MAASU- Midwest Asian American Student Union

November MAASU Vlog

2009-11-30T16:39:00.008-05:00

MAASU Updates! Brought to you by our ECC PR Co-Chairs David Mason and Kha Ly!

'A minority in Several Senses'

2009-11-10T19:28:00.019-05:00

This past Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a major health care legislation, something many Democrats were happy about. Among those who helped pass this bill was Representative Anh 'Joseph' Cao, a Republican from Louisiana. In Mr. Cao's statement, he said he had listened the stories of many citizens whose costs of health care are sky
rocketing and that primary care, mental health care, and expanded health care for children and seniors are what the people of Louisiana need. He also voted for the bill "to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana".

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Having left Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon in 1975, Mr. Cao is the first Vietnamese-American to be in Congress. "Mr. Cao, a lawyer, is a minority in several senses: a Republican amid a crowd of Democrats; a Vietnamese-American in an overwhelmingly black district."

In a phone interview, Mr. Cao said that there have been hateful remarks and racist comments. Regardless of the negativity that followed his vote, he does not regret it. He said, "If there is no first step, there could not be a second [...] I believe that we have to take that first step. We have to go beyond partisan politics, and do what I believe is right for America."

A political figure who is bringing about much discussion, Mr. Cao is someone who is taking a courageous stance, leaving a mark, and making Americans think. This congressman's voice is one that we will most likely be hearing from again.

To read more check out The New York Times articles from Nov. 8th and Nov. 10th.

A Noble Issue

2009-11-06T10:17:00.009-05:00

October was Nobel Prize month and an amidst the Physics Nobel Laureates was an Asian American, Professor Charles Kuen Kao, who was the chief honoree. Being that he was awarded 50% of the prize (the rest being distributed to two others), his photo was not shown in an October 7, 2009 article of The Columbus Dispatch. Other sources did put his photo in their articles so this could have just been a simple mistake.. or not? Is this is an issue of discrimination? Are Asian Americans still being overlooked? Was it just an error on the writer's or editor's part? That's for you to decide.

Getting Popular as We Speak

2009-10-13T01:16:00.006-04:00

As a slight continuation of the last article, here are some recent updates!

● FarEast Movement's song, 'Dance like Michael Jackson' was featured in last week's episode (episode 4) of Gossip Girl.
● Jay Sean's song, 'Down' made it to No. 1 this week, making him the first Asian-American male artist to do so! More here.

These guys are catching on fire!

The Craze, Wonder, and Movement

2009-10-02T14:38:00.006-04:00

(also featured in this month's MAASU newsletter)

With the start of a new decade right around the corner, a new era of music is underway. Listen up because this sound is just going to get louder. Hailing from all corners of the globe, Asian artists are bringing forth something that has been long overdue and it is exactly what many Asian Americans have been waiting for. The days of Coco Lee are long gone and enough time has passed for many to have recovered from the infamous American Idol audition of William Hung. This new wave of talented Asian artists is on the rise, breaking free of the stereotype, and trying to break into the ever-so-selective U.S. music industry.

The electronically-infused hip hop tunes of Far East Movement (FM) are gradually making their way across the country. originating from popular radio stations and clubs in Los Angeles. This dynamic trio made up of a Japanese, Chinese, and Korean- American, Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura), J-Splif (Jae Choung), and Prohgress (James Roh), started in the underground scene and are gradually made their way to becoming internationally known. When asked about the meaning of their name for a Jizo-Entertainment.com interview, they responded with “We wanted a very straight forward name… something that represented exactly what we want to do... so that we don’t have to be constantly rapping about it :)... what we wanted was a 'far east movement' into mainstream media and music. What the word 'movement' represents to us in regards to our name is that we spread one city at a time, east... touching everyone in the world until we're back where we started and opened peoples’ eyes and ears to something new”.

