Asian Studies Vocab + Study Guide

Model Minority

The concept that Asian American immigrants all become affluent, contributing members of society due to hard work.

Charlie Chan

A fictional Chinese American detective often played by white actors in yellowface to reinforce stereotypical images of Asian Americans.

Polynesia Pipeline

Pattern of recruiting and channeling Pacific Islander athletes into American football at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Gridiron Capital

Forms of value (social, cultural, economic, and symbolic) that young Samoan men can accumulate through participation and success in American football.

Lotus Blossom/Geisha Girl

A stereotype of Asian women as passive, subservient, and self-sacrificing, whose role is ultimately the care of (often White) men.

Dragon Lady

A stereotype that portrays Asian women as domineering, deceitful, mysterious, scheming, sinister, and sexually alluring.

Termination Era

Period from 1953 to 1968 that mainly involved terminating Native American's special status through relocation.

Yellowface

Casting white actors in Asian roles, often involving the use of makeup, prosthetics, and exaggerated accents to create a stereotypical or caricatured appearance of an Asian person.

Whitewashing

Casting a white actor in a role that is not white and meant for an Asian character/person.

Boba Liberalism

Cinematic practices of Asian Americans, selectively featuring groups that were 'eligible to migrate to global North', ignores other identities, and masks inequality and other social issues in the community.

Messianic Visibility

The notion of simply increasing the visibility of minoritized groups would cure the current social issues.

Gastrodiplomacy

The strategic use of national cuisine to communicate culture and history, shape your international image, and create political alliances

Thermal Colonialism

Colonial powers use climate-controlling technologies to force indigenous populations into a dependence on Western methods and allow settlers to comfortably place roots in those lands.

1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act

Overall immigration ceiling to 290,000/year with 170,000 from Eastern Hemisphere and 120,000 from the Western Hemisphere - basic structure and principles of current immigration system.

1990 Immigration Act

Raised overall ceiling for legal immigration and increased employment based immigration and refined the reunification admissions.

Vincent Chin

Vincent Chin was attacked in 1982 by two white men who wrongly blamed him for the loss of American auto industry jobs to Asian workers.

Yellow Peril

A harmful stereotype that portrays Asians as a danger to Western society—people who will take over jobs, change the culture, or become a threat just because of their race.

Japanese Internment

During World War II, Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and live in prison-like camps because they were seen as a threat after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Reeducation of Japanese Americans

Japanese Americans were educated in normative American culture and politics, whether citizens or not, while incarcerated in camps, despite being excluded from participation in this idealized version of America.

Reclaiming the desert

Sometimes incarcerated Japanese were framed as being 'pioneers' and encouraged to participate in building buildings or planting gardens to claim the desert.

Relationship to settler colonialism

While Asian Americans are in some obvious ways participants in settler colonialism, comparisons can be drawn between the experiences of Native Americans and policies such as Japanese incarceration.

Japanese American Redress Movement

A movement in the 70s and 80s that demanded apology and reparations for families affected by incarceration, which led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

1988 Civil Liberties Act

Government officially apologized for the internment period and provided reparations in the form of monetary damages.

Deracination

To remove or separate from a native environment or culture. Especially: to remove the racial or ethnic characteristics or influences.

Servile

Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.

Harem Fantasy

Genre of light novels, manga, anime, and video games focusing on a main character surrounded by multiple potential romantic or sexual partners.

Tila Tequila

Vietnamese American star of the first bisexual reality show; Mostly paired up with white partners.

Mississippi Masala (1991)

Groundbreaking film depicting a cross-cultural relationship between a Black man and a South Asian woman.

Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) and The Debut (2000)

Two movies that feature more complex Asian American stories and characters.

Saving Face (2004)

Written and directed by Asian American Alice Wu. The story is about an Asian American mother and her daughter.

Christine Gambito aka 'Happy Slip'

Asian American YouTube star and comedian who didn't have to sexualize herself or push stereotypes of Asian culture in order to gain fame or acceptance.

