Discussion Questions for 1/15

Hey guys! Jayne and I are presenting on this weeks readings tomorrow in class. Here's the list of discussion questions that we will be going over. See you tomorrow!

Discussion Questions for the Lowe Article
· What is Lowe’s main argument in this piece (rather her thesis)? What specific race does Lowe use to exemplify her argument?
· How does Lowe attempt to address her argument (her 3 main points)?
· Lowe argues that there is a contradiction in America between the nation’s economic needs and its political needs concerning the immigration of Asian Americans. What are these needs and how does the United States solve the contradiction they create?
· What is racial formation? Lowe gives two definitions, one by two other scholars and her own definition. Are these definitions truly that different? If so, why? Which do you think is more accurate or more justified?
· What does Lowe attribute to the ascribed gender and sexuality of Asian men? Does this bias still exist today?
· Lowe suggests a potential double economic threat that Asia poses on the United States. What are the two economic threats?
· Lowe reveals that “new Asian immigration” stereotypes Asians as exclusively technical professionals. What does Lowe see as the truth behind this stereotype? (hint: this is as she compares Asian immigrant women to women working in Latin America and Asia)
· What does the term epistemological mean?
· Lowe attributes the continuing exclusion of Asian Americans from the political and cultural spheres to what cause?
· What does Lowe see as the role of interdisciplinary studies?
· Lowe ends the article with an optimistic feeling. What it is that she hopes will happen in the future with respect to Asian American immigration and American Studies?
· Can you think of other races or ethnic groups that have faced problems similar to those of Asian American Immigrants? (with respect to immigration laws, economics, cultural factors, etc.)
· Do you agree with Lowe’s argument? Is she justified? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions for Deloria
o What is Deloria?s thesis? What is his main argument, and how does he use historical evidence to support it?
o Think of some examples of Indian dress, dance, music, words, etc. that are commonplace in popular culture today? What are some of the reasons they might have been assimilated into use? Do they fairly use all aspects of Native American culture or do they pick and choose various aspects?
o What are some other reasons you can think of for appropriating Indian culture, for revolutionary and political reasons? For creating a national identity? For another use?
o How has the concept and practice of ?playing Indian? changed over time? How do disguises such as clothes, Indian regalia, and blackface help to alter a person?s identity? Do you think ?playing Indian? lead to any of the goals that the white Indians set out to achieve?
o If you were a Native American, how do you think you might feel seeing non-Indians dressing up and adopting aspects of your culture? Have you ever experienced someone from outside your culture borrowing parts of it (for any reason)?