The chart-topping British artist of Indian decent who is currently gaining much recognition here in the U.S. and internationally is Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, better known as Jay Sean. In an interview for ‘The Asian ID Documentary’, Jay Sean says how “being Asian allows me to have a more rounded personality.. best of the west but also [… best] of the east.. I’m glad that I have that….Regardless of your [background], we all go through similar experiences… music, songs, and lyrics, transcend all those barriers… if a song strikes a chord with you, the first think is.. ‘oh I can relate’ not ‘brilliant song, but what color is he is..it’s none of that. For me, I like to write songs that can touch a 15 year old girl in Southall, [England] and a 38 year old Brazilian woman.” When asked about other people being aware of his cultural background, Jay Sean responded with, “I think you can’t ignore it.. the fact that I’m [one of] the only Asian R&B singer in the world is a bit weird and it’s obvious, so people will notice it.. Just like when they noticed when Eminem came out, ‘look he’s a white boy and he’s very, very good at doing hip hop', of course to ignore it would be ridiculous.. so people are aware.. but after a while.. I don’t think they care.. now when I do shows.. it’s a loving mix of people at my shows.”

Popular artists from Asia, especially Korea, have tried to tap into the U.S. music scene as well. Artists include Boa, Se7en, and the current pop sensations the Wondergirls. The Wondergirls, made up of 5 ladies, Sunye, Ye-eun, Sunmi, Sohee, and Yubin, recently made their U.S. debut and toured with the Jonas Brothers this past summer. They have caused an international phenomenon and were chosen as a top girl group by Virgin Media, putting them among the Pussycat Dolls and Danity Kane. Their fan base is growing by the day especially since the world has not ever seen an Asian girl group like them before.

One common ground that all these artists share is the fact that they are Asian artists who want to serve as good examples of making it in the music industry to other Asians. Something that many thought would never happen is happening right in front of us, right now. It is about time that these Asian artists are making some noise here in the U.S. and around the world, catering not only to an Asian crowd, but to people who love their music. Hopefully this new wave of Asian musicians is here to stay, but time can only tell where this will lead. In the mean time, keep your eyes and ears open for Asian artists whose tunes might just be the next hit.

Check out and support these other artists (signed artists and popular youtubers):
AJ Rafael, David Choi, Gabe Bondoc, Heather Park, Jane Lui, Jazmin, Jennifer Chung, Jin the MC, Justin Nozuka, JR Aquino, Kina Grannis, Magnetic North, Marie Digby, Priscilla Ahn, Paul Dateh, Tatum Jones, Tim Be Told

Racism Incident at Tufts

2009-05-03T22:23:00.007-04:00

A couple weeks back, a racism incident occurred at Tufts University between a white freshman and members of Tuft's Korean Student Association.

There was a bias incident involving members of the Korean Students Association (KSA) that took place in the early morning hours on Thursday, April 9, in Lewis Hall Lounge, while the club members were practicing for their culture show.

Thirteen members of the KSA were preparing for their culture show at approximately 1:45AM. A white freshman male living in Lewis Hall approached five male members who were practicing their dance. He claimed that he had been drinking at a bar prior to arriving at Lewis Hall. He insisted several times that the KSA members teach him the moves to their dance and was repeatedly asked to stop. Despite this request, he continued to molest the dancers, imitating the dance moves and declaring, "This is the gayest shit I've ever done." The KSA members then asked him to leave, to which he responded, "Fuck you. Fuck you, I could take all of you. I'll kill you all." He then threatened to get his fraternity brothers to help him retaliate. At this point, he began to physically harass the dancers, spitting at one member and shoving another one of the guys. An altercation ensued during which the freshman ripped two shirts and inflicted minor cuts to a member's forehead. In order to restrain him, the KSA members pinned him to the floor and put him into a headlock, at which point the freshman mentioned that he could not breathe and the person holding him down immediately let go.

At this moment, the freshman's friend and his girlfriend, who watched from the side, stepped in to take him away. When he got up, he started cursing "Fuck you, fuck you" and spitting at the dancers again. As he was being dragged away, he shouted, "Fuck you all, you fucking chinks, go back to China! Go back to your fucking country, you don't belong in this country." His friends took him to the bathroom, where he could be heard repeatedly shouting, "If I see them again, I will fuck them all."

The fight was reported to an RA, who wrote and sent in a bias incident report. According to the RA, submitted within the report was testimony from his girlfriend supporting the fact that her boyfriend initiated the altercation.

Thirteen people, members and friends of KSA, were present during the fight. In the aftermath of the dispute, members were shocked and saddened that such racism and hostility could be found at our school. It is the collective wish of KSA and affiliated students, both of Asian and non-Asian heritage, that this event come to the attention of our community in order to shed light on discrimination among our peers and our ongoing fight for cultural understanding.

