In the first week of the study of Asian American literature, Ms.Sohn taught the class the idea of “diaspora”. According to dictionary.com, diaspora’s official meaning specifically applies to “the scattering of the Jews to countries outside of Israel.” With the large influx of Asian American immigration to the United States in the late 1800’s and the racial hardships Asian immigrants endured, the word diaspora can be appropriately applied to the Asian American race.
With no purpose to reiterate the degree of racism the Asian Americans received, it is interesting to look at some of the initiatives that Asian Americans, especially young ones, took to counter the White society’s racial oppression. It is fascinating to learn that Asian American studies was first initiated at Berkeley “as a result of a 1969 student strike.” In the 1960’s when many liberal movements came into being, the Asian American community was also a part of the protestation against racism. The picture below is one that documents the collaboration of Asian Americans, African Americans and Chicanos in the fight against non-white racism. AAPA, the Asian American Political Alliance, was a major force of Asian protestations. It was believed by Manuel Ruben Delgado, who was a Chicano strike leader and on the right of the picture below, that AAPA was the “heart and soul” of the strike. AAPA fought against not only domestic non-white racial oppressions, but also against racist wars that the United States was involved in in Asian countries such as Vietnam. The the same time, the demand for a free access to education was also addressed by the Asian American movement.
Until this day, when people like us have more exposure to the studies of Asian Americans, the Asian American diaspora can be understood in a larger and more meaningful context.
Image: http://aaads.berkeley.edu/2013/11/new-uc-berkeley-aaads-introduction-video/