Triroje Rathaloengsak Week 2 Blog - SS 1

From what I understand when I read articles from week 2 is that reading focuses on the racism and how the treatment is unequally treat among race and gender. In detail, the unfair treatment that the author mentions in the article is mostly focus on how Asian American female have been treat so unfair in the field of academic. The way that people have been treat so unequally isn’t only because of their race but sometimes even their accent and physical ability. In addition, the author also describes the challenges that people of color in academic field have to face when they try to challenge the discrimination and racism. In consequences, due to this reason, the people of color in academic institution also have to face the difficulty of trying to secure the job in the field as well.

References:

Week 2 Readings

Image retrieved from: 6e23b8b86d99d3bfa48a00eb01d0af15e90387a96ed8533bdfd8958029cec9cf.jpg

Max Li - Week 6 SS1

    As the conclusion and epilogue of the powerful collection of essays we have read over the past weeks, this week's readings serve as calls to action for academics and people of color at large. In "Academic Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke", Dariotis and Valverde advocate for a unveiling of the violence experienced in academia, as a symptom of the a larger system of oppression, and question the miseducation that has been introduced by dominant institutions. The phases of wokeness introduced are guidelines to how one can begin to act upon knowledge of systemic violence. These also include questioning who is responsible for fabricating these false histories and knowledge; as well as recognizing that while the violence occurs at an individual level, academics of color are not suffering from it "alone or as part of a differentiated, segregated group destined for suffering." (Dariotis and Valverde, 2019)
    The understanding of the power that structure academic and other dominant institutions, as well as the systemic nature of the violence, is not sufficient to create liberatory action. In order to break free from the shackles of academia, these theories must lead to action. Without practice, academics continue to live in the ivory tower and distance themselves from the communities they serve. However, it is also oppressive to prescribe a single model of change for different communities and people, as "what change looks like will vary based on specific institutional histories, local community variations, and other factors." (Dariotis and Valverde, 2019)
    With these concluding calls to action, I have reflected upon the wealth of knowledge I have obtained from this course. As suggested by the reading, I then turn to other self-reflective questions, such as: what do I do now? How can I act in the interest of my community? How can I build or help to build a collective that combats the violence of academia?

Question: How do the experiences of Asian American women in the academia differ from experiences of Asian American women within other fields?

References: 

Dariotis, W. & Valverde, K. (2019). Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke.

Image:

http://harvardpolitics.com/harvard/harvard-failing-asian-americans/

ZIQI YIN Week 6 SS1

Valverde Dariotis Academics Awaken 

The author is right when he says we should fight the current system owing to its antithetical and self-centered structure. The portrayal by the author about the suffering of Asian Americans owing to their identity, race, and culture is highly detailed. From a reader’s perspective, I believe the author is encouraging Asians to be vigilant, fight for their rights, and restore their cultural identity. The author’s clash with her institution of high education delineates the implicit injustice that has always characterized the counry’s education system.

Robyn Magalit Rodriguez Epilogue Upward and Onward

I agree with the sentiments that Asian Americans cannot remain above the fray whether on campus or the streets. It is true that “wokeness” requires persistent and creative organization and mobilization of radical change. In my view, ethnic studies should inform the urgent work in progress of transforming academia. 

Qian Zhang Week 6 SS1

Valverde Dariotis

Valverde Dariotis’ Academics Awaken Power, Resistance, and Being Woke illustrates the importance of being conscious in one’s academic endeavor. It addresses the contemporary experiences of Asian Americans’ in higher education and how perceived injustice has motivated them into activism. From the reading, I agree with the author’s description of being awake as a series of adaptable procedures of data collection and learned experience resulting in the stunning acknowledgment that even the education systems that are intended to mistreat us will actually free us instead.

Robyn Magalit: Upward and Onward Epilogue

With the main focus being to address the contemporary experiences of Asian Americans in Higher education and activism, this epilogue argues for ethnic and Asian American studies to come together and renew their commitment to both community and activism. I support the author’s rejection of academic elitism that insists academics should remain on top of fray political activism. 

