Week 2 - Chelsea Reyes A02

I found this reading by Poon and Byrd interesting since it is something that a lot of Asian American students feel from their families. I like how the article provided a chart to show how certain factors affected an individual's college choice process. Coming from an Asian American family, I do relate to how academic reputation and family approval are important when choosing where to go. When going through the college process, my family really wanted me to go straight into university (rather than community college or taking a year off) so I could finish school right away. My family heavily preferred Davis also because it is close to where I live and I could live at home to save money.  I feel like the research done on this specific topic really helped to show that it's not always the parents who are the decider of where their child goes, there are also outside influences that help these individuals decide where to go. I chose an image of a "tiger" mom holding a tiger mask-- I felt that this symbolizes how parents in general aren't aware of their actions and misunderstood. They typically immigrated to the US for a better future for their themselves and their children, therefore only wanting the absolute best, meaning having their children go to the best university they can.

QUESTION:  Would the data appear the same with the same sort of influences if it were done to a different kind of demographic (say European American or African American)?  For example, would an institution's academic reputation be the most important factor for other ethnicities, like how it is for Asian Americans?

References:

Poon, O., & Byrd, A. (2013). Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices. Journal of College Admission, 22-31. Retrieved September 29, 2017.

Wang, X. (2011, June 3). [Digital image]. Retrieved September 30, 2017, from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2011-06/03/content_12634106.htm

Week 2 Bailey Wang

Bailey Wang

ASA002A03

Week 2

            The general public’s view on Asians is that we are always successful due to our cultural background. “Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety – Ethnic Gender and Generational Differe,” by professor Poon illustrates the stereotypical Asian’s method of success. They surveyed Asian American and early immigration Asians about their choices on college. They categorized Asians into four different sub-groups and concluded that the student’s college choice was based on which sub-group they were from as well as their gender. Even though the male student received recommendations from parents or guidance counselors, ultimately the male student stated that they went to said college by their own choices. However, female students often included a family member as one of the reasons for choosing their college. Poon also concludes that the Tiger Mom stereotype comes from an American background rather than a Chinese one.

            A lot of non-Asians always consider the success of Asians due to their parents. Therefore, the parents will only expect the most elite colleges like Colombia or Stanford with a major in the STEM field. However, I know a few of my friends who went to art institutes despite their parents’ disapproval. In the end, majority of the public still believe in these stereotypes.

Do you think as more mix-Asians are showing up that there will be less stereotyping of Asians?

Poon, O., & Loyola, A. B. (2013). Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and                                   Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices. Retrieved                  September 30, 2017.

Naughten, J. (2011, January 31). TIME Magazine Cover: The Truth About Tiger Moms - Jan.                   31, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2017, from                                                                            http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20110131,00.html.

Week 1: Noelani Pastor

Noelani Ruth Pastor
Section A01
Week 1

This week, we read "Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia" by Kieu Linh Caroline Valverde which was such an empowering true story. The fact that everything has happened in real life is surprising. We never really know the extent of how women of color in academia is being bullied in a sense. While reading it, I fell deeper and deeper into the feelings of Valverde and realized that discrimination happens way more than we know. There's so much that happens behind closed doors and things like this aren't showcased as often as it should be. Throughout the reading, I was completely shocked. Especially when I read that her department head basically discouraged her for having ADHD. This made me heated because people can't just hide their disorder and put it away for a while. The department head should've worked with it and should've gave her the resources she needed to further her working progress. Being someone with anxiety disorder, I understand what it feels like to try and hide it from other people. It's not the best feeling, but it helps when people understand and know what I'm going through because it helps me make more progress towards getting better. Valverde deserved more respect from her colleagues, but people can be so ignorant when all they see is someones ethnicity. 

Question: Since discrimination against Asian Americans isn't showcased as often as others, how can we spread awareness and try to decrease the times it has happened?

References:
1. Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

2. T. (n.d.). Secret Asian Man [Cartoon]. In The Model Minority Deconstructed.

Week 2- Thuong Nguyen, A01

This week I read "Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices," by OiYan Poon and Ajani Byrd. The article discusses the stereotypical view that Asian American college choices and decisions are heavily influenced by "Tiger Moms," described by an article from the American Psychological Association as "those who practice positive and negative parenting strategies simultaneously." The research study done to investigate this belief reveals that this is not the case. There are a complexity of factors that lead to a student's decision to attend a particular college or university-one of such is through the guidance of college counselors. I found this particularly true in my personal experience with college applications. Both of my parents found refuge in America during the Vietnam War; neither received higher education. Although I have been encouraged to attend and apply to university from a young age, the process to do so was unknown to both me and my parents. I relied heavily on my college counselors for guidance through this extensive process. They helped me research the information on each school, learn where to apply, and even proofread my personal statement. I can see how counselors can become such an important resource to first and second generation immigrant families. What surprised me about the research study described in the article however, is the lack of representation from Southeast Asian students. 80% of the students interviewed for the research study came from East Asian families such as China and Korea. This makes one wonder why this is the case.

