “all in 26 Race and Ethnicity

Although we may never find a clear

As I grew older, I realized how dif-

But, this issue is not resolved by discussion alone. And, there may very

Linda Sun is a freshman majoring in Economics in the Liberal Studies Program.

“

When I was fourteen years old, my mother sent me to America for high school. She as-

sured me it was for a better future, but I initially resented her for it. It was like being dropped into a jungle blind and deaf. I had prepared for the worst, but I had not expected for my first weeks of school to be a living nightmare.

Somebody That I Used To Know

”

by Amelie Zhao

I

am late on my first day of school. I

rush along the wide, empty corridors,

Or want one that we can use?”

She is asking me to change my name.

Frustration simmers within me, but I grit my teeth and sit, still and silent like

lined with red lockers and unblinking

The only fragment of who I am that I

fluorescent lights that create an ascetic

can hold onto. For a moment, I struggle

feeling. It is like being in a futuristic

internally between the familiarity

terrifying. The swarm of students

American movie. My heart is flut-

of my Chinese name and the ease of

leads me to an enormous, sunless hall

tering in my chest and my palms are

blending in that an English name could

that is artificially lit with fluorescent

moist, and I wish I were facing those

give me. Zhang Xinyi, I think to myself,

lights. Circular tables line the hall,

monsters from the movie instead of a

and my resolve hardens. I am Zhang

some already crammed with extra

classroom of yellow-haired Americans.

Xinyi. “I will keep my name,” I say

chairs and some with only a few people

carefully, stumbling over the words

sitting there. On the far side of the hall

with my heavy, ugly accent. “Xinyi.”

are steamy glass panes with food and

I blink at the bright light as I enter, and all I see is the teacher at the board turning to me before the world blurs.

The snickers and whispers that

a statue amongst the unfamiliar faces.

I find that the cafeteria is even more

servers behind them. I head there first.

An ocean of faces turns to me and

follow me as I find my seat make

My heart starts a drumroll as I

blends into a mixture of yellow hair,

me wish I had chosen otherwise.

stand in line, waiting, observing, and

green eyes, brown hair, blue eyes …

The American classroom is strange

carefully mimicking what everybody

“Zeenyee Zang?”

and uncomfortable. The spaces between

around me is doing. I watch the chefs

I blink away the unfamiliar

the desks are too wide, and it feels too

and students yell at each other over the

hairs and eyes and turn to see

empty. I am used to jostling for space

noise, gesturing at the food they want.

my new teacher staring point-

against elbows and shoulders, and hear-

I scramble for a tray and eating utensils

edly at me. “Zeenyee Zang?”

ing my best friend’s breathing as she

and skim the row of food, struggling

And I realize she is saying my name.

works next to me, her face inches from

to work out the labels. Chicken tacos.

“Yes,” I say in English, and add

the parchment. Here, I am alone. The

Spaghetti. Fish fingers. I do not know

for a more American effect, “hi.”

lights are too bright over my head, the

what any of that tastes like. Help-

There are sniggers around the

walls are too colorful and ornamented

lessly, I gesture at a random item and

classroom. My face burns. It feels

with maps and posters and scrambles

receive a plateful of green gooey pie.

bad to be rejected; it feels abso-

of letters. The teacher speaks too fast,

lutely humiliating to be made fun

and the students slouch in their seats,

myself lost among a sea of faces.

of when I am trying to blend in.

and I am trying my hardest to listen but

Chairs are scraping and students are

I only catch fragments of sentences.

congregating in little groups, laugh-

“Do you have an English name?