It is unfortunate that issues like this arise and that people who mind their own business are victims of these acts of racism. Fortunately, the student wrote a sincere apology for what he did. Now only if everyone could be this sincere for all of their wrongdoings.

Bringing this blog back!

2009-05-03T19:21:00.008-04:00

MAASU's blog hasn't been touched since Ajay Alexander was Advocacy Chair ('07-'08) so I hope to do my best and discuss various issues, topics, and points of conversation that are important to the APIA community.

Please feel free to share this blog with others and spread the word!

Pakistan: Bhutto Assassination

2008-12-30T23:54:00.000-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benazir_Bhutto

Probably one of the most shocking news to hit the international community was the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the opposition party in Pakistan. There had been a great deal of tension in the area for some time with the dictator-like ways of current President Musharraf striving to maintain control of the nation by any means necessary. Who is to blame for such a heinous crime is something we would all like to know, but the reality is that whoever it is should be ashamed of themselves....

Its shocking the extent that individuals would go to retain power. Bhutto's death is not just a travesty because she was a political figure, but mainly because she was an individual who sought change and progression: who wanted to utilize her knowledge and experience to bring Pakistan into a better position in the international community. Her assassination sheds light on the unfortunate reality that progress is not always welcomed with open arms. Whether her party can truly rebuild in so short of time is something we can only cross our fingers and hope for...

This heinous act of murder is truly barbaric and a cowardly move on the hands of those who partook in this action. To take the life of an individual just because their views differed from yours or even that their course of making progress would clash with your desire to retain power/wealth/prestige is pathetic in so many ways. Every individual carries their own beliefs, experiences, etc. and no one has a right to challenge an individual in such a way as to be afraid of standing up for what you are proud of. Benazir Bhutto is truly someone to admire, especially for her desire to stand up for change, even when she knew that her life was constantly in danger. My prayers go out to her family and all those who placed their hope in her hands. The world we live in isnt perfect, but such acts are truly unacceptable. This act of terrorism should not be a wrench in the gears for progress, but hopefully Bhutto's party will be able to bring forth the dream and changes that Bhutto herself carried so proudly and passionately. There truly needs to be more leaders like her in this world...

Let us hope that Pakistan will be able to shift gears and be able to truly conduct matters in a way that gives the Pakastani government and its civilians the amount of respect and freedom that they all truly deserve.

OCA: Summer Internship

2007-12-23T01:12:00.000-05:00

OCA Seeks Applicants for Summer Internship Program
Deadline to apply for summer internships: March 15, 2008

Washington, DC – OCA, a national Asian Pacific American organization dedicated to ensuring social justice for APAs, is seeking motivated and qualified students for its highly successful summer internship program. The internship will last approximately ten weeks and a stipend will be provided.

The purpose of the OCA Internship program is to cultivate future leadership by providing students with an opportunity to be involved in the political and public policy process. Summer interns will be placed at a federal agency, non-profit, or congressional office that matches their interest and work full-time. Past interns have been placed in the offices of Congresswoman Pelosi, Congresswoman Berkley, and Senator Durbin; at the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, the National Education Association, and the NAACP.

Interns can also be placed at the OCA National Center and work first hand with one of the largest APA organizations in the country. In addition to their placement, summer interns will be highly engaged in many OCA activities and be involved with grassroots organizing.
The OCA Summer Internship Program engages interns with numerous activities to incorporating all that Washington, DC has to offer. Interns participate in a summer brown bag series focusing on important issues in the APA and civil rights community. Interns have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress, APA staffers, and members of the APA Congressional Caucus. Interns also help research and develop toolkits that inform and determine best practices on important APA issues, such as hate crimes and bias, coalition building, and Asian American Studies.

In addition to the experience that Washington, DC has to offer, interns play a major role in our annual national convention held in Washington, DC on July 31 – August 2, 2008. The convention will feature speakers, entertainment and engage the entire community on pertinent issues. Once selected, applicants are strongly encouraged to make sure they are able to attend this signature event.

Applications and information can be found on the OCA National website at http://www.ocanational.org. Complete applications must be postmarked by March 15th and an interview will be done for selected applicants. Selection will be complete by April and a firm commitment is required at the time. Interns will be responsible for travel to and from Washington, DC and housing as well.

