There's a lot of political coverage right now.  Obama and Clinton are dominating the media waves and finding their way into my living room every day.  In my own "Si Se Puede" chanting apartment, I  feel empowered by Obama's words to rise up myself, for the good of the world, for true progression, and change. So, where do I begin? Or, rather, how do I continue? My mind sends me in the direction to meditate on what I am passionate about - education, women's rights, identity development, and learning more about myself.  I began stretching my reading and research to include unfamiliar territory and new magazines, sites, and newsletters.  Then I tripped into Rethinking Schools, which in its most current issue features Asian American students in the classroom.  Tackling stereotypes, myths, and the "model minority" report, this article article Taking A Change With Words explores the question, "Why are the Asian American kids quiet in class?"  The article begins with this portion of an essay, taken from Jeff, a 4th-generation Japanese-American 12th grader:

 None of my schools issued uniforms. What I did wear was a uniform in my head which kept me in line, out of trouble. It was a suit which had previously served my two older brothers and had found its way into my closet. This ensemble of control, restrained the mouth from talking too loud, forbade the mind from questioning established ideas, and encouraged a calm countenance. A kind of mental straitjacket. Taking a chance with words was not expected; it was more in the lines of forbidden. If an urge to speak out ever rose, it was put to rest. Sometimes it would be done by a family member, sometimes it would be done by my own conscience.

The article originally posted at Rethinking Schools is a long journey that takes a long look at the intersection of culture, hierarchy, learned behaviors and the affect it has in the classroom. What always strikes me is the learned silence.  What gives me hope are the voices coming out of the classroom and the increasing awareness that Asians are the fastest growing segment of the US population and, according to this article, are expected to swell to 20 million by 2020. With those numbers, I am hoping that utilizing voice, not silence, becomes a more commonly used instrument to show inner strength for young Asian American students.

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