https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw Made with fortitude en-us 2021-04-22 20:12:09 UTC 2021-05-07 22:00:55 UTC hello@padlet.com yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500621874 For many women, most of us feel underrepresented and unheard of more often than our male peers. Alicia Keys wrote this song mainly to free herself from the feminine "cage" in which she felt trapped. Through the metaphor “fire,” she insinuates that she has finally became a freed, untamed, passionate, and fearless person. The song suggests that girls or women do not need a male companion to be beacon of light that brings them hope to this world. 

This piece of music is especially true in our modern era, where women are striving for equal rights, independency, and power. The song emphasizes the significance for a woman to realize the unnecessary reliance on men, and that a woman should be compassionate and fearless in her feminine self. Most of us, we have felt constricted in some ways for our femineity. It is important for us to be freed from that constraint.]]> 2021-05-07 00:45:03 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500621874 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500765196 Gender roles have always been stereotyped since they are heavily influenced by the traditional societal roles of each gender. The song emphasizes women's empowerment, where it indicates that women run the world and have power. Since power has always implied to be a masculine trait, the song’s emphasis on women's power fights against the stereotype of such a term. 

For years, power is always associated with the male gender, where the stereotyping gender role shows that women are more submissive and do not hold as much power as men. As a woman myself, I have certainly seen the women empowerment movement has influenced the mindset of many young girls over the years, where we no longer feel confined to certain gender roles. Women in our era continue to push for equality and challenge societal stereotypes]]> 2021-05-07 01:44:43 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500765196 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500807375 The poem speaks of the defiance of a black woman against the racial oppression that society has imposed on her. It could be taken as a power statement against racism in America. Moreover, the resilient woman in the poem not only acknowledges the society has enacted violence upon her, but she remains defiant and continues to fight for her race. 

The poem relates to me in the sense that I am an Asian woman who lives in America—where many racial oppressions still persist. On the other hand, however, these oppressions did not stop me from obtaining an education, working towards my goal, and being resilient. Like the author, I have faced hateful encounters solely based on my race, but I have always remained defiant and will continue to do so.]]> 2021-05-07 02:02:59 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500807375 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500882457 The poem encourages women to be brave and emphasizes women should be proud of the decision, or “marks” she makes in life. The mother in the poem encourages her daughter to not hide things and make her decisions credible to herself. 

Women are often criticized more for their decisions or thinking when compared to men. It stems from the stereotype that women are less competent than men, either intelligently or physically. Hence, this poem emphasizes that a woman should be braver and prouder for the marks they leave in life, rather than doubting herself. It is relevant to me in the sense that women often seem less competent than men in Asian culture. That mindset has instilled in me since when I was young. On the other hand, however, I have learned that women should embrace themselves and for their accomplishments, even when society says otherwise.]]> 2021-05-07 02:38:20 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500882457 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500917246 The poem speaks of the underrepresentation and prejudice toward black women. It focuses on the true conflict within black women who try to define themselves outside of the societal norms. Since the unjust societal norms have confined minorities into the way they see their worth and power. 

The way in which minorities view themselves is often influenced by the prejudice that society has imposed on them. Not only so, but there are a tremendous amount of biases and injustice in which minorities have to face. It is often a struggle for a minority to see their true value since these societal values are heavily instilled in them. On the other hand, however, if we free ourselves from that racial cage, we can define ourselves in ways that are not misrepresented by society.]]> 2021-05-07 02:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500917246 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500935821 The essay describes the author’s experience in America as being an undocumented immigrant who climbed up the social ladder by chasing the American Dream. Facing challenges and prejudice along the way of chasing her American Dream for being an undocumented child has impeded her more than it does for her peers. Karla mentioned, "My brother and I now have a pact: neither of us can die because then the other would be stuck with our parents."

This essay resonates with me in the sense that I was once an immigrant child who was not yet a U.S. citizen. There were more challenges I had to face as compared to those who had citizenship. Furthermore, as Karla mentioned, I also feel that the idea behind the American Dream is biased since it does not provide the same opportunities for everyone. ]]> 2021-05-07 03:05:25 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500935821 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500994963 The article describes the current crisis regarding the immense racism toward Asians, which has led to violence and aggression toward them. For instance, six innocent Asian women were killed at a massage parlor in Atlanta by a white man most likely due to his anti-Asian sentiment. Moreover, most of the anti-Asian cases were downplayed by the media. 

