Week 1 - Jesse Huang

Week 1
Jesse Huang
ASA002 - Section A01

Professor Valverde's "'Fight the Tower': A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia” exposes not only the bigotry and bias towards people of color, but also accentuates underlying office politics that give rise to such insidious behaviors. Reading Professor Valverde’s own personal account of her 2-year tenure battle and her burden riddled journey seriously impacted my perspectives on how an ideal career path should be approached. Much to my surprise, as I was reading Professor Valverde’s article, I caught myself several times being shocked, if not overwhelmingly disgusted by the amount of prejudice one can encounter within such a highly reputable institution. Never would I have ever believed that such repulsive and toxic behavior could exist within a place that is supposed to be a foundation for higher education and reputable academia. Prior to reading the professor’s article, I had romanticized the workplace to be a comfortable place where ideas could safely be exchanged and where one could improve their own skills. However, I now realize that such naive thinking would lead me to endangering my own wellbeing and would likely leave myself to be exploited by the same cruel system that devoured so many before. Professor Valverde’s article provokes the reader to contemplate the idea of a systematic injustice which exists within America’s workplace and urges people to fight against this abomination. Asian Americans must preserve and forge on in order to prevent stagnation and make better livelihoods for themselves in such a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Do office politics stem from higher administration, or is it fueled by competition amongst the workers themselves? And are they prevalent in every type of job in some shape or form?

References:

Immanuel, E. (2017, March 19). Are You a Victim of Office Politics? – Thrive Global. Retrieved September 30, 2017, from https://journal.thriveglobal.com/are-you-a-victim-of-office-politics-4c74143e8431

Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

Week 1 - Bryan Ngo A01

Week 1:

Bryan Ngo

ASA 002

A01

It’s writings like Professor Valverde’s “Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia” that really shed light on discrimination in “professional” work settings. Although Professor Valverde’s writing focuses on academia, similar themes of discrimination can be found in other work forces, like the tech industry. Over the past several months, tech giants like Google and Uber have been put under investigation after individuals holding positions of power have been found to be mistreating their employees, especially women. This mistreatment ranges from being denied promotions, despite having excellent performance reviews, to refusing to buy women sized clothing for the team because it would “cost too much” (both experienced by Susan J. Fowler, Ex. Uber engineer). Another point I want to emphasize is that many of us have tunnel vision when it comes to topics like these, myself included. The game plan in my head has always been to learn as much as you can in school, do impactful side-projects, and then I would find my way into the tech world. I realize day after day that it is not that easy for most people to think like this. While my main concern is getting through the door, there are other individuals who are more concerned with how they would be treated in the work environment, and with completely good reason. We’re finally at a point in time where discrimination is being illuminated by the public eye. There is still a long way to go, but progress is being made.

Question:

I mentioned that I tend to have tunnel vision when it comes to issues of diversity. How can we, the current generation, help education everyone and shed greater light on the situation?

References:

Valverde, K., (2013) “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

Tech’s Diversity Problem: Can We Talk? (2015, July 15). Retrieved September 30, 2017, from http://greenlining.org/blog/2015/techs-diversity-problem-can-we-talk/

Week 1 - Gerald Malvin

Gerald Malvin
ASA 002 - A01
September 30th, 2017

     As I read Professor Valverde's "Fight The Tower: A Call To Action For Women In Academia",
one thing stood out to me, no matter where I go, no matter how much "equality" was campaigned for in a certain country, racism does still exist. This fact does disappoint me because as a young boy growing up, I never really took notice of this despite the countless of times my parents tried asserting this fact. I couldn't agree more with the stance that Professor Valverde has in her text, some ethnicities do have an 'advantage' when compared to other ethnicities in terms of advancement of careers. My father has always told me that because I am a minority, I need to work double or even triple the amount others work just to be in the same position as they are. The fact that racism exists sure is unfortunate, but as a college student, all I can do for now is work hard and let all the talking be done through my works. I can see no reason why sexism or racism exists even until today, and I was taken aback when I read how Professor Valverde went through such amount of tough times yet people still demanded so much for her in the wrong time. I personally am touched by Professor Valverde's perseverance, how she persevered through her hardest times and still managed to excel even in times where others would've fallen.

Question: As the next generation to lead this world, how could we contribute to the start of the end of racism and sexism?

Reference:
 Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

Week 1- Sabrina Gomez A01

Sabrina Gomez
ASA 2
A02
Week 1

Upon reading "Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia", I was struck with a multitude of emotions, shock and resonance for the issues that asian americans have been facing for years. These issues not only still prominent today but unfortunately expected to plague the future for not only asian americans but specifically for women too. In the case of Professor Valverde, who had numerous accomplishments in fields of academia and social justice, was still put at a lower disposition. An issue I believe that should be dealt with and recognized by educators and those receiving education is how race can and will hinder academic and professional achievement. Being a Filipina-American, I was warned numerous times by my peers and those I have worked with thus far in my undergraduate career that we exist and struggle in a university that was not created for us to thrive in. While the issue is prominent within the community of students, it is unfortunate yet logical for the issue to as well be prominent up the chain in academics affected educators alike. It pained me when I read Professor Valverde was detested by a female colleague of her own Asian American Studies department. I do not convey this in the sense that all Asian Americans and Women can always exist in harmony all the time, however I would hope that educators of Asian American studies and women educators can at least empathize to some extent. Especially since more and more Asian Americans are enrolling in college year by year, this issue must be addressed so it does not affect more students.