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I turn to the dining hall and find

Somebody that I Used to Know 27

ing and talking, none of which I am a

ringing their bells and the pancake

and the way her mouth lifts makes

part of. The noise is overwhelming,

lady hollering her goods beneath my

me think that she is genuine, that she

and I cannot catch anything they are

window. It is an ache so strong that it

actually likes me. And as I listen to

saying. They are tall, they are loud,

feels physical, a yearning so deep that it

her chat to me about everything and

and they are at ease, exchanging jokes

consumes my thoughts and my dreams.

nothing, I feel the sadness in my heart

and laughter in an alien way, an alien

I wake up each morning in my dor-

language. It is intimidating. Waves of

mitory, my pillow wet with salted tears.

panic, fear, desperation, and remorse

Two weeks later on a Wednesday

swirl within me like a storm; outside,

afternoon, the teacher divides us into

I am frozen in my spot. The realiza-

groups for a project. I am thankful she

tion hits me: I will never fit in.

assigns us, as I am not left with the

Head down, I pick a seat at an empty table in a corner. The veg-

dreadful feeling of having no partner.

A tall, brown-haired girl named

melting and a small smile spreading on my face like the rising sun.

Ten Years Later Bright white lights are suspended on a high arched ceiling, illuminating a vast terminal stretching as far as

etable pie tastes horrible, and my

Carly approaches me. She is very

the eye can see. My heels click on the

head spins from the noise around

beautiful, with large hazel eyes and a

polished marble floors as I follow the

me. I glance around at the sun-yellow

smiling mouth. “You must be Zeenyee,”

straggle of passengers, black briefcase

walls and the vibrant attire of the

she says cheerfully, plopping down

in hand. The windows stretch from

students. In this brightly colored

in a seat next to me. “Hi, I’m Carly.”

floor to ceiling, at least three stories

crowd, I have never felt more alone.

During these first few weeks, I

I tentatively shake her hand and give her a shy smile.

high, showing an expanse of night sky and neatly stationed planes outside.

It feels like I’ve landed in the future.

think often of my home in China, of

“So how do you pronounce

my friends at school, and what they

it anyway?” She leans in close,

must be doing. I curl up in my bed

smiling conspiratorially like

national Airport,” a smooth woman’s

every night and wish and wish and

we’re sharing a big secret.

voice announces over the intercom.

wish that I will wake up in my apart-

So I teach her. Carly is nice, and

ment in China to the sound of bikers

laughs easily. The crinkles in her eyes

28 Narratives

“Welcome to Beijing Capital Inter-

Her English is impeccable, but what surprises me her next announcement

open space of suburban Los Angeles.

The driver fawns over me, smiling with his tobacco-stained teeth as he opens the door for me. The car has the smell of new leather seats. The door closes, and at once the hubbub of this chaotic city resides.

I lean my head against the window, the air-conditioning cooling my throbbing temples and giving me the peace of mind to do what I love: to observe.

We pull onto the highway and I watch the bright lights flash by my window.

It astonishes me to see so many cars on the highway, the lamplights glinting off their shiny shells. Skyscrapers rise into the night sky from both sides, blinking lights of all colors and flashing signs in English and Chinese. It’s a beautiful and … unfamiliar sight. Is this really the city of my childhood?

Photo Sources: onlinecollege.org; peopledaily.com.cn

My phone is buzzing; without looking at the caller ID, I pick up. “Hello?”

in perfect Mandarin that surpasses

young women are dressed in outfits

even mine. So this is China now.

that look cheap, ridiculous, and ut-

“Xinyi!” a woman says in Chinese, and with a jolt I realize it’s my mother.

I flip out my Blackberry

terly embarrassing. As I approach the

and speed-dial my secretary.

mob, a smell of sweat and bad breath

you.” My tongue twists awkwardly

“Hey Linda. I just landed.”

arises, and the noise is overwhelming.

around the Chinese words.

“Hi Cindy. Your driver’s wait-

Trying not to breathe, I squeeze past

“Ma! I was just going to call

“It’s fine! Your father and I tracked

ing outside with a sign for you. D’you

a large, red-cheeked girl who is yelling

your airline and saw that you landed al-

need anything from the office or are

across ten people, trying to reach her

ready. Where are you now? I made you

you heading to your hotel first?”

friend. She gives no sign that she sees

your favorite short ribs and yam soup.”

