[Cindy Nguyen]

Thanks for mentoning the excerpt "Leaving Asia" and how it could be used to explain the superiority some Japanese had over other Asian countries.  This would be a useful supplementary reading for my students to learn about Japanese true intent behind the domination of Asia which later on led to World War II.  Another excerpt that could be used to explain Japan's strong sense of loyalty and duty would be, "Code of the Warrior".  This reading can also hook many students who like anime and/or video games because the reading is about samurais and their code of conduct.  Some might say it is directly linked to the Kamikazes, who felt honored to be choosen for their suicidal mission to Pearl Harbor because they were giving up their lives for the Japanese Empire.

[Cindy Nguyen]

I would use the reading, "Japan in Turmoil" in my class in the next few weeks.  In 10th World History, students are taught about the imperialism of East by the West and the East by the East. By reading this excerpt, it will show the students how powerful the British was in the South East and how aggressiveness they were in their hunt for dominance.  It is also mentions Captain Matthew Perry and the "unfair" treaty United States forced on Japan.  I hope to show the mistrust that is still prevalent today between certain countries can mostly be traced back to the 1800s.  The reading also shows the internal struggle of power and foreign influence.  I would try and have students to relate this reading and current events that might relate to modern day version of imperialism.

[Cindy Nguyen]

I really enthralled by Professor Jung-Kim's lectured on the history of Korea and its long history of being an imperialized country.  I never really understood the hidden animosity of Koreans against Japanese.  I slowly soon realized how long and tragic the history of these two countries had with each other. In the early 1900s, Japan felt it was better for Asian country to imperialized by another Asian country than it is to be imperialized by a Western country.  So with this mindset, Japan invaded and forced their "superior" culture into the very being of Koreans and some would say a forced assimilation.  Fast forward a few decades, Korean pop and drama has taken over all of Asia.  There is not a single country in South Asia and South East Asia that is free of Korean culture especially in Japan.  Kids of this generations do not really realize the hidden animosity of these countries or nor do they know the extent of their tragic history.  Japanese forced Koreans to change their family names, Korean women to become military sex slaves, and etc.  There are some historical Korean dramas and movies that touch on these subjects but many kids don't really full understand the symbolism or meaning of these dramas.  I want to show my students that history is not something is old and gone but alive and kicking.  Students need to understand how history is an important part of our lives because it does influence the shape of our future.  I would also like to use this strategy of connecting history to current events to our conflict with North Korea, China, and etc.

[Cindy Nguyen]

I think there's a connection between low birth rates and changes in gender roles.  Traditionally, the main role Asian women play in the family unit is to be the main caretaker of the children and home.  In "BOK chief calls for increased birth rate amid populatin aging" and "Most Japanese want to be married but are finding it hard" is something that is not only happening in South Asian countries but also in many cities in United States.  The article has only given me data on stastics and research but reality of this article is being lived by many of my friends and myself.  Being raised in a tradition Vietnamese home has casued me to be pulled in many different roles and contractions.  The strongest contraction for me is playing role of a "proper and highly desired" Vietnamese girl and being a "strong and career oriented" American girl.  A typical Vietnamese girl would be expected to clean, cook, raise the children, wait on their husband, and on top of that work. I am definitely not Super Woman. Reality is that one thing is going to have to take a backseat to one of the other.  My girlfriends and I had many happy hour discussions about the pressure of juggling a professional life and then becoming a wife and mom.  These two articles only publicized issues that have been on the minds of Asian women but also Asian American women for a long time. 

[Cindy Nguyen]

I made it!

My name is Cindy Nguyen and I have teaching for LAUSD for over 10 years.  I am currently teaching 10th World History at West Adams Preparatory High School.  I this is my third seminar with USC China Institute adn I am excited to learn more about Asian history.

[Author]

Posts