Yellow and Brown Tales: Asian American Folklife Today
By Penn Asian American Studies Program
For more information, a transcript, or permission to cite this podcast, please email us at asianamerican@sas.upenn.edu
Yellow and Brown Tales: Asian American Folklife TodayNov 10, 2021
The 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act
In this episode, Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang shares his initiative of and involvement in the celebratory event in December 2023 - the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act. As we know that one of the dark sides of the US history is the legal discrimination of the Chinese and Chinese Americans through such laws as the 1875 Page Act banning Chinese women, and the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act banning Chinese men from coming to the US. While the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943 due to certain historical factors, stereotypes against Chinese and Chinese Americans have largely remained in the political and social life in the US. However, we do see progress in many aspects in everyday life such as, foodways, marriage, and religious life, in which Chinese Americans and other minority groups are increasingly integrated into the fabric of American culture and history. So, why and how was there such an event in the US congress in December 2023, and what made the White House issue a Statement signed by President Biden regarding this moment? Let’s learn some insider’s stories from this conversation.
Conversation with Dr. Juwen Zhang, Author of Epidemics in Folklore Memory: Tales and Poems from Chinese History
In this episode, Dr. Juwen Zhang shares how he created this book, Epidemics in Folklore Memory: Tales and Poems from Chinese History (OJP, 2021), by putting together 30 tales and 30 poems from historical Chinese contemporary records, and translated them into English for the first time. He proposes the idea of folklore of epidemics, which should be studied from multiple perspectives, not just as texts, narratives, memories, but as something central to our everyday life, identity, ethics, and equal human rights. The tales and poems show that Chinese people have developed their traditions of preventing epidemics, not only through traditional medicine, but also through festivals to establish the views about nature and human health and to maintain healthy foodways, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, where the concepts of spirituality, health, community, and entertainment are intertwined. Dr. Zhang believes that we can and should learn a lot from our traditions; we can and should learn a lot from each other’s traditions; we can and should use tales and poems, and other folklore forms, to memorize the past, to make sense of what we are doing, to transcend us from one world to another, and to heal ourselves during a difficult time.
From Underground Chinaman to Downton Alley Name: The Story of George Lai Sun
George Lai Sun was one of the many Chinese immigrants living and working in Salem, Oregon in the late 19th century and early 20th century, whose stories were luckily rediscovered, and whose name is now used for a downtown alley. In this episode, Kylie Pine from the Willamette Heritage Center tells her stories of scavenging pieces for this puzzle and bringing this forgotten history back to the public life today, because many Chinatowns in the US, including the one in Salem, Oregon were burned down in order to drive away the Chinese communities, and little records of their existence remained. Meanwhile, there has been a wide-spread narrative that during the Chinese Exclusion period the Chinese workers had to live in the basement where they worked and use underground tunnels to avoid being seen. Yes or no in Salem, Oregon? Let’s hear more of this needed story.
Comedian Frankie Marcos follows his heart to Mexipino humor
In this episode, stand up comic, actor and producer Frankie Marcos joins folklorist Margaret Magat and shares his thoughts on growing up as a “Mexipino,” what makes for good comedy and the importance of following one’s passions. The podcast touches on the connections of Mexico and the Philippines and the cultural results of interactions which began more than 400 years ago during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade route. Frankie is part Filipino American and Mexican American, and his sketches on everyday life as well as humorous takes on cultural expressions has been viewed by hundreds of thousands on Instagram and TikTok. He has performed in comedy clubs in the U.S. and in countries such as Scotland and Australia, as well as in Southeast Asia. For more on Frankie and his work, see here!
On rituals of healing and tattooing in the Filipino diaspora
In this episode, Margaret Magat talks to Kayla Sotomil, an independent ethnographic filmmaker as well as a mananalaysay (storyteller). Ms. Sotomil discusses her two films, The Modern Mambabatok: Lane Wilcken and Filipino Tattooing in the Diaspora, as well as her second film, called Rituals of the Diaspora: Lyn Pacificar, Katuuran, about a Filipina American shaman and folk herbalist practicing in East Hollywood, California. The episode touches on the role of rituals in Filipino American lives, whether it is to guide people to heal themselves and remember their loved ones in rituals of healing or connect individuals to their ancestors via the ritual of tattooing. Ms. Sotomil discusses her hope that viewers of her films will see what rituals can look like in the diaspora and reflect on the role of ritual in their lives. For her, rituals can offer “moments of extraordinary clarity and connection” in people’s everyday lives.