“Hotel. I—ugh!” Something knocks

me passing in front of her and roars

The bright lights, the glowing build-

into my elbow, forcing my Blackberry

into my face, oblivious to my glare.

ings, the cars, and the night sky disap-

out of my hands. I glare at a fat little

By my side, a short man dressed in

pear. Suddenly, I am ten years old again,

lady that waddles into the crowds with-

stained cloth pants and cheap plas-

coming home from school in my braids

out giving me another glance. “Thanks,

tic shoes spits into a potted plant.

and blue-and-white uniform. The same

I take a breath to calm my ris-

words send me rushing to our oak wood

Linda. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

More than a decade in the United

ing irritation and wonder whether

dining table, exclaiming in delight at

States has groomed me to the polite,

all Chinese people are like this. How

the fresh smells of my mother’s cooking.

polished ways of Westerners; I had

could I not have noticed before?

forgotten how rude Chinese people

It’s a relief to step out of the crowds,

are. The jostling crowd at Immigra-

and I take a breath of evening air that

tion grounds me back to reality, and

doesn’t smell like a million people. The

I forget my futuristic disillusions as

humid air smells like gas and ciga-

soon as I see the haphazardly dressed

rettes, saturated with the hum of an

Chinese citizens. Some old men and

endless stretch of cars and the shouts

women look as though they haven’t

of a never-ending stream of people.

washed their hair in days, while the

I yearn for the quiet roads and

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Time passes and people change, but some things will always stay with you.

“Thanks Ma,” I say. “I’m coming home.” G Amelie Zhao is a senior at Stern, majoring in Finance and Accounting.

Somebody that I Used to Know 29

INK ART (水墨)

Past as Present in Contemporary China

by Kim Chen

I was lucky enough to catch the last day of this exhibition. When I arrived about ten minutes after opening time, I saw a bold banner above the entrance to the Met and pockets of excited people milling about, cameras at the ready. This relatively low-profile exhibition had drawn quite a bit of attention, largely due to its examination of contemporary Chinese art through the renewed national interest in traditional brush and ink art. The prominent artists on display, mostly born in the 1950s – 60s, have reimagined the enduring art form in ways that demonstrate their range and desire for cultural renewal.

The exhibition was eye-opening, and provoked thought in its arrangement of the pieces – in loosely related sections named “The Written Word,” “New Landscapes,” “Abstraction” and “Beyond the Brush.” Not everything on display was black and white, or even two-dimensional. Scrolls hung on walls near sculptures and digital prints, giving the exhibit a decidedly contemporary feeling. I left wondering how people in China would react to the exhibit, when the traditional form was so commonly seen.

Kim Chen is a sophomore majoring in Biochemistry in CAS.

Here are just photographs of a few striking, key pieces of the about seventy on display.

The last piece by Fa Lijun was tinted deliberatly as it was originally in color.

(top) Yang Yongliang – View of Tide (2008). Inkjet print. Yang originally based this digital work off a thirteenth century landscape by Zhao Fu, which hangs in the Palace Museum in Beijing. It is a landscape disrupted by modern advances, such as skyscrapers.

(right) The entire scroll is very long, and it looks like a brush painting until it is approached. In this section, you can see the famous Pearl Tower of Shanghai.

30 Art

(top) Wang Dongling – Untitled (1999). Here is just a section this powerful piece. The contrast and energy distinguish it from artwork typical of the past.

(top) Xu Bing – Book from the Sky (1987-91). This work envelops the viewer in a sea of unintelligible words upon scrolls. The traditional and impeccably clean style of each character is misleading. See right for an example of “unintelligible”

(right) Fa Lijun -2003.3.1 (2003) – This standout piece takes up a large wall. Almost everything about it is ambiguous, and open to interpretation.

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Ink Art: Past as Present in Contemporary China 31

WARHOL DYNASTY

By Georgie Fu

I’ve always been a fan of Andy Warhol’s work. As much as I love to sketch and design in black and white, pops of color are more fun to play with. I especially enjoy finishing off my works with sharp, clean edges. My inspiration for this piece was creating the traditional Chinese woman in the medium of pop art. The result was a combination of cultures which reflects how I feel as a Chinese American.

