Week 4_Natalie Lortz_ASA 114

Dirlik argues that, while previous notions of Asian America are considered irrelevant and outdated, they are actually quite relevant today and should not be dismissed. In the past, the Orientalist view was very much highlighted and emphasized as a legacy that shaped Asian America, particularly, Asian immigrants. He argues that the "Asian part of "asian America" refers to  a hegemonic context of Asian people, rather than their actual experiences or self-image. In other words, who ever termed the word "Asian America" or "Asian American", was most likely not Asian, as they clear had no access to what it meant, looked like, or felt like to be an Asian living in America.This rose to become a collective identity crisis of differing intensities for many Asian Americans across the nation. Many will perpetuate the idea of being Asian American, even Asian Americans themselves. However, I find it hard to place blame on them for repeating to themselves what have been told already.