Week 10 - Emily Luc

Emily Luc

Section A03

Week 10

“The Time to Fight is Now: When Asian American Women in Academia Go Rogue,” by Professor Kieu-Linh Caroline Valverde and Wei Ming Dariotis discusses the injustices that Asian American women are subjected to in the field of academia. These women face a difficult choice—they can either succumb to the corrupted mold built for Asian American women in academia (as well as other minority groups) or they can speak out against these injustices. The “ivory tower,” which is defined as a state of privileged seclusion, promises success and higher positions in the hierarchy based on an individual’s credentials and achievements. However, this same “ivory tower” that grants successes to the privileged, also bars Asian American women and other minority groups from receiving their due right to achieve more in their fields. The main point of this article is to call for Asian American women and their supporters to break these stereotypes of the “model minority” myth and refuse to accept the mold of corruption.

As an Asian American woman, I have personally faced many of these discriminatory practices detailed in this article. I believe that Asian American women are a group that constantly have to deal with prejudices held against them. As a child, I was taught that good Asian girls must be demure and polite,and always accept what is told to them. As a student, I was told that Asian women would never be able to make it in a STEM field, and that I should stick to something “more my speed.” I have been belittled time and time again, as society tries to force me into the corrupt and discriminatory mold they have designed for me. I have come to the realization that the system cannot always be accepted as is, and some things must always be fought for.

Question: What steps can be taken to ensure equality for Asian American women in academia? What can universities and the higher education system do to prevent further corruption?

References:

Valverde, C. & Dariotis, W. M. (2017). “The Time to Fight Is Now”:When Asian American Women in Academia Go Rogue. Retrieved November 26, 2017.

Feminist Disney [Cartoon]. (2011). Retrieved November 26, 2017, from http://feministdisney.tumblr.com/post/11325448569/mulan-nodded-it-was-feminist-kick-butt.