tues 5/2

It is surprising to find that that American implicitly runs on Neoliberal capitalism, not just capitalism (“privatization and personal responsibility”). This type of system is what foster negative stereotypes among people of color (e.g.  criminals, evils, lazy, victims of their own problems, etc.). It important to be aware of this, as a female immigrant of color, since it explains why many people of color today are facing so many issues within their communities and White supremacy. What it is harmful is the fact that this system can use this ideology to deny public services (e.g. welfare) to low-income families and deport marginalized people (e.g. men of color, legal or illegal immigrants). In additionally, the government can justify their Institutions of surveillance, criminalization. Incarceration, and detention as an act of protecting American citizens from terrorists and aliens. In my opinion, this system exists to centralize the federal government (owned by white supremacists) and lessen the power of the common people. How do we know? On the smaller scale, the democracy system is ignoring the voices of youth, belittling their political power since they are not qualified to vote. On the surface, the practice of democracy disguises itself as an open practice of “the people,” however, it is an entity comprising formal presentation and bureaucratic channels targeting voters, which means that it supports the establishments more than the people.

However, on the positive side, the deportation campaign demonstrated by AYPAL had inspired many youths of color, including me, to be involved in social justice movements and I realized how important it is to educate myself and be aware of today’s current events.

Film: Aoki

Overall, I felt quite empowered knowing that the Asian American Communities do exist despite the low quantitative aspects. I remember a guy in the film said that there were only 25 active members because the rest were busy studying. This is sad, but it is a fact. I could have been those Asians who prefer to study instead of doing rebellious/crazy activities. This scene had made me realized how the education institutions can break our rebelliousness and sense of agency. Additionally, it is not surprising to see Author who led this movement was influenced by his struggles (e.g. Japanese internment camp and resided in ghetto neighborhoods). I am glad that the leader was not from a middle-class Asian American, which does not represent Asian Americans who have been through the racial and class struggles. Lastly, I learned something “new,” which is how Richard emphasized on using militant to fight against the police to prove that Asian Americans are weak and to gain trust from other minority communities. The part where an Asian lady who swung her purse filled with two bricks against the policies was so hilarious; it made me realized how “we” are not weak (stupid stereotypes) and this small lady had inspired me to do that too if (e.g. be militant) when I get involved with future protests. (depends on the context though)