Why...
... did I decide to take Asian American Theater and Film, better known as Asian American History in Action? This was a question that was answered by several others in the class during introductions. Part of Vicky's response especially got me thinking. Although many if not everyone in the class would agree with this, Vicky was the first to voice her frustration at the lack of Asian American classes of any sort. One reason I wanted to take this class was that I hoped it would shed light on my personal history and heritage in addition to just exposing me to Filipino American History and Asian American History. My frustration lies in the fact that my family cannot really help me explore this now that I see it is important and have the desire and passion to do so. My grandmother has passed away, my father does not remember anything of his life in the Philippines except for picking mangoes, and I am not really close to the rest of my family to really be able to ask them in depth questions. Much of this is no ones fault. My dad was only 10 years old when he moved here from the Philippines and I can't remember what I had for lunch today so how can I expect him to remember something 50 years ago? This may be a little too personal for a class blog but even having any sort of discussion about heritage and things like that with my dad is difficult and it is both frustrating and sad for me. I guess I'm just happy that there is this class and it will hopefully give me a place to start since I am both personally and emotionally invested in finding out more.
... did I not realize the same President I have adored for years is the same that issued Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942 that sent thousands of Japanese Americans (as well as a number of German and Italian Americans) to internment camps? I don't know if it was how that particular part of history was taught to me or I just have refused to make that connection until now. It is rather upsetting though. I suppose he could have been in a pickle with having to calm mass hysteria, deal with the politics of the situation, and listen to all of his advisers, but I still don't think it is an excuse to take away the civil liberties of people.
... was the Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935 passed? In the reading I came across mention of the Tydings-Mcduffie Act of 1934. In exploring it further I saw that it also led to the 1935 act which among other things haulted family reunification. I guess I just have such a hard time figuring out what caused laws like these to be passed. I'm sure I will never be completely satisfied with the reasoning but I just feel so lost in terms of the political and social history surrounding these laws. I just hope to learn more about the history surrounding these acts. Even just in the one chapter of Takaki that I read it just made it even more apparent how much I already didn't know of Asian American history.
2 comments:
Thank you for opening youself to us. Your contribution to our palimpsest might come in the form of your personal solo project where you explore these questions of personal connection to history. Regarding the Exclusion Acts, we will certainly explore the reasons for their being and whether they are truly long gone.
I definitely want to know more about my Filipino (American) history too. Especially since the Philippines is sort of an oddball among Asian countries... sometimes my friends jokingly pose the question to me, "Are you Hispanic?" and really, how do you answer...?
By the way, have you read any Carlos Bulosan?
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