32 Art

A DAY AT THE MARKET

by Rachel Liu

I have always been fascinated by the crowded markets in Chinatown - whether it is the bustling sound of the cash register or the sound of the butcher’s knife hitting the board. Recently, I visited Hong Kong Supermarket at 68 Elizabeth Street. Here are a selection of photographs I took that day. I hope you are inspired to pay a visit at this unique market full of Asian delicacies.

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Art 33

Pretty In Pink?

by Victoria Lee

F

or some time, Japan has been known

Spotted sporting a pink teddy bear

to impact global markets with items

fur coat from Japanese brand Super

such as anime, manga, and sushi. And

Lovers and an equally as pink game

last November a state-backed fund,

console shaped purse from Galaxxxy,

called the Cool Japan Fund, allotted ap-

although Mekiru would look completely

proximately 30 billion yen to promote

normal walking down the streets of

Japanese culture overseas and aims

Tokyo decked out in all that is pink,

to contribute 90 billion yen by 2015.

she may garner awkward stares and

Backed by the government and 15

critical thoughts from people in the US.

companies, this plan includes expand-

Clear barriers exist even if Japanese

ing the Japanese fashion industry

fashion becomes appealing to Ameri-

along with food, movies, and anime.

cans as well. One critical barrier is

In addition to the rapidly grow-

body size and shape. For instance, the

ing popularity of Uniqlo and stably

average body size of Americans is a size

established brands of Issey Miyake and

14. According to an account by a woman

Commes de Garcons, we can expect

who took a trip to Japan, “The clothes

Japan to make even more of a mark in

made specifically for the Japanese

clothing and accessories overseas.

market typically don’t fit me — I’m 5’8”

With increasing attention given to

and a size 10/12, which is like an XXXL

Japanese fashion, this plan may benefit

there.” In addition, Americans who

the industry greatly, allowing the coun-

desire the satisfaction of showing off

try to showcase their unique clothing

their curves may find Japanese clothing

lines popular in trendy Japanese areas,

unfitting as Japanese styles were origi-

such as Harajuku. At the October 2013

nally designed for the average Japa-

Tokyo Fashion Week, for example, de-

nese person. As a result, it may seem

signs and styles exclusive in Japan were

somewhat difficult for many Japanese

showcased and out of the 37 brands

brands to take center stage overseas like

featured, five of them made their debut

more popular western brands have.

at the fashion event. In addition, the

houseofjapan.com: 20-year-old college student Mekiru clad in pink, sporting brands such as Super Lovers and Galaxxxy.

Despite these difficulties, it is clear

department store operator, Isetan

that Japanese fashion is highly diverse

Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., held a trade

and will allow people in overseas coun-

fair in New York this February, reveal-

tries to find styles that suit their tastes.

ing numerous clothing designs as well

When we look at Japan’s lucrative

as accessories by 46 Japanese brands.

street fashion, we begin to realize that

style shots presented on these sites

the brands that have actually made it

seem like something we would only see

despite Japan’s efforts to increase the

overseas are only a very miniscule frac-

on Halloween. Case in point, the Hara-

popularity of their fashion industry,

tion of all of Japan’s fashion industry.

juku girl clad in her top, coat, and shoes

will the fashion itself be accepted by

In contrast to current leading Western

of various shades of pink. Others such

overseas countries that favor more

brands such as Coach, Burberry, and

as a certain skulled masked gentleman

western brands? For example, will

Chanel, many Japanese designs play on

are just as striking wearing colors that

some of the styles in Japan be too

bright colors and a clash of patterns.

don’t seem to match. Interestingly, the

extreme for the overseas market? Take

Popular blogs and websites, such as

entire outfit works perfectly with the

a 20-year-old tech student, named

style-arena, Tokyo Telephone, and To-

outrageous hairdo taken straight out of

Mekiru, from the district of Harajuku,

kyo Dandy, showcase some of the outfits

an anime. Who knew black and rain-

known for its Kawaii Tokyo style.

worn by Japanese citizens. The street

bow made such a good combination?