Internships are also available during the winter, spring and fall sessions at the OCA National Center.

MAASU LR 11/2-11/4: Denison University

2007-11-05T10:59:00.000-05:00

One word: wow....

Denison University hosted this year's MAASU Leadership Retreat this past weekend and it was by far, one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. Besides the long 5+ hour drive to and from, it was an overall great time. Yellow Rage was the main act to perform on Friday night and their spoken word was amazing in that they conveyed so much passion and aggression in their words to greatly characterize their experiences and perception of the world. I loved it and definitely saw this as a great kickstart to the weekend ahead. Plus, their t-shirts were amazing...I love smell of free t-shirts (this is a joke...Im not trying to be creepy)....

The diversity of workshops on Saturday were amazing and from what I was able to gauge, were really able to enable students to learn more about their own leadership and what steps to take to actually improve it. Finishing it off was the Banquet that night with an amazing speaker, Northwestern's own Nitasha Sharma. I was definitely a fan of her knowledge of race relations and the utilization of hip hop into the Asian American community as an outlet to the tensions that individuals have been forced to confront in their lives due to their racial identities.

In my honest opinion, there is no such thing as natural-born leaders: I feel as though everyone has the potential to be a great leader in their own way. It is just a matter of finding your own strengths and following whatever it is you are passionate about. About a year and a half ago, I was the quietest kid you could find and now, most people around me would do anything to shut me up. Deep down, I know they love what I have to say (or at least that's what Im going to tell myself)....

Being a leader is a constant development with us learning so much along the way...it really is just about taking the first step and following your heart wherever it may lead. The Asian American community encompasses so much amazing things, but at the same time, we should never let it be sugarcoated and assume that the problems that are actually faced by Asian American individuals are not real or just a myth. The problems are there...it is up to us (those who want to develop a greater voice in this community) to stand up and shout out exactly why we are here. It is not always going to be an easy road but the beauty of this community is that there is always someone to help you with whatever idea or question you have....such as the current ECC (Executive Coordinating Committee) board and BOA (Board of Advisors). Don't ever hesitate to contact us about anything....you can find our information on www.maasu.org

Until next time...

REVAMP

2007-11-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

It really is insane how quickly the time has flown since my last entry but I am definitely going to restart this blog the way that it should be handled. I do apologize to all those readers who come patiently to this site everyday hoping that it will be updated (to the 3 of you, thank you for your patience)....

Im only kidding but I do apologize for taking so much time to kick this back up. I have been bogged down by my own academic pursuits and extra-curricular endeavors but life is good and I have more time on my hands to handle this.

The one thing I want to mention is that I do plan on doing things a little differently in that I want this blog to be more informative in that I will throw topics of discussion and break it down (as if Im writing articles) with me occasionally analyzing a newsworthy moment so that we have a good spectrum of things. With that, let the revamping begin...

poll: do you think anyone would approve of changing the acronym of MAASU from Midwest Asian American Students Union to the Midwest Ajay Alexander Students Union?

yes? maybe? no?.....I would run it by the rest of ECC and the Board of Advisors though Im thinking this would probably result in losing all rights to running this blog and since I cannot do that to my fans (the aforementioned 3 people), I will hold off on this question for a later time...

=P

September 15th: Remember Balbir Singh Sodhi

2007-09-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

It has been awhile since I last posted and for those who check this blog every so often, I do apologize for the time lapse. I have been pushing hard to prep for the LSATs and the workload has caught me off guard. Once my exam is over with on Sept 29, I assure you all will be well and Ill be back to making this blog as informative and effective as possible. For now, I received this email from Valarie Kaur, who did a documentary on Divided We Fall, in regards to the backlash against those who "looked like terrorists".....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the calendar page turns to September, it's difficult not to look at the 11^th day. It's a time to remember who was lost, who survived, who has been left behind. And how to live in the aftermath.

Everyone remembers September 11^th. But we must also never forget September 15^th.

In 2001, September 15^th fell, like it does this year, on a Saturday. Balbir Singh Sodhi, wearing the turban and beard of a Sikh man, went to Costco to stock new supplies for his gas station near Phoenix, Arizona. And to look for an American flag for his store. In the check-out line, he saw a donation box for the New York relief effort and emptied his pockets of $74 - all he had remaining with him. (Flags were sold out.)