Avinash Basu Week 6 SS1

I used to wonder about what it meant to be the "better man"; to fight the good fight and stand up for what was true and just.
This was back when I had the shelter of my parents. Young and stupid as I was; I did not realize that what kills the desire for goodness is the fear of loss. You will not rebel as long as you are worried for your own safety. The more precarious your position is; the more you fear the fall; and the less likely you are to jump.
That is how revolutions die; not with massacres or surveillance state but with simple convenience.
I used to and still freely pass money to people in need as I realized early on that any money in my hands is stolen from someone else. I suppose the river simply dried up as my selfishness grew.
Still; a poem which I find captures the zeitgeist of this age is a poem I'm sure everyone knows. "First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out for I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out for I was not a socialist.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."
Paraphrased of course but this is a reflection of a Hindu philiosophy which states that the inflictor and the witness are equally guilty.

In my context, I am used to people being raised in pressure cookers and I fear the strain of studying medicine as many instructors are known to work students past the bone because thats simply "how its always been". Even as a career, doctors are burned out and unable to help patients to their full ability even though they desperately want to but this is "how its always been".

I will use two characters who are immensely controversial for this next segment. I relate very deeply to Sasuke from Naruto as he wanted to change the circumstances which led to the tragedy of his life.
First he blamed a person; his brother. Then he blamed a place; Konoha. Finally, he blamed an idea; the world.
My fear is that my enemy is not a person, company, or corporeal entity. My fear is that my enemy is an idea and I do not know how to kill ideas.
Legislation is one aspect but I feel powerless but as Wang Ping and the Force article says.
That powerlessness is the weapon evil uses to succeed.

My final character comparison is Kylo Ren.
He is a man ruled by failure.
Failure to live up to his family legacy.
Failure to live up to his own idea of his grandfather's legacy.
Everywhere he turns he is destined to fail.
Except; being a Jedi.
His only good act was killing Snoke to save Rey.
The one time he used his grandfather's legacy/lightsaber.

I dont even know if he should be redeemed.
If he should; then it must be from his own hands.
That's what the Last Jedi taught me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DboMAghWcA

"Of fear and love, I fear not that I will die; but that all I have come to love will perish with me."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaLmmE2hVI4

Vincent Serracino Week 6 SS1

In “Conclusion,” by Wei Ming Dariotis and Kieu Linh Caroline Valverde, the call to action begins with great detail on who can fight a system that is “antithetical to what we believe academia can be and what it claims for itself “ (Dariotis and Valverde, 2). This inclusive scope leads to an inspirational expansion of what it means to stay and be woke. I found this to be a very creative and useful way of cementing this book as a rallying cry for Asian American women and as a guide for enlightening yourself to the actual nature of social hierarchy. Like all great societal change, the obvious need for grassroots support, community inclusion, broad wokeness, and a snapping tenacity is growing in the effort to achieve democratized power for all. The many testimonies and artful poetry within this book implies a much larger swath of systemic discrimination that goes unheard. As seen from those who have been brave enough to come forward, there is much to do about the suffering caused by white privilege. As mentioned, fighting for one's own individual rights can “ultimately [result] in giving rights to the many.”

The need for generational leadership and continuity is highlighted in the “Epilogue”
by Robyn Magilit Rodriguez. As she puts it, “We need more Yodas and Obi Wan Kenobis
to train a new generation of women of color scholars” (Rodriguez, 4). This is exactly what
we need and it reminds me of organizations such as iGNiTE, but for academia.

Question: How will people sleep after this book makes more people super woke?

http://fighttower.com/about.html

Sources:

Magalit Rodriguez, R. (n.d.). Epilogue. Retrieved from https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/392140/files/folder/Weekly Readings/Week6?preview=6353504

              Dariotis, W., & Valverde, K. (n.d.). Conclusion. Retrieved from https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/392140/files/folder/Weekly Readings/Week6?preview=6353505

The Tower, F. (n.d.). Fight the Tower, About. Retrieved from http://fighttower.com/about.html

              

  

Xinmeng Yang SS1 - Week 6

From the poem by Ping Wang and article by Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, both of them have expressed a positive feeling. In the poem "My Kintsuki", Ping Wang used a strong language to share the feeling of never give up on fighting for Asian American Women's rights. In the article Upward and Onward, the author indicated "fight the tower" and changes should be made for Asian American academia. Decades ago, racism was obvious and common, like what described in the movie "Green Book". The result of equality is from fights of generations. In order to achieve equality in academia, enhance Asian Women's strength in academia, scholars should keep speaking out their rights in order to receive public attention.

