Take a position on the Blu's Hanging controversy. Find an author in the controversy packet who makes a claim you disagree with and find another one who makes a claim you agree with. Explain why you find one more convincing than the other.
Your response is due by 11:59 pm, Monday 2/7/11.
Your response is due by 11:59 pm, Monday 2/7/11.
I agree with a claim written by Augusto Espiritu that the book should have the award rescinded. I agree with his particular argument because the book itself is a great piece of literature that should be studied in classrooms and read by many, which he makes sure to state. However, its message and the idea of “institutional racism” is a very controversial one, therefore should not be endorsed by the group that is there to represent and promote closer ties between Asian Americans. I disagree with a claim made by members of the UH Pamantasan Council that says the book should not be given the award due to the fact it “perpetuates a negative stereotype of Filipino Americans”. As a reader, I did not stereotype Filipinos as a whole just because there was a link between certain Filipino characters and sexual predators. To me, they were just characters to help shape a story, and did not define the book. That also should not be the determining factor of whether a book receives an award or not.
ReplyDeleteEspirtu’s claim is more convincing because he disagrees with the complaints that the book victimizes Filipinos and make sure it is known that he thinks Blu’s Hanging should be read and studied. The Council is proposing that because of the perceived racial injustice to one group of people an award should not be given. I do not think this is not a grand enough reason. However, Espiritu’s claim that giving the award to Yamanaka contradicts the job of the Association, because it is not bringing Asian Americans closer together, is a good one and makes his argument more convincing.
While I respect Yamanaka's critic's opinions and I can understand that there is some merit in their claims, I don't agree with some of their actions. In the "No Talk Stink" article, Choo writes about the time Yamanaka wasn't allowed to do her book reading in a high school because the administration didn't approve her books even though the students all had permission forms from their parents giving them consent to attend the reading. I find that banning something like this is completely counter-productive; the kids will either miss out on a cultural experience or they'll be so curious, they'll go out and read it on their own. I was also appalled by the reaction of her challengers at the ceremony where her former students accepted it on her behalf and the guests turned away!
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the members of the UH Pamantasan Council on their idea that even though "it's the author's prerogative to be culturally insensitive and disrespectful...the board should reconsider its award to Ms. Yamanaka and honor the dignity of all human beings." I think this group missed the entire premise of the book and focused solely on a fraction of it. With her background of helping at-risk Filipino children, I don't think it was her intention to be disrespectful to anyone.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough Lois-Ann Yamanaka’s Blu’s Hanging is an acclaim worthy, potent piece of literature, I agree with the decision to revoke the AAAS 1997 Fiction Award presented to Yamanaka. The article “Locals Must Listen To Locals” most eloquently describes the position of local Filipino/as in regards to the novel. The AAAS was founded with the means to fortify racial ties within communities, and the novel does not, in any way, display signs of racial respect. This being said, it is only fair to point out that there are very few positive figures in the novel, and the purpose of the book was not to enlighten readers about racial ties or brotherhood, but to shed light upon the coming of age of a responsibility-laden pre-teen, whose family strife and dangerous environment surpasses that of many modern-day “standard” American families. If the AAAS’ sole purpose was to promote powerfully beautiful literature that illuminates cultural differences in Asian American communities, then there should be no delay in bestowing many awards of praise onto the cover of this novel.
ReplyDeleteThis is a main reason why I disagree with Joan May Cordova’s letter of disapproval to the AAAS. Her letter bashes the novel, suggesting that it is a volume of “racist, sexist, homophobic literature where stereotypes abound”. This brazen claim seems rage-driven, almost discreditably so. While the novel does encompass these themes in it, they are the motifs that Iva has to face in her day-to-day life. Yamanaka was, by no means, praising these reoccurring happenings, but was showing that being able to convey and express ideas and feelings about these events, in any form, can help individuals cope in a healthier way, and as a result ultimately help people move on to a brighter future, as Iva did.
