“These apparent contradictions reveal much about the nature of Asian Americans’ participation in the popular. They suggest, for instance, that there are firm if not always clear distinctions between cultural and political representation- that ideas permissible in the realm of culture are not always acceptable in the realm of politics” (Nguyen and Tu, 11)

• This an interesting dynamic between political position and popular culture. Independent Asian American cinema occurred during the same time as racist and xenophobic films against Asian Americans. Although they were produced and released at the same time and covered different subjects, the content was both accepted and contradictory from different parts of the country.

“But even as the unprecedented corporate interest in Asian communities increased the circulation of Asian American audiences, participation in this new multicultural marketplace came with some new demands. The most pressing of these was the demand to produce palatable and thus saleable visions of Asianness- typically those images, icons, and ideas that have more market value than personal or communal resonance” (Nguyen and Tu, 14)

• Because the raise of Asian American Commodities was so high, what was sold and consolidated into a kind of icon. Images that represented “Asian/ Asian American” were made as a result, but this also obfuscated many more accurate or traditional goods and traditions. If you were to look for Asian goods you would only find a small selection instead of the more accurate wide variety.

“But what strikes us as particularly interesting about their manifestation in the current moment is their reliance on discourses of authenticity. That is, on discussions of cultural purity, originality, and reality. Audiences now often ask for representations: Does it look like me?” (Nguyen and Tu, 16)

• I find this section particularly interesting, because of how this question relates to my background as well. When your half of something, whether it be Asian/American or Black/white, there is a bit of confusion in your identity. Am I betraying my culture if I like hip hop or, the other way around. Authenticity has this struggle when you yourself are involved with different roots.

“In choosing the name Alien Encounters, we propose that popular culture colds out some very familiar and tired narratives but also new and exciting promises. With this collection, we hope to show that Asian Americans’ meeting with the popular has been, and continues to be, one of fascination- an experience of affective intensity and political complexity, of expressive pleasure and deep ambivalence, that in any case has irrevocably transformed our imaginations” (Nguyen and Tu, 30)

• There is a sense of wonder when discovering one’s participation in culture. But there is usually a negative aspect that follows suit when it comes to American culture specifically. Understanding it can be a positive thing, to show how the world is changing and how you can be a part of it, but it also means that your understandings of where you stand in that culture can shift.