Week 1- Sabrina Gomez A01

Sabrina Gomez
ASA 2
A02
Week 1

Upon reading "Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia", I was struck with a multitude of emotions, shock and resonance for the issues that asian americans have been facing for years. These issues not only still prominent today but unfortunately expected to plague the future for not only asian americans but specifically for women too. In the case of Professor Valverde, who had numerous accomplishments in fields of academia and social justice, was still put at a lower disposition. An issue I believe that should be dealt with and recognized by educators and those receiving education is how race can and will hinder academic and professional achievement. Being a Filipina-American, I was warned numerous times by my peers and those I have worked with thus far in my undergraduate career that we exist and struggle in a university that was not created for us to thrive in. While the issue is prominent within the community of students, it is unfortunate yet logical for the issue to as well be prominent up the chain in academics affected educators alike. It pained me when I read Professor Valverde was detested by a female colleague of her own Asian American Studies department. I do not convey this in the sense that all Asian Americans and Women can always exist in harmony all the time, however I would hope that educators of Asian American studies and women educators can at least empathize to some extent. Especially since more and more Asian Americans are enrolling in college year by year, this issue must be addressed so it does not affect more students.

Question: How can students of Asian American background identify and address Asian American issues in academia to the extent it helps educators up the education hierarchy?

References:
Valverde, K., (2013). "Fight the Tower": A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), (367-419.

U.S. Department of Education. College enrollment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 1999-2019. [Digital Image].
Retrieved from http://blogem.ruffalonl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/asian-american-college-enro1.png