Question: What positive influences will be brought to the society if more asian women are involved in the academia?

Image from: https://asianstudies.gsu.edu/

Christine Lee SS1 Week 6

In this week's readings, the Conclusion and the Epilogue, both talks about the fight for tenure is much more than just fighting for rights because fighting for a larger cause of social liberation. In the conclusion, talks Fight the Tower and what it truly represents. The members are not only fighting for themselves but for their colleagues, students, and families. They are not only just saving the future of academia but also the society itself. This message answered many of my questions. In order for change to happen, there must be people that are dedicated to make those changes. For those who stick with fighting the fight for a tenure describes all of those as academia. Becoming woke is like gathering learned experiences that lead to the realization that the system of education we believe will liberate us is actually designed to oppress us. This idea from the text really wraps up this session's readings.

Fight the Tower is the fight for Asian American women academia must fight for a larger cause of social liberation. The struggles, fear, and stress has accumulated over the years of trying to fight this fight. Ethnics studies needs to make space not only for scholars of color in that field but also scholars of color in other fields as well. This idea makes me think that Fight the Tower represents something bigger. It is not just an organization fighting for a bigger cause but a community to expand these ideologies.

Question: Where does Fight the Tower get their fundings?

Source: 
Smith, Emily Esfahani. “A Movement Rises to Take Back Higher Education.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 17 June 2018, www.wsj.com/articles/a-movement-rises-to-take-back-higher-education-1529258360.

Lam Kam Chan Week 6 Journal

Week 6_

In this week’s readings, Robyn Magalit Rodriguez's Epilogue’s Upward and Onward by explains how women of color should not give up despite all the challenges and discrimnation. She mentioned the importance and benefits of having women of color in universities. Meanwhile, Magalit mentioned that universities and women of color can form small communities and create a support system to keep each other accountable. I truly echoes with this advice from her since throughout this course, we learned that descmination is occurring all the time but many faculty and women do not know how to deal with these problems, leaving them feeling helpless; therefore, I believe support groups are great communities to “share the burden”. Rodriguez mentioned how she is now more “kintsuki” after experiencing all the challenges, which means stronger. Even though stepping out the first step can be the most difficult at first, but the outcomes can a “tenure” position and will definitely make one a stonger person.

In addition, going off from Ping Wang’s poem, she explained the type of person she was back then and how she transformed into such a strong and strong willed activist. There are unknowns regarding some of the analogies she made, but nevertheless it is obvious that she experienced a lot of ups and downs in order to grow as a person. Even right now, she is still fighting for her rights and what she thinks she deserves.

Bernal, D. D., & Villalpando, O. (2002). An apartheid of knowledge in academia: The struggle over the" legitimate" knowledge of faculty of color. Equity & Excellence in Education, 35(2), 169-180.

Shuyu Chen-Week 6-SS1

After reading several poems of Wang Ping, I really admire and respect her. She is a woman warrior with bravery, persistence and resolution. The more she fights for herself and other people who have similar situations, the more she is easily to be slandered by different groups of people, not just those who discriminate her. I could feel her anger and pain in every piece of her work. Sometimes, I feel why doesn't she just give up and choose another way, but think it again, giving up will cause more pain to her. Asian Americans are vulnerable to discrimination from all kinds of fields and people. I feel lucky there are people like Wang Ping fighting for their groups.  In the article Epilogue Upward and Onward, there are several ways for intersecting commitments in which Asian American women must engage: community-building work  among  Asian  American women  academics,  reclaiming  “community engagement” at the university level, reorienting the profession, and legislative change. Personally, I believe legislative change should be the most important one. It is true that Asian American females should fight but with legislative as a backup, their fight will be easier.








