“Reading Asian America”: An AAAYA SoCal Nonfiction Discussion Group Kickoff Event

“Reading Asian America”: An AAAYA SoCal Nonfiction Discussion Group

 Introduction: 

The “Reading Asian America” discussion group is a new initiative designed to foster deeper understanding and dialogue surrounding Asian American issues and experiences in the AAAYA SoCal community. Through regular discussions of academic and nonfiction articles, we aim to explore the complexities of Asian American identities, histories, cultures, and politics.

 Objectives: 

The objectives of this discussion group include educating participants about Asian American histories and experiences, providing a platform for open and respectful discussion, and fostering a sense of intellectual community among AAAYA members in Southern California.

 Schedule: 

This in-person discussion group will meet approximately once every two months. The first session will take place on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 at 3PM at a local alumni’s house. Exact address will be given to registered attendees. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes. Light refreshments will be provided.

 Participation: 

All AAAYA SoCal members are welcome to participate. No prior knowledge of or experience with Asian American studies is required.

 Format: 

Participants are strongly encouraged to read the assigned article(s) prior to each session and come prepared to engage in a lively guided discussion. While it is not expected that all participants will agree with one another’s opinions (or with the theories expressed in each reading), participants are expected to share their perspectives in a respectful manner.

 Potential Readings: 

Articles to be discussed in this series include seminal nonfiction writings in the fields of sociology, cultural criticism, history, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, political science, and others. Examples of potential articles include:

• Claire Jean Kim’s “The Racial Triangulation of Asian Americans” (1999)
• Stanley Sue & Sumie Okazaki’s “Asian-American Educational Achievements: A Phenomenon in Search of an Explanation” (2002)
• Derald Wing Sue et al., “Racial Microaggressions and the Asian American Experience” (2007)
• Erika Lee’s “The Chinese Are Coming. How Can We Stop Them? Chinese Exclusion and the Origins of American Gatekeeping” (2010)
• Excerpts from Robert Ji-Song Ku, Martin F. Manalansan & Anita Mannur’s Eating Asian America: A Food Studies Reader (2013)
• Jay Caspian Kang’s “What a Fraternity Hazing Death Revealed About the Painful Search for an Asian-American Identity” (2017)
• Anne Anlin Cheng’s “Ornamentalism: A Feminist Theory for the Yellow Woman” (2018)

 To Register: 

Please RSVP here if you are interested in joining. Please email kate.s.huh@gmail.com with any questions. We will email out the readings for each session.

Photo credit: Pew Research Center