NPR's Book of the Day 'Unassimilable' makes a radical case against assimilation for the Asian diaspora
Jan 29, 2025
A new book argues against assimilation for the Asian diaspora, emphasizing the value of cultural identities. The author shares insights from her childhood in the ethnoburb of San Gabriel Valley, where immigrants maintain their heritage. The discussion also delves into the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, exploring how identity and belonging are affected. Personal stories highlight names as symbols of resilience and the need for solidarity among marginalized communities.
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Grandmother's Assimilation
- Bianca Mabute-Louie’s grandmother immigrated to the San Gabriel Valley in her 70s.
- She thrived without learning English, highlighting the area's unique cultural insulation.
Defining Unassimilability
- Unassimilability, as defined by Mabute-Louie, is a rejection of the need to prove oneself to dominant white culture.
- It empowers individuals to define themselves and their belonging on their own terms.
Unassimilability in Action
- Mabute-Louie, now living in the South, builds community through political action and mutual aid.
- This exemplifies unassimilability as community building outside state-defined norms.