However, we must ask ourselves,

34 Culture

Boy in skull mask wearing rainbow colored pants and a black leather jacket. Photo Source: Melissa Mccaffrey via pinterest.com

Lolita

Lolita fashion became popular with the

Visual Kei

establishment of brands such as Baby, The Stars Shine Bright in 1988 and Manifesteange Metamorphose Temps de Fille in 1993. Other brands include Angelic Pretty, Innocent World, and Mary Magdalene. The style is characterized by rounded knee length skirts or dresses worn with petticoats and corsets to give extra shape to the body. Blouses, knee high socks or stockings, and headdresses are also staples of this style. aochan005 (wordpress.com)

Alex ~(+-+)~ (pinterest.com)

Originally popular amongst Japanese

Decora

Decora, although more popular in the 90’s and early 2000’s, garners attention through its use of toy-like accessories. Usually accessories are large and colorful and are layered until the clothes or hair underneath are hard

Lolita, Visual Kei, Decora, and Mori Girl are only some themes played upon in Japanese street fashion, but have yet to be an everyday encounter in the streets of even New York City or London.

punk rock bands, Visual Kei puts a huge emphasis on one’s artistic ability to wow the audience and on metrosexual aesthetics. Many artists choose the androgynous look to add to this shock value. Common items of clothing are vests, formal suits, skinny jeans, jackets, capes, and coats, as well as bondage gear and leather clothes.

to visualize. Common colors include black and various shades of pink.

Mori

Mori fashion encompasses loosely fitting layers with flowing dresses and cardigans to give off a soft appearance.

Clothes are made from natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and wool and accessories are vintage or hand-made.

Color schemes are usually light and neutral with occasional patterns, such as gingham and florals. In terms of hairstyles, bangs and braids are popular. xhiyu (tumblr.com)

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morigirl.co.vu

Pretty in Pink? 35

There are many words in Chinese that cannot possibly be translated into English fully. Photo Source: The Guardian, Alamy

Translation Obfuscation

by Huiqun Ong

A

rigata-meiwaku is a phrase in

charge of issuing ISBNs worldwide), in

could probably do better in understand-

Japanese, loosely translated

2005 only 3% of all English books pub-

ing norms from an Asian perspective,

as: an act that someone does for you,

lished in the US, UK, and other English-

particularly during contemporary

even though you did not want him or

speaking countries were new transla-

times in which few things are more

her to be troubled with it. You may

tions. This percentage has been slowly

frequently discussed than China’s rise.

have even gone to great lengths to

increasing, though the number of

prevent them from doing so. And still

translated works nevertheless remains

appreciation of cultures through liter-

they pressed on, set on doing you a

in the hundreds, out of the hundreds of

ary translations cannot be filled in an

favor. But things eventually turn out

thousands books published annually.

instant. One should not imagine that

wrong, resulting in a mess that you are

As a generation that prides itself on

Yet this dearth of knowledge and

entering line after line of prose onto

forced to deal with and even express

being the most enthusiastic and suc-

Google Translate would do the trick.

gratitude for, out of social obligations.

cessful participants of cultural global-

Even if we were miraculously able to

ization, we are undoubtedly missing out

translate every single piece of Asian

lent is lengthy and clumsy. What would

on a great deal in only reading works

literature into English, we might not be

have resulted in a successful rallying

originally written in English. Ethan

any more successful in bridging cultural

of sympathy in Japanese is instead an

Harkness, once a Chinese-to-English

gaps. It is not about the quantity. In

overextended grumble in English, such

translator and now a professor in New

this aspect translation is like art: Be-

that by the end everyone probably

York University’s East Asian Studies

cause the matter is so subjective, there

thinks you deserved all the trouble.

