Edmond Li ASA 002 A03 Week 9

This week's reading by Wei Ming Dariotis, "Academic Symbiosis: A Manifesto on Tenure and Promotion in Asian American Studies", is interesting because the author used Star Wars as examples to demonstrate resistance against an oppressive power. To the author, we are all Luke Skywalker aiming to destroy the Death Star that is tenure-track jobs. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and we all have people, directly and indirectly, supporting us like the Rogue One crew. Not everyone can be the Chosen One, however, as the author was quickly denied a promotion. In order to fix this, an academic symbiosis is needed. Instead of causing stress due to unwritten criteria, this new system aims to cooperate with scholars in their endeavor, encourage teamwork, point out flaws and not to judge people based on their skin color. This chapter differs from the others by offering ideas to revolutionize the system rather than aiming to expose its dark side. I think the author's theory on academic symbiosis makes the system less stressful for Asian Americans as it offers better communication between the institution and the scholars. No one should be alone when trying to achieve their goals and we can better ourselves by working with others instead of competing. Most importantly, the bonds that are formed through this become valued.

Question: Even with equal treatment, not everyone can get tenure. Can cooperation and competition really coexist?

Resources:
Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGZOP1x9fHg
Reading: Valverde, K. C., & Dariotis, W. M. (2020). Fight the tower: Asian American women scholars' resistance and renewal in the academy. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.