Massacred for Gold: A Conversation with Greg Nokes
Greg Nokes, a historian and former journalist, published his book, Massacred for Gold: The Chinese in Hells Canyon (2009). He investigated the Hells Canyon Massacre in 1887 and presented many stories that had never been told before. Because of Greg’s book and his organization, a granite monument was installed at the site of the massacre in 2012, on which three languages are used to engrave these words: “Site of the 1887 massacre of as many as 34 Chinese gold miners. No one was held accountable.” In this episode, Greg talks about how he began his investigation and some of those stories, and the stories behind those stories. As Greg writes, “We owe the Chinese laborers a great deal. They prepare the land on which many of us now live. But their reward in the nineteenth century was too often mistreatment and abuse. The least we can do is fill the blank pages. We owe them their names” (p. 184). This conversation emphasizes that the experiences of the Chinese or any minority group in the US are an inseparable part of the US history, and that progress can only be made without forgetting the history.
Being Chinese American in Oregon: A Conversation with Dr. Myron Lee
In this episode, Dr. Myron Lee shares his family stories living with Chinese cultural heritage in Oregon from his grandparents to his grandchildren. Growing up in Portland and attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, Dr. Lee became a family physician and retired a few years ago. In this conversation, he shares some of his memories as a child, a college student, a doctor, a parent, and grandparent about how his family heritage has continued maintaining harmonious cross-racial relations within families and making contributions to the community, and how he has experienced and dealt with racial discriminations. It is a story of one person, as well as a story of many who are being Chinese or members of minoritized groups in the US.
Gambling Addiction in Asian Communities with Kent Woo, Executive Director of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition
Kent Woo, Executive Director of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition in San Francisco, joins folklorist Dr. Nancy Yan to discuss the history of gambling and gambling addiction in Asian American communities. Woo describes the Chinese Community Problem Gambling Project, an initiative founded in 1998 to provide counseling and education to individuals struggling with gambling addictions and their families. This initiative counters targeted marketing to Asian Americans, especially elders, by providing them with resources to understand and overcome problem gambling. Currently, NICOS is studying the effects of the pandemic on problem gambling among San Francisco's Asian American populations.
Rob Buscher and a New Series, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: A Philadelphia Story
Penn Asian American Studies Lecturer Rob Buscher joins Dr. Fariha Khan in conversation about his work in Asian American communities and organizations in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Rob shares his experiences creating spaces for Asian American artists and creatives through the Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Philadelphia chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and more. Rob also introduces a new PBS-WHYY series "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: a Philadelphia Story," which he co-produces and hosts. The series explores the histories and struggles of the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islanders of Philadelphia, documenting their contributions to the city and their communities. The series can be found here: https://whyy.org/programs/asian-americans-pacific-islanders-a-philadelphia-story/
Shang Chi: Asian American-ness and Beyond
In this episode, Juwen Zhang interviews Rou Rou Hutchinson, a Chinese Studies Major student of Class 2023, President of Asian Coalition of Equality, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon. The conversation centers on the film Shang Chi (2021) and its related issues about Asian American stereotypes and reconstructing Asian American identity. Rou Rou also shares her personal stories of being born in China, adopted into a Jewish American family, and growing up as a Chinese/Asian American.
The Beginning of Public Celebration of Chinese New Year in the US
In this episode, Juwen Zhang interviews Cathy Huang regarding when and how early public reports of the celebrations of Chinese New Year began about 150 years ago in the US. Cathy Huang is an independent historian of Chinese American history. She initiated the project of Chinese translation of the PBS documentary “Asian Americans," and co-produced a TV program on the history of Chinese Americans at Sinovision which is a Chinese Language program in New York. She describes the early celebrations in California and New Jersey, discusses the anti-Chinese movement led to the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and the current anti-AAPI Hate, and expresses her hope for the younger generations.
Water Beliefs and the Importance of Energy: A Conversation with Folklorist Dr. Wennifer Lin
Join folklorist Dr. Margaret Magat and folklorist/ ecopreneur Dr. Wennifer Lin as they talk about the importance of treating water in a holistic manner, and her green business, The Water Brewery. Dr. Lin talks about her research in Hawai‘i on midwifery, pregnancy and birth empowerment and how ingesting clean, mineral-rich, restructured water promotes pre- and postpartum wellness for the mom, as well as enhances the health of the developing child. She also brings attention to the pollution caused by single-use, disposable plastic water bottles, and its detrimental impact on our environment and our bodies. Dr. Lin discusses the belief that water has the capacity to hold “memory,” much like a computer chip. Listeners will learn ways to improve water consumption, and various beliefs about water and its crystalline properties.
