It is hard to deny that Lois-Ann Yamanaka’s Blu’s Hanging isn’t highly controversial and truly a profound piece of literature, so when The Association for Asian American Studies awarded the novel with the Outstanding Book Award in 1997 there was obvious contention. So then, where is this divide?
In his protest letter, Allan L. Bergano poses the question, “Does the NAAS literary award promote mutual respect amongst Asian Americans?” Bergano makes a solid point here and upon further research, the mission statement on the AAAS homepage reads that, “The Association for Asian American Studies was founded in 1979 for the purpose of… promoting better understanding and closer ties between and among various sub-components within Asian American Studies.” It is easy to see that perhaps there was a mistake made in the award process because Blu’s Hanging does not seem to promote much of what the AAAS strives toward.
However, while Blu’s Hanging is not quite suited for this award, within such an organization, I do not think that this discredits the significance of the complex and needed drawn attention to such controversial issues. Thus, I would have to disagree with Joan May T. Cordova, a member of the AAAS, in her denouncement of Blu’s Hanging as an outstanding piece of literature. Because, is that not what great literature does? Does it not cause us to leave our shell, our protective bubble and venture out into a place where emotions are split and demand that the reader face the seemingly obvious?
I agree with your argument completely! While the novel does not fulfill the AAAS's mission of promoting unity, it should not be disregarded as a great piece of literature. I felt as though Joan May T. Cordova was writing in rage, rather than analysis, which jaded her opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. The reason the award should have been rescinded is because it contradicts the AAAS's goal. However, Joan Cordova's letter went a little overboard and she did not give Blu's Hanging the credit it deserved.
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