Jowi Deguzman - Week 10 - Section A03

Jowi Deguzman

Section A03

Week 10

This week’s reading, The Time to Fight Is Now, by Kieu-Linh Caroline Valverde and Wei Ming Dariotis, relates to this week’s theme, “The Future of Higher Education,” because it explains the injustice and struggles that Asian American women, or women of color in general, face in Academia. The reading also talks about what usually happens to people protest against injustice as well as civil rights and labor issues. Specifically, the piece mentions how as model minorities, Asian American women are usually hesitant, if not afraid, to speak out against any form of systematic wrong. That ultimately leads to a decline in their health, both physically and mentally from all of the stress gained from academia. Personally, this really reminded me of the story of Professor Valverde’s near death experience in her fight for tenure. Her story is clear evidence of how accurate and real these issues are. She faced more difficulty than her colleagues in reaching the same goal, solely because of what she wanted to pursue and who she was. She was attacked because of her identity. No one, no matter who they are, should have to face such unnecessary obstacles. Personally this article really brings together most of the topics we talked about throughout this quarter, in this class and I hope that as a student body, we will begin to push harder to combat these injustices.

Question: Other than protests, is there something else that students aren't doing to possibly better combat these injustices in Academia?

Media: I chose this image because to me, this week's theme "The Future of Higher Education" directly relates to how students are ultimately the future of our nation. It is young people, who are being educated, that will lead our country next.