Asians and the Global Pandemic: Race, Invisibility, and the Urgency of Asian American Folklore Studies
In the wake of the pandemic which has given rise to AAPI hate and violence against our communities, this forum will push an open conversation about the urgency for Asian American folklore scholarship and perspectives in Folklore in spite of the noticeable lack of Asian American voices. How do we understand the current crisis of AAPI hate as one that can magnify the place and space that Asian Americans occupy in America? How can the study of Asian American folklore situate Asian American identity within the American landscape? This forum includes perspectives from the academy, public institutions, and community activists.
Participants in this episode: the hosts, Fariha Khan, Margaret Magat, Nancy Yan, and Juwen Zhang; and the other voices are Sojin Kim and Leigh Wynn. Thank you all for your permission to share this forum.
K-Pop Scholar Dr. Grace Kao Talks BTS and Their Rise To Popularity
BTS, or Bangtan Songyeondan, is a seven-member Korean male pop-group that has achieved immense global success since their debut in 2013. In recent years, BTS broke into the American mainstream music scene with their English-language hits such as “Dynamite” and “Butter.” While they are known for sharp dance moves and ever-changing fashion styles, it is their songs which address mental health issues and carry messages of positivity and hope that resonate deeply with fans around the world. In this podcast, Dr. Grace Kao, IBM Professor of Sociology from Yale University and K-pop scholar, discusses the factors that have contributed to BTS’ global success and contextualizes it with other K-pop groups that have also reached international popularity. We talk about their influence on popular culture and, of course, as members of ARMY (the name of BTS’ fanbase), we also share our favorite members and our favorite songs.
Altars and Asian American Business Owners during the Pandemic
Listen to Dr. Rupa Pillai's latest research project on altars in Philadelphia, in conversation with Dr. Fariha Khan. Learn about the intersection of identity, faith practices, and the city of Philadelphia. Dr. Pillai also shares groundbreaking approaches to teaching as we talk about Asian American folklife today. To learn more about her project and the Good Life Project at the Center for the Study of Religion and the City, visit www.religionandcities.org/goodlife
Dr. Herminia Meñez Coben, pioneer Filipina American folklorist
Join Dr. Margaret Magat in conversation with Herminia Meñez Coben, the first Filipina American to receive a Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from University of Pennsylvania in 1973. Dr. Coben was also the first Filipina to teach Ethnic Studies and Folklore at California State University, Sonoma (1970 to 1985), teaching classes such as 'Native American Mythology', 'African American Folklore' as well as 'Asian American Folklore'. She went on to be the first Filipina American president of the California Folklore Society (now known as the Western States Folklore Society) and later taught 'Filipino Folklore and Society' at University of California, Los Angeles (1990-1991) before her retirement. In this episode, we will hear about her early graduate years in the Philippines, how she stumbled upon the field of folklore, her fieldwork among manongs (a Filipino term referring to elder males), and her birds' eye view of the historic Delano Grape Strike.
South Asian Americans and Sex Education: A Conversation with University of Pennsylvania Senior, Simran Chand
Join Dr Fariha Khan and Simran Chand as they talk about Simran's award-winning senior thesis: "Familial Sexual Education for South Asian American Undergraduates and its Implications on Sexual Well-Being."
Conversation with Margaret Magat, Author of Balut: Fertilized Eggs and the Making of Culinary Capital in the Filipino Diaspora
In this episode Dr. Margaret Magat shares her experience of becoming an independent folklorist, her fieldwork with the Filipino diaspora, and, particularly, her labor of love, Balut: Fertilized Eggs and the Making of Culinary Capital in the Filipino Diaspora. Dr. Magat first describes the main idea of each of the five chapters, and then discusses from a folkloristic perspective how eating balut has developed from a tradition practiced in several Asian countries to a public performance of the identity of the Filipino diaspora in the U.S. Through this episode, listeners will learn not only about the tradition itself but also how diasporic traditions should be understood.
The interviewer is Juwen Zhang, Professor of Chinese and Folklore at Willamette University, Oregon. Dr. Zhang is a Fellow of the American Folklore Society and current President of Western States Folklore Society.
What is Asian American Folklore?
"What is Asian American Folklore?"
Episode 1 of Yellow and Brown Tales explores the field of Asian American Folklore and its critical importance for the awareness and understanding of Asian American folklife.
Join the founding members of the podcast as they reflect on their scholarship and the need for Asian American folklore now.
Meet the hosts here!
Fariha Khan Co-Director, Asian American Studies Program University of Pennsylvania
Margaret Magat Writer and Cultural Resources Program Manager California
Nancy Yan Writer and Organizer American Federation of Teachers-Maryland
Juwen Zhang Professor of Chinese and Folklore Willamette University, Oregon