SOC 269 WWU EXAM 2 QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Why is Oriental a bad word? - ANSWER-It brings up unfortunate chapters in our global history. It has
problematic racial and political connotations. Its more appropriately used for inanimate objects.
Reinforce the idea that Asians were forever foreign and could not become America.
The Model Minority Myth - ANSWER-Idea that there are some Asian groups who are prospering very
well and have gotten that way by perseverance and hard work "pulled up by the bootstraps"; Primary
purpose is to support and strengthen the notion that the main cause of economic and social problems
among racial minorities is lack of effort, rather than discrimination/racism. Assists to align racial minority
groups against one another. Diverts attention away from those who have downwardly mobility. Distracts
attention from the fact that more established Asian ethnic groups are victims of discrimination. Income
can be discounted due to the fact that most Asian communities live in Coastal popular cities where cost
of living is more difficult.
Be familiar with the yellow peril discourse - ANSWER-idea that Asians are trying to take jobs away from
whites and are all horrible for the US
What were some push and pull factors for Chinese immigration? - ANSWER-push - colonization of China
pull - economic prosperity (gold rush and transcontinental railroad)
Be familiar with Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 - ANSWER-barred Chinese immigration (laborers) - 10
years. Officially repealed in 1943.
What were some characteristics of traditional Chinatowns? - ANSWER-offered safety and anonymity
where culture could be maintained. Became economic, cultural and social centers of the community
(tsu). Provided social and welfare systems (hui kuan). Tongs—secret organizations
What are some cultural similarities/attributes among Asians? - ANSWER-1. Stress group loyalty over
individualism. 2. Loyalty to the group - conformity. 3. Avoid public embarrassment (bringing shame to
your family). 4. Highly patriarchal (foot binding)
What are some characteristics of second generation Chinese Americans? - ANSWER-1. Delayed effect (no
women). 2. 2nd gen was much more influenced by the larger culture. 3. Looked beyond the enclaves to
fill their needs. 4. Education and occupational pursuits.
What are some push and pull factors for Japanese immigration? - ANSWER-push - originally, emperor
wanted to know what the competition was doing, encouraged students to study western ways. Pull
-- ???
Be familiar with the Gentlemen's Agreement - ANSWER-an informal agreement between Japan and the
US saying Japan would limit the amount of passports handed out in return for Japanese students
attending the same schools as whites.
Be familiar with the Picture-Bride-Invasion - ANSWER-as part of the Gentleman's agreement, the
Japanese men could bring their wife and children to the US however majority of the Japanese men
married by proxy and the women came as an influx after the men had already arrived.
Be familiar with the Alien land Law - ANSWER-if you couldn't be a citizen you couldn't own land.
Japanese thus put land in the name of their children (born in America) or trusted American friends
Be familiar with the Emergency Quota Act - ANSWER-the US set up a quota for the amount of people
coming into America from other countries and denied Japan a quota (gave them 0)
immigrant group - ANSWER-person moving to another country with the intention of staying
, refugee group - ANSWER-person forced from their home to a new place
sojourners - ANSWER-people who wanted to amass as much money as possible before returning to their
country
The Japanese Internment Experience - ANSWER-pearl harbor served as the catalyst to the Interment.
This resulted in Japanese being relocated from any area the US considered military areas (via executive
order 9066) and put into concentration camps
Tsu - ANSWER-clans established along family lines and forming a basis for social organization by Chinese
Americans
Hui Kuan - ANSWER-Chinese Americans benevolent associations organized on the basis of the district of
the immigrant's origin in China
Tongs - ANSWER-Chinese American secret associations
Xenophobia - ANSWER-fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
• cultural misappropriation - ANSWER-taking something for your own use from another culture
• What are the four points that should be understood when studying Native Americans? - ANSWER-1.
Much is unwritten, unstudied and underappreciated about Native American population. 2. Uniquely not
an immigrant group. 3. Relationship with the dominant group lends itself to analysis from conflict
perspective. 4. Stereotyped as "the Indians"—lumped into one group
• Why has the Native American population grown over the past couple of decades? - ANSWER-the
census opened to select as many boxes as you wanted to which was less stigmatizing and economic
incentive to join group. Increasing fertility in the race. Higher socioeconomic status
• Native American cultural characteristics - ANSWER-humans are simply part of a larger picture. Buying,
selling and owning were foreign concepts. Group oriented. Organized around egalitarian values.
• Separatism - ANSWER-Proclamation of 1763, Northwest Territory Ordinance, Cherokee Nation v.
Georgia; and Worcester v. Georgia (be familiar with the consequences of each act or case);
• Proclamation of 1763 - ANSWER-(S) land west of the Appalachian mountains was Indian territory.
Settlers who are west have to return to the colonies. Was created by the British. Kept settlers away from
native land but also kept native rampages away from whites.
• Northwest Territory Ordinance - ANSWER-(S) Land and property must never be taken away from Native
Americans unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress
• Cherokee Nation v. Georgia - ANSWER-(S) Native Americans are Domestic Dependent Nations. Tribes
have rights to govern themselves (DEFEAT)
• Worcester v. Georgia - ANSWER-(S) Power to make treaties; should be protected from state
encroachment, fed government is the sole authority (VICTORY)
• Anglo Conformity - ANSWER-BIA; Dawes Allotment Act; and boarding schools (know the basics about
each type of action); Indian Citizenship Act (why was this viewed as being problematic by some)
• Acculturation - ANSWER-cultural modification of an individual, sort of like when immigrants come to
the US and fully assimilate
• BIA - ANSWER-(AC) 1824 created to coordinate federal relations with Indians, supervised reservations
and given supplies along with chiefs being replaced by white leaders. This initiated the Dawes Allotment
Act by controlling minorities.
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Why is Oriental a bad word? - ANSWER-It brings up unfortunate chapters in our global history. It has
problematic racial and political connotations. Its more appropriately used for inanimate objects.
Reinforce the idea that Asians were forever foreign and could not become America.
The Model Minority Myth - ANSWER-Idea that there are some Asian groups who are prospering very
well and have gotten that way by perseverance and hard work "pulled up by the bootstraps"; Primary
purpose is to support and strengthen the notion that the main cause of economic and social problems
among racial minorities is lack of effort, rather than discrimination/racism. Assists to align racial minority
groups against one another. Diverts attention away from those who have downwardly mobility. Distracts
attention from the fact that more established Asian ethnic groups are victims of discrimination. Income
can be discounted due to the fact that most Asian communities live in Coastal popular cities where cost
of living is more difficult.
Be familiar with the yellow peril discourse - ANSWER-idea that Asians are trying to take jobs away from
whites and are all horrible for the US
What were some push and pull factors for Chinese immigration? - ANSWER-push - colonization of China
pull - economic prosperity (gold rush and transcontinental railroad)
Be familiar with Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 - ANSWER-barred Chinese immigration (laborers) - 10
years. Officially repealed in 1943.
What were some characteristics of traditional Chinatowns? - ANSWER-offered safety and anonymity
where culture could be maintained. Became economic, cultural and social centers of the community
(tsu). Provided social and welfare systems (hui kuan). Tongs—secret organizations
What are some cultural similarities/attributes among Asians? - ANSWER-1. Stress group loyalty over
individualism. 2. Loyalty to the group - conformity. 3. Avoid public embarrassment (bringing shame to
your family). 4. Highly patriarchal (foot binding)
What are some characteristics of second generation Chinese Americans? - ANSWER-1. Delayed effect (no
women). 2. 2nd gen was much more influenced by the larger culture. 3. Looked beyond the enclaves to
fill their needs. 4. Education and occupational pursuits.
What are some push and pull factors for Japanese immigration? - ANSWER-push - originally, emperor
wanted to know what the competition was doing, encouraged students to study western ways. Pull
-- ???
Be familiar with the Gentlemen's Agreement - ANSWER-an informal agreement between Japan and the
US saying Japan would limit the amount of passports handed out in return for Japanese students
attending the same schools as whites.
Be familiar with the Picture-Bride-Invasion - ANSWER-as part of the Gentleman's agreement, the
Japanese men could bring their wife and children to the US however majority of the Japanese men
married by proxy and the women came as an influx after the men had already arrived.
Be familiar with the Alien land Law - ANSWER-if you couldn't be a citizen you couldn't own land.
Japanese thus put land in the name of their children (born in America) or trusted American friends
Be familiar with the Emergency Quota Act - ANSWER-the US set up a quota for the amount of people
coming into America from other countries and denied Japan a quota (gave them 0)
immigrant group - ANSWER-person moving to another country with the intention of staying
, refugee group - ANSWER-person forced from their home to a new place
sojourners - ANSWER-people who wanted to amass as much money as possible before returning to their
country
The Japanese Internment Experience - ANSWER-pearl harbor served as the catalyst to the Interment.
This resulted in Japanese being relocated from any area the US considered military areas (via executive
order 9066) and put into concentration camps
Tsu - ANSWER-clans established along family lines and forming a basis for social organization by Chinese
Americans
Hui Kuan - ANSWER-Chinese Americans benevolent associations organized on the basis of the district of
the immigrant's origin in China
Tongs - ANSWER-Chinese American secret associations
Xenophobia - ANSWER-fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
• cultural misappropriation - ANSWER-taking something for your own use from another culture
• What are the four points that should be understood when studying Native Americans? - ANSWER-1.
Much is unwritten, unstudied and underappreciated about Native American population. 2. Uniquely not
an immigrant group. 3. Relationship with the dominant group lends itself to analysis from conflict
perspective. 4. Stereotyped as "the Indians"—lumped into one group
• Why has the Native American population grown over the past couple of decades? - ANSWER-the
census opened to select as many boxes as you wanted to which was less stigmatizing and economic
incentive to join group. Increasing fertility in the race. Higher socioeconomic status
• Native American cultural characteristics - ANSWER-humans are simply part of a larger picture. Buying,
selling and owning were foreign concepts. Group oriented. Organized around egalitarian values.
• Separatism - ANSWER-Proclamation of 1763, Northwest Territory Ordinance, Cherokee Nation v.
Georgia; and Worcester v. Georgia (be familiar with the consequences of each act or case);
• Proclamation of 1763 - ANSWER-(S) land west of the Appalachian mountains was Indian territory.
Settlers who are west have to return to the colonies. Was created by the British. Kept settlers away from
native land but also kept native rampages away from whites.
• Northwest Territory Ordinance - ANSWER-(S) Land and property must never be taken away from Native
Americans unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress
• Cherokee Nation v. Georgia - ANSWER-(S) Native Americans are Domestic Dependent Nations. Tribes
have rights to govern themselves (DEFEAT)
• Worcester v. Georgia - ANSWER-(S) Power to make treaties; should be protected from state
encroachment, fed government is the sole authority (VICTORY)
• Anglo Conformity - ANSWER-BIA; Dawes Allotment Act; and boarding schools (know the basics about
each type of action); Indian Citizenship Act (why was this viewed as being problematic by some)
• Acculturation - ANSWER-cultural modification of an individual, sort of like when immigrants come to
the US and fully assimilate
• BIA - ANSWER-(AC) 1824 created to coordinate federal relations with Indians, supervised reservations
and given supplies along with chiefs being replaced by white leaders. This initiated the Dawes Allotment
Act by controlling minorities.