A few hours later, Mr. Sodhi was dead, killed in front of gas station by a man who called himself a patriot.

That same day, Adel Karas, an Egyptian Christian in Los Angeles and Kimberly Lowe, a Native American in Oklahoma City were killed, too.

Mr. Sodhi, Mr. Karas and Ms. Lowe were the first of at least 19 people murdered as retribution in the aftermath of 9/11. Although our country was united in grief and sorrow, fear had the power to blind Americans to the faces of their neighbors, at home and abroad.

For those of you who have been following our film Divided We Fall, you know that we feature Mr. Sodhi, his family's story, and the story of an American city who came together in extraordinary compassion - a testament to what is possible when we share our common humanity.

On this day one year ago, we premiered the film in Phoenix, hosted by the local community, on the memorial of his death. Since we premiered, we have screened in 50 cities, opening spaces for deep dialogue in campuses and communities across the country. (We also won three awards, were featured on CNN, and have been generally too busy to send out updates on newsletters...we will recap the remarkable summer soon, we promise...)

In the year since we began our national film tour, we have been moved by the insights, stories, and memories people have shared with us. Everyone, even the very young, still feel the reverberations of September 11 ^th. They will never forget. We hope we are helping them to never forget Balbir Singh Sodhi, also.

We hope you are safe and healthy during these days of remembrance. Thank you for being a part of our extended DWF family. We are doing our best to make a difference.

Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath

Produced and Directed by Sharat Raju (sharat@dwf-film.com )

Produced, Written and Created by Valarie Kaur ( valarie@dwf-film.com)

Empathy...

2007-08-23T20:09:00.000-04:00

A theme (I guess you can say) that I have grown to really embrace is one that focuses on the concept of empathy, which revolves around the idea of looking outside one's perspective and seeing the world through the eyes of another. I mean, how can we really understand what someone else is feeling unless we actually take a second to see how things are through their perspective. We all have different experiences and have grown up in various environments, which mean that certain words/actions may be taken to be offensive in certain contexts to some people than to others. Are some people more sensitive than others? Of course there are sensitive people (I at times can be sensitive to controversial situations), but it is not just sensitivity alone that results in individuals taking a certain road over another.

When I was in high school, I was bombarded by degrading remarks and harassed by a group of Indians (people of my same ethnicity) only because I didnt fit the supposed 'norm' of what it meant to be Indian. I didnt partake in the "recreational activities" that they did and didnt want to associate myself with that kind of behavior. They took as me thinking Im too good for them or something along those lines and for the last two years of my high school run, I felt a great deal of their wrath in so many ways: words, actions, threats, etc. It seems like years ago when this went down, but Ive grown from that. The scars remain (figuratively speaking) and I use those scars as a reminder of the kind of pain that people all over the world must be feeling. Regardless of the degree, pain is pain and we need to realize that sometimes our words/actions can hurt others in ways we may not fully understand. Our grasp of the world (our own perspectives) are limited: what we see and believe is not gospel. There is so much out there that we have yet to tackle or even taken steps to comprehend, but it's still out there.

Racism, terrorism, disease, etc. are only a few of the many problems that are affecting people all over the world. The unfortunate reality is that it is impossible to fully eradicate all the problems that plague the world we live in, but we (those of us who are privileged to live in this great United States) can take steps to help those less fortunate: those who wake up in the morning and feel as though no matter what they say or do, their day will not be any different from the day before and that process will continue indefinitely. Every human being deserves a chance to live their lives to the fullest with respect and appreciation. Im not saying you have to go out there and raise a couple trillion dollars to make a difference: donate to charity, volunteer, learn about issues affecting your community and educate those who seem to be confused or misguided. These are the little things that can make the biggest impact: it's just a matter of having faith in yourself and a drive to make change.

Regardless of what I experienced in high school, the irony is that it catapulted me to wanting to do so much more for the cultural community as a whole and really work hard in regards to advocacy. I hope that at least someone reading this entry will be inspired to make that type of difference in the world. There's nothing about me that makes me a better leader than anyone else: Im just someone who knows what he wants in life and just went straight for it. That's all Im asking....follow your passion and make a difference...