While the UH Pamantasan Council's concern over Yamanaka's portrayal of Filipino culture is understandable, the assessments and insights offered in their criticisms are shallow and ill-founded. The boldest of their claims,"Her one dimensional characterization of Filipinos," assumes an absolute Filipino identity- a fact that is simply untrue. More clearly, the Council appears to hold the Filipino character as a morally flat, unchanging identity. This is ironic, as assuming the Filipino character to be composed of only moral goodness (if Yamanaka's portrayal is entirely wrong) parallels Yamanka's alleged crime. The only variance, Yamanaka is accused of negatively polarizing Filipino culture, while the Council affords the opposite view.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the Council's belief that awarding Blu's Hanging with the AAAS Fiction Award "demonstrates insensitivity and disrespect" is an overreaction. The Council's inability to see Yamanaka's literary purpose, and decision to immediately scapegoat her characters due to personal offenses, reveals their inefficiency as critics. It is foolish to believe the award praises Yamanaka solely for her portrayal of Filipino culture.
Conversely, the critique offered by Simpson, Chung, Eng, and Ho is more appreciative of Yamanaka's novel. The ability of this assessment to see beyond the racial and gender divides demonstrates a literary fluency, unlike the Council's aforementioned response. More so, this cluster of authors is able to speculate Blu's political commentary, in a more rational and reasonable form of discussion.
I must say that I agree with the revocation of Blu's Hanging's 1997 Fiction Award from the Association for Asian-American Studies. As an organization that supports unity among the Asian-American community, awarding a novel that paints a negative portrait of almost all of the non-Japanese characters certainly does not support its goals. As Augisto Espritie writes in his letter of protest to the board, Blu's Hanging is not Yamanaka's first instance of unfavorable depictions of Filipinos and others, and by awarding Blu's Hanging the fiction award, the AAAS is condoning this portrayal.
ReplyDeleteIf I could disagree with all the authors of the letters to the AAAS thats who I would disagree with and I very much agree with all the authors of the last article Locals must Listen to Locals. They pretty much voice opinions that I had while reading the letters. It is a important for every writer to have a uncensored voice but the people (readers) have the right to voice any criticisms they have as well. I also liked how it was mentioned that although the Filipino community could be offended by the novel but that was not the intentions. The whole feeling that all the filipino characters didn't have a "spectrum of humanity" as the other major characters (Blu, Ivah, and Maisie) as basis for an argument was weird to me. This is a novel, fictional novel. The characters are who the author wants them to be and their doesn't have to be truth to any of it. Nor do the readers have to agree with it. Doesn't it make it bad literature and you don't need to take away awards and turn away while kids are accepting awards in her favor. I'm just glad opinions are being voiced on both sides though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the article Lois-Anna Yamanaka and the Non-Award a Postcript. Yamanaka's work allows her to relate to students about "things that are important to them". She encourages them to write about what they are interested in and not hold back. Her writings are powerful and give a voice to Hawaiian people. Yamanaka's work does display profanity and vulguar situations but it's real life. No matter how parents and administrators try to shield their children and students from controversial writings they can't always protect them from the cruelty of reality that can bring pain if their not aware of it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Augusto Fauni Espiritu who wrote to the AAAS Board. He claims that Yamanaka's writings are racist sterotypes that represnt him personally in a "unacceptable manner". I believe that Yamanaka presents the issue of racism between the people in Hawaii that already exists. Her writings bring racism and sterotypes that are common to the forefront so that they can be faced, discussed, and revealed in the public eye. The writers choice of content has the power to relate to a wide audience in different ways, it causes the reader to self evaluate and consider the perspectives of others that are different from them in status,economics or race.
Ms/Mrs. Joan May T. Cordova writes in an email to the AAAS where she asserts that the decision to give Blu’s Hanging the AAAS book award contradicts the “interests and welfare of Asian Amercian Studies and Asian Americans”. I would ask then, what exactly are the ‘interests and welfare’ of Asian American Studies or Asian American communities?
ReplyDeleteI think that is very hard to answer given the diversity within the Asian American community. I think one important thing Yamanaka does in her novel is to give readers a better idea about the different Asian American ethnic groups in Hawaii and how these communities interact with each other. The world that is depicted in Blu’s Hanging is a pretty dangerous place where racism and sexual perversion are common and Yamanaka sheds light on this world, perhaps a world similar to the one she grew up in. I would argue that maybe it is in the interest and welfare of the AAAS to encourage Asian-American writers to write freely so as to give a glimpse to readers about the condition and culture of Asian Americans, in this case in Hawaii.
I do agree with Augusto Espiritu’s claim that the controversy about Blu’s Hanging has also something to do with money. Giving Yamanaka’s book recognition and an award will lead to material benefits for the author and its up to the Board of the AAAS to decide whether it wants to give support to books promote ideas and visions that may be seen as problematic to some communities of Asian Americans.
