...A Glimpse of Amy Tan As one of the first Asian American cultural writers of her time, Amy Tan is also one of the most significant contemporary writers of Literature today. Amy Tan brings to life the struggles of dual cultural identity, generational clashes due to age and cultural gaps minority woman face in society. Many of her stories are based upon real obstacles her, her Mother and Grandmother had in their lives as young woman, facing not only the minority issues but the sexiest stigma’s of their times. Born in Oakland, California in 1952, Amy Tan was born to immigrants that had left lives and family behind in China. As a teenager, Amy was faced with the tragic death of her Father and a few months later her Brother. Shortly after their deaths Daisy, Amy’s mother, decided “to cleanse the evil influence of their "diseased house". (Mote) And moved her family to New York, Washington, Florida and finally to Europe. At first they lived in the Netherlands and eventually settling in Monteux, Switzerland where Tan completed high school. Being considered an outsider by her peers, and the continuous feeling of anger and loss she felt from losing her brother and father, she began hanging out with a crowd of drug-dealing hippies and at sixteen was arrested. Her relationship with her Mother became increasingly strained and after a close encounter of almost eloping with a mental patient, Amy and her family returned to United States where her mother enrolled her in a small Baptist...
Words: 1485 - Pages: 6
...timeline, In the 1830s Chinese were "sugar masters" working in Hawaii. There were also Chinese sailors and peddlers in New York. Ancestors in the Americas: Asian America History Timeline, as retrieved from http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html A resource from one of the largest, up to date survey, which is the American Religious Identification surveys shows that not one religion can claim the majority for the Asian American Community. It shows a 27% of Asian Americans follow Eastern Religions such as Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Sikh. This report also shows that 17% of the Asian Community is Catholic. This percentage has declined from 27% in 1990. The Asian Nation website states, “Chinese Americans are the oldest and largest ethnic group of Asian ancestry in the United States. They have endured a long history of migration and settlement that dates back to the late 1840s…”, Lai, E., Arguelles, D. (2012) The New Face of Asian Pacific America: retrieved from http://www.asian-nation.org/chinese.shtml. Most Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States as contract labor. First in Hawaii for plantation followed by mining in the West Coast and after that working on transcontinental railroads west of the Rocky Mountains. There were many acts of discrimination towards Chinese immigrants. The discrimination against Chinese Americans culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act 1882. “…effectively halted Chinese immigration for ten years and prohibited Chinese from becoming US citizens...
Words: 1929 - Pages: 8
...When a person thinks about the idea of the American Dream, the first thing that comes to mind is the notion that everyone is considered equal. Everyone has the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. What is the exact definition for the American Dream? It is defined as the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. The concept of the American Dream originates from the 1920’s. In an article written by John Archer, the term “self-made man” combined with a hint of success and riches gave birth to what we now know as the American (Archer 11). From that day forward, this “Dream” is the inspiration for everything U.S. citizens do in their...
Words: 1389 - Pages: 6
...Ecological Reading of The Hundred Secret Senses By QIN Yuanyuan A Thesis Submitted to the School of English and International Studies Beijing Foreign Studies University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Chinese American Literature Course Supervised by Professor Pan Zhiming June 2014 Animalization and Return to Nature A Ecological Reading of The Hundred Secret Senses I Introduction Amy Tan, born in 1952, is acclaimed for her lyrically written tales of sensibility and conflicts in Chinese-American mother-daughter relationship, in which generational and cultural divergence is highlighted. Themes of loss and reconciliation, hope and failure, friendship and familial conflict, added with mystic oriental flavor and healing power, have made Tan’s writing emblematic and well-received. Following the publication of The Joy Luck Club (1989), The Kitchen God's Wife (1991), Amy Tan’s third novel The Hundred Secret Senses (1995) again enjoys a high popularity and evokes strong responses from both readers and critics. Despite the fact that The Hundred Secret Senses still exhibits Tan’s trademarks of “a strong sense of place, a many-layered narrative, family secrets, generational conflict, Chinese lore and history”, unlike the previous two that are generally praised, this novel gets mixed opinions. Most reviewers receive the characterization of Kwan as “the most original and best one” among Tan’s works (Huntley...
Words: 3928 - Pages: 16
...to achieve the firm success (Bennis & Nannis, 1985; Erez, 1992; Chaney & Martin, 2011). More importantly, managers have the ability to understand the reasons at the back of action of business partners and attempt to point out ways to adjust the communication in an efficient manner. As stated by Hofstede (1997, p.4), culture is a mindset that influences directly the people’s way of behaviour and thinking. Business Case The present report critically analyse the real business situations of how international clients behave, in this case the behaviour of Swedish and Chinese staff. The scenario in this case is to identify the misunderstandings between the participants involved regarding their business, intercultural and communication strategies. In addition, the report will also explore several ways to which these strategies can be enhanced to promote efficient intercultural business communication between the participants. A Swedish company who has a supplier globally and the case analyses how Sweden business communication with Chinese suppliers created misunderstanding and their role of culture. Generally, Sweden firms have implemented the...
