This is the course blog for ICS24/ELIT24, Asian American Literature, at De Anza College
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Comparing States
What are some differences that Asians in California might experience compared to Asians who live in states such as Kansas, where the population is not generally predominantly Asian or as diverse as the population of California?
In my opinion, i think that Asians that dont live in predominantly Asian states gets harassed more or discriminize due to their ethnicity. An example would be in Virginia, which is a predominantly a African American state. If you recall the shooting in University of Virginia, a student of Asian ethnicity had a shooting at the school.
There would definitely be a difference in language and attitudes. I wouldn't necessarily point out Asians, as all people living in a specific areas are influenced by their surroundings. Hence, Southern people are more old-fashioned and people living in the West are free-spirited.
The overall environment and atmosphere will show a drastic change. Being here in California, there is a large population of Asians mixed with other races. Other states where the dominate race is say, white, I feel a majority of Asians wouldn't feel as comfortable as they would in California where they're more surrounded by others who come from the same race.
I think there is a big difference of the treatment of Asian people in different states. I love that I grew up in Cupertino because of the diversity. When my cousins who live in Wisconsin came to California for the first time, they said "wow! there are so many Asian people here, at our school there are only 2 Asian students. I am so lucky that I grew up in a town where I can be open about exploring different cultures.
Overall, I think there's a huge population of Asians in California compared to other states, especially those in the east coast. I do believe that most Asians in other states are more "Americanized" because there are less opportunities to meet other Asians. For instance, the character in KTown Cowboys was not sure how to interact with other Koreans because he grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood.
There's a huge difference, San Jose is this huge melting pot of different ethnicities, where else can you drive 5 minutes and get Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian, or Indonesian food? There's a strong sense of cultural acceptance here, people are will to try new things, and people know each other here, they see different races communicate.
I went down to Atlanta, Georgia and Ft. Benning, Georgia, I literally did not see any other Asians besides my family for the entire week. I didn't receive any dirty looks (plus I look super white), but it was still a weird experience.
I thought there was only four people living in Kansas (including the bears, deer, and other animals that mostly populate it). Just kidding. Or am I? But putting all jokes aside, Asian Americans that grow up in the east cost or central of the U.S might be singled out and looked at the only foreigner in town. But, in California there are so many Asian groups that have their districts in certain cities, such as K-town in Los Angelos, or China town in San Francisco. However, it makes sense that most Asian groups are in the west coast of America because it is the closes side to Asia and easier to migrate to.
My thoughts on their experience is that Asian American in California definitely have a better experience than those in Kansas due to the large amount of Asian population in California. More people means they can help each other out. Places like Kansas are very hard to find a Grocery store for Asian community where Asian would want to buy their food from. Since they don't have that option, they have to fit in and eat whatever is available to them.
In my opinion, i think that Asians that dont live in predominantly Asian states gets harassed more or discriminize due to their ethnicity. An example would be in Virginia, which is a predominantly a African American state. If you recall the shooting in University of Virginia, a student of Asian ethnicity had a shooting at the school.
ReplyDeleteThere would definitely be a difference in language and attitudes. I wouldn't necessarily point out Asians, as all people living in a specific areas are influenced by their surroundings. Hence, Southern people are more old-fashioned and people living in the West are free-spirited.
ReplyDeleteThe overall environment and atmosphere will show a drastic change. Being here in California, there is a large population of Asians mixed with other races. Other states where the dominate race is say, white, I feel a majority of Asians wouldn't feel as comfortable as they would in California where they're more surrounded by others who come from the same race.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a big difference of the treatment of Asian people in different states. I love that I grew up in Cupertino because of the diversity. When my cousins who live in Wisconsin came to California for the first time, they said "wow! there are so many Asian people here, at our school there are only 2 Asian students. I am so lucky that I grew up in a town where I can be open about exploring different cultures.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think there's a huge population of Asians in California compared to other states, especially those in the east coast. I do believe that most Asians in other states are more "Americanized" because there are less opportunities to meet other Asians. For instance, the character in KTown Cowboys was not sure how to interact with other Koreans because he grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThere's a huge difference, San Jose is this huge melting pot of different ethnicities, where else can you drive 5 minutes and get Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian, or Indonesian food? There's a strong sense of cultural acceptance here, people are will to try new things, and people know each other here, they see different races communicate.
ReplyDeleteI went down to Atlanta, Georgia and Ft. Benning, Georgia, I literally did not see any other Asians besides my family for the entire week. I didn't receive any dirty looks (plus I look super white), but it was still a weird experience.
I thought there was only four people living in Kansas (including the bears, deer, and other animals that mostly populate it). Just kidding. Or am I? But putting all jokes aside, Asian Americans that grow up in the east cost or central of the U.S might be singled out and looked at the only foreigner in town. But, in California there are so many Asian groups that have their districts in certain cities, such as K-town in Los Angelos, or China town in San Francisco. However, it makes sense that most Asian groups are in the west coast of America because it is the closes side to Asia and easier to migrate to.
ReplyDelete- Jeofrey Reyes
My thoughts on their experience is that Asian American in California definitely have a better experience than those in Kansas due to the large amount of Asian population in California. More people means they can help each other out. Places like Kansas are very hard to find a Grocery store for Asian community where Asian would want to buy their food from. Since they don't have that option, they have to fit in and eat whatever is available to them.
ReplyDelete