Soft Power

Non military influence (like food or culture) used by nations to improve global perception.

Glocalization

The practice of conducting business according to both local and global considerations.

Meat currency

Spam's nonperishable characteristic made it easy to trade and store like wealth on pacific islands.

Wayreading

A type of methodology where a complex understanding of CHamoru people is gained through mapping moving signs of language, values, etc.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Established standards of what good/"pure" food was and regulated food products to be labeled accurately and follow those standards.

Thermal Settler Colonialism

Colonial powers use climate-controlling technologies to force indigenous populations into a dependence on Western methods.

Relative Valorization

The concept that Asian-Americans, though worse than whites, can be placed above blacks in the racial hierarchy.

Dual Racialization

The process where Indian American motel owners are stereotyped both as foreigners and as competent managers.

Amenities Creep

The ongoing pressure from franchisors to constantly upgrade amenities increasing costs without guaranteeing higher revenue.

1999 AAHOA Conference

A major moment when AAHOA founder H. P. Rama spoke about overcoming discrimination.

Oversaturation

The pattern of franchises placing multiple brands in the same area, causing too many motels in one market.

Model Minority Narrative

The stereotype that Indian Americans are hardworking, compliant, and 'good' immigrants.

'American-Owned' Advertising

A strategy used by some white motel owners who posted signs like 'American Owned' to signal that Indian-owned motels are foreign.

Operation Meth Merchant (2003)

A DEA operation targeting convenience stores in northwest Georgia with accusations of selling items used for meth production.

What does the introduction to Aiiieeee! discuss?

It discusses how Asian Americans have created their own culture in America, distinct from their homelands and white America.

What stereotype do the authors of Aiiieeee! criticize?

They criticize the stereotype of Asian Americans being passive and obedient.

What does the name Aiiieeee! represent?

It represents the wounded and angry voice of the Asian American reality.

What is the significance of Charlie Chan in Asian American literature?

Charlie Chan is a fictional Chinese American detective created by Earl Derr Biggers, representing harmful stereotypes.

What is the dual personality concept in Asian American identity?

It refers to the experience of navigating between two cultures.

What do the editors of Aiiieeeee! believe is necessary for authentic Asian American literature?

It must come from lived experience, cultural memory, and voices unfiltered by white expectations.

What was the impact of Vincent Chin's murder on Asian American communities?

It became a turning point that united many Asian communities to fight for civil rights.

What is Yellow Peril?

A harmful stereotype portraying Asians as a danger to Western society.

What happened to Japanese Americans during World War II?

They were forced into internment camps due to being seen as a threat.

What does the poem 'Transaction' convey about Asian American experiences?

It illustrates how transactions assign monetary value to Asian Americans' lives and highlight their marginalized status.

What does the term 'Japanese Internment' refer to?

The forced relocation of Japanese Americans to camps during World War II.

What does the poem 'Transaction' suggest about hope for Asian Americans?

It conveys hope for economic success on their own terms, despite existing hegemonies.

How did the portrayal of Asian Americans in literature affect their literary voice?

It denied them an authentic literary voice, leading to caricatured representations.

What is the significance of the anthology Aiiieeeee!?

It seeks to recover Asian American literary heritage and promote authentic voices.

What does the introduction of Aiiieeeee! argue about Asian American identity?

It argues that Asian American identity is unique and separate from both their homelands and white America.

What was the outcome of the legal case surrounding Vincent Chin's murder?

The murderers paid a $3,000 fine, highlighting the failure of the legal system to protect Asian Americans.

What does the phrase 'cultural insiders' mean in the context of Asian Americans?

It refers to Asian Americans having a unique cultural perspective distinct from racist tropes.

What was one critique of the anthology Aiiieeeee!?

It was critiqued for its misogyny and narrow definition of Asian American.

What does the term 'Orientalist Stereotypes' refer to?

Harmful stereotypes created by mainstream American culture that shape perceptions of Asian Americans.

What is the role of white authors in shaping Asian American literature?

They have often created caricatures that prevent the development of authentic Asian American voices.