department, tells me that literary trans-

are no clear-cut standards by which

As you can see, the English equiva-

Clearly, the business of literary

lations are a potentially rewarding way

one can compare it. In fact, many have

translation is not easy. The small num-

for cultures to be acquainted with one

put forth the claim that translation

ber of new translations into English

another. “Literature can speak for itself

is art. There are methods and techni-

published each year should therefore

and the culture so much more fully. It

calities that the artist/translator must

come to nobody’s surprise. According to

can do a lot to create connections be-

grapple with. Having approached

Bowker (the company is exclusively in

tween people.” Indeed, the Anglosphere

these technical issues in a certain way,

36 Culture

over time the artist/translator devel-

instead of ‘superb’ can abruptly alter

eral points the translator has to make

ops a personal style. In his New York

the feel of the piece. With reference

conscious decisions about the style,

Times article “What Do You Look for in

to the nationally celebrated Chinese

diction, and various other technicali-

Modern Translation,” Daniel Men-

writer Wang Shuo, Professor Harkness

ties and non-technicalities. Because his

delsohn broadly categorizes these styles

points out that although he is relatively

judgments are subjective, we pin our

according to these chief considerations:

easy to read in Chinese, “He is difficult

hopes on his professionalism; we trust

to translate because there are so many

that these decisions are consistent and

churn out word-for-word translations

quick turns and he uses a humorous

defensible. In any case, the full individ-

from one language to the next using the

tone that is hard to capture precisely.”

uality of the original is inevitably lost.

The biggest hurdle to translation,

Jay Rubin, one of Murakami’s transla-

Literal accuracy. A translator could

closest dictionary definitions. Sometimes the recasting works well enough:

in my opinion, is the fact that there

tors, emphasizes: “When you read Ha-

the Chinese idiom ‘wei yu chou mou’

are nuances that simply cannot be

ruki Murakami, you’re reading me, at

(未雨绸缪) literally means ‘before rain,

transported from one language to the

least ninety-five percent of the time…

seal your doors and windows properly.’

other. James Russell and Jose-Miguel

Murakami wrote the names and loca-

The English equivalent of ‘saving for a

Fernandez-Dols, professors in psychol-

tions, but the English words are mine.”

rainy day’ is similarly a warning that

ogy at Boston College and Universidad

encourages preemptive action, with

Autonoma de Madrid respectively,

English hereby sounds like a most

the same reference to the vagaries of

describe this issue from a nominalist

onerous and thankless task, it prob-

weather. More often than not, however,

perspective: “[Because] emotions are

ably is. Serbian-American poet Charles

verbatim translations end up clunky

understood as concepts that are embed-

Simic once described it as an ultimately

and awkward. The Chinese usually use

ded in a cultural system, the emotional

“pigheaded effort to convey in words

the phrase ‘men dou mei you’ (门都没

experiences only have a meaning in the

of another language not only the literal

有) with a slight edginess in their voice,

context of specific cultural concepts.”

meaning of a poem but an alien way of

which really means ‘fat chance!’ in re-

Korean cross-cultural psychologists

If translating literary works into

seeing things.” Yet it is not necessar-

sponse to a completely ridiculous prop-

Sang-Chin Choi and Gyuseog Han cite

ily a doomed enterprise. Just like the

osition. To say the direct translation

the Korean vernacular shimcheong as

advocacy of nuclear disarmament and

of ‘no door at all!’ would, on the other

an example. While Koreans display a

eradication of world poverty, there is

hand, render the speaker quite foolish.

strong sense of collectivism in empha-

a certain kind of honorable merit in

sizing harmony and self-sacrifice, at

doggedly attempting to achieve the

“Good translators work hard to bring

the same time they value individuality

impossible. Translation may not allow

across the feel of the original writing.”

and self-determination. Shimcheong is

us to perfectly bridge the distance

I am certainly no Haruki Murakami

therefore a psychological experience

between foreign cultures, between

expert, but having read several of his

in which one feels a certain emotion –

language and emotion, or even be-

Japanese works in English – from the

perhaps anger or gladness – towards

tween individuals, but it surely does

best-selling novel Norwegian Wood

another, and intensifies or moderates

bring us all somewhere a little closer.