This essay resonates with me in the sense that as an Asian American, I have personally felt the fear of walking down the street simply because I am Asian, due to the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and the semantics that President Trump sets out to incite anti-Asian norm in the United States. It feels different, however, because many have outright voice their opinions and actively fight back the Anti-Asian racism in the united states, rather than acquiesces with this intolerable norm of hate crime and discrimination]]> 2021-05-07 03:37:52 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1500994963 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503511068 the performance challenges the cultural traditional and stereotyping of the definition of a woman.  In the past, the cultural tradition has molded the notion that women are made of “flowers,” “gossip” and “marmalade,” which impede them from being brave, determined, confident, and independent. The video was made to reject all of these stereotyping notions. 

As a woman, we are often expected to be confined into certain traits, such as being submissive, delicate, and dependent. In today’s society, however, many of us strive to break those stereotypes, as we are determined to be strong, independent, and self-dedicated. The female empowerment movement has gotten more popular in our era since women realize that they should not be less than their male counterparts.]]> 2021-05-07 18:02:31 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503511068 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503669877 Jimmy Yang shows the need that he feels to stand up for the Asian community. As an Asian himself, he felt that Asians should stand up for their history, and for each other. He urges one to fight against the racist stereotypes of the Asian community. 

Growing up as an Asian American immigrant in the U.S., it surprised me of the number of my own Asian community who do not take pride in our own culture and tradition. Many of us are intimidated and feel inferior due to the societal stereotypes one has on Asians. For instance, many of us strive to assimilate into the white community by undervaluing our own culture and people. It resonates with me because I was once that person, however, I have learned my value of being an Asian and now I can finally take pride in my own people.]]> 2021-05-07 18:40:05 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503669877 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503729881 "In varying degrees, some papers and webpages announce the arrival of undocumented children like a biblical plague. Beware the locusts! They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen—these menacing, coffee-colored boys and girls, with their obsidian hair and slant eyes."

This quote is significant in the sense that it shows the prejudicial and racist attitude that Americans have toward immigrant children. While it is no longer a surprise that many of us--people of color--are striving to challenge the many racist stereotypes in America, the degrading and shameful language that the American media uses to describe immigrants, such as "illegal alien", does not help with the cause. Hence, it is important for people to realize and cease the misuse of such language.]]> 2021-05-07 18:55:25 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503729881 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503780084 "I feel most colored when I am thrown against a sharp white background."

This statement serves to relay the message that person of color, such as Serena Williams, feels the most alienated and discriminated against when they are the only persons of color in a white-majority community. People of color are always self-aware of their own skin and actions when around the white community. Often, we do not fail to realize the differences between us and others, which leads to us being more self-conscious than we should be. Moreover, the sense of self-consciousness stems from the sense of inferiority we feel when around white people, due to reasons that we have been overly oppressed by society.]]> 2021-05-07 19:09:50 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503780084 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503784914 “Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared.” 

This quote is significant and resonates with me in the sense that minorities have to face more challenges than others. We have to constantly fight against the racist social stereotypes that one imposes on us. Very often, when we speak up, the other party tends to retaliate. However, despite all the reoccurring violence toward minority communities after they speak up for themselves, they are still not afraid to fight for their rights and values. It shows that many minority groups in our era are resilient and brave, which will eventually lead to great changes]]> 2021-05-07 19:11:03 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503784914 yuanj05 https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503886870 Throughout history, multiple minority groups—such as people of color and women—have been oppressed and constrained by the stereotypes and biases that society has imposed on them. These biases are created by a dominating group of individuals in America, who enforces a white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. Although these oppressions have lessened—or hidden—over the course of history, many of the issues still persist. 

Racism and sexism are two significant oppressive forces in modern society that have influenced the quality of life for those who have fallen victim to these oppressive forces. More specifically, people of color are often underrepresented and mistreated due to their culture, skin tone, and language, which have led to issues such as discrimination and police brutality. Women are often mistreated by our society since they are viewed as lesser than their male counterparts due to stereotyping, which has led to issues such as the wage gap, gender role difference, and sexism. On the other hand, these minority groups have spoken up for themselves more than ever. Sadly, speaking up has also consequently led to increasing attention among these groups, which has resulted in ongoing violence and further discrimination toward them. 

In my exhibition, you are going to find the racist and sexist stereotypes that society has on people of color and women, respectively. Furthermore, it demonstrates the influence these stereotypes and attitudes have on these minority groups. Here, you are not only going to see the world through the lens of a woman of color—which are two of the most oppressed minority groups in America—but also my personal perspective and experience on the world for being an Asian American woman living in America. ]]> 2021-05-07 19:41:38 UTC https://padlet.com/yuanj05/ukffcvnup1mkf9xw/wish/1503886870