“Assimilation” monologue by Shishir Kurup
In the first scene, the main actor reminisces on the memories of being
told he does not belong in America. This scene displays the struggle
that immigrants go through where they are trying to figure out their
identity and where their home is. The mythic fears scene discusses
what seems to be the stereotypes and norms of Americans. This
scene is displaying how the actor feels like they must assimilate to
these bad norms. The fat family scene exhibits the stereotype of
Americans being fat due to the vast amount of fast food chains in
the United States. The immigrant family have become accustomed
to the convenient but unhealthy food where in the past they used to
cook their own fresh and healthy food. I believe this scene is showing
how what seems to be so amazing in America in reality is not actually
as amazing as it is advertised to be. In the Tom scene, the immigrant
is interacting with an American boy. This scene is displaying an
uneducated American boy and showing the stereotype of immigrants
not being able to pronounce English words correctly due to their native
tongue. This scene also displays subtle racism. I think this scene is still
a relatable situation in our present day because racism is supposedly
nonexistent when it is actually just subtle in everyday interactions. In
the Tina’s food market scene, the main actor interacts with other
immigrants. The scene is showing the common stereotype of immigrants
not be proficient in speaking English and how they become Americanized
by changing their name to an American name because it’s easier to tell
others. It is still a common practice for immigrants to adopt a new
American name so it is easier for other Americans to pronounce their
name. For example, in schools students can provided a “nickname” for
their teacher to address them by especially when others have difficulty
pronouncing their original name. The an actor prepares scene displays
how stereotypes of different races are produced in the media. In our
present day, there is controversy over the display of minority groups
in the media especially when there is the accusation of
“white washing”.
“Heterogeneity, Hybridity, Multiplicity: Marking Asian American Differences”
by Lisa Lowe
The theme in this article addresses the “breaking of tradition” between older
generations and newer generations. The reason for the different perspectives
of identity with culture and gender is due to the different time periods, events,
and environments each generation grows up in. Depending on the situation,
the “breaking of tradition” can be considered freeing from restraints or a
depletion of the original culture. This concept is a struggle between older and
newer generations trying to understand each other. An example from my
personal life is my relatives are not fond of my outspoken personality. If I do
not agree with them, I will express my opinion in a respective manner. They
believe that women should be quiet and keep to themselves. They always
tell me I shouldn’t speak up and let the men of the family do the talking. In
my generation and the present day, women are fighting against being
suppressed by males and this is what I believe in. My personal example
displays the struggle of different ideals between older and newer generations.
The newer generations of immigrant families are producing cultural hybridity.
The 3 concepts mentioned in this article include: heterogeneity, hybridity, and
multiplicity. Heterogeneity expresses the different groups that exist under the
same title of Asian American. All of these ethnic groups’ cultures are
undergoing cultural hybridity. Hybridity exhibits the suppression Asian
Americans undergo in the American society. The cultures are ever changing to
combat this suppression. Multiplicity displays the outside factors from society
that affect the relations of Asian Americans. Multiplicity also applies to cultural
hybridity through aspects from society that affect all Asian Americans and their
inner relations change which causes their cultures to change depending on their
surroundings.
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