It's that time again. Time to meet another Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Kate Agathon, representin' the Midwest.
Who are you?
Kate Agathon - graduate instructor at Purdue University, community activist, and closet fan girl.
What are you?
Proud possessor of a dynamic East/West zodiac. As a Dragon/Scorpio, I'm extremely passionate by nature and can be enthusiastic to the point of impetuosity! I actually do embody 99 percent of the personality traits attributed to each, so there must be some truth behind the text.
Where are you?
Finishing a doctorate and helping to build a strong Asian American Studies program right here in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Where are you from?
I was born in and spent the first couple years of my life in Bangkok, Thailand. However, I claim Fort Collins, Colorado, as my mother ship. Colorado is, after all, the land of Fat Tire, mountain biking and fun! It's the ultimate playground. I definitely claim the West as my home.
What do you do?
During the day, I split my time as a doctoral student between the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts juggling a handful of research assistantships and teaching undergraduate courses that range from an Asian American Studies survey to professional career development. Infused with a strong social justice component, my research interests include issues pertaining to contemporary Asian American identity (especially those of intercountry adoptees) and critically examining (mis)representations of Asian Americans in popular culture and the media.
In the evening, I moonlight as a community activist working on a plethora of projects that advance awareness of Asian Americans who live in Greater Lafayette. Last spring, I produced and curated the "commUNITY" traveling photo exhibition that profiled Asian Americans who live in the community. I'm currently working on a new exhibition that will debut in APA Heritage Month 2010. Entitled "ImaginAsian," the exhibition is intended to be a fund raiser whose proceeds will help build the Asian American collections in the Purdue University and Indiana University libraries.
What are you all about?
As a stakeholder in the Asian American community, I'm about forming coalitions at a grassroots level, promoting social justice, and creating a sense of unity.
What makes you angry?
Asian Americans who over look the unique historical and contemporary experiences of their Asian American brothers and sisters who reside in the Midwest. In essence, those who erroneously consider the idea of a Midwestern Asian American identity as nonexistent.