History
This term was first coined by historians Yuji Ichioka and Emma Gee in the late 1960s to unify diverse groups of Asian descent and promote a shared identity in the United States.
Asian American
Ichioka and Gee, along with activists, sought to create a collective identity that emphasized shared experiences and struggles against racism and discrimination. The term gained prominence during the Asian American Movement, which focused on civil rights, social justice, and the need for representation. By using “Asian Americans,” activists aimed to foster solidarity among various Asian ethnicities and advocate for their political and cultural interests. This new identity helped to reshape discussion around race and ethnicity in America.
This Japanese American civil rights activist demanded reparations for Japanese American internees and advocated for anti-war movement and Ethnic Studies programs.
Yuri Kochiyama
In 1942, Yuri dedicated herself to exposing the truth behind Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which removed 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes and interned them in camps across the country. After her release she befriended Malcolm X and Robert F. Williams and with them championed black liberation. Her enduring legacy lives on in the young activist circle, especially Asian American activists.
In the report “Empowered/Imperiled: The Rise of South Asian Representation and Anti-South Asian Racism” by Stop AAPI Hate and NORC at the University of Chicago, the rise of two political South Asian women have led to the growth of anti-South Asian hate in online communities, racism and xenophobia, religious discrimination, political scapegoating, and more ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections.
Who are these two individuals?
Kamala Harris and Usha Vance
Summer 2024 represented a huge milestone for South Asian political representation. On July 17, Usha Vance took center stage at the Republican National Convention after her husband, Senator J.D. Vance joined Donald Trump on the Republican ticket for U.S. President. Within a couple of weeks, President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid and Vice President Kamala Harris was named the Democratic nominee. With the ascendance of Vance and Harris — both second-generation Indian Americans — South Asian America was thrust into the political spotlight.
When (semester & year) did Global Asian Studies become a major at UIC?
Fall 2022
In Fall 2016, UIC launched a program that combines the Asian American Studies Program (ASAM) and Asian Studies (ASST)—GLAS. GLAS advances a critical understanding of contemporary issues through the interdisciplinary study of Asia and transnational Asian diasporas. Anchored by a social justice framework, the intellectual and curricular vision of GLAS emphasizes:
Interdisciplinary and intersectional study of Asian and Asian American histories, culture, and politics
Immigration patterns and historical shifts in U.S. racial formations
This Marvel character is the first Asian American superhero to star in a standalone Marvel movie.
Shang-Chi
This 1968 student-led protest at San Francisco State University marked the beginning of the Asian American Studies movement, demanding representation and curriculum that reflected Asian American experiences.
Third World Liberation Front
The Third World Liberation Front was a coalition of student groups at SFSU that formed in 1968 to demand the establishment of ethnic studies programs, particularly Asian American Studies. Their protests highlighted the need for curricula that reflected diverse experiences and challenged Eurocentric perspectives. The TWLF’s successful strikes led to the creation of the first College of Ethnic Studies in the U.S., marking a significant moment for Asian American activism in the broader fight for racial justice.
This actor, known for his roles in “Harold & Kumar” and “Searching,” has been a vocal advocate for Asian American representation in film and television, addressing issues of stereotyping and diversity in the industry.
John Cho
John immigrated to the United States in 1978, at the age of six, and grew up in Los Angeles. After accepting small acting gigs, he caught his first big break starring in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” In 2018m his leading role in the Hollywood thriller “Searching” made him the first Asian American actor to star in a mainstreet thriller. And when it comes to diversity in Hollywood or coronavirus racism against Asian Americans, John Cho never hesitates to speak up.
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court’s ruling inStudents for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
What policies and initiatives are heavily affected by this decision?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
This decision was limited to the context of higher education, like race-based admissions, but many have taken this as a way to strike down DEI efforts. Examples include scholarships that are race, gender or status based, cultural centers, ethnic studies, etc.
In 1991, the Asian American Collegiate Organization (AACO) was established and demanded these 4 things:
- An Academic Unit
- A Chancellor’s Committee
- An Academic Support Unit
- A Cultural Center
Which of the following came first?
A Chancellor’s Committee
Currently known as the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans (CCSAA), it consists of UIC faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students interested in promoting the welfare of Asian Americans on campus. Topics they may discuss include developing university programs to improve the quality of opportunities and curricula available to Asian-Americans, the status of Asian Americans community to UIC admins, enhancing UIC’s relationship with the various Asian-American alumni and communities throughout the Chicago-land area, etc.
This country is the second largest exporter of rice in the world.
Thailand
This Chinese American man was murdered in 1982, and his death became a catalyst for the Asian American civil rights movement, highlighting issues of racial violence and discrimination.
Vincent Chin
Vincent Chin was a twenty-seven-year-old Chinese American engineer whose murder sparked nationwide protests for Asian American civil rights. Rising anti-Japanese sentiment from U.S. labor unions and politicians, fueled by the economic impact of the 1978 oil crisis, set the stage for his death. Chin was attacked in a Detroit bar by Robert Ebens and his stepson, who used racial slurs and blamed him for their unemployment. After being beaten to death with a baseball bat, the two were convicted of manslaughter but received only probation and a small fine, igniting widespread outrage among Asian Americans. This incident highlighted the vulnerability and devaluation of Asian lives in the legal system, leading to a significant surge in Asian American activism and political awareness.
