Asian American Dreams By Helen Zia Essay

Dreams. We all have dreams and aspirations in this world. Some dream of living a luxurious lifestyle. Others may dream of mastering a difficult skill. While others, such as Helen Zia, dream of equality for people of different races, minorities, and genders. Helen Zia, an American-born child of Chinese immigrants grew up in New Jersey in the 1950s where the sight of an Asian face was an abnormality in the daily lives of most average Americans. Even a walk down the street would result in gawking or evident sneers from people passing by. The flagrant racism shown towards her family led up to Zia tackling systemic racism and discrimination that falls on Asian Americans. As a student, Helen was among the founders of the Asian American Student Association,

According to the text, “Asian American Dreams Summary,” it states, “At the time, she was a medical student acutely aware of racial protests around the U.S. She dropped out, moving to Detroit to take part in labor activism as a machine operator at an industrial plant.” (Super Summary) After moving to Detroit, Helen became a construction laborer working to obtain a safe work environment for others while operating machinery. In addition, Zia has founded and served in many organizations that are working towards improving the social and economic status of women, homosexuals, and minorities. For instance, the article, “About Helen,” states, “She has been active in many non-profit organizations, including Equality Now, AAJA, and KQED.” (Zia) These organizations strive to bring about social change for people of all races and genders. For example, Equality Now tackles issues involving equality for women and girls all around the world. Furthermore, not only does the Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA) advocate on behalf of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the newsroom on the front lines for stronger representation, but it also aims to ensure more

For example, as mentioned in the text, “About Helen,” it states, “Helen’s latest book traces the lives of migrants and refugees from another cataclysmic time in history that has striking parallels to the difficulties facing migrants today.” (Zia) By including as many demographics as possible, Helen unveils several stereotypes imposed on Asian Americans. Such as the racist theory that Asians brought Covid-19 or the “China virus” around the world. Helen divulges the anti-Asian violence that many have and still are experiencing today. Due to this, the Asian American movement has expanded ever since as more AAPI communities are joining in on the fight against the deep-rooted racism against Asian Americans. Furthermore, Helen advances in her book by uncovering the harsh working conditions of Filipinos in Alaska. In the text, “Asian American Dreams,” it states, “Another valuable chapter is devoted to Filipino cannery workers in Alaska fighting against unequal pay and inferior working conditions and learning hard political lessons.” (Sengupta) Helen describes the unfair pay and treatment that Asians endure in several countries. In her book, she illuminates the hard labor that Filipinos in Alaska experience, alongside their risk for injury and illness in the cold