[Amy Chen]

Gender and Generation was such a fascinating seiminar for me. I learned so many eye opening facts about the gender roles in China, Japan, and Korea. I especially enjoyed the field trip on the last day. I never been to the Korean Cultural Center before. I also learned so much from our docent at the Japanese National American Museum. The field trip lunch was a great opportunity to meet and interact with colleagues. Being a newer teacher, I gained insight and advice from the veteran teachers. 

All the guest speakers were wonderful. Professor Dube's presentation was engaging and informational. I added to my prior knowledge about the one child policy. The fact that Mao declared concubines illegal and allowed divorce was new to me. I know that he decided this for the greater good and to promote more workers for the government. However, the new laws made a significant change for Chinese women who had no rights in regards to marriage at all. 

Professor Bernard showed us many texts that can be used with students. I found the sci fi stories fascinating. The commentary on how we are destroying our environment is poignant. It relates to my magent's theme. I will definitely use excerpts from "Wandering Earth". The short stories written by a teacher are creative in dealing with difficult behaviors. 

Learning about how gender and generation has evolved throughout history in different cultures helps us see what progress has been made and still needs to occur. I was glad to hear from the Korean Cultural Center that there is more gender equality in South Korea now. From talking to my relatives in Taiwan, I know that gender roles have improved and become more modern. This seminar educated me on many topics and gave me ideas for lessons in my own classes.

[Amy Chen]

I like your idea of using excerpts from the text to give students topics to debate on. Also, good point that communist ideas existed in China long before the cultural revolution.

[Amy Chen]

Your first unit sounds so interesting. I want to also include a project about immigration in my class. I like how you include gender and generation this way. Amy Tan is the perfect author for this unit.

[Amy Chen]

Hi Anthony,

You're right tht a trip to the Korean Cultural Center would be too far from SD. I'm sure there is some type of Korean museum or communitty center in San Diego. Another way to experience a place that is too far for a field trip is an online excursion where you can have your students explore their website and look for particular facts,

 

[Amy Chen]

I've been to the JANM before. However, this time with our docent, Mas, I was touched by his accounts of living in an internment camp for 3 years as a child. To be uprooted from your home and segregated into a secluded, deserted racetrack is inhumane. For Mas, goiing through an experience like that made him ashamed of being Japanese. The permanent exhibit included striking photographs of that time as well as a real life internment camp room or horse stall. Everything about the internment camps reminded me of what is going on right now with the ICE raids. The conditions and circumstances of detainment centers are no different, just a different name and a different targeted race. Despite countless history lessons and warnings, history is still repeating in 2019. As a teacher, I connect current events to historical ones so that my students are aware of what is going on around them and why learning about history is so important.

[Amy Chen]

Being at the Korean Cultural Center for the first time, I found it very educational. Our docent gave us lots of information from a personal level. Her stories about visiting Korea were funny and interesting. I never heard of face shrinking or that subway announcers tell where the coesmetic surgery centers are. I enjoyed the traditional Korean rooms set up for us to view. The other center also provided a modern exhibit on the trends of Korea. KPop and KBeauty are so popular throughout the world now. I'm glad I had the opportuninty to visit the Korean Cultural Center.

[Amy Chen]

Great! I'll be sure to look it up.

[Amy Chen]

He Zhen is admirable in being brave enough to speak out about inequalities for women in China during at time when no one would dare to. Her marriage to Liu Shipei is a controversial one as well. Lie Shipei was an activist who was exiled for his messages. He Zhen differs from Qiu Jin by further stating that all social contructs should be rid of. Before many feminist ideas were written by men. Qiu Jin and He Zhen break down that trend by giving a real woman's perspective. China, at this time, is a more subordinate power. Their relationship with other countries is gendered in terms of male being in power. By saving China, women will also be saved. Confucianism is growing as a political philosophy at this time. Family structure and the 5 cardinal relationship are an intergral part of making society run smoothly. He Zhen sees these relationships as hierarchial putting the male over the female. 

[Amy Chen]

Great literary connection. How would you present these two literary figures to your students? Would you touch on the Eastern vs. Western setting on the two stories?

[Amy Chen]

This story is great for teachers! I'm glad he introduced it to us. We had a great discussion about the story. All of us have experience that difficult student who needs a different approach to engage or make connections with.

[Amy Chen]

I remember vividly visting Taiwan and seeing a commercial for skin whitening cream. Physical beauty there is different than American beauty where tan skin is considered attractive. The readings cover Mencius and his single mother. She moved three times to ensure that Mencius lived in an ideal environment. Not only does she provide a home and clothing for him, she also nurtures his intellect and well-being. Confucian women are expected to devote their lives as wives and mothers. Professor Wang tells us in lecture that Chinese women older than 30 who are not married are called "leftover women". As times have changed, women are getting married later and putting their own interests of finding a job before starting a family. In the Dao de Jing, feminity is natural and not a social construct. Being a mom or wife is a social duty. There are subtle differences in the major Chinese philosophies in terms of defining a woman.

[Amy Chen]

Thank you for your insight. I do understand the negative impact of the cultural revolution at the macro level especially with my ancestors being personally affected by it. Even though I consider marriage laws progressive, the greater purpose of the laws are to make sure women can work and be productive in a communist society. The intent of the laws was not to really give women equality but to include them as workers. 

[Amy Chen]

The themes in both "Wandering Earth" and "Folding Beijing" are great for my environmental magnet. They both explore a world where natural resources are depleted. The sci fi aspect of the stories make them engaging to middle school students. As an English teacher, I'm always looking for literature that discusses environmental issues in an interesting way. The reading level of both these texts are appropriate for 6th grade. I could use the stories to introduce my magnet's theme as well as tie in China's history of industrialization and large population.

[Amy Chen]

Throughout the clips, you can see the modern generation in contrast with the older one. The way the Aunt dresses and behaves is different than how Noriko does. Ioko stands out as wild card character who presents a different perspective than the rest of the cast. Although she appears to be a modern divorced woman living independently, Ioko persuades Noriko to go for an arranged marriage. The ending is interesting because we finally see Noriko in a traditional kimono and bowing to her father. The scene is simple but touching.

 

[Amy Chen]

I followed this closely and talked to my cousins who live in Taiwan about it. Although there's still a lot of opposition toward the new legislation, I am proud of Taiwan being the first to permit same sex marriages in Asia.

[Author]

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