Question: Who is His Holiness in Wang Ping's poem?


Reference:
https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/392140/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week6?preview=6353504
https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/392140/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week6?preview=6353503

Kristina Manuel- SS1- Week 6

As I was reading Ping Wang's poem titled "My Kintsuki," it was confusing at first about what she was talking about. However, as I kept reading the poem as well as the narrative behind it, I think that Ping Wang was trying to send a message to other Asian Americans to never give up and to be fearless. For example when she met "His Holiness," she knew at that moment that she had reached her goal of releasing her book Ten Thousand Waves, and she also knew that she would never give up. I think this is a good message to send to tell others that if you continue to push forward, you will succeed in life. It could also be some sort of call to action for Asian Americans as well.

Question: Has Ping Wang published any other books after Ten Thousand Waves?




References:
https://www.123rf.com/photo_109045165_inspirational-quotes-never-give-in-and-never-give-up-positive-motivational.html
Wang, P., My Kintsuki. 

Patrick Abdon Week 6 SS1

The last three readings of this week can really be summarized as a rallying call. It goes over the subjugations and discriminations that Asian American women have to go through, then it asserts that because of these issues we must issue a fight. “We” being anyone who is in academia such as those that are pursuing higher education (students), or supporting it (faculty). The environment in academia should not be negatively biased towards any one group, especially women, when the goal is mutual amongst everyone. Unfortunately that’s not how things are right now but the last two chapters show a glimpse of optimism. Through academic symbiosis, through community building, legislative action, calling out the wrongs and favoring the rights, there is a sense that the normal patriarchal, hierarchical system can be dismantled (446). Rodriguez makes it known that acknowledging the issue is one thing but fighting it is another. To fight it one has to “be woke” and by being woke, as Dariotis and Valverde states, is a way of counteracting the institutionalized mind (432). The state of wokeness is a state that not only questions the system but threatens it. And this is what activism is built upon, a common goal to destabilize the underlying, hidden factors affecting how we grow in this country. For as long as this country has been established there has been an agenda to hold certain groups of people down. It is upon the common people to take a stand. We most definitely have the power to change, the question is are we willing to give up what is already known (and maybe comfortable for us) for the better good?

Question: I am really curious as to how the movement for Asian American women in academia is similar/dissimilar to Asian American women in other fields. When I first came into this class I knew nothing of their struggles but now I question if others are feeling the same pressures as well? 

Sources Cited:

Dariotis, W., Valverde, L. (n.d.). Conclusion Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke.  Fight the Tower, 423-441.

Kaufman, C. (2019, January 19). Belonging and Social Change: A Critique of the Politics of Wokeness. Retrieved from https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/19/belonging-and-social-change-critique-politics-wokeness

P.W., (n.d.) My Kintuski March 3, 2014, His Holiness Held My Hand to His Heart. Fight the Tower, 419-422.

Rodriguez, R. (n.d.). Epilogue Upward and Onward: Asian American Women’s Legal Resistance. Fight the Tower, 443-449. 

Noah Shepherd-Week 6-SS1

References

ARTnews, The Editors of. “From the Archives: Native American Artists Ponder History and Visibility, in 1992 -.” ARTnews, 7 Feb. 2019, www.artnews.com/2018/11/30/archives-native-american-artists-ponder-history-visibility-1992/.

UC Davis Canvas Discovery, canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/392140/files/folder/Weekly%20Readings/Week6?preview=6353504.

Bianca Taruna - Week 6 - SS1

I was reading Ping Wang's poetry titled "My Kintsuki." I am not really sure what she was trying to say, but I think it has something to do with her book titled Ten Thousand Waves. What I could excerpt from the poem is that she had finally reached her goal. That her story will be published as a book for the others to read. She is glad that people would finally know about her story and will support her through the storm that she is fighting. This connects to Week 6's theme "We Are One with the Force and the Force Is One with Us." I believe that the theme means we are united with the crowd, and no one is alone in this world. So in unity, there is a strength. Ping Wang knows that she finally is not alone in this world, considering the fact that her story is going to be published. That she has a crew, a support system that would help her fight the authorities. I personally think that this poem reflects her revival. How her soul is being repaired and mended, allowing her to be a new person. Someone who has gone through all the sufferings and come back as a better person with a new life. 

