Asian American Studies 197B
Spring Quarter 2002

Reflection Journal 2
Sean Na, "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"

Have you ever heard the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Lu Xun’s short poem, to me, is also worth a thousand words. The short four-line poem tells a story of the oppression that past Asian American generations have undergone in the past, and the slow and difficult victory they have made over this oppression. Much of this progress has been made in recent years, mostly by unionized groups headed by leaders/organizers that came with the same mentality and story as Lu Xun — militantly defying authority and humbly serving the people. Unfortunately, there is an ongoing battle to this day between the oppressed and the oppressors. As the majority of Asian American Studies classes focus on issues of racial oppression, sexism, and immigrant rights (which might seem more relevant in our direct lives), it is extremely important that we as students devote part of our education to issues relating to class division, for if they are overlooked now, like Lu Xun suggests, we could very well end up being the ones bowing down to authority and defying "the children".

As a UCLA student taking an Asian American Studies class, I am tremendously privileged. I entered this institution with what most people living outside this "bubble" would call a "big head" and a lack of appreciation for the hardships and difficulties that many low-income immigrant workers face. As we listed all the privileges we had on the board in class, I realized that all these things that were available to me were being taken for granted. Whether we are deserving of the credit cards in our wallet and the higher education from UCLA, the fact of the matter is, is that we are given the option to move upward in this world of social class division, while the lower class continues to grow. The question we must ask ourselves, then, is this: "Will I find more fulfillment in moving up this social class ladder only to forget about the issues surrounding the lower class, or will devoting part of my life to normalizing these issues be more fulfilling?"

If I were asked this question last year I would not have known what to say. Last quarter, however, I had the opportunity to attend several KIWA (Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates) meetings and was involved in one of their rallies. After taking part in these events and learning about the issues that these immigrant workers faced, I felt for the first time that my work as a student had some worth and there was a true sense of fulfillment when I saw how much the workers appreciated our help.

Attending the KIWA meetings and learning that organizations like this existed strictly to serve the people was definitely a humbling experience. There were people from different backgrounds - students, teachers, union organizers, and market workers - that came to help and listen to the issues at hand. As a student, I will utilize my resources and talents by taking classes like this to first educate myself about issues relating to class division, and then branching out to other students on campus and people in the communities. I am given the privilege of a higher education, and to serve the community is my duty as an AAS student. Prior to taking this class it was difficult for me to distinguish whom I should serve and whom I should bow down to. I now realize that the two actually go hand-in-hand. I intend to serve the people in these communities out of respect, not pity. Bowing down to people I respect - professors, elders, and upper classmen - means I will also bow down to immigrant workers, for their courage definitely deserves respect.

Last quarter my group's focus was on Korea town restaurant workers. I now have the opportunity to work through an internship with a community-based project. While I would like to continue helping in Korea town with restaurant/market workers, I also wish to learn and delve into a different part of the community in hopes to broaden my perspective and learn about different issues. My vision of my role and responsibility as a student is constantly evolving, while the importance of higher education remains constant.

Wherever I choose to intern this quarter, I know it will be an invaluable learning experience, and I hope to share this experience with other students in the future.