Often critics absorb a wide spectrum of things, and then hone in on what sticks out to them, and in some cases, it is completely arbitrary. The members of the UH Pamantasan Council claim that Blu's Hanging is indecent and offensive, and yet it lacks the fundamental grace to recognize that indecency and explicitness are the only avenues which lead to honest writing. It seems that the main concern of the UH Council is more concerned with cultural falsities as oppose to a holistic appreciation of the novel which is unapologetic to several cultures, not just Filipino culture. Blu's Hanging is not devoid of praise nor merit simply because it may or may not misrepresent a culture or a subset of ethnicities.
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary, I do strongly favor the position taken in the the article Lois-Anna Yamanaka and "the Non-Award" -a Postcript. Despite the vulgarity and freedom of Yamanaka's writing, it offers substance, a valuable lesson to students and teachers on how honesty can be inspiring. Though concern on the level of honesty often presents itself, especially with protective parents, it can nevertheless be said that Blu's Hanging and the influence of Yamanaka did an enormous job in inspiring her own students in writing fearlessly.
I agree completely only with Yamanaka's will to write uncensored and unafraid. Writing with truth means pulling from our deepest roots and beliefs which usually comes from experiences in an unjust world. Negative emotions flow from negative experiences, including racism, and are part of a whole truth we as humans experience. However, if the private institution (the AAAS) decides that giving an award conflicts with their beliefs and goals, they are certainly allowed to not give the award. No matter how much anyone could despise the decision to revoke the award from Yamanaka, the decision was for the AAAS to make. Award or not, however, I think it is clear what literary genius Yamanaka has achieved with Blu's Hanging.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the UH Pamantasan Council's argument to strip Blu's Hanging of the AAAS's award for fiction. Their claims make it look as though they are overlooking the main point of the novel. Yamanaka's intention was not to be racist or insensitive. She is conveying a journey of a preteen girl and her family trying to rebuild themselves after the death of their mother. I can understand why the council may see certain aspects of the novel as "culturally insensitive" especially if they are using Uncle Paolo as an example but to say that that makes the entire novel not worthy of recognition is unfair. If that is the case then The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be stripped of its praise. The claims of racism all lies under personal interpretation and to use only that claim as an argument should have been worthy enough to take away Yamanaka's award.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I feel that Yamanaka did a great job with this book. It showed the harsh realities of a family in poverty and did not try to sugar coat any material in the book with censored anecdotes. Choo talks about how Filipinos have been outraged by Yamanaka's uncensored style of writing. He says that according to some Filipinos, Yamanaka has even come up with her own racial stereotypes. I tend to disagree; I believe that Blu's Hanging would not have been as great a book had it not been for the powerful and fearless style of Yamanaka.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Espiritu's claim that the award should be rescinded because it is just causing too much controversy with the book. I feel that not everyone will ever be fully satisfied with the work of Yamanaka because every single individual has his or her different opinions on it. I find this claim more convincing because it takes both sides of the controversy into consideration without turning one or the other down.
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ReplyDeleteI think that Blu’s hanging should never have won the AAAS’s award for fiction if the mission of the AAAS is to “promote better understanding and closer ties among Asian American ethnic groups.” The novel enforces harsh stereotypes of Filipinos and is offensive to the highest degree to one of the Asian ethnic groups. I think that they should have took all of this in consideration before all the complaints came in. But with the award already given, I don’t think that they should have rescinded it because Blu’s hanging, offensive or not, is a great piece of literature. I think that the AAAS should have just lived with their decision because taking back awards makes their credibility look worse. You can’t always make everyone happy, but disrespecting a literary writer is probably the one thing you don’t want to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris Nolan about how a writer deserves the freedom to write "uncensored and unafraid". Yamanaka writes with passion and an intimacy that should not be altered in any way. While the AAAS's has justifiable claims in revoking Yanamaka's award, that still does not make it right. The emotions and racism shown in Yamanaka's writing were hers alone. We can't be the ones who decide to censor it.
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ReplyDeleteJerrell makes a good point with his comparison of Blu's Hanging to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . While both novels display strong sentiments of racism, they also both use it as a powerful tool in crafting their story. We see the characters how they are: uncensored, racist, judging. These novels craft true experiences through these harsh realities--refusing to sugarcoat anything.
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