Question: I saw that Ping Wang's poem was written in the year of 2014. I wonder if her book made any changes to her current life?

Works Cited
“Stock Photo.” 123RF Stock Photos, www.123rf.com/stock-photo/never_give_up.html?sti=ls971l6sqg7evjyhbo|.

Tricia Zhou - Week 6 - SS1

Ping Wang’s My Kintsuki and Robin Magalit Rodriguez’s Epilogue: Upward and Onward: Asian American Women’s Legal Resistance both convey a hopeful mood, especially in a time of uncertainty. Wang uses the term “kintsuki” to represent how she became a stronger and better person after facing the challenges she went through. The line “holding this world with veins of gold” also represents how she and others like her are making the world a better place and are fixing the brokenness of the world. She repeats “I will not give up” in the last half of the poem, conveying her determination and giving a sense of hope for the future. Rodriguez recounts different ways in which women of color in academia have resisted against the ivory tower. She describes support networks where women of color scholars can share strategies to succeed in academia. These support networks also aim to increase visibility of their work and create reform that values minorities in academia. She also tells how she and others have held a hearing on Asian American studies at UC Davis, discussing how the subject is not taken seriously and how the underserved populations of Asian Americans are not paid attention to. The hard work that people have done and are still doing provides hope that academia will become a better place, but only if people fight for it.

Question: We talked a lot about how Asian American studies scholars are treated, but what are the differences between the experiences of those scholars and Asian American scholars in other fields?

References

Rodriguez, R. M. (2019). Epilogue: Upward and Onward: Asian American Women’s Legal Resistance. Unpublished manuscript.

Wang, P. (2019). My Kintsuki. Unpublished manuscript.

(2016). Never Give Up Motivation Poster Concept.– stock image. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://st2.depositphotos.com/6536962/10949/i/950/depositphotos_109498708-stock-photo-never-give-up-motivation-poster.jpg.

Taspon Gonggiatgul Week 6 blog -SS1

After reading ping wang's new poem "My Kintsuki", I am confused by the plot of the story, but I did understand that the author had initial struggles with trying to cope with academia, but she did not give up easily since her resiliency keeps her going. In the poem, she seems to be meeting someone that she admires, but I have no idea who that particular person is, but I do know that person was someone important to the author and was like an eminent figure to her. Overall, I think this was a pretty confusing poem because I didn't fully understand the context of the poem as well as the message that it is trying to convey. The article "Epilogue" by Robyn Rodriguez on the other hand primarily talks about the renewing of the commitment to both community and activism made in the third world liberation front strikes. The author specifically argues that the fight of Asian American women rights should not be enacted solely on the Asian American women population, but instead the fight should be used to provide social liberation for everyone within the country, and all of these can be achieved if we can work together and make legislative changes.

Image Citation:
ChurchPOP Editors. (2016). Public Domain. Retrieved from https://churchpop.com/2016/12/26/secrets-of-the-spiritual-realm-12-angelic-facts-every-christian-must-know/

Triroje Rathaloengsak Week 6 Blog - SS1

As I read "My Kintsuki" I think that it's one of many interesting article. Throughout the poem by Wing Pang I got the sense of how hard she has to fight in the academia field. Throughout the poem, she describes her toxic environment and how she keep herself on track and still keep working in the academic field. One more thing that Wang mentions and it's really interesting to me is that we should treat our scar as the thing that we can embrace and improve ourself out of it. Moreover, she also mention that she has tried her best to be a good person but she can't really change anything and if she decide to deal with hate by using more hate, it will only deal a negative result.