Hiatus

2007-08-23T20:06:00.000-04:00

I apologize to all those who have been looking forward to reading the various blog entries that are aimed to educate the wider public on the issues and news-worthy events that are of great significance to the Asian American community (in some capacity). With the transition back into the academic setting (this being my senior year in college), it took me awhile to get back into the swing of things. Rest assured: I aim to let this blog continue riding the course that it was intended to do.

And so, it begins once again...

OCA's 2008 National Annual Convention

2007-08-14T22:17:00.000-04:00

Save the Date!

OCA's 2008 National Annual Convention

July 31 - August 3, 2008

Washington Hilton | Washington DC

Celebrating 35 years of leadership and commitment!

Monsoon Death Toll: 2000

2007-08-10T16:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/10/asia.monsoons.ap/index.html

The one thing I have a hard time understanding is why there is little to no actual media coverage on the catastrophic monsoon that has taken the lives of 2000 people, as well as resulting in thousands suffering from severe health issues. Millions have been displaced from their homes and the situation is growing more and more unfortunate for those who reside in the certain areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Besides the coverage of the war in the Middle East, there does not seem to be much of an effort placed upon characterizing such environmental catastrophes that have greatly affected the lives of millions. Why is important that we take the time to actually understand what is going on in the world? Well, at least to me, I would like to think that this would be a gateway for individuals to take some type of initiative to making an impact that could greatly assist those who are in dire need of help.

I personally feel that it is important for individuals like us, who are so fortunate to have the opportunities and luxuries that come with living in America, to actually remember that there are people in this world who are less fortunate (a lot less) and it is not because of any wrong-doing, but rather, they unfortunately were dealt a life of hardship. You know, we hear stories about children in developing nations who dream of going to school and who wish they could experience sanitary living conditions and yet, we take these things for granted without realizing that what seems standard for us, is a luxury for millions around the world.

It is devastating to think about how those affected by the monsoon must be feeling right now, because their lives are greatly changed by an environmental catastrophe that was evidently out of their control and now, all they can do is rely on some miracle that they will receive the proper aid and care to move on. The unfortunate reality though is that there is not enough money or resources to really help those in need.

In some way, shape or form: make a difference. It really does not take a lot of time to set up charity drives or fundraisers with the goal of using whatever is raised to help those who could really benefit from it. I know I have not done my full share yet, but it is a personal goal of mine to set something up that could evidently make an impact in regards to raising awareness of global issues, and helping those much less fortunate than we are.

I will keep you all posted once I figure something out and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It's all a matter of taking that first step and I really believe that those of us who support MAASU can make an impact through this way....

Elaine Quijano (White House Correspondent for CNN)

2007-08-08T23:54:00.000-04:00

http://www.audreymagazine.com/April2007/Feature05.asp

From time to time, I want to be able to put up articles that don't focus heavily on issues, so that we are able to see the more optimistic side to the cultural world. I found this informative interview with Elaine Quijano, who is the current White House Correspondent for CNN (and who happens to be an alumna of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign...whoo!).

Definitely check out the article and see what Ms. Quijano is all about....

Asian Americans: Eating Disorders

2007-08-06T23:26:00.000-04:00

http://www.audreymagazine.com/April2007/Feature04.asp

This is probably one of the most informative articles I have read in awhile. It focuses upon how eating disorders seem to be a growing concern for Asian American women as they try to emanate what the American culture has deemed "beautiful". I mean, let's face it: growing up in today's world, a great majority of us are constantly concerned with how we look in hopes that we don't fall outside of what is considered acceptable in regards to physical appearance: any deviation from this standard would result in personally feeling self-conscious and an outsider to the rest of one's peers. Do you remember the old saying that 'it's not what is on the outside that counts, but what is on the inside'? Realistically though, this unfortunately does not always apply...

The need to fall within the realm of "beauty" is an issue that many women are confronted with and as can be seen from this article, many feel that the only way to come even close to being "truly beautiful" is to unhealthily lose weight in order to embody America's depiction that beauty exists predominantly in those who are slim. Since Asian American women usually cannot embody characteristics that distinguish Caucasian women from other cultures (blonde hair, blue eyes, etc), weight seems to be the easiest means for these women to attain that mark of beauty.

What is shocking is that there are some who assume that Asian American women are "immune" to eating disorders but the reality is that this belief is far from the truth. There seems to be a rising trend among Asian American women to embody the Western perception of beauty and thus, puts many women in serious risk in regards to their health.

