Globalization, Immigrant Youth, and Sense of Belonging

Cristina Musngi
Section 1
Week 7

Globalization, Immigrant Youth, and Sense of Belonging 

"Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific" by Jung-Sun Park, talks about (im)migrant youth's influence on globalization and the reasons for their consumption of transnational media. Park talks about how immigrant youth play a a large role in the proliferation of Asian American popular culture in America. A reason for Asian American youth consuming media abroad is because it gives them a sense of belonging, and interconnectedness with their "homeland." Watching Korean dramas or other shows with their parents or grandparents also bridges a generational gap between 1st, 1.5 and 2nd generation Asian Americans and helps build better relationships between them.

Interestingly enough, study abroad students play a large role in the dissemination of Asian media. This could be due to their constant traveling opportunities and the need to remain and stay true to their culture. Study abroad students introduce their Asian American peers to overseas media, which many Asian Americans also become interested in. I feel that globalization is great way to educate non Asians about the many different Asian cultures and slowly integrate more Asian influences in American popular culture.

Question: How long will it take until Asian Americans get equal representation in American media?