References:

Week 6 Readings

Picture retrieved from:Writing-Your-Own-Press-Releases-How-to-Get-In-the-Right-Mindset-760x507.jpg

Andrew Stephanus Week 6 blog ss1

 My Kintsuki by Ping Wang
 The meaning of Kinstsuki if very beautiful to me because normally we prefer to hide our scars rather than embracing our growth through those scars. The poetry written by Ping Wang started really intense with her explaining what she has done in the past. "Tried to calm storm with storm, soothe anger with anger." to me resembles how she is telling us that she has done everything possible and there is nothing else that she can do. She was ready to give up until his holiness stepped in and encourage her and renew her spirit. I am not quite sure what the Holiness is, but it seemed to me as something spiritual. more importantly, it symbolizes a figure that she trusted and leaned on. the poem taught me one thing, no matter what horrible thing is happening in your life. we need to always have something that we can hold on to because if we don't. then we would get lost.

REFERENCES:
-weekly reading 6 ASA 002
-https://www.yourquote.in/prajakta-kute-feyy/quotes/embrace-your-scars-because-they-proof-you-survived-all-life-cnbva

Cheng Zhang-week 6-SS1

Cheng Zhang
ASA002
Week 6 Blog
7/28/2019

Work Together to Fight For It!

If there are lots of challenges ahead of us, then work together to fight for it; if one person’ strength is week, then work as a team. From the article “Upward and Onward: Asian American Women’s Legal Resistance” by Robyn Magalit Rodriguez that “our activities included a networking activity where we gathered together women of color scholars, graduate students, and faculty to break bread with one another over a meal.” It states that we need to work together, and more people involved, more hope we have to Fight the unequally treatments by the schools and colleagues. My question is do we have this kind of organization in UC Davis?

Reference section 

Article, Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, “Upward and Onward: Asian American Women’s Legal Resistance”

Image, https://images.app.goo.gl/ujRgcoUkZNC39uCLA

Adrija Chaudhuri Week 6 SS1

    Upon reading Robyn Magalit Rodriguez's Epilogue: Upwards and Onwards, I felt like it was a nice conclusion to the Fight to Tower manifesto. That is to say, Rodriguez's talks for a call to action to gather more WOC from different backgrounds in university settings and set up a sort of community group that inspires and motivates WOC. The author of the article uses an example from her work here in UC Davis and how it had helped the WOC here.  Rodriguez's article also mentions Thobani, an UBC scholar, who argues that activism and higher education are not separate. Rather, education is liberation or tools to be used for one's liberation of their soul.
   Ping Wang's reading was, as usual, very powerful. I felt as if this poem was more positive than the others, as it contained a voice that was a hopeful, fighting spirit. Even though it was a dark period for her, she still possessed the fighting spirit we see in her today. His Holiness had helped her fight and perhaps this alludes to the spirituality one needs in their life and how higher ed tries to strip away that spirituality from us. Spirituality is not seen as a part of Higher Ed.



Source:

Spirituality. 2015, www.geek.com/tech/can-machines-achieve-spirituality-1741533/.

 

Jason Indarto - Week 6 - SS1

As the last week of the class and having read Academics Awaken: Power, Resistance, and Being Woke, I contemplated what I have learned and what I ought to do with the knowledge that I possess through taking this class. After learning and being emphasized that minorities no matter what race, gender, and orientation, there will always be segregation through discrimination since there is always authoritative power in a hierarchy society. By truly reflected on what it means to be truly “woke,” I have thought about my identity and what I had to deal with as an international asian in a foreign country. I think about the past and the present of what my race has done and what society has inflicted upon the vast majority of us through preconceived notions set by society decades ago. Being woke has enlightened me about being conscious through it all. Inferred from the reading, although there is books and history of discrimination against all races, the reading does not only inform readers of (perhaps what they already know) the discrimination against asian American woman in history (but more specifically in academia) but also it is a call to action. Society has already tried to suppress discrimination centuries ago but people and society are still unfazed. The next step is to try to disassemble this patriarchal society bit by bit and show the whole world the better place it could become where everyone of all races and all ethnicities regardless of status and power are fair and equal. Overall, I have enjoyed what I have learned through the teachings and readings from this class and have been enlightened in ways that have been, up till now, oblivious to me. 

