Journal Entry #7: Aoiki & Kwon

              The documentary was interesting because Aoiki highlighted the protests that Asian Americans had to carry out. Before this class, and the documentary, I had never realized how hard these individuals fought for their recognition and establishment. I thought Aoiki as a person was very interesting because his character was unusually eccentric and enthusiastic despite the struggle he was fighting for. He was basically really funny and I think it was a relevant way to reach the youth he was speaking out to. The documentary just broadened my perspective a little more because within the context of time, there were a lot of social issues, but this one specifically was never focused on. 

              As for the article by Soo Ah Kwonm, it was an upsetting read. For me personally, seeing that the campaign had to struggle against the government’s power and somehow maneuver around the institution just to let these refugees have a second chance in their lives, it was just frustrating. The Asian/Pacific Islander YouthPromoting Advocacy and Leadership, the AYPAL, essentially confronted the oppressive power relations by fighting to repeal the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Another obstacle in their was as young people, aging from 14 to 18 years old, to challenge the inhibitions of their relationship to the state, and also uncovering the imperial state they were really fighting. It's ironic to see this struggle for power with the state holding the youth back because the general idea in society is for the youth to stand up and fight and make a real change not just in society, but also in the political world. But now that this small campaign, AYPAL, was trying to do just that, the state pushed back and limited their reach.