Current Asian American Feminist Issues

1. Current Asian American Feminist Issues Lisa Morrison

2. Purpose • To examine contemporary Asian American feminist issues through a lens of multicultural feminism specifically, intersectionality. • To contribute to the literature of feminist social movements by expanding current work on Asian American Feminist movements.

3. History • Mostly Asian males began immigrating in the 1800’s • Mid 1800’s women began to immigrate however were very disadvantaged. • Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882 • Immigration Act of 1960 • Women and children began to immigrate • Asian American feminism began

4. Asian American Feminism • Asian American women’s organizations formed around identity and issues such as labor, health and reproductive rights. • Asian Immigrant Women’s Advocates (AIWA) • Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) • Asian Women United (AWU) • Asian Pacific Lesbians and Gays (A/PLG)

5. Stereotypes • All Asians are the same • Perceived as foreigners • Subservient, selfless care takers • Asexual/Hyper-sexualized • Model minority

6. Contemporary Feminist Issues • Domestic Violence • Reproductive health • Sexuality • Abortion rates • Lesbianism

7. Future study • Asian American Women Dating • Twice as like to be in an interracial marriage • Although hyper sexualized and viewed as subservient, selfless, caretakers, many still want to date white or black American men-Why? • Kingstonian feminism/Anti-Kingstonian movement