Asian American Culture 210 - An Eye Opening Experience

In my Asian American Culture class (ETHS 210) at San Francisco State University, we're ALMOST at the final day of the class and I have to say that I'm incredibly happy that the semester is nearly over, but am incredibly sad that the class is coming to an end. I have had so much fun and have had so many good memories with my group mates (Team Awesomeness), my guerrilla invasion group (Team Awesomeness + Team Lau), with my dance group for our POP (Producing Our Power) event (Oscar, Sam, Amanda, Melisa, Khay, Nicole, Crystle), and with everyone else in the class. Although I came into the class not really sure about who I am as an Asian American individual, this class has helped me to realize and slowly understand my identity within American society. And I'm truly thankful for Irene Duller (my teacher), Lawrence (my class' T.A.), and all my peers in the class who helped shape more of my identity and who I am today.

At the beginning of the semester, I found myself constantly thinking, "What does it mean to be Asian American? Am I white washed in some ways and not truly Asian? Am I too black in some ways and not Asian? Because I don't know all of my family's culture, ancestry, traditions, etc. am I not truly Asian? What changes need to be made in today's society for Asian people to be understood and accepted?" All these questions lingered in my mind but I began finding the answers in this class. One of the most important things that I learned about my identity through my Ethnic Studies 210 course is that the term "Asian American" has a double-edged sword feel to it. Asian American people do share the similar experiences and struggles and can be encompassed into this one category or group. On the other hand, Asian Americans (and Asian people in general) are always fighting and trying to help other people understand that there are so many different cultures, traditions, histories, lifestyles with each Asian group and that each group is unique and different. Most importantly, I learned that it is important to have an Asian or Asian American categorization but also that it is important to respect the culture of each Asian group; it allows all others to understand the troubles ALL Asian people have felt as a whole but also gives respect to the differences between cultures. Another common misconception I always had was that because I didn't understand my family's culture and ancestry fully, I was too "white washed" and not "Asian" enough. My teacher Irene taught me that one truly learns their culture by learning what happened in the past and also connecting it to the present, the contemporary time. She taught me that the past, the present, and the future all coincide and interweave together and that the past lays a foundation to make change in the present and in the future. I guess all in all I learned that it is important to know and understand history and who important people are like Jose Rizal but it's just as important to understand what is going on in the Asian American community in today's society. Irene, Lawrence, and the class taught me that learning about culture means that you have to feel it, embrace it, allow it to penetrate and permeate into your body, and then retain it within you. It's not simply something you learn in just a short time. Learning and understanding culture is something that develops within you over your entire lifetime. Finally the most important thing I learned through this class is that change can occur as long as you and others are willing to fight hard and long for it. The Third World Liberation Front and the Black Student Union fighting for a college of Ethnic Studies at SF State is plenty reason to believe in fighting for your rights. Irene showed that change can be made if you put your heart and soul into it. Put some effort and you will produce.

I started out this blog saying that Hyphen Magazine was an eye opening magazine. I'd like to go full circle and state that Irene Duller's Asian American Culture class (ETHS 210) opened my eyes to new thinking, to new experiences, and to a new outlook on things in life.

So thanks Irene for everything. Although the assignments you gave pushed me out of my comfort level, I'm glad you did it in the end. I'll always have a special bond with Team Awesomeness, Team Lau, my dance crew POP team, and with everyone in the class because of the way you oriented the class to giving it that family feel.

This is a class I'll never forget and it truly was an eye opening experience.