by Jennie S. Bev
In today’s mainstream society, Americans illustrate a greater acceptance of Asian influences, values, and culture. Asian pop culture is thriving. From suburban noodle houses to Zen-style spas, Ayurvedic restaurants, Shiatsu massage, kanji tattoos, Yugi-Oh, Ichiro Suzuki baseball cards, Thai diners, and anime and manga comics to.. the list goes on.
Asian cultural influences seem more naturally accepted in today’s America, which is encouraging. Joseph Nye, a Harvard professor and former dean of John F. Kennedy School of Government, coined term “soft power,” which refers to cultural elements making meaningful changes in society. Professor Nye is an ambassador for bridging cultures to bring meaningful coexistence and understanding to people with various backgrounds.
