Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People

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Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People
SECTION 1
Summary: Asian American Dreams
Chapter 1: From Nothing, a Consciousness
In this chapter, Zia (An Asian American) seeks how she was exposed to racial differences at a young age. Her parents were immigrants who escaped from China due to the war with Japan. As a result, she states that she sets out a bid to establish her racial identity. During those years (the 1960s), Asians were not considered as a minority as African Americans neither were they considered to privileged like white Americans. In this regard, most of her time as a young student was dedicated to discovering herself as an Asian American. Her childhood was marred by negativity from people who did not consider her American despite being born in the country. She also explains how her father, like most other Chinese in America, was treated with suspicion by government agencies. Nevertheless, as she approached college age, the population of Asian Americans was growing big. For the first time, they had begun gaining recognition and even getting admitted into colleges and universities.
Chapter 2: Surrogate Slaves to American Dreamers
The chapter begins with Zia explaining the predictable rhythm she had to undergo in her history classes. She explains that most stories about American historical events such as Civil War, Gold Rush, World War I, among others, did not include any single Asian American. The first story in their textbooks that included Asians was World War II but still not in the right way. Any encounter with a story on Asians would result in her schoolmates looking at her unpleasantly. The chapter also illustrates how Zia’s father used any means to ensure she understood her Chinese roots and history. Zia also gives the names of the first prominent Asian-Americans and how some of them still were not considered full Americans. The chapter also illustrates how Asians also worked as slaves, but unlike African Americans, they were freed after paying off their debts. She also talks about the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese immigrants from becoming U.S. Citizens. Notably, this chapter is dedicated to demonstrating historical racism and discrimination in Asian-Africans underwent through.
Chapter 3: The Awakening: Detroit Blues “Because of You Motherfuckers”
Zia begins by stating that she did migrate to Detroit in 1976 with the aim of finding a job. She enrolled for a scholarship and major in International affairs and minored in student Activism and also took up a pre-med course to please her parents. She would later quit medical school and was employed at a Chrysler stamping plant and also joined the United Autoworkers Union. Some years later, she lost the job and began publishing for the "Detroit Metro Times." By 1982, the automobile industry was doing poorly due to cheap cars from Japan, resulting in massive problems due to unemployment in Detroit. In this regard, this resulted in the targeting of anything considered to be Japanese, and later this turned into targets of Asian Americans and killing Vincent, a Chinese American, by two white men. In this regard, chapter three is dedicated to the rise of Asian American Activism and their decision to stand up against discrimination and unequal treatment by other populations through protests and legal processes.
Chapter 4: To Market, to Market, New York Style
In the chapter, Zia begins by demonstrating how her parents observed Chinese traditions and expected the same from her. More she talks about Chinese Americans from New York, including children who spoke fluent Chinese and observed Chinese practices and observed the special day as well as considered non-Chinese to be devils. As a result, the exploding Asian diversity in New York meant that everyone assumed that all Asian-Americans were experts in Asian culture and practices. Later in the later 1980s, chapter three illustrates the prevalence of hatred towards Asian Americans by other races. The chapter has also talked about the cultural conflicts between Korean and African Americans in New York, which was later resolved.
Chapter 5: Gangsters, Gooks, Geishas, and Geeks
This chapter focuses on various cultural beliefs by Asians and how they affected Asian Americans, especially women. Zia has also illustrated how Asian Americans were depicted negatively by American media and movies. The images displayed in the movies and books resulted in the growth of stereotypes and prejudices towards Asian-Americans. More so, Asian American writers and authors formed associations to fight negative prejudice towards Asians by the media and discrimination they were facing in the industry. Most of them were through numerous auditions but were considered to be incompetent and not good enough. Chapter five also talks about sexual harassment and inappropriateness, which were subjected to Asian Americans in American society.
Chapter 6: Welcome to Washington
The chapter begins by Zia, illustrating her doubts on whether she was an American or Chinese. Although she considered herself American, she could see that most people considered her a foreigner. She also describes her historic visit to China alongside other Chinese American students. Her visit experiences in China also resulted in her not be considered Chinese by the locals and her parents’ relatives. In this regard, Zia felt that she was not fully accepted in either the American or Chinese society. As a result, the chapter is dedicated to illustrating how Asian Americans faced challenges in being accepted as being Americans including in workplaces and government institutions.
Chapter 7: Lost and Found in L.A.
Zia talks about how her parents taught them to be obedient and the importance of playing their roles as children. She demonstrates that each child had assigned them by their parents. The chapter also talks about the 1992 L.A. riots, which resulted in the death of 54 people and the burning of more than 4,500 shops. Most of the businesses that were destroyed belonged to Korean Americans. Most of the attacks were perpetrated by black and Latino Americans whose objectives were to target Korean Americans. In this chapter, Zia talks about some Asians accepted being a minority and turned to hard work to ensure they succeeded in America. Korean Americans knew that only hard work would enable them to achieve their dreams. However, their success in business also resulted in envy from other minority groups.
Chapter 8: For Richer, For Poorer
In this chapter, Zia mainly talks about the concept of maintaining cultural traditions. One of the aspects discussed is the passing of the 1965 Immigration Act, which allowed relatives of previously-immigrants U.S. citizens to come to the U.S. More so, the chapter describes the hardships and work-related exploitation which were encountered by relatives visiting from China to live in America. In this sense, the chapter demonstrates the role of the Immigration Act in the increase of Asians into the U.S. Within three decades after passing of the Act, the number of Asian Americans rose from less than one million to ten million. As a result, the chapter talks about the increase in the Asian American population.
Chapter 9: Out of the Front Line
In chapter nine, Zia talks about her parents' expectations of her and how she failed to follow their wishes. Her parents could not comprehend her decision to quit medical school and become a community organizer. The chapter has also pointed out the role of unions, especially in several sectors and industries. Another concept that is discussed in the chapter is the issue of sexual orientation. Zia...