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Julie Shigekuni has worked at UNM as the director of Asian American studies and said now is the time for a major change in student diversity on campus.
“Having already done a great deal of footwork, I can say without a doubt that the timing for UNM to host its first ever Asian American studies program is now,” Shigekuni said.
Initiatives to create a minor for AAS began in 2007, when the former Dean of University College Peter White agreed to cosponsor Shigekuni’s efforts for changes in the university’s curriculum. UNM has not yet created a major for the program because of changes in University government and financial challenges.
“The new administration came in and the recession hit, so things were shuffled around, so it all got buried for a few years,” Shigekuni said.
But Shigekuni said that because UNM has the ability to use its diverse faculty to teach courses in AAS from different academic angles, she wants to create a program to link such courses together.
Working toward that goal, students and faculty members attended a four-hour presentation at the SUB on Monday to learn about the developments in the AAS program.
Guest speakers were invited to discuss issues affecting Asian Americans in the United States and at UNM, and to learn how to integrate those experiences into the program.
“This launch is to test the waters and to see and gauge the interest of the community, the faculty and the students,” Shigekuni said. “All of the ingredients are in place. I think it’s the right program, with the right strategy, and the right time for campus.”
One member of the crowd voiced his concern on how to facilitate conversations regarding homophobia in Asian American studies as well as with scholars. Another attendee wanted further explanation on how the history of Asian oppression in America will be applied into course content.
Lecturer from the University of Washington Shirley Hune responded to the issues regarding homophobia in Asian American culture by acknowledging that conversations about the topic should expand outside of the Asian community into other communities to gain a better understanding of the issue.
“There are a lot of writings from Asian American LGBTQ studies,” Hune said. “Courses can’t be only for Asian Americans on Asian Americans, but how do we take a course, for example, on homophobia and include all communities of color?” Hune said.
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In regard to Asian oppression in America, Hune spoke about how Asian American scholars have opposed and disputed the notion of all Asian Americans being minorities.
“Citizenship is racialized in America,” Hune said. “There is an assumption that whiteness is first-class citizenship. Asian Americans and other communities of color report they are often treated as if they don’t belong — as second-class citizens.”
Today, UNM offers courses about the Asian American experience through a variety of academic disciplines such as literature, creative writing, community studies, US foreign policy and medicine. Subjects of such courses include Chinese exclusion and Japanese internment.
Chinese exchange student Fan Xiao said it is important to support courses that allow students to learn about Asian culture because it can minimize the stereotypes and prejudices she encountered on campus.
“To learn our history can help students get a better understanding of how people from different cultures think differently,” Xiao said. “They can broaden their mindset and have a better tolerance for different cultures.”
Xiao said she likes UNM, but often encounters students who assume she practices kung fu or came from a lower social class.
“People don’t have a chance to talk to Asian students, so they don’t know what our lives are like.” Xiao said. “It causes conflicts, but we can solve that if we talk and communicate with each other.”
Members of the Asian American Association of New Mexico such as the organization’s President Sue Thorson are promoting diversity through student outreach, student recruitment, and festivals.
“Getting educated and getting involved leads to awareness,” Thorson said. “All of the young people are leaders of this country and the program will enhance awareness of Asian American culture. We need young people to carry on our legacy to support our mission and preserve our heritage.”