Question) how does people fight back against oppression individually, we know that fighting oppression as a group (or alliance) has an effect but how would you try to face it alone?

Valverde, C. Conclusion: Academics Awaken: power, Resistance, and Being Woke. Fight the Tower. 

Annie Wang Week 6 SS1

The Academic Awakens: "We are One with the Force and the Force is One with Us"

Collective action is inspired, shaped, and sustained through the needs and injustices exposed by trends in personal experiences. Although individual stories comprise the foundations for both recognizing oppression and enacting resistance, a commitment to group solidarity, over our society's tendency to focus on individual celebrity heroism, is necessary to sustain long-term, ongoing change. This is not to say that movements do not have thought leaders and icons, but, as Professors Valverde and Dariotis write, "Not every revolution must involve one person being supported by disposable rebel pilots to destroy a Death Star. We are not asking to be saved or claiming to be saviors but are acting to save ourselves and each other a little bit at a time." In traditional perspectives of power place, one or few people are viewed as the elite top of a pyramid, with the larger cohorts of people lower in the hierarchy being considered less influential, less important. The Fight the Tower movement aims to not only to expose the discriminatory behaviors of those currently in power, but also to challenge this model of power itself. FTT envisions, "a revolution in which our defiance and strength will mirror the warriors that came before us and inspire all those that will follow to establish tangible change. This is a rhizomatic/grass- roots revolution not about replacing white men with women of color at the head of the same failing structure but about decentralizing and democratizing power while redefining what “power” means. 

I have seen this principle in action myself, in my work with PERIOD, an international non-profit destigmatizing, celebrating, and improving access to menstrual hygiene through education, service, and advocacy. We are part of the menstrual movement, a global shift in thought fighting against the taboo that surrounds menstruation-related conversations and the unfair policies around taxing and providing basic period hygiene necessities in public spaces and campuses. PERIOD is one of many non-profits working in a space shared by legislators, educators, healthcare providers, social enterprises, startups and a few long-standing corporations. PERIOD was founded by 2 high schoolers, Nadya Okamoto and Vincent Forand, who were inspired by Nadya's family experiencing a bout of housing insecurity that led to frequent conversations with other women experiencing homelessness, which revealed a pressing need for menstrual products. 

Nadya's narrative and stands at the forefront of PERIOD's work and the national team hustles hard to establish strong partnerships for branding, campaigns, and press coverage. Nadya's story is a testament to how a personal trial can incite empathy, kindness, and a pursuit of justice; she is an incredibly hard-working and dedicated human who I admire very much. However, I think the impact that PERIOD has been able to achieve does not rely solely on its Executive Directors work ethic, but in its "rhizomatic/grass roots structure" that the leadership has built and nurtures. In this structure, local activists proactively start chapters of the organization at campuses, in cities, and in regions. The national team works to provide the resources and information to equip us chapters, enabling us to donate products to shelters, host educational workshops, and both launch customized local campaigns and help power national, organization-wide initiatives. In many cases, like my own, chapter-founders are inspired by their own experiences of lacking access to menstrual necessities. Due to the historical stigma surrounding periods, when these situations occurred - bleeding onto lecture seats, missing class or work from a surprise period, etc. - many people might have been too embarrassed to share them. But as more and more do, we can see the issue of access to pads and tampons more clearly. (If toilet paper and soap are legally mandated in campus bathrooms as a basic human right and means of public health and safety, why not pads and tampons?)

Likewise, the Fight the Tower Movement encourages women of color in academia to reclaim their experiences from the stranglehold of academic rationality and the model minority myth. In these unique testimonies, the overarching patterns of unfair treatment are revealed. As this ASA 2 class wraps up, I leave with a shifted perspective of academia, activism, and "wokeness." I used to think of "being woke," as 1) something of a meme and 2) a title that I did not know enough about social justice to claim. This class has led me to readjust my definition of "woke" as an ongoing perspective shift rather than static achievement, of choosing to face life's situations with a mindset that questions power and biases.

In this university, which serves as a microcosm of society at large, I am grateful to have taken this course this summer.