to the collection of autobiographical

this emotion through many interper-

essays in What I Talk About When I

sonal considerations, such as ‘What has

in translation through the origins

Talk About Running – I have come to

been the relationship history between

of language. Alluding to the etymol-

discern a very cool and detached (yet

him/her and me?’ and ‘What are my

ogy of the word ‘translation,’ from its

strangely intimate) voice that is dis-

own circumstances in comparison?’ It is

Latin meaning of ‘bearing across,’ he

tinctively his. This style has remained

a concept of extended empathy, involv-

remarked: “Having been borne across

consistent throughout, despite there

ing oneself in relation to others, that is

the world, we are translated men.

being at least three different transla-

not encompassed in Western cultures.

It is normally supposed that some-

tors who have each been commissioned

It is impossible to preserve this unique

thing always gets lost in translation;

with different works of his tone.

duality when translating into English.

I cling, obstinately, to the notion that

Touch. As Mendelsohn puts it:

Between one language and another,

Moreover, as much as we would like

the exact reproduction of the prose’s

to think the translator plays an invisible

character or general attitude can

role in casting the text, the truth is that

remain elusive. Using the word ‘super’

his biases are inherent within. At sev-

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Salman Rushdie finds his faith

something can also be gained.” G Huiqun Ong is a freshman at CAS, majoring in Economics.

Translation Obfuscation 37

Say Aloha to the Far East

by Justin Lyu

The Hawaiian Islands are a unique part of the United States, characterized by their distinct cultural differences and lifestyle.

After being discovered by the British in 1778, long after the Polynesians have migrated to the islands, Hawaii welcomed many immigrants from many parts of the world. Starting from the first Chinese immigrants in 1852, the Japanese, Portuguese, Koreans, Filipinos, Puerto Ricans, and Samoans migrated in as waves. Initially coming in as agricultural workers for sugar plantations, the immigrants intermarried the Hawaiians and each other which led to an ethnically unique population. The Asian population was reported to be a striking 38.6% compared to the national average of 3.8%. Hawaii also has a high mixed race demographic, 23.6% of the population reported to have at least two distinct ethnic backgrounds - the national average on this category was 2.9%. 1 So what does all of this mean in terms of the modern Hawaiian culture? The food. The following are the most common snacks found in Hawaii that are representative of the culture. These are foods that define Hawaiian cuisine. Below are the cheap comfort foods that are loved by everyone. They were born from the imported workers from the plantation era of Hawaii. These foods are representative of the Hawaiian culture and show how engrained the Asian culture is to Hawaii.

Justin Lyu is a sophomore at CAS, majoring in Biology

Manapua

Spam Musubi Saimin

What it is:

What it is:

What it is:

Manapua, which means “delicious pork

Perhaps the most iconic of Hawaiian

A primarily Chinese-influenced soup

thing” in Hawaiian, is a roast pork-filled

foods, the Spam Musubi is a type of

noodle dish invented by the plantation

steamed bun. The bright red meat fill-

onigiri, a riceball. It is a block of rice

workers. It is very similar to Okinawan

ing is its key characteristic. It is nearly

topped by a piece of Spam braised in

Soba,3 also a favorite of Hawaii. Thin

identical to the Cantonese Char Siu Bao,

spiced shoyu or teriyaki sauce, wrapped

egg noodles with soy-based broth com-

the only difference being the larger size.

with a piece of nori seaweed.

monly topped with green onions, kamaboko (Japanese fish cakes), char siu

Where to be found:

Where to be found:

The “Manapua man” - a food truck com-

All convenience stores and most liquor

monly found in front of schools after

stores have these on display. The

classes end. Also commonly found in

Manapua man also sells delicious Spam

Where to be found:

bakeries alongside Malasadas.

musubis.

McDonalds and virtually every local

2

(roast pork), Spam, Portuguese sausage and nori.

restaurant in Hawaii.