Question: Of the 409 surveys completed, an overbearing 62.3% of surveys were completed by East Asian students. Why is there such a large difference in representation between Southeast Asian, Filipino, and South Asian students as compared to East Asian students? This trend continues as 80% of the students interviewed came from East Asian families. Is this simply because of the population of East Asian students that reside in America?

References:

Bacall, A. (2010). I read your college application essay. First of all, the word college has two l's.. Retrieved from http://nmcollegecounseling.com/images/cartoon.jpg

Kim, S. (2013). What is “tiger” parenting? How does it affect children?. Developmental Psychologist. Retrieved from http://www.apadivisions.org/division-7/publications/newsletters/developmental/2013/07/tiger-parenting.aspx

Poon, O., & Byrd, A. (2013). Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices. School Of Education: Faculty Publication And Other Works, 23-30.

Week 1 - Madison Yn

Madison Yn

ASA 002 - A02

09.30.17

One of my closest friends continues to share her aspirations in academia with me and quite often mentions the strenuous and seemingly impossible pursuit of tenure, which is difficult in itself to achieve however being even more unattainable due to the systematic disadvantages against women of color, her included. I didn’t fully fathom the selective and competitive nature of the tenure process and the difficulty of being a respected and successful person in the academe until reading Professor Valverde’s “Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia” where I was introduced to the overlooked plight of women of color in academia. Being an avid Survivor fan, I found the allusion to the television show very helpful in explaining and dissecting the process of tenure where their remains and social, intellectual, and physical aspect to navigate. Before fully reading the excerpt, my thoughts were why should and does achieving tenure have to involve political alliances and strategic game play? I naively assumed tenure was purely reliant on one’s merit and qualifications, but after reading more I understood the importance and urgency to network, build connections, and reach out to others for support in such a rigorous climate. I also wasn’t familiar with the existing physical (whether external or internal) ailments many have endured throughout their course of tenure. The health issues and tolls on the body related to scholars are often overlooked by those in fields with more overtly physically demanding jobs such as professional athletes. And while these struggles may be different and have varying degrees of severity from case to case, there is no doubt people in academia have fewer resources when in need of medical attention and emotional guidance. In accord with Professor Valverde, health should remains one’s most valued priority. So it struck me extremely offensive when Professor Valverde’s department head demanded the student’s grades for that quarter when she was having a near death experience, because letters on paper are clearly more urgent than comas and fatal blood clots. Later in the process, Professor Valverde mentions having to defend her qualifications of tenure while presenting her book which received high praise which illustrates the systematic injustices and flaws of the academe that women of color are subjected to. Through the tribulations and trials of Professor Valverde’s unisolated case of discrimination within the ivory tower, it has become increasingly apparent that women of color are marginalized by an ostensibly liberal institution that is theoretically based on meritocracy and that these malpractices will not be tolerated as the concerted effort of fighting the tower is burgeoning in support and recognition.

Are “mob” members within the Ethnic Studies Department more prevalent than those of the white establishment? Why are marginalized groups typically unwilling to act jointly in dismantling the ivory tower?

References:

Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

Taylor Callery., (n.d.). I Want Your Respect, Not Your Advice. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from http://www.chronicle.com//img/photos/biz/photo_77686_landscape_650x433.jpg

Week 1 Bailey Wang

Bailey Wang

ASA002A03

Week 1

“Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia,” by professor Valverde presents the battle that she faced in order to receive her teaching position. In her pursuit to achieve her tenure, the people whom she believed supported her were actually the ones deterring her from accomplishing her goal. She faced prejudice since she is an Asian-American woman. In her journey, she found a community which she can trust and rely on and fought against the corrupt school system.

I never realized how shady the university departments are. Majority of the teachers I had going through school always told the class that everyone has equal rights to education and can pursue higher. However, professor Valverde’s story reveals the reality of the situation and that many people, mostly women of color, are subjected to this sort of discrimination. The university staff are willing to restrain people from succeeding. Despite their objections, she overcame them. I always thought that by focusing on your degree, then one could achieve anything, except that usually only happens to people with privileged.

Do you think that the staff should have to go through re-evaluations ever few years?

Valverde, K. (2013). Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia. Seattle Journal for Social Justice, 12(2).

Chin Ning Chu - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia. (2014, January 18). Retrieved September 29, 2017, from https://alchetron.com/Chin-Ning-Chu-1023662-W