vis lang:: rhetoric - audience

although initially hesitant about choosing this demographic, i've decided to go with chinese americans for our current project. specifically, the younger generations - a thoroughly modern group, but still very much grounded in the teachings and traditions of their parents and ancestors. and although chinese americans share a high socioeconomic status in american society, they are inactive in politics or local affairs. thus, it is with this project that i hope to explore some of the reasons behind this political apathy, find an entity that many could identify with, and encourage more political activism within this demographic.

1. what are some predominately shared values of this group?
education and family values, tempered with a sense of tradition, respect, and not a little bit of honor.


2. what political policies/issues are particularly important to this demographic in this election? why?
immigration, health care, education, etc

3. are there any cultural references your demographic identifies with? what?
amy tan, margaret cho, b.d. wong, stephen chow, etc.

as with any demographic, it is not without its fair share of stereotypes; and they range from the endearing to the downright derogatory. one in particular that i remember well occurred in an episode of scooby doo, when two of the main protagonists evaded the bad buys by pretending to be chinese. how? by putting on robes and having buck teeth. enter the hideously stereotyped chinese waiter.
there are many things in our culture which are supposed to evoke an "asian" feel to them, whether it be chinese dresses (cheongsam) or chopsticks in ones hair (which is actually a major faux pas), etc

4. what does their graphic landscape look like?



5. including the aiga document and other sources, what are the issues cited for this group not voting?
there's definitely a cultural gap between this demographic and the candidates running. numerous other reasons have been cited as well - too busy, out of town, voter registration problems, etc- but political apathy is definitely a major issue here.


sources:
"why do chinese-americans avoid politics? a study of social isolation" - all academic research.com
"chinese americans" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_American
http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/