Internet Activities

  1. Watch the viral video, “Asians in the Library” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQR01qltgo8). What concepts apply to what Alexandra says? What does her language (e.g., “hordes,” “ching chong,” “our school”) suggest? Find a critique such as “Alexandra Wallace Says Sorry…” at http://www.colorlines.com/articles/alexandra-wallace-says-sorry-asians-library-youtube-rant. What important points does it make? Then, watch this reinterpretation by spoken word artist Beau Sia, “Asians in the library of the world: a persona poem in the voice of Alexandra Wallace” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F84NWh8Uzok). Which of his points are most relevant? How does it relate to what you’ve learned?
  2. Visit the “Ethnic Groups” tab of Asian Nation at http://www.asian-nation.org/index.shtml to learn more about another Asian American ethnic group (e.g., Cambodian Americans, Laotian Americans). Click “Issues” or “Links” and find a topic of interest. Note the “Cosmetic Surgery,” “Assimilation & Ethnic Identity,” and “Multi-Racial/Hapa” links under the “Culture” section. What was most interesting or relevant and how does it build on what you’ve learned?
  3. Watch this satire, “What Kind of Asian Are You?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWynJkN5HbQ). Is its approach to challenging the idea of the “perpetual foreigner” effective? What do you think about the questions he asks her? What about her response? Identify several problematic statements said by each actor. Would you consider them racist, rude, or ill-informed? Why? Watch the actors read selected viewer comments (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0QeIq6xt1U). What do you make of them in relation to what you’ve learned?
  4. Read “Is Race Plastic? My Trip Into the ‘Ethnic Plastic Surgery’ Minefield” (http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/07/ethnic-plastic-surgery.html). How does it relate to Kaw’s research on Anglo beauty standards? What’s important to take away from this article?