[Angela Chong]

We are going through a textbook adoption next year and the naming of the East Sea (Sea of Japan) was on my mind as we consider next texts. I think it does make a difference in explaining significance of perspective in naming geographic items on a map. Which publisher/text did your social studies department adopt? Did you pick the same publisher for all classes? Ours will be done in course specific groups, so we won't necessarily have the same publisher or text series from one year's social science course to the next. I'm planning to participate in the Ethnic Studies group, which should be interesting since we have never had a text before. Did your social science department pick a text for Ethnic Studies? 

[Angela Chong]

It is facinating how soon women were able to progress in Korea. As I was listening to the folklore stories I thought these stories gave hope to the younger generation that things could and would be different in the future. I think you're right though that after being under Japanese control Koreans were ready for something new and different. 

[Angela Chong]

I had previously worked at a choir director at a couple of Presbyterian Churches and it was during that time that I realized how many South Koreans are Christian. The accompanist and organist at the first church I worked for was from Korea and majored in organ at a public university in Korea before coming to the United States. She did share that the education system in Korea is highly competative. Both her and her husband were fortunate to get into a university there, but part of the reason they left was so their children didn't have the same pressure they did. I had also worked at financial advisor and one of my coworkers was from Korea. He shared that he wasn't able to get into a good university in Korea, so his dad sent him to the US for school and he didn't want to go back until he had made something of himself here. I don't know if the pressure the two people I know from Korea has anything to do with the roots of educaiton and schools being in Christianity? It would have been interesting to be able to ask more questions about this topic. Korea is unique in having such a high population identify as being Christian. 

[Angela Chong]

That's a good insight seeing the name changing of Koreans by Japanese as similar to what happened in the United States to African slaves. Loosing your ability to identify with your given name strips you of a part of yourself. Seen through the eyes of children who are punished for forgetting their new names gives a perspective of how ruthless the Japanese were during this time. The efforts made to dominate and expand their territory were calculated and affected each individual on a more personal level. Helps me understand a little more of the pieces that are missing for African Americans in the United States. 

 

[Angela Chong]

This reminds of me of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes shared by both Michigan and Ohio. Back in the 1970's it was very poluted and not really safe for people and therefore the wildlife and lake ecosystem was not doing well. (Lake Erie is referrenced in Dr. Suess's "The Lorax.") So there were efforts made to clean up Lake Erie and today things are very different. People swim in the lake, plants and water life have returned the the region as well. It was through a concious effort to make changes in business practicies through legistation. They do now have a Nuclear power plant that creates a "Hot Spot" in the lake, where the water is significantly warmer. The issue of what's being done in China extending to other parts of the world are a reality. 

[Angela Chong]

Yes, for all the access to health-care and considering the socioeconomic level of the United States our infant mortality rate is surprisingly high. It's even worse when looking at infant mortality rates for racial miniorities, specifically African American mothers. I wonder if it's related to lack of healthcare? I did a little bit of googling, and China has socialized medical care, where nearly all residents have basic health coverage, similar to Canada. something we don't have in the United States, although the Affordable Care Act made coverage available for purchase, it didn't automatically guarrantee it. Still, I would imagine in rural parts of China access to clinics and other medical facilities may not be readily available. I wonder too if it isn't related to the importance of providing assistance to mothers pre and post delivery. Maternity leave is often limited, and in many cases doesn't involve paid leave in much of the United States. The pressure to return to work, which for many is a matter of survival, plays a part in maternal health. I remember in one of our sessions it was mentioned that it's expected that you will get married in China, and that you would then have children. THere must be more supports in place, beyond simly the expection. 

[Angela Chong]

I also enjoyed being on a team, and it started to make more senese as we kept going with it. I wasn't as prepared or really understand as much as I would have liked, until we were in the middle of it. I found myself having to look back at the readings mid debate. I was able to put some parts of history together in a way I hadn't before through listening to the arguements of the other groups. When doing this with students it would be easier to give them some information on their group they are part of, rather than have them glean it from readings, or at least clarify before it begins. Maybe an outline, or even teach all groups about each other, and then they all have info for the debate. 

[Angela Chong]

While I was part of the Reforner group under Liang Qichao, I am definitly more intrigued by the writings of Sun Yatsen. His background is facinating and the way that he pulled from his education, and time in Hong Kong in Medical school, in exile in Europe, and then in Hawaii as well. Coming up with a 5 yaun government, (building on the idea of 3 branches of government) and then infusing some of what already existed in China:

1. Executive Yaun

2. Legislative

3. Judicial Yuan

4. Examination Yuan

5. Censor Yuan

This mix clearly comes from his experiences outside of China and shows a desire to not completely revolutionize the country by keeping the Examination Yuan. To me his plan is almost that of a reformer, of those other couries he had spent time in with 3 branches of government, and infusing parts of China that he saw as beneficial and could continue to work.

Sun Yasen's plan for 3 stages of the revolution and that would then lead to an organized establishment of the new government enabled Chang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) to continue his ideas and ideals for a new China even after his death. 

Chag Kai-shek (Jang Jieshi)  insprired me,  that he advocated for self rule by different ehtnic groups who are still part of China today. He referrences NOT wanting to be like Japan was in Korea. His ideas for Nationalism and allowing self rule for other ethnic groups within China is refreshing, in that it acknowledges the need for a Nationalistic Chinese governments, and alllowing the same for others. This form of Nationalism where in Sun Yatsen's words "Allows their indigenous civilization to fourish and absorb what has worked in other places of the world." I may be looking at it through rose colored glasses, but it sounds pretty good to me! Anyone else have thoughts?

