Week7_Colleen Cruz_ASA114

In “Diaspora Politics, Homeland Erotics, and the Materializing of Memory,” Louisa Schein discusses the diasporic experience of Hmongs in the United States and how identity impacts these experiences. Schein first provides background on the history of Hmongs in America. This demonstrates that every diasporic group adjusts to life in the U.S. differently. She discusses more in depth of the Hmong community in Fresno, CA. I live close to Fresno, and I am familiar with the popularity of Hmong culture and community, so this helped put into perspective their history and connections to the city. Additionally, she specifically applies a feminist lens when looking at how gender identity plays an influential role in diaspora. She encourages the readers to think critically about Asian women’s experiences and their roles in society especially with diaspora in mind. This leads me to the question of, “Can diaspora free women from toxic cultural/gender norms or is it simply perpetuated in the new host land?”

This photo is relevant to include because it represents the relationship of Asian women to feminism and issues related to gender identity/norms.









Works Cited:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/04/14/chinese-feminists-five-released-china-feminism/
Schein, L. (1999). "Diaspora Politics, Homeland Erotics and the Materializing of Memory." Positions: East Asia Cultures Critique 7(3): 697-729.