This prominent Detroit-based activist, labor rights organizer, and social theorist is known for her work in advocating for social justice and empowerment. She co-authored the 1963 book “The American Revolution: Pages from a Negro Worker’s Notebook” and was a key voice in the Detroit Black Power Movement.
Grace Lee Boggs
After graduating with a PhD in Philosophy from Bryn Mawr, she struggled to find jobs that would hire ‘Orientals.’ Eventually in 1952, she decided to move to Detroit where she met her husband James Boggs. Grace and James rose to prominence in Detroit while advocating for labor and civil rights, feminism, and the environment. She wrote a weekly column for the Michigan Citizen and penned four books. To this day, her radical work ripped in many community organizations around the country.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was signed by Former President Joe Biden in May of 2021.
How many votes were against the bill from being passed?
62
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng and Sen. Mazie Hirono, aims to make the reporting of hate crimes more accessible at the local and state levels by boosting public outreach and ensuring reporting resources are available online in multiple languages. It also directs the Department of Justice to designate a point person to expedite the review of hate crimes related to COVID-19 and authorizes grants to state and local governments to conduct crime-reduction programs to prevent and respond to hate crimes.
Who was the first Director of the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC)?
Karen Su
Karen Su serves as the Principal Investigator and Project Director of the UIC AANAPISI Initiative. Prof. Su has been at UIC since 2004. She established many of the first Asian American Studies initiatives through AARCC before ASAM became an official program in 2010, such as the Introduction to Asian American Studies course, the ASAM Advisory Board, ASAM Lecture Series, ASAM Knowledge Bowl, and ASAM Expo.
This 2016 Japanese animated film, directed by Makoto Shinkai, became a massive box office hit, eventually earning the title of the highest-grossing animated film in Japan at the time.
Your Name
This 1975 landmark case challenged the use of English-only ballots in elections, ultimately leading to greater voting rights protections for Asian American citizens and bilingual ballots in jurisdictions with significant non-English-speaking populations.
The case of "Matsuda v. Hawaii"
Matsuda v. Hawaii was a 1975 case where a Japanese American man challenged the lack of bilingual ballots in Hawaii, arguing it hindered non-English speakers from voting. The court ruled in his favor, requiring bilingual ballots in jurisdiction with significant non-English-speaking populations. This landmark decision reinforced the importance of language access in voting, impacting Asian American activism by promoting advocacy for voting rights and greater inclusivity in the democratic process.
This Indian-American astronaut and engineer was the first woman of Indian origin in space. She inspired future generations by advocating for science education and promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Kalpana Chawla
Raised in India and fascinated by flying and space shuttles, Kalpana immigrated to the United States to complete her engineering and astronaut education. In 2003, Kalpana was one of the seven Space Shuttle Columbia members who perished when the spacecraft disintegrated while attempting to re-entry to Earth. Still, her legacy in space and women in engineering circles thrives to this day. Kalpana posthumously received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
This resource was formed in 2020 as a coalition of three groups: the Asian American studies department of San Francisco State University; AAPI Equity Alliance, Los Angeles; and Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco.
What is the name of the resource?
Stop AAPI Hate
This online reporting center is used to document the rise of COVID-19-related anti-Asian racism in the early stages of the global pandemic and share their experiences with race-based hate and discrimination without divulging personal information or engaging with law enforcement.
What year was the Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP) launched?
2006
This term, often used in Desi communities, refers to someone born in the U.S. who may feel torn between the cultural values of their South Asian heritage and the norms of mainstream American society.
ABCD (American-Born Confused Desi)
This organization, founded in 1973 in response to the challenges faced by Asian immigrants and refugees, aimed to provide advocacy and support for immigrant rights, labor issues, and community organizing.
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1974 that advocates for the civil rights of Asian Americans and immigrant communities. It focuses on issues like immigration rights, voting rights, labor rights, and education access. AALDEF provides legal services, engages in public policy advocacy, and conducts community education to empower Asian Americans and combat discrimination, playing a key role in promoting social justice and equity.
This Chinese American composer, saxophonist, and activist was known for his fusion of jazz and traditional Asian music, using his art to advocate for social justice and anti-racist movements.
Fred Ho
Once called “a musician who joins a protean range of talents” by the New Yorker, Fred Ho found unique ways to combine his love for loud jazz baritone with his love for activism and leftist political ideology. Fred’s music draws from African and Asian cultures, whether it be Chinese folk songs or Duke Ellington swings, and he was showcased as a part of the Afro-Asian Music Ensemble. His music still reverberates today in jazz and activist circles.
Anti-Asian hate crimes increased by what percentage in 2020?
150%
The analysis revealed a surge in cities such as New York, where anti-Asian hate crimes rose from three in 2019 to 28 in 2020, a 833 percent increase. Los Angeles and Boston also experienced notable rises, from seven to 15 and six to 14, respectively. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., experienced a decline from six to three anti-Asian hate crimes. Chicago remained unchanged, with two crimes each year.
The 4th and final demand of AACO, academic support unit aka Asian American Student Academic Program (AASAP), was established last year. How long did it take to fulfill all 4 demands?
32 years
The demands were made to the UIC administration in 1991 and fulfilled in 2023.
This popular athleisure brand was named with a purpose, as its founder wanted a name that would be difficult for Japanese speakers to pronounce, thinking it would make the brand more memorable.
Lululemon