Words: 2654 - Pages: 11
...and more people during twentieth century. Nationalism now is defined as a subjective feeling of a membership in a nation; a belief that a nation should form the state, or a belief that the identification with the nation should be above all other forms of identity. Nowadays Nationalism has set off a wave around the world. Primordialism and constructivism can be used to explain this phenomenon. We will see the key arguments of both theories. The first one is primordialism. Key arguments of two theories The emergence of the theory of primordialism was in the second half of the eighteenth centuries, in general, primordialism assumes political identity are innate and largely unchanged. It comes with when you are born or in nature way. Since the identity is with you by born, so it’s extremely difficult to choose or change it. Primordialism is an argument, which contended that political identity is ancient, natural phenomena. It emphasis that identify of nation is decided by nature. Identify is extremely difficult to change. It advocated that importance of cultural traits exist...
Words: 3022 - Pages: 13
...Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellows Program FINAL REPORT PFIZER, INC. LTC David J. Clark, USA April 2003 USAWC CIVILIAN RESEARCH PROJECT Product Counterfeiting in China and One American Company’s Response A Case Study and research report on corporate activity relating to national security and strategy Prepared for the Director of the Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellowship Program by David J. Clark Lieutenant Colonel United States Army Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow Dr. Clayton Chun Project Advisor The views expressed in this academic research paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or any of its agencies. It also does not reflect any policy or position of Pfizer Incorporated. U.S. Army War College Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania 17013 - This Page Intentionally Left Blank - ABSTRACT AUTHOR: Lieutenant Colonel David J. Clark TITLE: Product Counterfeiting in China and One American Company’s Response FORMAT: Civilian Research Project DATE: 4 April 2003 PAGES: 36 CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified When America, the world’s largest economy, interacts with China, the world’s most populated country, matters of strategic and global importance are inevitably raised. Using his fellowship position in a major U.S. corporation as a vantage point, the author describes the impact...
Words: 8985 - Pages: 36
...Death Penalty in US Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a Genevan philosopher, once stated, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” The quote establishes that as a human, one is free however no one is completely free. Laws are established to set boundaries on freedom. A lethal injection however goes beyond setting limits. Jon Sorenson and Rocky LeAnn Pilgrim define Lethal Injection in “Lethal Injection: Capital Punishment in Texas During the Modern Era” as a “injection of a lethal dose of prussic acid [cyanide]” (Sorenson & Pilgrim 2). Lethal Injection precludes the possibility of freedom for a prisoner who is later acquitted for murder as said in the Fifth Amendment, “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in...
Words: 1752 - Pages: 8
...TURMA D ANDERSON MOREIRA DUARTE MARCOS VIOLA CARDOSO RAFAEL MATTOS PETRUCCI DA SILVA 7 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2015 English II final work report Introduction This report aims to investigate how foreigners see Brazilian culture from an average outsider point of view. To achieve this, we tried to identify some of the stereotypes that the interviewees had towards Brazilian culture, particularly in music. The purpose of the collected information is to give the readers insights of how stereotypes are prejudicial and how they can have huge impacts in big social matters that can increase social inequality, and therefore prevent prejudice. This work was based on concepts of stereotypes described by Claire Kramsch in the book Language and Culture (1998). Basically, she said our perception of a group's social identity is culturally determined. What we perceive about a culture of the other is because we were conditioned by our own culture to see, with limited models that were built around us. It was also used, to endorse the study, O Brasil dos Gringos, written by Tunico Amâncio. His thesis is about the representation of Brazil and Brazilians in foreign fiction films. It was found the incidence of stereotypes and clichés throughout history, and it was studied in more details through 10 films. Beyond this Introduction section, this report contains a Description section, of our activities on this research, a Discussion, analysis and results section, about the study, and finally...
Words: 2440 - Pages: 10
...The Bengal Tiger Introduction Perhaps there is no more famous of a Bengal tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris) than Rudyard Kipling’s Shere Khan. Known as the dominant and feared antagonist in The Jungle Book that was to be not only feared, but respected throughout the entire jungle. Although it’s habitat is in India, the Bengal tiger has commanded so much respect that even an American professional football team’s logo uses the Bengal as their official mascot (Cincinnati Bengals). The problem is that perhaps that respect has dwindled since the time of The Jungle Book and the inception of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1966. While there are on-going efforts to save this incredible big cat, their status is still listed as Endangered. Habitat and Characteristics Bengal tigers (also known as Royal Bengal tiger or Indian tigers) are commonly found in the subcontinent of India and in dense forests, mangrove swamps, and jungles throughout the subcontinent and in some areas in China and Nepal. While most are orange, black, and white, there are some Bengal tigers that are reported to have an all white coloration (animalplanet.com) and they are only known species of tiger to be all white. Average length for these special tigers at around 10 feet. While it is considered to be the second largest tiger in the world (Siberian or Amur tiger is larger), it is sometimes claimed to be the largest tiger on average (a-z-animals.com). Although they weigh between 300-600 pounds and with an average weight...
