Reflection Paper- Asian American Population

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Reflection Paper- Asian American Population
Cold War Orientalism
The book, Cold War Orientalism, by Christina Klein presents some interesting arguments about the United States' interest in the various aspects that define the Asian continent with its culture at the center. Klein points out that the American interest in the Asian continent grew particularly well post World War II and during the period when it was grappling with the Cold War, thus the title ‘Cold War Orientalism.’ I found it interesting that the U.S. perception of race post the war contributed immensely to its embrace of the noncommunist Asians as opposed to the European imperialists (Klein p. 11). Klein's approach to understanding the relationship between Asia and the U.S. using the experiences of individual intellectuals paints the picture that the U.S. “did not pursue its naked self-interest through the coercion and subjugation of others, but engaged in exchange that benefited all parties” (Klein p. 13).
I think the notion that the U.S. had no ulterior motive in its interest with the Asian continent is contradictory with the overall idea of Cold War Orientalism. Some experts on the Asian Civilization and the integration with the U.S. argue that “orientalism is a heterogeneous rather than a monolithic discourse, and that it takes multiple and often contradictory forms” (Klein p. 15). I see the U.S.-Asia integration during the Cold War era and beyond as more than a strategy by the U.S. to overcome the Soviets but rather as a long-term strategy for the country to become an important participant and a leader in the global economy, geopolitics, and military. The U.S.-Asia integration opened doors for Asians to enter America and has instilled an ideology of interdependence rather than racial segregation. I find it heartbreaking that despite the American integration and embrace of Asians dating back to as early as the mid-20th century, Asians still suffer racial segregation in the U.S. This discredits th...