- To start off, One thing I would say I learned from the Lee reading and the film was that Europe was actually very interested to find out more information about Asia, since they had heard about the resources they had & their culture, to the point where Europe even considered them as the “Polar Opposite.” What ended up surprising me however was the fact that instead of working together since Europe was so interested in Asia’s culture, they decided to take advantage of the fact that asians wanted to migrate over as well which lead to europeans mistreating asians who worked for them in ships which unfortunately these Asian sailors suffered unfair wages, working conditions, and died off in the freezing weather. On top of that, europeans decided to colonize Asia in a sense to try and conquer them. What does not surprise me at all is how asians were mistreated same way the Spanish workers were as well, due to the racism going around. It just shows how europeans basically wanted to control everyone who was not European. I realize till this exact day the united states is still interested when it comes to Asia’s culture, riches etc, which Is why they are our #1 contributor when it comes to business. Literally almost everything you own, or see being sold food etc, are usually exported from Asia. According to Lee’s Reading, it is believed that the first asians to come to the americas were called “Filipinos” & the main reason they decided to migrate to the americas was because they believed that is where fortune was & the opportunity for a new life was, which is a coincidence since in a way europeans felt the same way about Asia’s culture as well. Sadly instead of working together with them they decided to try & conquer Asia since Europe considered them as “Feminine”.
- In Many ways I would say these stories compare very similar & at the same time extremely different than the narratives we hear today in the new world. For example, The big difference would be the fact that at this point, the United States is not interested in basically ruling other people just because you are not the same ethnicity as them. However it is the exact opposite, now instead of wanting people to come over here from other countries & help out, they want to get rid of every single person who arrives here without the proper documentation, just because they might be a possible threat (WHICH IS RIDICULOUS). One thing I could say is similar is the fact that asians were coming to the americas for the hope of a new life, or “fortune from the new world” As stated from Lee’s chapter. The main thing I would say we can get out of this chapter & video is that History always ends up repeating itself, one way or another.
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Louis, I definitely agree with your points from Lee’s book. It is disheartening that Europe ended by taking advantage of Asians through their journeys as sailors, slaves, and servants, while at the same time they provided them with things Europeans never saw before. Abundant riches and spices helped Europe make profit. That is one part of the reading that really shocked me as well.
Hi Louise,
I also agree with you that Europe is mistreating Asians, even after gaining so much from the Asians.
“I realize till this exact day the united states is still interested when it comes to Asia’s culture, riches etc, which Is why they are our #1 contributor when it comes to business.”
I agree. For centuries the western world has been trying to convert and conquer Asia. I was not aware of how the west and especially the U.S. were desperate to milk the continent dry.
“For example, The big difference would be the fact that at this point, the United States is not interested in basically ruling other people just because you are not the same ethnicity as them. However it is the exact opposite, now instead of wanting people to come over here from other countries & help out, they want to get rid of every single person who arrives here without the proper documentation, just because they might be a possible threat (WHICH IS RIDICULOUS)”
I also agree with you here. It’s sad how despite how the agenda changes over time, that same hypocrisy and prejudice is still ever present. Back then they often were forced to come here as Portuguese slaves and not even given citizenship. Today many immigrants are demonized as villains.
Louis, I do agree you that history is repeating itself. Including today, with the discrimination of Asian Americans in this pandemic.
You’re definitely right about the europeans wanting to control everyone else. A large part of their objective with their expansionist ideas (such as going to the Americas) besides for all the possible wealth involved was to forcibly convert all the natives to christianity. Nowadays, even though it does so in an effort to promote democracy and peace, the United States still does have some imperialistic tendencies.
Good point, Jacob–it’s important that we understand that waging war and spreading democracy are not contradictions but can co-exist as part of a larger imperialist project.
I agree with all of you. The Europeans had poverty and disease stricken communities, and for that reason they had sought other lands, in this case Asia, to provide them wealth and power to rebuild their nations. This desire of Asia’s riches is what lead to the eventual colonization of Asia. The West’s constant desire to take everything from others lands is what also led to these other countries in Asia to become drained of their resources and the great wealth they once had. It’s also so unfortunate how the asian workers and the people in general were so mistreated. Not only were they stolen from, they were mistreated and humiliated, and treated as circus freaks in the Americas. The west’s treatment of Asians was absolutely terrible and never justifiable.
Lots of great points here, Louis. Let’s keep an eye this semester on where we see historical repetitions and patterns and where we see shifts/changes– both can exist at the same time, too.
I agree with you Louis that the European were controlling the Philippines and were discrimination the Asian and Asia.