Question: How can students of Asian American background identify and address Asian American issues in academia to the extent it helps educators up the education hierarchy?

References:
Valverde, K., (2013). "Fight the Tower": A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), (367-419.

U.S. Department of Education. College enrollment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 1999-2019. [Digital Image].
Retrieved from http://blogem.ruffalonl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/asian-american-college-enro1.png

Week 1 - Thomas Tran, A01

After reading "Fight the Tower: A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia" by Professor Valverde I was surprised that through all of her great accolades it took so long to receive her tenure. She faced discrimination and abuse within her own department and experienced self-doubt throughout her tenure process. I found it confusing that even though she had the support of her students and high ranking scholars throughout her "war" she never received her tenure. Which only shows that there the reason for her denial was not due to her being unqualified, but her being a minority and a women of color. The Asian American Power Hierarchy, was something I had never heard of until reading this article and being a Vietnamese-American myself, I completely agree with this. The Hierarchy idea that Asian Americans subconsciously view each other is a something that I do. Being a Vietnamese American and first generation college student myself, I could understand the cultural tendencies that she faced and the belief that Asian Americans children or all children require role models in their lives in order to believe that they can go to universities or professional schools in the future. I am glad to say that if it were not for my cousins pushing, guiding, educating me to attend a University I wouldn't be here today. They have shown me the right way to live life and the path to take in order to get there. 

Question:  Why is it difficult for women, especially women of color, to be seen as equals to men in academia or society?

References:

Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

Women Empowerment [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://scholarsacademia.blogspot.com/2015/04/women-empowerment.html

Week 1 - Lawrence Liu

Lawrence Liu

Section A01

Week 1

            Professor Valverde’s grueling and unfair experience evoked the same emotions, anger and helplessness, as the UC Davis Pepper Spraying incident played in class and other tales of American systemic injustice and prejudice. Through Professor Valverde’s experience, she became completely disillusioned by academia and the administration. As someone who spent 10 years abroad and greatly yearned to return to America, I was disappointed when I finally returned, growing more disillusioned by the day. Before I came back to America for college, I had a romanticized idea of America as an open-minded and progressive land of freedom. Instead I found myself encountering all forms of bigotry, racism and ignorance. Throughout it all, I am extremely thankful for passionate professors like Valverde who take the time to ensure they are educating their students and enraged they have to face injustice and harassment. Reading through her experiences has highlighted the bigotry ingrained within the system in addition to reaffirming my belief that to truly create change, one has to be in a position of power. Thus, as a senior, I have decided to move to Asia to work full-time and play to my strengths as a Third Culture Kid and eventually become a figure to influence change.

Question: How did America, land of the free and home of the brave, become a twisted and perverted version of its ideals? Why were the faculty members who made Valverde’s life a living hell not subsequently punished and vilified?

References:

Jill Churchill. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved September 30, 2017, from AZQuotes.com Web site: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/533612

Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 30, 2017.

Week 1 Jiayu Fang

Jiayu Fang

ASA 002-A03

9/30/17

            Professor Valverde's "'Fight the Tower': A Call to Action for Women of Color in Academia” does not only fearlessly and powerfully told the audiences her own experiences, but also provides lots of solutions that help people with the same problem and tell them that they are not alone. To be honest, I never realized that women of color, or even women in general, are facing such a sad and severe situation, even among the highly-educated people in a well-known university. The discrimination and bully of women never really comes into my mind, or should I say, I never consider them as bullying under my own cultural background before I came studying abroad. I am an international student from China and people in my country, at least people from my high school, would say I am being too sensitive and cannot take any jokes if I feel uncomfortable or get mad at their words. I got so mad while reading about the department head still want professor Valverde to submit the grades, even though he knew that she just escaped from death. I think I can somehow understand why the department head did this to save his job from his boss and being selfish and heartless. However, I don’t see the reason why women, who give birth to all men on this planet, should be disrespected and not be understood. This situation especially happened on Asian American women since we are the minority (Asian American) of the minority (women). But Asian American women cannot be ignored and made up a significant part of the academia and the numbers are growing. Fortunately, I am so glad to see so many people with different roles in society are standing for minorities and actually cares about this social problem. On one hand, I wish all people can be united as one and be less discriminated based on people’s races and colors. However, on the other hand, if we treat every individual strictly equally, that would be another type of unfair, for example, to disabled people. How to balance discrimination and individual’s benefit?  

References:

Valverde, K., (2013). “Fight the Tower”: A Call to Action for Women in Academia, 12(2), 367-419. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

Kingston, M. H.(1976), The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts.