One important idea I learned from my research was how Asian Americans define the Asian-American dream. I found this particularly influential because of how it changed my preconceived notion about what the American dream is. Previously, I only thought of the American dream as upward economic and social mobility. However, through my new research, I found out that the American dream can be almost anything one defines it to be. In particular, there was one piece of research which asked multiple immigrants about how they defined the American dream. In the article, the immigrants all gave different answers – some just wanted to be satisfied, some to provide safety for their family, some nothing at all – for the American dream was already achieved when they came to America. Another influential idea I learned about was the subtlety that Asian Americans often face. Namely that Asians don’t face racism that is bluntly outright but that the racism they face is subtle, to the point where it is almost where speaking out against it is considered somewhat socially unacceptable. In the research I found, it Asian Americans often described their experiences as a joke, as in their presence was more important as a joke or comedic relief, rather than who they were as a person. This idea is also what I hope my readers will take away – that Asians do face racism, and they do face it on a constant basis, just not in the way we typically think of. That this is a problem, and that we as a society need to take action and change our attitudes and the way we act toward Asians and Asian Americans.
Looking at my high school more holistically, there are a lot of things I learned about myself, my community, and the world as a whole. Personally I learned a lot about myself, but the most important thing I learned was my ability to change. That given the right circumstances, both from the environment and myself, I have the great ability to change for the better and the worse. I am most definitely not leaving high school as the same person I have left. I also learned when to be confident, stand up for myself, and fight for something, while also knowing when to back down, and when something is not worth fighting for. I have learned what it really means to give something my all, and that there is inherent value in just trying your very best at something, no matter the end result. I have learned about the community that there is a lot of good worth fighting for. That typically, people are much more willing to help you if you just reach out to them. This concept doesn’t just apply to students or teachers but both. Most people are a lot more altruistic than you typically give credit for. About the world, I have learned that there is a lot to experience if one just looks. Obviously, there are the big things that everyone lives for, like big road trips or cross-country vacations, but what I found is that there is a lot to enjoy about the small things in life. The daily laughs in classes or the funny moments at a practice. The familiar old man at the dog park who always makes a S tier joke and the pureness of a sunny bright clear day are just some of the things that I have come to really embrace.
Advice for future NNHS seniors: First and foremost, start on your college applications as soon as humanly possible! I know you have probably heard this time and time again but if you do, it will save you so much time and stress. I know for me personally the two weeks in between homecoming and the November 1st deadline were some of the most stressful parts of my senior year. Second of all, just try new things! It’s senior year, and as such, you might as well leave it all on the table. The one club you’ve always been on the fence about joining? That one person you’ve always wanted to talk to? That one teacher you’ve always wanted to give thanks to? Do it all, and do it all giving it your all. I bet that you will find great joy, peace, and gratitude doing all of these things for yourself. And don’t forget to do all the senior events that are offered – you won’t regret it, and you only get the opportunity to do them once. Third and most importantly, cherish your time with everyone around you! Most of the people in your life won’t be around for very much longer or even at all after high school, so make the most of the time you do spend with everyone. If I were to give one piece of general advice, it would be to have no regrets for anything or anyone. This doesn’t mean to necessarily make the perfect decision in every case, but to make the best one you can given the situation. To look back and say, I gave it my all, and tried my best, and that is all I can do to have no regrets, because in the end, that’s all you can really do.
I thought your blog post and Voices Project video was incredibly insightful and refreshing! I love how you brought together a variety of contemporary sources to demonstrate the racism Asian-Americans have experienced. I was particularly interested in how you outlined a possible path forward for the Asian-American community by rejecting assimilation.
I think there’s a lot of promise with this pathway, because it reminds me of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam which we read about last year in AP English Language. I see a lot of similarities between the Asian-American struggle for recognition and equality and the same struggle that African-Americans have faced and continue to face. Malcolm X asserted that African-Americans had to stop trying to ask white Americans to include African-Americans in their system. Instead, African-Americans had to reject these assimilationist ideals and assert their own culture.
To some extent, what Malcolm X advocated for has materialized and has helped the African-American community make significant progress. While a lot of work remains to get African-Americans the equality they deserve, African-Americans have been able to occupy a significant place in popular culture. Further, African-American culture has created significant influences in everything from fashion to music to sports.
This suggests that Asian-Americans should do the same. As you mentioned in your final blog post, rather than the standard dream of “upward economic and social mobility”, which entails putting your head down and working within the system, Asian-Americans need to define their own unique purpose. Asian-Americans must speak out and make themselves heard.
Hi Justin! I thought that your video essay was super well done and I loved the little clip you played of your TedTalk as a piece of your evidence. I think that your research question dives into a huge problem in today’s society with stereotyping Asian Americans and grouping them based solely on their ethnicity. This ends up taking away their individuality and forcing them to feel as if they are an outcast in their own country. The media and novels need to continue to educate society about Asian Americans and the harmful stereotypes that strip away their identity. My video essay was also about stereotypes but I focused on the autistic community. I know how harmful these stereotypes can be because it makes people hold biases and judgments about individuals before even meeting them. I thought that all of the evidence that you used throughout your video essay was amazing as it supported your claim about how Asian Americans need to alter their concept of the American dream to account for the judgments and biases of the society around them. Overall, your visuals were really nice and you cited many sources to help back up your argument, so I thought it was really well done.