Week 10 - Miguel Flores A02

It has come full circle through all the contemporary issues that we have discussed in class that the Ivory Tower are still well-fortified and have created a system that protects itself and not its people. As we continue to encounter and deal with our corrupt system, many have continued the fight to become aware of these pressing issues, especially for communities that are oppressed and discriminated. Prof. Valverde’s conclusive piece reiterates the term “woke” and how it has been a tool that ridicules and highlight the oppressive state of the Ivory Tower. Whether it’s fighting for your tenure or simply living up to the expectations of society, staying woke has been a powerful and combative mechanism that let us view the harsh reality of our society. The conclusive piece highlights the fact that this system will continue to oppress and exploit our communities, but it is up to us if we want to fight or just stay on the sidelines and be a spectator. If there is one thing that I can take away from class I would say its not only staying woke, but also being able to stand up for yourself even if others ridicules you for what you believe in. Asian American Studies 2 goes beyond informing the next generations of the Asian American community, it is a manifesto, a testament that the world around us is not what we think it is. Learning about all the fucked up things that happened in different situations was definitely a rude awakening for me because I was blindsided by the issues happening within my community.

Fong Tran summarizes what’s wrong with the normalized truths in our society and marginalized communities

The conclusive piece also points out that staying woke also mean defending our cultural knowledge and traditions. There will be oppressive systems that will tear you down no matter how hard you fight for your movement, but you have to keep your fight until the end. From student activism, social injustices in the immigration systems, stereotypes, and mental health to cultural appropriations, pop cultures, and hidden histories of our community - we will continue to fight and destabilize the normalized truths in our society. Know the actual truth and advocate for what these truths stand for. It has been a long time coming, but as the next generation we should protect the legacies of our parents and grandparents and counter the Western narratives and perspectives that stereotyped us. This begs the question: Are we willing to do all of these?

References:

Tran, F. (May 17, 2016). Youtube. TEDxUCDavis: Don’t Be An Activist

Valverde, K.L.C. Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke