Espiritu examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women and men—with each other and with the dominant white society—from a gendered perspective. Locating gender in its intersection with race and class, this is one of the few works in ethnic studies or women's/gender studies that actually discusses the matrix of race/gender/class structures of oppression within a specific racial-ethnic community, i.e., Asian Americans, one that is also largely an immigrant community. Espiritu lends support to charges by women of color that traditional feminist theory falsely universalizes the category of 'women,' and overlooks the positions that white men and white women occupy over men of color. She also admits that this work does not disrupt the 'male-centered' framework of Asian American studies. The historical oppression of Asian Americans is explored along material and cultural lines, e.g., the formal and informal labor markets, including prostitution; family and small businesses; Japanese American internment; marriage and family; refugee resettlement; racist stereotyping. Theoretically, Espiritu advances the concept of 'racialized patriarchy.' She concludes with a call to create an 'imagined community' of cross-gender, cross-cultural,
Choice Reviews - Evelyn Hu-DeHart
Asian American Women and Men by Yen Le Espiritu offers a piercing and sensitive account of the experiences of first- and second-generation Asian American women and men, showing that gender differentiation and disadvantage is not a universal experience but is structured distinctly depending on its intersections with race and class. Drawing heavily on cultural theory, Espiritu exposes the binary oppositions that underlie representations of Asian American gender and sexuality.
Espiritu examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women and men—with each other and with the dominant white society—from a gendered perspective. Locating gender in its intersection with race and class, this is one of the few works in ethnic studies or women's/gender studies that actually discusses the matrix of race/gender/class structures of oppression within a specific racial-ethnic community, i.e., Asian Americans, one that is also largely an immigrant community. Espiritu lends support to charges by women of color that traditional feminist theory falsely universalizes the category of 'women,' and overlooks the positions that white men and white women occupy over men of color. She also admits that this work does not disrupt the 'male-centered' framework of Asian American studies. The historical oppression of Asian Americans is explored along material and cultural lines, e.g., the formal and informal labor markets, including prostitution; family and small businesses; Japanese American internment; marriage and family; refugee resettlement; racist stereotyping. Theoretically, Espiritu advances the concept of 'racialized patriarchy.' She concludes with a call to create an 'imagined community' of cross-gender, cross-cultural, and cross-class coalitions bound together by the common struggle against all pervasive forms of structured domination.
CHOICE - Evelyn Hu-DeHart
Espiritu examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women and men—with each other and with the dominant white society—from a gendered perspective. Locating gender in its intersection with race and class, this is one of the few works in ethnic studies or women's/gender studies that actually discusses the matrix of race/gender/class structures of oppression within a specific racial-ethnic community, i.e., Asian Americans, one that is also largely an immigrant community. Espiritu lends support to charges by women of color that traditional feminist theory falsely universalizes the category of 'women,' and overlooks the positions that white men and white women occupy over men of color. She also admits that this work does not disrupt the 'male-centered' framework of Asian American studies. The historical oppression of Asian Americans is explored along material and cultural lines, e.g., the formal and informal labor markets, including prostitution; family and small businesses; Japanese American internment; marriage and family; refugee resettlement; racist stereotyping. Theoretically, Espiritu advances the concept of 'racialized patriarchy.' She concludes with a call to create an 'imagined community' of cross-gender, cross-cultural, and cross-class coalitions bound together by the common struggle against all pervasive forms of structured domination.
A sociological perspective of the relationships between Asian American men and women presenting a gendered analysis of class, race, ethnicity, and immigration that moves beyond "assimilation" as the predominant model. Espiritu (ethnic studies, U. of California) describes immigration and labor policies and conditions from the 1840s through today, demonstrating how subordinate power relations in a patriarchy contributed to changes in gender and cultural traditions for both men and women, as well as framing contemporary questions of dualism and cultural resistance. Paper edition (unseen), $14.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Asian American Women and Men by Yen Le Espiritu offers a piercing and sensitive account of the experiences of first- and second-generation Asian American women and men, showing that gender differentiation and disadvantage is not a universal experience but is structured distinctly depending on its intersections with race and class. Drawing heavily on cultural theory, Espiritu exposes the binary oppositions that underlie representations of Asian American gender and sexuality.
Signs: Journal of Women In Culture & Society
Asian American Women and Men by Yen Le Espiritu offers a piercing and sensitive account of the experiences of first- and second-generation Asian American women and men, showing that gender differentiation and disadvantage is not a universal experience but is structured distinctly depending on its intersections with race and class. Drawing heavily on cultural theory, Espiritu exposes the binary oppositions that underlie representations of Asian American gender and sexuality.
Signs: Journal Of Women In Culture & Society
Espiritu examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women and men—with each other and with the dominant white society—from a gendered perspective. Locating gender in its intersection with race and class, this is one of the few works in ethnic studies or women's/gender studies that actually discusses the matrix of race/gender/class structures of oppression within a specific racial-ethnic community, i.e., Asian Americans, one that is also largely an immigrant community. Espiritu lends support to charges by women of color that traditional feminist theory falsely universalizes the category of 'women,' and overlooks the positions that white men and white women occupy over men of color. She also admits that this work does not disrupt the 'male-centered' framework of Asian American studies. The historical oppression of Asian Americans is explored along material and cultural lines, e.g., the formal and informal labor markets, including prostitution; family and small businesses; Japanese American internment; marriage and family; refugee resettlement; racist stereotyping. Theoretically, Espiritu advances the concept of 'racialized patriarchy.' She concludes with a call to create an 'imagined community' of cross-gender, cross-cultural, and cross-class coalitions bound together by the common struggle against all pervasive forms of structured domination.
