Film: Edward Said on Orientalism
This film helped explain the concept of orientalism and the history behind it. Said tries to answer questions of why we have preconceived notions of people of other groups such as how they think and what they believe. His main goal was to determine how we can approach people who are different from us. I though it was very admirable and interesting how Said was highly motivated and had open perspectives when learning about people of other groups.
Family, Culture, Gender by Bindi V. Shah
In this chapter, the author touches on the theme of conflict and the two separate culture. More specifically, the author notes how in media, second generation Laotians are portrayed as being involved with dual identities, loyalties, and feelings of belonging. They constantly struggle and navigate through the two different worlds and the socio-ideological point of view. The girls experience conflict as well as solidarity with their parents and community. However, these second generation Laotian girls easily labeled and categorized ethnically. The stories included in the chapter express the continuous contradictions around identity and culture that cannot be contained in one essentialized term “Laotian women”. This reminded me of the idea of heterogeneity and multiplicity that Lowe talks about in her essay. Both authors are arguing that it is necessary to realize and understand that not all Asian Americans are the same. Therefore, due to the different experiences and backgrounds, Asian Americans cannot all be put into one category. Therefore labeling and constructing second generation women identities limits their ability to voice, space, or autonomy. Throughout the chapter, the author explains the Laotian cultures, beliefs, expectations and values. Shah incorporates excerpts from interviews with young Laotian girls to voice their opinions and thoughts about their experiences and culture. One topic discussed is the intergenerational relationships within the family. Alienation is one of the main themes; this conflict stems from communication problems and parental expectations and control.This alienation is a result from children’s inability to communicate with their parents. Parents compare lives of their children with their own lives. Parents are not able to grasp the pressures and demands of living in a new community that their children grow up in. On page 110, there is a quote where a parent states “back in Thailand, I used to do this, I used to do that, you don’t have to do that”. I can relate to this as my parents who are immigrants would always say things similar to the previous quote. Growing up, whenever i complained about how hard something was, my parents would always remind me and say how i should be thankful because they had it much harder. I remember i would always think how that don't understand because they never had grew up or attended school in America , thus they cannot understand. This shows how everybody experiences different things as culture is constantly changing. Which is one reason why generational strain is a familiar and inevitable part of adolescent like. I also thought it was interesting how second generation Laotian women experience inequality not only in the community for being the model minority, but also within their Laotian family and community through the gender inequality that exists. Laotian girls between the ages of 8-10 are expected to cook, clean, and take care of siblings while the boys have more freedom, flexibility, and favored status. Parents say that the girls need to sew in these responsibilities to prepare for a life of family. However I thought it was interesting and respectable how the teens interviewed stated how they decide to deviate from these traditions because they don't need no man and can be independent.
This film helped explain the concept of orientalism and the history behind it. Said tries to answer questions of why we have preconceived notions of people of other groups such as how they think and what they believe. His main goal was to determine how we can approach people who are different from us. I though it was very admirable and interesting how Said was highly motivated and had open perspectives when learning about people of other groups.
Family, Culture, Gender by Bindi V. Shah
In this chapter, the author touches on the theme of conflict and the two separate culture. More specifically, the author notes how in media, second generation Laotians are portrayed as being involved with dual identities, loyalties, and feelings of belonging. They constantly struggle and navigate through the two different worlds and the socio-ideological point of view. The girls experience conflict as well as solidarity with their parents and community. However, these second generation Laotian girls easily labeled and categorized ethnically. The stories included in the chapter express the continuous contradictions around identity and culture that cannot be contained in one essentialized term “Laotian women”. This reminded me of the idea of heterogeneity and multiplicity that Lowe talks about in her essay. Both authors are arguing that it is necessary to realize and understand that not all Asian Americans are the same. Therefore, due to the different experiences and backgrounds, Asian Americans cannot all be put into one category. Therefore labeling and constructing second generation women identities limits their ability to voice, space, or autonomy. Throughout the chapter, the author explains the Laotian cultures, beliefs, expectations and values. Shah incorporates excerpts from interviews with young Laotian girls to voice their opinions and thoughts about their experiences and culture. One topic discussed is the intergenerational relationships within the family. Alienation is one of the main themes; this conflict stems from communication problems and parental expectations and control.This alienation is a result from children’s inability to communicate with their parents. Parents compare lives of their children with their own lives. Parents are not able to grasp the pressures and demands of living in a new community that their children grow up in. On page 110, there is a quote where a parent states “back in Thailand, I used to do this, I used to do that, you don’t have to do that”. I can relate to this as my parents who are immigrants would always say things similar to the previous quote. Growing up, whenever i complained about how hard something was, my parents would always remind me and say how i should be thankful because they had it much harder. I remember i would always think how that don't understand because they never had grew up or attended school in America , thus they cannot understand. This shows how everybody experiences different things as culture is constantly changing. Which is one reason why generational strain is a familiar and inevitable part of adolescent like. I also thought it was interesting how second generation Laotian women experience inequality not only in the community for being the model minority, but also within their Laotian family and community through the gender inequality that exists. Laotian girls between the ages of 8-10 are expected to cook, clean, and take care of siblings while the boys have more freedom, flexibility, and favored status. Parents say that the girls need to sew in these responsibilities to prepare for a life of family. However I thought it was interesting and respectable how the teens interviewed stated how they decide to deviate from these traditions because they don't need no man and can be independent.
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