Monday, May 1, 2017

Critical Reading Journal: Soo Ah Kwon and Richard Aoki

Article: “Deporting Cambodian Refugees: Youth Activism, State Reform, and
Imperial Statecraft” by Soo Ah Kwon
In the article “Deporting Cambodian Refugees: Youth Activism, State Reform,

and Imperial Statecraft” by Soo Ah Kwon, violations that gave the government

probable cause to deport refugees included “...urinating in public,...or failing to

pay a subway fare…” (Kwon 740). I do not believe these violations are good

enough reasons for a refugee to be considered a “criminal alien” and deported

back to the country they were trying to escape. The author also mentions how

this system of penalties was directed towards minority groups. I agree with the

author because in the past and present day, the most common people who are

deported back to their original country are of any skin color other than white.

I believe it is important to have and listen to youth activism in social and

economic politics especially because the youth will one day be the leaders of

the country.

The Film: Richard Aoki
The film of Richard Aoki talked about Aoki’s presence in activism for civil

rights. Those who were close to Aoki talked about how Aoki always spoke his

mind. In the film Aoki talks about how people need to see the reality of the

situation and deal with it. I believe Aoki has valid point but also it is hard in our

present society to go against those of higher power because people are

generally taught to fear them and the consequences that come about when they

revolt against the higher power. The AAPA was an organization that Aoki was

a part of. He mentions that this group identifies commonalities between Asian

Americans and other groups and will work with other groups to solve the

problems. Aoki explains the significance of power and this displays there can

be power in the masses. The presence of Richard Aoki in the African

American community reminds me of the Grace Lee Boggs who was also an

Asian American with a presence in the African American community of

Detroit.

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