Words: 1004 - Pages: 5
...Asian American Population Project Name:_Janice Reynolds_Unit 6, Korn_Leslie_ Capella University COUNS 5334 March 14, 2011 Janice Reynolds Abstract This Asian American Population project will critically evaluate the theories, methods and research in cross-cultural awareness that relates to the Asian American Population. This Asian American Population project t will analyzed the influence of culture on attitudes, values, perceptions, human behavior and the interpersonal relations to the Asian American Population. The writer will identify potential problem that Asian Americans encounter in a pluralistic society such as the United States of America. The personal competencies will be identified and analyzed to improve interaction with Asians American within a counseling professional setting. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Title Page 1 2. Abstract 2 3. Introduction 4 4. Define Asian American 5 5. Historical Antecedents 6 6. Potential Problems 7 7. Educational Reflection 8 8. Personal Competencies 8 10. Theories Identity Formation 9 11. Action Plan 10 12. References 11 13. Annotated Bibliography 12 In Espiritu (1992) as the United States becomes an increasingly diverse society, the need for understanding the psychological impact of the immigrant and second-generation experience...
Words: 3464 - Pages: 14
...Illegal Immigration and California COM 220 Illegal Immigration and California Everyone has an opinion on the immigration crisis gripping the nation. From border security restructuring to a complete overhaul of the system, anyone in this country has an idea to handle the ordeal. In preparing for this paper, this author spoke to family and friends for their opinions. One relative suggested the United States ratify Mexico as the 51st State, leaving the seated president in power as governor, turning each state into a county with the respective governors retitled as mayors. The working theory holds that the United States could then intervene and lend aid to the more impoverished areas of the newly formed state. Resulting from this, illegal Mexican immigration becomes a nonissue, Mexican citizens see improved living conditions within a few short years, and the United States gains a large tax-paying citizenship. Admittedly, without benefit of research or a visit to the country, this family member’s theory consists of stereotype and over-generalization. Even so, it illustrates the point. With unemployment rates soaring, and the economy in a tailspin, many blame illegal immigration for current turmoil, and many theories abound. California If considered as an independent nation, California would rank among the world’s 10 largest economies (Hutchinson Encyclopedia, California, 2009). From rural to metropolis; from dry desert to lush forest to sand beaches; from unemployed...
Words: 2810 - Pages: 12
...National Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2014 introduced in Lok Sabha It is also called Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill It seeks to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime Inserts article Articles 246A, 269A and 279A in the Constitution Provides for Union Finance Minister headed GST Council Sets in a uniform and integrated indirect tax regime in India 14th Finance Commission submitted its report to President It covers the period between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2020 The Commission headed by former RBI Governor Y V Reddy Provides for devolution of tax receipts from the Centre to the States Article 280 of Constitution provides for appointment of Finance Commission First and 13th Finance Commission was headed by K C Neogy & Dr Vijay Kelkar resp. Union government decriminalized Attempt to Suicide For this purpose Section 309 of Indian Penal Code removed 20th Law Commission headed by Justice A P Shah recommended in its 210 Report 210th Report on Humanization and Decriminalization of Attempt to Suicide France was the first country to decriminalize this offence Lok Sabha passed the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2014 Introduced as a periodic measure for updating the list of laws in force Seeks to repeal 90 laws and pass amendment to two laws Proposes to amend the two laws to rectify typographical errors The laws are Railways (Amendment)...
Words: 5441 - Pages: 22
...STUDENT GUIDE TO CULTURAL AWARENESS INDEX LESSON TITLE PAGE 1 Philosophical Aspects of Culture SG- 3 C1 Native American Experience SG- 4 C2 White American Experience SG- 23 C3 Arab American Experience SG- 43 C4 Hispanic American Experience SG- 53 C5 Black American Experience SG- 76 C6 Asian American Experience SG-109 C7 Jewish American Experience SG-126 C8 Women in the Military SG-150 C9 Extremist Organizations/Gangs SG-167 STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING FAMILIARIZED WITH ALL CLASS MATERIAL PRIOR TO CLASS. INFORMATION PAPER ON THE PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCE Developed by Edwin J. Nichols, Ph.D. |Ethnic Groups/ |Axiology |Epistemology |Logic |Process | |World Views | | | | | |European |Member-Object |Cognitive |Dichotomous |Technology | |Euro-American |The highest value lies in the object |One knows through counting |Either/Or |All sets are repeatable and| | ...
Words: 63019 - Pages: 253
...increased crime rate. Legal as well as illegal immigrants encounter problems to some extent. The questions of who belongs? Who stays? And who goes? Are often widely debated topics by citizens of the United States? It has also been a focal topic in presidential debates. Others made reference to the DREAM Act by claiming that the political parties fail to address the heart of the immigration problem. Immigration has impacted the United States socially, economically, and politically. Like Global migration, interregional migration also creates issues, in the United States. Introduction The topic of immigration can be broken down into many different categories, to deal with different aspects that affect people. Many Americans are of the opinion that America is for Americans and immigrants are not welcome. History teaches us that the Indians were the first set of people to live on this wonderful land. This means that all the other groups are descendants of immigrants. It is known that America was built by immigrants, which means this...
Words: 7696 - Pages: 31