Karen Nguyen

ASA 4 - Omar

23 May 2017

Import Subcultures by Rodriguez and Gonzalez

           Rodriquez and Gonzalez write about the Asian American subculture based on imports. They address how their engagements with the car transforms this Asian American culture in terms of structuring its consumer practices and politics as well as its gender standards. Precisely, it was interesting to read about how the car helped to identify gender and sexuality. In fact, in the broader transnational culture of cars, cars are commonly symbols of mobility, status, and definitely indicators of sexuality. Signifiers such as "muscle cars," typically referring to one's car using female name, "rice boys," and judging a car's level of femininity and masculinity are all examples of this crosscultural culture. Because cars are icons of American freedom and mobility, this Asian American subculture's mode of consumerism and expression reflects the traditional dominance of the male. If this is so, then there are forms of resistance within the subculture and between cultures across America that are significant to politics and commodity culture. An example of such resistance may include the femeninization of other significant staple commodities in Asian American culture, or even an increase in women becoming more involved in the "ricer" lifestyle.