1.
Discussion Board 3
What is the model minority myth? Drawing from the readings, discuss how the model minority myth emerged historically. Discuss how the myth might still relevant today. Provide examples. Use two quotes and cite at least 1 of the course readings.
Students will answer the question in a short essay form. These are short essays and must make use of proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization. Use approximately 800 words. Choose two quotes the readings that best support your argument. Correctly cite the quote in your response. Citations do not count toward the word count.
2.
Discussion Board 2 :
In your own words, explain what is the relationship between race and nation? Why is it relevant to Asian Americans? Be specific by drawing on one of the covered Asian American communit ies from the Erika Lee text. Use two quotes and cite at least 1 of the course readings.
students will answer the question in a short essay form. These are short essays and must make use of proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization. Use approximately 600 words. Choose two quotes the readings that best support your argument. Correctly cite the quote in your response. Citations do not count toward the word count.
3.
Reply to this student’s post (250 words)
In many cases, the relationship between race and nation is important and one that is seen in all kinds of ethnicities around the world. To evaluate this relationship equates to understanding their identity. This is relevant amongst Asian Americans as they stumble upon problems figuring out their identity and sense of belonging within the United States.
Race is defined to me as the proposed concept of splitting the human population into sections based upon their physical traits like skin color. This can extend to where they were born geographically, as people who are born in different locations generally don’t fall under the same category. In terms of a nation, it is a group of people who share similarities with each other, such as the territory they live on. The connection between race and nation is significant, as it is through race that a nation can be established. Nations are composed of people of different races, which creates great diversity, but it also leads to many problems with the ideology and construct of the hierarchy. This is relevant to Asian Americans because of their history of consistent racialization and immigration that was showcased.
An example of the relationship between race and nation being observed amongst Asian Americans would be the treatment of Asian Americans living in the United States during World War II. It’s described by Erika Lee in her book, “The Making of Asian America: A History”, that before the conflict ended there was an unfair evaluation generalizing all Asians where they were seen to be inferior compared to everyone else in the nation. Lee states, “Until after World War II, Asians were treated as peoples unfit for U.S citizenship and as outsiders in American society” and goes on to state, “There were barred from becoming naturalized citizens, prohibited from owning or leasing land and marrying whites in some states, and harassed, driven out, and segregated from the rest of America” (Lee 14-15). It was through their race, the way that they looked, was the reason to be ostracized from the nation and to banish them from making up the community.
We’ve also observed the continuous questioning of whether Asian Americans truly belong in the nation of the United States. Lee comments, “On a more daily basis, Asian Americans continue to be seen as outsiders in the United States despite the fact that many are U.S citizens and are from families who have been in the country for generations… Asians cannot possibly be real Americans and do not belong in the United States. Instead they are perpetual foreigners at worst, or probationary Americans at best” (Lee 16). This quote exhibits the constant tug of war that Asian Americans have faced over the years when their race intersects with the experiences and tolerance that the nation gives them, which in this case is problematic. The idea of a nation completely removing a section of their makeup goes against the ideas of what a nation is.
The relationship between race and nation should show mutualism. A nation can’t exist if it doesn’t have people of different races within it. In Asian Americans, this relationship is relevant because of the infamy that surrounds their history. With the past showing the dark side of a nation through their attempts of ostracizing Asians in general, being seen as weak and inferior compared to other races, and the constant hounding of the idea that “you don’t belong here” makes it evident that the relationship between race and nation of Asian Americans is important to understand their identities.