The clash of the American culture with that of one's Asian American is expected to occur with individuals of Asian descent growing up in a country with a distinct culture from that of many Asian nations. Trying to find that balance or a means of defining themselves in this complex environment is truly a difficulty that many grapple with quite often in life. But with the added pressure of living up to the stereotype that Asian Americans should be standing on a higher pedestal than that of their peers (Model Minority Myth), many feel they have no choice but to bottle up all their frustrations, insecurities, etc. and just live their lives hoping that things will fall into place one day. That, however, is one of the biggest problems: without a means of opening up and just being able to express oneself (whether it be anger, sorrow, happiness or whatnot), individuals may feel isolated from the rest of the world for they feel that they are tackling issues and problems head-on without any means of support. These problems that are rising among many Asian American women are quite prevalent among individuals of both genders in cultures all across the globe, but the reality of the situation is that unless we find a means of reaching out to those who may feel out of place and reassure them that they do not need to reshape themselves so that they can fit the "Abercrombie" look.

It's hard not to think about fitting this mold when we are constantly bombarded by the media with this but hopefully, we can steps now to educate those around us and hopefully help those we feel may be experiencing such problems. It really is amazing how powerful a listening ear can be....

Pakistan: Obama = Ignorant

2007-08-02T23:42:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070802/wl_sthasia_afp/usvote2008pakistanafghanistan

Awhile back, I wrote an entry characterizing how the Obama campaign made a remark against the Indian American community due to the belief that they are one of the main reasons that America is suffering from the effects of outsourcing. Now, it seems that Barack Obama has taken another swing at the South Asian community, but this time, Pakistan is the target of his remark.

As mentioned awhile back (but reiterated nonetheless), MAASU does not endorse any particular presidential candidate nor aligns itself with any one political party. Obama stated that if he were elected to the presidency, then he would make sure to send US troops into Pakistan in order to attack the terrorists that are presumed to be dwelling there (with or without President Musharraf's approval). The problem with this remark is that Obama seems to automatically assume that he can deploy our nation's troops into any country as long as there is a strong belief that terrorists are there. For some reason, the "Iraq War" seems to pop into my head all of a sudden...

Though America may be viewed by many as a leading superpower in the global community, it should not automatically assume that it has the right to throw its troops anywhere without the consent of the leaders of the targetted nation. I do understand that many feel strongly against the terrorists who wreaked so much havoc on 9/11 and would want nothing more than to bring those responsible to justice, but the unfortunate reality is that the only way we can do this is to learn to cooperate with other leaders, rather than spearheading a project and assuming that the world will join our bandwagon to end terrorism (didn't work with the war in Iraq and I'm doubting it will work now...)

What we may not even realize is that in the news when we hear about car bombings and suicide bombers killing a certain number of individuals, what we may not realize off the bat is that these individuals targetted are mostly innocent civilians who are unfortunately caught in the middle of a conflict with no resolution in sight. The US should be trying to be making allies with the world, rather than throwing its weight around and asserting a level of dominance that may place those who live in such areas in far greater danger than one may realize.

Foreign policy is a key area in regards to the role of the President of the United States and Obama's statement that Pakistan should be targetted is in many ways a foolish remark, because it places a negative light on the people of Pakistan, as well as creates the assumption that this nation should be the next on America's terrorist hitlist: there are innocent civilians who live in that nation and who may unfortunately feel the effects of America's attacks that are supposed to be aimed elsewhere.

Let's hope that Obama learns to modify his foreign policy and that whoever attains the presidency at the 08 elections has a better grasp of how to handle the current foreign crisis that has been left by the Bush administration and place the world in a better standing....

Virginia Tech: Moving On

2007-08-01T20:54:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070801/ap_en_mu/virginia_tech_concert

I'm sure we all remember the tragedy that occurred on April 16 at the Virginia Tech institution. It was truly a difficult time as students, very much like ourselves, were thrown into harm's way when one student attacked his peers in what is considered one of the worst tragedies to happen in an educational setting.

It was only a little over four months ago, but one can only wonder how those in Virginia Tech are coping with this situation. I definitely give props to the performers who will be giving a free concert in hopes that it will ease the tension that so many of these students feel they must carry.

