5/11 Kurup/Lowe

            From Kurup’s article, I found that they illustrated Asian American culture as a completely different culture from American culture. This was found in the varying stories of different Asian Americans who continually expressed the differences they felt at their origin in contrast to their new life in America. This shows conflict of nativism and assimilation. Though this difference may be the case, Lowe’s article demonstrates that since there is not one “traditional” or homogenous culture, dominant forms of culture arise from survival from colonialism.

            I found these two articles interesting as it draws similar conclusions to what we have discussed in class before. Culture is always transforming. Binaries dictate only one point of view, but in reality, there are complex ideas surrounding ones culture such as the belief that there are only “good” immigrants and “bad” immigrants. Thus, by understanding these notions this way, I find culture to be similar to the idea of margins of intersectionality. Intersectionality means that though one may be marginalized in one aspect of their identity, they may possess other parts of their identity in which they are part of the dominant group. This relates to understanding culture, nativism, and assimilation because there is no such thing as “going back to your roots” ideology. Instead, nationalistic culture actually excludes or favors some identities over another. Lowe uses the example of Asian Americans as they prioritize masculinity, but not women. Therefore, I agree that it is important to recognize that another reason why culture is complex is because of the multiple identities people hold.