From Awareness to Understanding: Reflections from ASAM 101
About Me
My favorite quote is "You miss 100% of the shots that you don't take." It's something that I've always been told as a child, but as I grow older, I find this true in every situation. When life presents you an opportunity, you must take control and take initiative, because nothing will ever be handed to you.
Fun Fact
One fun fact about me is that I taught myself how to cut hair. Not only is it fun to be able to give my friends haircuts, but it also taught me a lot of patience. Through all of the years of messing up my own hair compared to now, where I have plenty of clients, I feel deep pride whenever I pick up a pair of clippers.
Expectations for ASAM 101
Before taking ASAM 101, I had already taken ethnic studies in high school, so I expected the course to build on topics like race, culture, identity, and social issues. I wanted to learn more about Asian American history and perspectives that are often overlooked in traditional history classes. I also expected the class to challenge my thinking and help me connect historical events to issues that still impact society today. Overall, I hoped the course would help me become more informed and open-minded.
Outcome of ASAM 101
After taking ASAM 101, I gained a deeper understanding of Asian American history, identity, and the struggles different communities have faced throughout history. The course helped me see how historical events still connect to issues happening today, especially involving representation, discrimination, and social justice. It also challenged me to think more critically about perspectives that are often overlooked in traditional education. Overall, the class made me more aware, informed, and open-minded about the experiences of others and the importance of understanding different cultures and histories.
My ASAM 101 Learning Journey
Exploring critical themes
Interrupting the cycle of oppression
A deep dive into strategies and discussions aimed at dismantling systemic oppression within Asian American communities and beyond. I enjoyed reading the article because it showed how ordinary people can actively challenge injustice, and I learned that being an ally means consistently using your privilege and voice to support meaningful social change.
Filipino American mental health
Examining the profound impact of the Philippines’ colonial legacy on the mental well-being of Filipino Americans, exploring historical and contemporary perspectives. I enjoyed reading this article because it helped me understand how the Philippines’ colonial history still affects Filipino American mental health today, and I learned that internalized ideas like colorism and cultural shame can deeply impact self-esteem and emotional well-being.
The Chinese exclusion example
Analyzing Erika Lee's work on race, immigration, and American gatekeeping from 1882-1924, highlighting its historical significance and enduring relevance. I enjoyed reading this article because it clearly showed how immigration laws were used to enforce racial exclusion in U.S. history, and I learned that the Chinese Exclusion Act set a precedent for racialized “gatekeeping” that shaped later immigration policy and attitudes toward Asian immigrants.
Understanding white privilege
Learning about white privilege in the ASAM course was eye-opening because it challenged how I used to understand fairness and opportunity, and I now see more clearly how unearned advantages are built into everyday systems and shape people’s experiences in ways I hadn’t fully recognized before.
On strike: The power of collective action
Reading “On Strike: San Francisco State College Strike (1968–69): The Role of Asian American Students” by Karen Umemoto was eye-opening because it showed me how Asian American students actively helped shape one of the longest student strikes in U.S. history, and I learned how their organizing was a key part of the broader fight for ethnic studies and racial justice on campus.
Takeaways
What I’ve come to understand about society, privilege, and resistance
What I will take away from this ASAM course is a deeper understanding of how race, power, and history shape different communities, especially through Asian American experiences and other marginalized groups. One topic that stood out to me was white privilege, because it challenged my previous understanding of fairness and helped me see how unearned advantages are built into everyday systems in ways that are often overlooked.
The article “On Strike: San Francisco State College Strike (1968–69): The Role of Asian American Students” by Karen Umemoto stood out to me because it showed how Asian American students played an active role in fighting for ethnic studies and racial justice. I learned that their activism helped create lasting institutional change, which made me more aware of the impact of collective action.
Overall, this course helped me think more critically about inequality, and I will take with me a stronger awareness of how connected these issues are.
Works Cited
Ayvazian, Andrea. Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change.
Constante, Agnes. “How the Philippines’ Colonial Legacy Weighs on Filipino American Mental Health.”
Lee, Erika. “The Chinese Exclusion Example: Race, Immigration, and American Gatekeeping, 1882–1924.”
Umemoto, Karen. “On Strike: San Francisco State College Strike (1968–69): The Role of Asian American Students.”
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