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Sonia ArrayalesRick,
I think that the assignment that you would present to your class is a good task. Having students see the the differences in time, can help them analyze the change to come in the next 25 years.
Sonia ArrayalesIt is strange to see this in a communist country, all of these factories in China. It seems to be a complete contradiction to what they stand for. For a communist that promotes equality for all, where do theses factory workers find it? This film exposes these inequalities, and will hopefully bring about a change.
Sonia ArrayalesAs a fellow self strenthener, I agree that we must strengthen our country. We look at our western counterparts had take the best of their technology and ideas and make them fit or needs. In doing so not just a few will benefit, but all will benefit.
Sonia ArrayalesProfessor Kurashige's lecture gave us another aspect of the discrimination that Asians suffered in the U.S.. It was interesting to see the historical figures that were against the asians living here and those that wanted a more amicable relationship with them.
Sonia ArrayalesI was taken aback upon learning this. I just think back to what I learned about World War II in high school and college, and not having learned about this.It takes courses like to get a different historical perspective.
Sonia ArrayalesRick,
I must agree with you on Professor Yamashita. He is a very engaging presenter. The stories, the information, and the way he shared his in depth knowledge had me wanting to learn more. The vendetta topic was by far one of the most interesting topics.
Sonia ArrayalesThis was an interesting read. To know that China spent 80 billion dollars for a temporary solution is crazy. The money should have been spent on how to clean water the polluted water or something that will provide a permanent solution. Being in denial is not a way to handle the problem. It is a serious matter that can not be swept under the rug.
Sonia ArrayalesThe "top ten things" was my favorite read. I learned a lot from this breif article and it gave a lot of insightful information. I believe I learned a lot about old and modern Korea from this article. I did not know that Koreans were so in tune with nature and technology driven.
Sonia ArrayalesIn the last session, one of the topics that was the communal living that was implemented. It was interesting to see how they expected it to work, but how horribly wrong it went. To hear of what was happening to the people in these communes was disturbing. For my lesson, I plan to teach the students two Asian countries and have then do a compare and contrast between them. I teach second grade and this is one of the standards that can be addressed.
Sonia ArrayalesThe Rise of East Asia seminar has been a very educational and eye opening experience for me. I thought I knew things about Asia, well I was wrong. As I attended the sessions, I soon realized that I really did not know as much as I think I did. Each session that I attended, was another opportunity more for me to deepen my knowledge for our areas of study. I looked forward to attending the sessions. The presenters that gave the lectures were outstanding. I found them to be oustanding. They were very engaging, informative, and they were very knowledgeable. I really appreciated them presenting to us, it made me want to hear more and learn more. I have shared some of the information with my students, my husband and son. From all the sessions that I attended, the one thing that really stuck with me was the Korean comfort women. I did not know that this horrible act ever took place, and I was taken aback by this. Another thing that I enjoyed was studying the Chinese propaganda cards and posters. This was something that I found fun to do. All in all, I found this seminar to be a great experience. In having the presenters, the information, learning materials, and the organizers, I believe that all of these things deepened my knowlegde of East Asia.
Sonia ArrayalesThe article by Tania Branigan, "China's Great Famine: The True Story", she highlights the author Yang Jisheng's book Tombstone. In the article she discusses how the author did extensive research to bring to light the great tragedy that happened in the Henan province when the redistribution of land was enacted. To read the accounts that he documented are very gruesome and hard to believe that such things could happen. The author himself could not believe that such things occurred and talks about how it effected him emotionally. Upon reading the article, I believe that the author of Tombstone felt the need to bring to light what really happened and not have this incident in the shadows.
Sonia ArrayalesPeter Seybolt’s “Oral Histories Collected in Houhua Village”, was a very interesting read. I always enjoy reading first hand accounts of important events, because they give you a different prespective of what to took place. Wang Fucheng's recollection was one that had me engrossed. He discussed his father's addiction, his sister's foot binding, and his own personal experiences of hunger, illness, and lack of education. To read about his experiences it was saddening, the hunger he went through, the sickness he experienced, the loss of family he suffered is overwhelming. From reading this, one can see the hardships that were experienced at the time, but I could not imagine experiencing this.
Sonia ArrayalesMy card shows a peasant farming couple and a little girl, which I assume is their daughter. The couple are holding what looks like farming tools and the little girl is holding a book. I could not read the title because it is in Chinese. 🙂 The caption of the playing card reads, "Perform late marry and family planning for doing(?) for the revolution". This playing card is pushing two of thier policie, the late marriage and the family planning. Upon looking at who is on the playing card, the issues are targeted to the peasant farmers to practice late marriage and family planning.
Sonia Arrayales"Things About America and Americans", by Xu Zhengkeng, was an interesting read. Zhengkeng had his opinions on what he thought about American culture, domestic life, education, and superstitions. I must say that I do agree on one of the things that he discussed in his book, “How Americans Cherish Time”. I do believe that Americans are driven by the all mighty dollar. We are a capitalist country and are driven by innovation. Zhengkeng makes a point to discuss vending machines. He understands the convenience of them, yet he feels sense of sadness at their use. The superstitions that he discusses, I was aware of, while others, I had no idea of. I knew of the 13 rule, but not about the bees. I must agree with the author about it being strange. Although, this was written for more than 70 years ago, I don’t think much has changed. I found that what Zhengkeng wrote still applies to this point in time. It could be tweeked some, but it still applies to our time.
Sonia ArrayalesIn Session 6, Professor Lon Kurashige, presented us with information on Asians in America. He was discussing the anti-Asian sentiment and those going against the anti-Asian. He presented to us how Americans felt that about the Asians that were living in the United States. One of the persons that he spoke of was Chester H. Rowell. This person was the biggest anti-Asian supporter, but then regressed on his anti-Asian sentiments. Rowell was not the only person that had these anti- Asian sentiments, Samuel Gompers, James Duval Phelan, and George R. Hoar. Professor Kurashige went on to discuss some of the laws that were implemented to keep Asians from becoming fully integrated into American culture. These include the Chinese Exclusion of 1882, the Immigration Act of 1924, and the California Alien Land Law. Japanese interment was discussed as well. He discussed how the Japanese interment came to be about and what life was like for those living in the camps. I was shocked to have learned that Asians weren’t allowed to become citizens until 1952. I believe that this is among one of the dark periods of American history. Let us learn from our history, so that it may not be repeated again.
