Asian American Studies 197B
Spring Quarter 2002

Reflection Journal 2
Teresa Nguyen, "Forming a Philosophy Toward My Community"

The four-line poem written by Lu Xin illustrates precisely the ideal manner Asian American students should behave towards others in their community. Not only should we defy oppressive authority, but we should serve the children (the future of tomorrow) as well. I believe this poem was written especially for students enrolled in elite institutions who are in the unique position of being able to make a significant difference in their community. Students are able help immigrant workers in their present situations of repression and at the same time, these students can make changes within the bureaucratic system to benefit future immigrant workers.

Yet not all students in elite universities understand that they can make a huge impact within their communities. Students are educated to believe that they are attending the university only to fulfill their college requirements in order to graduate and to receive their diploma. Students are trained to focus on their own ambitions and goals instead of the goals the community as a whole has. The ideology that students are subjected to is to be as individualistic as possible. This ideology is completely opposed from the ideology students should maintain as a community member, to serve the community instead of just fulfilling one’s own selfish needs and desires. In universities, student should learn about ways to improve the community and how the support students give to the community can help benefit the community dramatically. Students taking Asian American classes should learn about these aspects of the community in addition to the material they learn about such as racial oppression, sexism, and civil rights.

This poem written by Lu Xun assists me in forming a philosophy towards my community. This philosophy that I have developed from this poem encourages me to help people in my community who are in need as well as fighting against affluent individuals trying to dominate the greater part of the community. This poem incorporates all the different elements that I have to consider while performing my duties as a concerned member of the community. Lu Xin’x poem has a significant impact on my role as a community member as well as the approach I will execute to accomplish the goals I set out for the community.

As a student of a prestigious university such as UCLA, I am in a very fortunate and privileged position in the community. I have access to endless resources, information, and instructions that help me attain goals for my personal goals. These benefits can also be viewed as resources that will assist me in improving and benefiting my community. For example, the resources I have access to, can very well be extended to everyone in the entire community. Students just need to unite with other members of the community to fight for this right because this right will never be offered otherwise. Students like me, can assume the role as leaders and educators in our communities. We can continue to support our community by educating them on their rights of suitable working conditions, minimum wages and health care. In this way, the people in our community will receive all the benefits they are entitled to and prosperous individuals will not be able to take advantage of immigrant workers and them being unaware of their rights.

I would like to work with non-profit corporations who educate immigrant workers on their rights and also help these workers attain equality and justice. I want to make a large impact in my community by rallying and picketing against corporations who exploit and mistreat their workers. I would like to help organize functions such as forums that will provide public awareness to these important issues. I want to improve the lives of workers who I will associate with on a daily basis when working with these non-profit based agencies. Ultimately, I want to make a large, positive impact by serving the people in the community. I will do whatever it takes to put a smile on their faces.

As a student trapped between wealth and poverty, I realize it can be hard to decide where I, as a student, should concentrate my efforts towards. On the one hand, students need to make it in the world by conforming to large corporations and their oppressing ways. On the other hand, students need to give back to their communities because the reason why they are successful is because the community helped them get there. I believe students need to reflect and simply consider that by helping the community and by fighting against injustice, students can shape future leaders, who in turn can further develop the community. This will create a continuous cycle of leaders within the community.

I believe by working in community-based internships, I will gain a better understanding of the importance of serving my community as opposed to serving the wealthy population. This will give me a chance to humble myself and to try to understand the needs and wants of the working class. I believe that by working in the community, I can utilize my abilities and skills to improve the community to a more equal and fair community.