Professors of Asian American Literature Participate in Panels After Hate Crimes
By Janice Yim
Author note: A petition for Fordham University to implement an Asian American Studies program was circulated for members of the Fordham community. The link can be found here.
Following the increase in violence against Asian Americans during the year of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Georgia Massage Parlor shooting, two professors in the Fordham English Department engaged in the Fordham Community Convening on Anti-Asian Violence and Racism. The panel was described by the Fordham administration as an opportunity to "reflect on the historical and contemporary impact of Anti-Asian violence and racism in the U.S., strategies for healing, and the possibilities for interracial solidarity at Fordham and beyond." The event was divided into two sessions and organized by Chief Diversity Officer, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rafael Zapata.
The first, held on March 24, featured Professor Stephen Hong Sohn, who is a second-generation Korean American. He joined Fordham in the Fall 2020 semester as the Thomas F.X. and Theresa Mullarkey Chair in Literature. His panel highlighted issues such as the recent shooting in Atlanta as well as the question of what Fordham could do as an institution to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. During the discussion, he conveyed the need for Fordham to think along the lines of intersectionality, stating that resources for establishing more inclusive pedagogy should be available in order to support first-generation students. When asked about what frameworks the field of English provides in order to combat racism, he mentioned that literature informs history, referencing events such as the internment of Japanese Americans and the stories of individuals of Asian descent including Anna May Wong and Vincent Chin.
The second panel, held on March 29, featured Professor James Kim, a Korean American who was the first in his family to be born in the United States. He was also the first tenured professor hired to teach Asian American studies. His experiences with Anti-Asian racism has led him to feel dissociated, he said, which includes, for him, having intrusive thoughts and reliving memories of microagression, while also being compelled to act for the Asian American community. He emphasized how the model minority myth is rooted in antiblackness as an attempt to "undo a hard-won racial solidarity" and expressed that Fordham should implement an Asian American Studies program, spreading a petition that members of the Fordham community are invited to sign. After being asked what may be done to cope, he said that members of the AAPI community could express their feelings, empower themselves, and act. He said that it is important for Asian Americans to not "feel powerless."
Arianna Chen, FCRH '22, the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion/United Student Government, was on the second panel alongside Professor Kim. Chen is a double major in political science and English and is a first-generation immigrant. She cited the importance of Asian Americans having a platform as well as active bystander training as contributors to positive change. In regards to her experiences with Anti-Asian sentiment, Chen said that she is faced with a lack of knowing how to handle occurrences of discrimination. She also said that non-AAPI allies could help by getting involved. Both she and Professor Kim reiterated the importance of education in combating racism.
You can sign the petition for an Asian American Studies program here.