“American Son” is a novel that depicts the immigrant life of Asian Americans. The main characters in this novel are two mixed teenage brothers and their Filipino mother who does not understand their lifestyle. The topic of the story is the conflict between the two different generations.
The mother wanted the sons to grow up with the ability to create their own “American Dream.” She wanted to give her sons all of the opportunities that she was not able to receive in the Filipinos. One son, Tomas, started to associate himself in the gang lifestyle and started to give his mother and family shame to his Filipino roots. In the mother’s eyes, she did not try her hardest to fit into the American culture, and this in return caused her children to become the way they are. The ignorance that the mother displayed throughout the novel caused the boys to choose their own paths of their American Dream. The boys had a very hostile depiction of the different cultures that surrounded them causing them to behave in the manner they did.
Although the two songs were completely different from one another they still created their own American Dream. When it comes down to it, the novel depicted the California culture. The novel gives us the real time perspective of how the California Dream is not how we depict it to the rest of the world.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Crash
The film “Crash” has a very ironic title. Due to it’s multicultural topic, it shows how different cultures and different societies come together and live in one general society. It can be said that they do not know whether or not the cultures “clash” or “crash” with each other. Each race is being exploited in a way that has a negative connotation. However, in the end they all come together for a common cause or moral lesson.
The film “Crash” demonstrates the barriers that interracial relationships between friends and lovers. Every character has at some point throughout the movie have experienced some type of racial stereotype and they have themselves stereotyped another race. For example, when it came to the two African American males who stole a car, they assumed that everyone who came their way was stereotyping them due to their race; for example, the Caucasian female who held onto her purse tightly as they walked by or the service they didn’t receive at the coffee shop. Or the instance where the Caucasian police officer pulled over the African American couple, driving an Escalade. However, even though they all experienced some type of discrimination, at the end of the movie one realizes that interracial relationships amongst individuals is an essential for society.
“Crash” also depicts all races as somewhat civil as the movie progresses. It shows that all people can be humanitarians and care for others regardless of race. At the end of the day we are all human beings and must care for one another. This is quite ironic because during the film, we see that the characters are all very critical of each other but they all turn out to have good morals and humanitarian beliefs.
The film “Crash” demonstrates the barriers that interracial relationships between friends and lovers. Every character has at some point throughout the movie have experienced some type of racial stereotype and they have themselves stereotyped another race. For example, when it came to the two African American males who stole a car, they assumed that everyone who came their way was stereotyping them due to their race; for example, the Caucasian female who held onto her purse tightly as they walked by or the service they didn’t receive at the coffee shop. Or the instance where the Caucasian police officer pulled over the African American couple, driving an Escalade. However, even though they all experienced some type of discrimination, at the end of the movie one realizes that interracial relationships amongst individuals is an essential for society.
“Crash” also depicts all races as somewhat civil as the movie progresses. It shows that all people can be humanitarians and care for others regardless of race. At the end of the day we are all human beings and must care for one another. This is quite ironic because during the film, we see that the characters are all very critical of each other but they all turn out to have good morals and humanitarian beliefs.
Coming to Cali...
“Coming to California: Chasing the Dream “ by Gibbs and Bankhead discusses the problems of multiculturalism. It focuses on discrimination and other prejudices that arise from racism. This is also what the main focus of “What is Multiculturalism?” by Jay. They both similarly speak about what are the effects that immigrants have brought for the United States. Jay talks about how we define ourselves based upon the nation that we live in.
Politics is one major issue that both readings shared in common. Politicians are quick and eager to find new immigrant groups who could be blamed for society’s issues. An example of this would be against homosexuals and the fight for Prop 8 (same sex marriages). They (Politicians) are always seeking to exploit minorities and blue-collar workers.
Politics is one major issue that both readings shared in common. Politicians are quick and eager to find new immigrant groups who could be blamed for society’s issues. An example of this would be against homosexuals and the fight for Prop 8 (same sex marriages). They (Politicians) are always seeking to exploit minorities and blue-collar workers.
What is Multiculturalism?
In Jay’s “What is Multiculturalism?” he makes statements in response to the issue of Americas “melting pot” society. America’s conception of itself is that it is a very diverse community. This “movement” preserves ethnic, racial and culture by melting them into one common culture. Individuals are not only exposed to other cultures but it is suggested that political identities that are a part of each cultures society are exposed as well. Due to this, there has been a boom in immigration to the United States.
Question: How can you identify yourself to Jay’s multicultural ideology and to what extent would you say you are a part of this multicultural society?
Question: How can you identify yourself to Jay’s multicultural ideology and to what extent would you say you are a part of this multicultural society?
Roseeee
This poem had a very different feel then “Indian Cartography.” However, it had the same general idea, stating that individuals have lost their land and its history due to society. This poem was much more intense and had a bolder statement. The displacement of Native Americans was a huge downfall for the United States. Wendy Rose attempts to look through the point of view of her Native American ancestors and imagine what they went through during this difficult time. Because I feel it was told on a much more personal level, the intensity of the poem was stronger.
Indian Cartography by Deborah Miranda
“Indian Cartography” by Deborah Miranda gives a vivid image of what society used to be like in California. Cartography is a way of making geographical maps in its literal definition, as also stated by Kalida Jordan. A lot of history in California has been subsided and removed through natural and physical ways. This poem depicts the landscape that California once had, and gives us an idea of how it was shifted to what present day California really is. It represents the ideology that Native Americans were replaced in their own land by what our modern society consists of. Another aspect of this poem hints at discrimination towards Native Americans and their displacement. Unfortunately, this previous Indian land is no longer recognizable due to what our society has done to it (by creating entertainment industries, shopping centers, etc) There is no longer any natural beauty to the land.
Fallacy Readings
Chapter Eleven
Throughout this chapter it gives a strong view of how racial oppression was vividly present in the times of the Gold Rush. Although there were many other races that were apparent in the United States, however Caucasians were definitely the superior race compared to the rest. Immigrants and non-Caucasians were treated very poorly and the concept of hatred through the racial superiority (Caucasians) was also quite apparent. However, as years passed the racial superiority system in the United States became very prejudice and political incorrect. This was a huge turning point for the United States. However, one can still argue that racial stereotypes and prejudices still are apparent in the United States even today.
Chapter Two
This was probably one of the most interesting chapters of all the readings. Talking into account the amount of time human beings have been in California (about 12,000 to 15,000 years) it opens up ones eyes to how much we have accomplished as a society. Part of the reason why California had not expanded as much is because of its terrain and geography. However, before people started to migrate to California the Indians had already established the land, and in a sense made it easier for the Europeans to settle. The type of technology that the Indians had at this point in time, it is astonishing as to how efficient they were as a society.
Throughout this chapter it gives a strong view of how racial oppression was vividly present in the times of the Gold Rush. Although there were many other races that were apparent in the United States, however Caucasians were definitely the superior race compared to the rest. Immigrants and non-Caucasians were treated very poorly and the concept of hatred through the racial superiority (Caucasians) was also quite apparent. However, as years passed the racial superiority system in the United States became very prejudice and political incorrect. This was a huge turning point for the United States. However, one can still argue that racial stereotypes and prejudices still are apparent in the United States even today.
Chapter Two
This was probably one of the most interesting chapters of all the readings. Talking into account the amount of time human beings have been in California (about 12,000 to 15,000 years) it opens up ones eyes to how much we have accomplished as a society. Part of the reason why California had not expanded as much is because of its terrain and geography. However, before people started to migrate to California the Indians had already established the land, and in a sense made it easier for the Europeans to settle. The type of technology that the Indians had at this point in time, it is astonishing as to how efficient they were as a society.
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