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272nd out of 768 books
—
1,035 voters
Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People
by
Helen Zia
This groundbreaking book traces the transformation of Asian Americans from a few small, disconnected, and largely invisible ethnic groups into a self-identified racial group that is influencing every aspect of American society. It explores the events that shocked Asian Americans into motion and shaped a new consciousness. Helen Zia, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, writ...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
May 15th 2001
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
(first published 2000)
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Zia writes a well-researched and highly reflective account of the history and future of Asian Americans. I was drawn to Zia's book in the first few pages where she writes "In 1965, an immigration policy that had given racial preferences to Europeans for nearly two hundred years officially came to an end. Millions of new immigrants to America were no longer the standard vanilla but Hispanic, African, Caribbean, and - most dramatically for me - Asian...Up until then I was someone living in the sha...more
I'm at a point in my life where I'm questioning my cultural identity - should I be Asian-American or an Asian-European-American or just check the Other box? I'm not sure who or what group I want to be tied to, or if I want to be tied to any particular group anyways.
Funnily enough, I didn't read this book to find out if I wanted to identify as Asian-American only. I read this as part of my Independent Study project at school (on Asians & Asian-Americans in the media) but I read this for a bi...more
Funnily enough, I didn't read this book to find out if I wanted to identify as Asian-American only. I read this as part of my Independent Study project at school (on Asians & Asian-Americans in the media) but I read this for a bi...more
I read this book on the recommendation of my wife, who used it for an Asian American Studies class she developed for the University of Virginia. I am so glad she did. Though I was a aware of one of the greatest American injustices of the 20th century, the forced internment of the Japanese population of the United States, I was surprised at my ignorance regarding a number of other high-profile injustices Asian-Americans have endured over the past century alone. From the savage, racially-motivated...more
Asian American Dreams is a true emergence of the American people. As an Asian American, I can connect to this story of Helen Zia's survival as Asian in America. The author brings many topics about descrimination and stereotype in her life in the Asian American race. I feel really glad that now more Asian Americans are speaking up on who they are even though they are different. Although we are a minority in the nation, many of us has left a important footprint in the foundation of this growing co...more
A book centering on the Asian-American experience and the contemporary Asian-American civil rights movements that came with the arrival of Asians in the United States. It's written in both memoir form using personal anecdotes and in an investigative journalism format. Powerful and intriguing--a lot of Zia's essays contain shocking details of 20th-century acts of racism against Asians that I hadn't been aware of, even as an Asian-American myself.
This groundbreaking book traces the transformation of Asian Americans from a few small, disconnected, and largely invisible ethnic groups into a self-identified racial group that is influencing every aspect of American society. It explores the events that shocked Asian Americans into motion and shaped a new consciousness. Helen Zia, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, writes as a personal witness to the dramatic changes involving Asian Americans.
May 06, 2008
Tinea
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Tinea by:
"Race, Gender, & American Social Movements" class
Shelves:
race-and-racism
Solid general history of Asian Americans in the US over the past half century or so. As accessible as an intro, but with considerable depth into a wide variety of issues and events: hate crimes and legal civil rights battles, the LA Riots, immigrant struggles, race and racism (beyond the white/black dichotomy), Japanese internment, and lots of critical examination of the media. Zia presents a strong case for greater focus on Asian American history and rights in academia, politics, and activism....more
This text is very well written. The author does an excellent job of interweaving her personal story growing up as an Asian American woman with that of Asian American history. She provides a concise, but encompassing, history of Asian Americans (including people who are clasically ignored such as Filipinos and Indians) up to the early twentieth century. From that point until the present, I believe she picks case studies of pivotal events that illustrate the larger, national status of Asian Americ...more
I read this long ago. I remember this was an interesting read and that a mayor of San Francisco wanted to fly a hot air balloon full of explosives over Chinatown to get rid of Asians. I highly recommend this to all but especially my peeps who want to know what our peeps went through.
Being yellow, I've never felt like I've had much of a place in America. I've never felt like i had much history or connection. A dear friend lent me her copy of this book, and though I had a hard time following the flow (it's a bit dry) this book reassured me that there is a history through Colonial times of Asians immigrating to the U.S., and being forced to emigrate as racism grew or declined over time. I wanted to finish it, but just couldn't get there. I'm not sure whether it's that I couldn...more
Great crash course on various issues that have affected Asian Americans since the 1700's. This covers the major events that have encouraged the development of the Asian American identity.
This book enlightened me to all the things i have been searching for, with the evidence of large Asian contributions to America. Zia refutes her case by diplomatically sharing the stories of important Asian Americans, and intelligently shows the issues of the Asian stereotype in america.
Pretty comprehensive look at AA experience and history. Picked it up because felt like I needed to get in touch with my Asianess.
a must read ...
Chinese-Americans history
Chinese-Americans history
Politics and civil rights *are* personal, and that's why this book works. I appreciated the natural flow between the more journalistic accounts of these important milestones in Asian and Pacific American history, shuffled in with Zia's personal anecdotes, often told from the frontlines. This book is empowering and well-composed, and a must-read for all Asian Americans -- correction: all Americans -- who are committed to advancing the civil rights movement into the 21st century.
Well-researched book about Asian and Asian-American experiences in the U.S. from early days of the country until recently. Zia shows the rise of activism and political work in the community in relation to events that have occurred over the years. The book is written in a way that makes it easy and quick to read, rather than say some books in college classes. Those who don't know much about Asian history and experience in the U.S. will find this book to be very eye-opening.
A must read for any Asian American
This was an excellent read. Zia was actually instrumental in some of the events of the book, and may have covered others as a journalist. Her writing is immediate and gripping, and I never had a problem keeping my attention on the book. On the other hand, sometimes Zia can editorialize a little too much for me, particularly when she's noting how wrong or ironic something is.
Full review: http://oyceter.livejournal.com/632444...
Full review: http://oyceter.livejournal.com/632444...
It's a shame that we don't learn hardly enough about the treatment of Asian-Americans in this country and the various atrocities committed against them in the past and present. This book really opened my eyes about the reality of Asian-Americans living in this country and their history which (contrary to myth) dates all the back to the 1500s. I think everyone, especially Americans, should read this book.
This was one of the most inspiring books I've read since... No Logo. It's an amazing account of the US experience of Asian Americans, inter-woven with a personal story of Helen Zia, who was raised as a second-generation Chinese American speaking only English. It is poignant & powerful, and I believe it should be taught in schools.
A MUST-READ.
A MUST-READ.
as a korean adoptee, this book really helped me discover who i am as an asian american. i had the chance to meet the author and she signed my copy! she's a role model and an inspiration. although a couple of my asian friends called this book "asian americans for dummies." whatever...read it!
I really liked learning about the Asian experience in America...especially since we don't get to learn a lot of this in grade school.
Good book, but the author cannot separate her stories from her political view, and that ends up coloring everything too much.
This is a requirement for my Asian American History class, however so far, so good. Very informative.
Strongly recommended. The experience of Asian Americans in the United States both historical and current.
A lot of very interesting parts of American history I was unaware. An important read for anyone.
another decent intro to asian america kind of book - a dime a dozen, nothing new
Mar 28, 2011
Sarah
marked it as to-read
The first PARAGRAPH is awesome. can't wait to hear her speak tomorrow.
started reading it and couldn't finish it before the due date. someday.
This is one of my favorites! I re-read it on a regular basis.
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Nov 12, 2010 08:13am
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