How did the internment camps affect Japanese American literary output?

The establishment of internment camps did not lead to reduced literary output from Japanese Americans.

What does the poem 'Transaction' reveal about the concept of control for marginalized people?

It illustrates how money can provide an illusion of control for marginalized individuals.

What is the significance of the phrase 'empty home' in the poem 'Transaction'?

It symbolizes the loss and emptiness experienced by those affected by internment and racism.

What does the character of Charlie Chan represent in American culture?

He represents a stereotype that has shaped perceptions of Asian Americans negatively.

What was the reaction of Asian American communities to Vincent Chin's murder?

It galvanized them to unite and advocate for civil rights.

What does the anthology Aiiieeeee! aim to do regarding Asian American literature?

It aims to recover and promote authentic Asian American literary voices.

What penalty did Vincent Chin's murderers pay?

No penalty

Fill in the Blank: The autoworkers who killed Vincent Chin viewed him as _____.

A Disease

True or False: The speaker's mother received a reparation check with her name spelled correctly.

False

How does Transaction portray society's view of Asian Americans regarding justice?

Transaction portrays a society that racializes Asian Americans as a monolithic group, suggesting that the justice system offers only shallow monetary compensation instead of real accountability.

What describes the structure of the poem Transaction?

The narratives are interwoven line by line.

What does Sarah Dowling argue about Miné Okubo's Citizen 13660?

It critiques American democracy rather than pleading for acceptance of ostracized Japanese communities.

What was the reeducation of Japanese Americans during incarceration?

Japanese Americans were educated in normative American culture and politics while excluded from participation.

What does 'reclaiming the desert' refer to in the context of Japanese incarceration?

Incarcerated Japanese were framed as 'pioneers' and encouraged to build and plant in the desert.

How are Asian Americans related to settler colonialism according to the notes?

Asian Americans are participants in settler colonialism, repeating patterns of exclusion similar to those faced by Native Americans.

What was the Japanese American Redress Movement?

A movement in the 70s and 80s that demanded apology and reparations for families affected by incarceration.

What was the Termination Era?

A period from 1953 to 1968 involving the termination of Native Americans' special status through relocation.

What does the passage say about inclusion in settler colonialism?

Inclusion is shown to have dire consequences, acting as a technique of elimination for distinctive populations.

What does Dowling suggest about Citizen 13660 and Japanese American exceptionalism?

It suggests that the book no longer becomes an exceptionalist text.

What does the passage argue about the concept of inclusion?

Inclusion is a method of deracializing groups for political or social gain, erasing distinctive communities.

What did Dowling claim about the geographic siting of camps?

It underscores a patterned use of marginal or dispossessed Indigenous territories.

What did camp regimes require internees to carry?

Identification tags at all times.

True or False: Dowling claims that the camps were intentionally placed in agricultural centers to maximize production.

False.

True or False: Internees could travel freely within nearby towns without restrictions.

False.

What is the significance of Mine Okubo's illustrations in Citizen 13660?

They support the writing and depict the daily conditions of internment camps.

What does Okubo illustrate about the experience of Japanese Americans in internment camps?

The confusion, humiliation, and injustice faced by Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens.

How did Okubo's family experience dehumanization during internment?

They were reduced to a number, specifically 13660.

What does the passage suggest about America's intent regarding Japanese Americans?

It depicts America's intent on control and forced inclusion of Japanese Americans.

What event caused the U.S. to join WWII?

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in 1941.

What did Executive Order 9066 authorize?

The removal and internment of all persons with Japanese ancestry.

What was the Loyalty Questionnaire?

A requirement for incarcerated Japanese Americans aged 17 and older to answer 102 questions to assess their loyalty.

Who were the No-No boys?

Japanese Americans who answered 'no' to questions 27 and 28 on the loyalty questionnaire.

What did the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 do?

It officially apologized for the internment period and provided reparations.

What tag number was Mine Okubo given?

No. 13660.

Where were Mine Okubo and her brother sent?

Tanforan Assembly Center.