"Border Crossing" Scholarship Published by UCLA's Amerasia Journal

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2005

"Border Crossing" Scholarship Published by UCLA's Amerasia Journal

University of California, Los Angeles--The UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press announces the publication of "Border Crossings," new scholarship on Asian Americans, Amerasia Journal 30:3  (Winter 2004/2005).

The contributions to this issue of Amerasia revolve around questions of crossing geographical borders from Canada, Cuba, and Mexico to the U.S., to questions of national identity and civil rights.  These issues are especially important today with discussion over "closed and open" borders in relation to Latino and Asian immigrants and refugees.

Historian Robert Chao Romero gives us a glimpse into the complex operations of the Chinese immigrant smuggling trade in the U.S. at the turn of the twentieth century (1882-1916).  As Romero demonstrates, the Chinese were actually the first illegal immigrants to cross the U.S.-Mexican border to establish their presence and place in the American social fabric.  Romero, utilizing archival materials, also discusses the "in transit" schemes to smuggle Chinese immigrants from Mexico and Cuba to the U.S.

Amir Hussain's commentary, "Reflections on Exile"  is a present-day testament to struggles at the border in the northernly direction. Hussain interrogates how other countries stand up to the U.S.'s discretionary power at the U.S.-Canadian border.

Joe T. Darden and the late Sameh M. Kamel provide an analysis on Filipino residential segregation and socioeconomic (in)equality in Toronto, describing different factors that determine the outcomes of the quality of life for these recent immigrants.  Defined as "visible minorities" by the Canadian government, Filipinos face a slow climb up the social ladder, due to the conditions created by their labor environment.

Other articles deal with local, national, and literary identity.

LeiLani Nishime discusses the construction of the new Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles and compares its exhibit on the WWII internment with the one held at The Smithsonian. Her article explores the meanings and representations behind certain curatorial choices and the creation of another American narrative.

Frank Chin contributes a behind-the-scenes look at his newest publication, Born in the U.S.A. and his ongoing involvement with the Japanese American WWII draft resistors.  Chin purports to tell the other side of the story of how Japanese Americans gained their civil rights, in opposition against the JACL.

Four creative pieces round out the issue:  a short piece by Ed Lin (author of Waylaid), recounting his cousin's suicide and the effects on his family; two poems by Allan Aquino, who addresses two elements dear to his heart:  Buddhism and modernity, and his mentor, the late distinguished national writer NVM Gonzalez, who taught both in the U.S. and in the Philippines; and one piece by poet Brandywine entitled "Measured Strokes."

The contributions that make up this issue of Amerasia  speak to the ways in which geographic, political, and ideological borders are interlinked  through state policy, culture,  and institutions. Moreover, museums and  books tend to either reinforce or critique the status quo, as the articles above show.

The special issue of Amerasia Journal (30:3, 2004/5) may be purchased by sending a check made payable to "UC Regents" in the amount of $15 (plus $4.00 shipping/handling, and 8.25% tax for California residents) to: UCLA Asian American Studies Center Press, 3230 Campbell Hall, Box 951546, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1546.  Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards are also accepted; please include account number, expiration date, and your phone number.  Inquiries for purchasing the book or for textbook discounts, aascpress@aasc.ucla.edu or (310) 825-2968.

Annual subscriptions for Amerasia Journal are $35.00 for individuals, and $65.00 for libraries and other institutions. Amerasia Journal is published three times a year: Winter, Spring, and Fall. Please visit the Amerasia Journal website for full details.