Asian American / Asian Research Institute
The City University of New York
Dr. Ya-chen Chen will discuss her new book, New Modern Chinese Women and Gender Politics: The Centennial of the End of the Qing Dynasty. The book takes a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on film, history, literature, and personal experience. The past century witnessed dramatic changes in the lives of modern Chinese women and gender politics. Whilst … Read more
What does the history of 19th century Chinese coolie migration offer to present day debates on labor exploitation? Dr. Lisa Yun will examine the 19th century Chinese coolie migration to the Americas, focusing on its relevance and connection to contemporary debates regarding the nature of transnational indenture, slavery, and trafficking today. One contemporary example is … Read more
Amitava Kumar will read from his new non-fiction work, A Matter of Rats (Duke University Press, Spring 2013). It is not only the past that lies in ruins in Patna, it is also the present. But that is not the only truth about the city that Amitava Kumar explores in this vivid, entertaining account of … Read more
As the world’s population and consumption of goods continues to grow at an exponential rate, waste management and storage has rapidly become one of the most pressing, everyday issues of our time, local and global. Dr. Song Tian will discuss the case of Lake Lugu in southwestern China, with a view to theorizing garbage as … Read more
Since 1978, Bamboo Ridge Press has published literature by and about the people of Hawaiʻi that reflects Hawai‘i culture, an island sensibility and ultimately a sense of place, all of which distinguishes it from other regional literatures. While regional literature’s value lies in its ability to validate the way of life, culture, and values of … Read more
Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki believes that Asian values such as “listening” are as valuable as the western values of “talking.” “Express yourself” seems to be the way of Western society, but this tends to create a more selfish society with little respect for others, and inattention towards people who don’t express themselves strongly. We … Read more