Week 9 Victor Martinez

Week 9
Victor Martinez
Section 002


A lot of this week's readings were about Asian Americans and activism once again, but this time specifically relating to the struggles of African Americans. Asian American issues always seem to be hidden from the view of the mainstream media in favor of the black vs white narrative that is provided by the news stations. It comes across as the power structure trying to keep Asian Americans out of the public discourse, so as to keep propagating the model minority stereotype. However, the Asian American activists are still taking  initiative and combating injustice by standing with other groups to oppose the discrimination they face.

With that said, a theme in Jung's "Why Ferguson Matters to Asian Americans," is how the model minority myth is used as a tool against other minority groups. This also ties into how Asian Americans get their own issues covered up, in an attempt to show that the Asian American community is "honorary white" status when it's convenient. Asians however are still targeted by  hate and unfortunately that "whiteness" causes these deaths to be unfairly ignored. Asian Americans have plenty of their own struggles, and that is why they and other minority groups should stand with other groups to combat the system that leads to their oppression.

Question: How helpful is cross-ethnic solidarity with dealing with social issues and how can it help all participants?

References:

Jung, S. (2014, August 20). Why Ferguson Matters to Asian Americans. Retrieved from https://www.racefiles.com/2014/08/20/why-ferguson-matters-to-asian-americans/

[Holding a Yellow Peril supports Black Power Sign]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medium.com/@chipadelphia/on-asian-america-black-lives-matter-part-iv-b9783c31c3d3