[Angela Chong]

The two readings, "Lost Names," and When My Name Was Keoko" impacted me significantly.Having two childen the naming process was a significant decision and one that wasn't taken lightly. They would have this name for the rest of their life, but in the cases of these readings, perhaps not? What a process to change your first and last name to be seen as acceptable to the new Empire. Along with the name change also came customs, and religios observations. It was just one piece of the cultural shift that was bring forced upon them. Seen through the eyes of a child was especially significant to me. My grandmother immigrated from present day Slovakia to Saskatchewan when she was 6 years old. Her first name was Yanka, since birth, until her first day of school in Canada and the teacher said her name would be Joan. Everyone called her Joan until she died...expect her mom continued to call her Yanka. I named my daughter after her mother, my greatgranmother, Eva (my middle name). Names are significant and being stripped of that part of your identity, the meaning behind it, and the difficulty of adjusting to not only your own name and those around you. This then makes me question what I've seen with my students who come from China and when roll is called they inform me of their "American" name, which they prefer to be called. This was the case with all of my students, expect one, who didn't have an American name. Later in my conversations with a group of 6 students from China in that particular class the only young lady without an American name didn't really want to be here. She was one of 3 children and she was left by her family in the US, not even living with family. The rest of the students were here with their family, and all had an "American" name.

 

[Angela Chong]

I was also struck by the 6-8 people on a newspaper and can understand why people would want their own space as well. Our concept of space in the United States is quite different, and perhaps explains why Americans spend a higher percentage of our incomes on housing. Although because housing prices are higher here in the United States we end up living with roomates, which isn't as common in Japan. LIving alone isn't a reality for many in the US, until you have been working for several years first. I would imagine that their "own living space" in Japan is much smaller in comparison. 

[Angela Chong]

I thought the same as I read that article. I had assumed more support and resources were in place in South Korea for defectors from the North. I was also under the impression efforts were taken to assist defectors in any way they could. You're right, Korea has been torn apart and the 70 years of separation has only created an us versus them mentality. Lile Central and South American immigrants in the United States residents are afraid of losing what they have and aren't thinking about helping those who are struggling more than they are. 

[Angela Chong]

I taught World History last year and remember giving a map assignment and students had to label "Sea of Japan." I didn't even consider it would be named anything else, as that's what the maps in our book and the others I used online said. There was no indication it may be controversial, clearly not from the East Asian perspective. I was shocked to learn Australia includes itself with Asia as well. 

[Angela Chong]

It makes me wonder what going back is like for them. Since things are so set ad decided in the lives of those living in China, it must be quite an adjustment to go back after attending school in the United States. Being pushed to find more than one answer, or way to the answer while in school, and then return to a place where that isn't only not encouraged, but could get someone into trouble if they push it to much. It also surprised me the Chinese government was willing to let so many students go out of the country for school. I would think the government would want to have more control over the younger generation. Except maybe the idea is to ensure the next generation is educated for a global economy, and this ensures they will be competative. 

[Angela Chong]

I've been reflecting on a couple of things, first that the countries of East Asia do not have much immigration. Second, attitudes towards immigrants by natives of East Asian countries. The article on the immigrant and her son who died in South Korea surprised me that people didn't want to reach out and assist defectors, since they had "made it out." Anyting I've heard about North Korea has focused on how hard it is to live there, and how difficult it is to get out. I assumed there was immediate and continuing help from those in South Korea, but the fact that the defector and her son died and weren't found right away demonstrates a lack of assistance and support for those who are able to get out. Also attitudes seem to be more of an us versus them mentality, than an attitude of we are humanity and we help others. This was a similar attitude in the artcle with the three women living in Japan, and the experience of the two women who were not native born. They very much felt like outsiders, and since there's not much immigration they were in the minority and no posibility of that changing anytime soon. Teaching Ethnic Studies we analyze and discuss the idea of the Dominate Culture disregarding anything viewed as "other." In the history of the United States asian immigrants have struggled against prejudice and legistation intended to exclude immigrants from Asian countries. I had it in my head it didn't occur in the opposite, but due to limited immigration in Asian Countries the reality is that the Dominate Culture is even more dominate. Definite contrast to immigrants from all parts of the world in the United States, although that hasn't necessarily changed the experiences of those not viewed as part of the Dominate Culture in the US either. Definitely getting more of an East Asian perspective on this one. Considering doing a unit on the Dominate Culture's attitude towards immigrants and non-natives in East Asian countires. 

[Angela Chong]

Hello everyone. Looking forward to this seminar, learning more about East Asia, and meeting all of you. I'm in my 12th year of teaching, with the first 3 at a Charter School, and the previous 8 at Montebello Unified School District. Over the past 8 years I've taught, Choir, Health, Freshman Studies, Ethnic Studies, World History, US History, and Music Appreciation. I have several credentials and I've used them all at one point or another. Currently I'm teaching Health and Ethnic Studies to 9th graders at Schurr High School. Hoping I'll be teaching these for a while after making changes the past couple of years. Hoping to use what we learn in Ethnic Studies. 

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