The Hybridized Public Sphere: Asian American Christian Ethics, Social Justice, and Public Discourse

Abstract

IN CRITICALLY ANALYZING THE DEADLY VIPER CONTROVERSY AND MARY Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church's social activism in the aftermath of Hurri cane Katrina, we consider questions concerning the (in)ability of Asian Amer icans to participate in public discourse in meaningful ways that spur social change while fostering solidarity with other marginalized ethnic groups in the United States. Drawing on Christian theo-ethical reflection on the racial or so cial identity of Jesus as a hybridized concept, we argue for a robust public dis course that recognizes Asian Americans as a social group without succumbing to the ghettoization of Asian American identity or a withdrawal from engage ment with other justice-seeking social groups. In doing so, we look toward con structive modes of public discourse carried out by multiple counterpublics that both give voice to the Asian American community and open the space for col laboration across ethnic, racial, class, religious, and national boundaries.