Solidarity AAPA Demands UC Berkeley 1969

photo: UCB TWLF Strike picketline (AAPA Newspaper 1969)

Solidarity Newsprint

Asian Studies Proposal

(Submitted by the Asian American Political Alliance)

GENERAL PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES

The Asian experience in America is unique. The lives of the Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and other Asian people have similarities and differences, but generally fall under the category of the Yellow Experience. The phenomena of a colorful people living in a white society deserves study, understanding, and sensitive analysis. It deserves this study because these colorful people need it, in order to understand themselves and the society in which they live.

The effects of American and Western civilization on the non-Western world have been profound. From the earliest contacts of European explorers with the Chinese and

Southeast Asians to the present-day Western military, economic, and political activities and spheres in Asia, the 'white' man has been involved with the ‘yellow’ man.

From the study of these two related experiences- Asians in America and Westerners in Asia—we can perhaps arrive at some understanding about the ‘yellow-white' relationship at its social and psychological roots and manifestations:

Specific Course Proposals

the Asian in America

A) Social Psychology: Dynamics of Racism

The natural alliance of peoples of color results from the exploitation according to and exclusively because of sheer visibility. In this sense, it is simplest put that we know when we are being lied to. Such a perspective as we are attempting to develop could not necessarily emerge from a view of American culture only. We take heart and example from the continued existence of our culture abroad, which proves to us the viability of our heritages the world over.

To explore the social psychological dynamics of being yellow in a white society.

Method: experiential, accounts, testing, group discussions, reference groups, interpersonal relations. Specifics for Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, ghetto, middle class, wealthy.

B) The Asian and His Community

Chinatowns: Development, problems, characteristics

Filipinos: Uniqueness, characteristics, etc.

Identification with community; alienation from the same.

Living in White society: Implications on community identity

Japanese Community: Where? Characteristics, etc.

C) Relationships Among Asian Communities

A study of the inter-community tensions and harmony: distances, effects of national origins, the rural-urban and middle class ghetto relations, and the historical effects

American society . . . - e . g . relocations, politics, economics.

D) America, An Asian Perspective

Political Economy of America

Anti-Asian laws: History and Meaning

The ‘White Man’: What it means????

Our Piece of the Pie: Its value… acculturation, accommodation, and affluence.

E) Community Workshop: Relevant Education

A major problem of the ghetto is the failure of its youth who are fortunate enough to learn a skill, to return the benefits of that skill to the community. This problem is neglected by the existing educational system, which prepares the individual for the assumption of an economically productive position within society. The skilled individual who can and does return to aid the community is the exception, not the rule. The Third World individual who does return is an even greater rarity because the University which already produces too few of these individuals has few Third World people initially and lacks the relevant courses catering to the specific needs of the community.

F) Language: Contemporary Linguistic Skills

The problem of language: dual life and language as presented by immigrant life and handicaps presents the need for Cantonese as well as the desirability of other Asian languages as spoken in the United States.

G) Creative Workshops -

Using traditional and non-traditional media, drama, literature, mass communications, art, music, photography, etc.; in workshops that would develop an Asian American perspective through unique and various art-forms.

The Asian Experience:

The roots of the Asian-American lies in Asia. A knowledge of history is essential;
most pertinent is history involving Western man. Our course offerings in this part of the department would thus center around the nature of the Asian person, and his relationship with Western man. We include the study of ‘Overseas Asians' in this focus, because most Overseas Asians remain in Asia outside of their national origins. Also, Overseas Asian (except Asian-Americans) are distant from America. Community work there is difficult: histoty and current literature are the best we can do.

A) The Roots of Asian Man: Social Conditions for Emigration

Social Structure--Family, Occupations, Politics, and Religion

Economic Condition-labor opportunities, poverty, mobility, class conflict

Western Effects--War, trade, etc.

B. Westernization of Asia: Imperialism, Colonization, Modernization and Effects

Europe: 15th thru 20^th Century

America: 19th thru 20th Century

The study of cities—Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Singapore—as case studies in westernization . . . a study of customs, values and social perceptions.

C. Overseas Asian Communities

Asians in various contexts: Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia in comparison
with Asians in America.

D. Asian Revolutionary Ideology: Communism

A core course on ideology, organization of communism in the Asian countries

Eg: China and the thought of Mao.

E. Revolutions and Social Movements

Student Movements in Asia

Conditions for Revolution in Asia

Effects of the West in Revolution and Unrest in Asia.