1 2010 Census 2 a deep-fried portuguese pastry commonly filled with coconut or red bean paste 3 Distinct from the common buckwheat soba from mainland Japan, Okinawan Soba is known for its thick, chewy wheat noodles.

38 Culture

Eat Your Heart Out A Snapshot of Dim Sum

Looking for some dim sum? Popular NYC hot spots include:

by Nicole Bernardo

A

h, dim sum. For those in the know, very little tops the sweet sound of a friend or family member inviting you to pig out with them

in what will inevitably be a very crowded, very loud Chinese restaurant.

For others, dim sum is as mysterious as the steam rising from its bamboo baskets. So what is dim sum exactly, and where did it come from?

Dim sum is traditionally a Cantonese dish from mainland China, although a Hong Kong style of dim sum has emerged as well. It is usually eaten from morning to afternoon, kind of like an Asian brunch. Meant to be eaten slowly, dim sum is served in multiple small dishes, and patrons select samplings from vendor carts being pushed around the dining area. Vendors stamp a provided paper denoting the size or category of the dish. This affects the tallied cost at the end of the meal. Many of Golden Unicorn “Between the marble lobby, the elevator ride, and the acoustictile ceilings in the big open-floor rooms, a visit to Golden Unicorn starts out like a visit to an office building. But when the Cantonese food arrives all workaday comparisons drop. The food is market fresh, with a broad dinner menu that ranges from American-Chinese standards like sweetand-sour chicken and chow fun noodles to items for more adventurous palates, such as shark’s fin soup.” – Ethan Wolff, New York Magazine Joe’s Shanghai “The name Joe’s Shanghai is inextricably bound to the restaurant’s famous soup dumplings—little doughy beggars’ purses filled with pork or crab meat plus soup (the soup is inside the dumplings). The subtle and sophisticated cuisine of Shanghai makes a mockery of the Hunan/Cantonese/Sichuan hybrid glop served at most Chinese restaurants.” – Steven A. Shaw, New York Magazine Nom Wah Tea Parlor “Nom Wah Tea Parlor opened in 1920…There it remains, credibly the first and certainly the longest-surviving place for dim sum in Chinatown. The dim sum is made to order…[and it] pays off: everything tastes fresh. The classics are well represented.” – Ligaya Mishan, The New York Times

the dishes are savory pastries such as dumplings, but there are scores of other dishes as well such as sweet jellies, tofu, prepared vegetables, and meat dishes with beef, duck, or chicken. Many of these tidbits are served in warm bamboo baskets. Often, there are countless tasty dishes to choose from, so even a picky eater will find something too enticing to turn down!

In Cantonese, dim sum means “a little bit of heart,” and the name was well-chosen since dim sum has been bringing people together for centuries. Also known as dian xin, or “snack,” in Mandarin, dim sum originated in China’s Cantonese-speaking south where teahouse owners began to serve types of snack food with their tea. This bold move went against the popular taboo of eating while drinking tea since it was believed to cause weight gain. These roadside teahouses became quite the catalysts for dim sum as weary travelers began to snack and yum cha (drink tea) together.

Thus, tea-drinking and dim sum became a powerhouse pair, and they continue to be served together. (No worries if you’re not a tea drinker, you can always ask for water.)

Today, dim sum has evolved into a popular weekend meal for families.

Dim sum can take many hours since the meal is also a social event, and popular establishments are often packed with families and friends eager to eat and talk. Therefore, it’s advisable to plan early and arrive on time to queue for seats since wait times can sometimes be over an hour. Dim sum can be found in most cities’ Chinatowns or at Asian establishments that serve a regular menu during weekdays and dim sum on the weekends, so it’s easy to pop in and try it out if you haven’t yet. A cult favorite among many Asians, not just Chinese, dim sum has held a special place on many tables over its long history. The next time you find yourself with nothing to do on a weekend afternoon, sit down to some dim sum.

You might just leave a little bit of heart behind.

G

Nicole Bernardo is a freshman in CAS majoring in Cinema Studies and English and American Literature (English).

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Eat Your Heart Out: A Snapshot of Dim Sum 39

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