Jiawen Shou Week 9 A04

In this week's reading, the idea of academic symbiosis really stands out to me. Wei Ming Dariotis explains that academic symbiosis can be one solution to end the unhealthy competition in the field of academy between students and scholars. Participants will view each other as a part of the study and contribute together for researchers. Academic symbiosis is a very optimal environment for academy but it is very hard to achieve in my opinion. Wei Ming Dariotis states that scholars will work together for better academic achievement despite of individual competition for resources and recognition. However, many scholars strive and compete continuously for recognition and resources because budgets are always limited for research. If the university or investors can provide enough funds for researches, I believe many scholars will not compete with peers for limited money and argue among fund distribution. Moreover, many scholars compete so harshly for tenure and opportunities because they need higher salaries for living. This condition applies to all workplace. Colleagues work together and may become friends but compete for promotion because promotion always come with higher salaries that can be used to improve living standards. There are many realistic problems in front that make people forget what their initiation in research and works are. Academic symbiosis is the most positive stage of working environment and I believe it is a stage that employees want to be at. In order to achieve academic symbiosis, a first step is to eliminate inequality, discrimination and racism.

After reading "Pain + Love = Growth" by Nievera-Lozano, I again feel surprised by how unwelcoming, a country can be to other cultures. I think America is sometimes so opposed to other culture heritage in the states is that America is formed as a colonial country that has a relative short history. There isn't much history and original culture that unite people together culturally. However, America is said to be the country of freedom and it is built on the characteristics of culture diversity.


Sources: Melissa-Ann Nievera-Lozano. “Pain + Love = Growth: The Labor of PinayistPedagogical Praxis”Wei Ming Dariotis. “Academic Symbiosis: A Manifesto on Tenure and Promotion in Asian American Studies”