It's not always easy picking up where you left off and going right back into the swing of things after a tragedy. I remember a very motivational statement I heard awhile back that really stuck to me when I first heard it a few years ago: "It's not the changes that matter; it's how you react to them that makes you who you are".

We all have experiences struggles in our lives, but rather than dwelling on these things, we should be more concerned with trying to determine how to overcome our problems and just make the most of ourselves. Obviously, it is a lot easier said than done, but for those who can rise above adversity to continue paving a road that transcends that of normality, they are the ones who have truly grasped what it means to enjoy life to the fullest and deserve a lot of respect for that.

I wish the best to all those who attend Virginia Tech: moving on will be difficult but it really makes an impact to just stand up and keep walking...

....and for those of you wondering, I first heard that quote from probably one of the greatest sources of motivation out there: the television show "Boy Meets World"

.....I kinda watched a lot of tv growing up.

APA Summit This Saturday in Chicago,IL !!

2007-07-31T13:54:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 4. Chicago, IL

Join your fellow progressive Asian Pacific Americans from throughout the Midwest as we engage in a Saturday training led by Parag Mehta, Director of Training at the Democratic National Committee. Sponsored by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress.

To register, go to: http://www.apaforprogress.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3

Who: Activists, student leaders, community leaders, volunteers

What: Learn the basic tools of political organizing including volunteer recruitment, networking, planning events, targeting, phonebanking and other useful campaign skills.

When: Saturday, August 4th, 2007

11:00-12:00 PM - Networking and Registration
12:00 - 6:00 PM - Training
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Reception/Social with special guests

Where: The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496

Fee(s) - Includes training and reception/social, as well as admission to the Field Museum. Students please inquire about additional scholarships.

Student...$25 before July 15 / $30 after July 15
Regular...$35 before July 15 / $40 after July 15
Group rate (for 5 regular registrations)... $175
Group rate (for 10 regular registrations)... $300

Co-sponsors - To be listed in our program book or to place an ad, please contact Theresa Mah at apap.chicago@gmail.com

Parag V. Mehta - Parag is the Director of Training for the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC. Prior to joining the DNC, Parag served as Deputy Political Director for America Votes, a coalition of 32 of the largest progressive groups in the country who joined forces to register, educate, recruit, and mobilize voters for the 2004 elections. In 2003, Parag was a Deputy Political Director for Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign, based in Burlington, Vermont. In 2002 he served as Deputy Field Director for former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk's U.S. Senate campaign in Texas. From 2000-2002, Parag worked as a speechwriter and policy analyst for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Parag holds a B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP) - APAP is national network of progressive Asian Pacific Americans and allies. For more information, click here: http://www.apaforprogress.org/ To reach us, please email: apafp@apaforprogress.org

Ignorance v. Racism

2007-07-30T23:59:00.000-04:00

Im going to shift gears a little bit and throw the focus away from my usual reporting of what's hot in the media to a breakdown of two words that seem to jump up quite often within the context of the cultural community: ignorance and racism. The one thing that I have noticed is that individuals seem to utilize both of these concepts as if they were interchangeable, but is that really the case?

Ignorance revolves around being unaware or uninformed about a particular topic, issue, etc. Racism, on the other hand, is based off the mentality that there exists a racial hierarchy with a race(s) bearing greater importance than that of another race(s) and thus, each individual should act in accordance to this supposed hierarchy. In other words, there exists a deliberate attempt to discriminate or inflict harm (physical, emotional, psychological) upon those who are deemed to be on a lower rung than that of the "superior" race. So with that thrown out there, can we still view these words as interchangeable?

Both words have negative connotations and bear an undesirable mark upon whom it has been tagged upon, but the reality of the situation is that an individual who is ignorant is not automatically racist. Someone who is viewed as racist may or may not be ignorant, depending on the extent of the individual's expression of this mentality. Let me throw an example out there....

About two years ago, one of the most influential organizations on the UofI campus (which I won't directly name), promoted the production of "Grease" to be performed on campus at Assembly Hall. What happened during the performance was that one of the actresses said the word 'Jap' (as was depicted in the script) to characterize a Japanese American in play. This created an uproar within the Asian American community due to the fact that the word 'Jap' is derogatory against Japanese Americans. The reason for this is because this word was utilized with such hate and disrespect during the time when individuals of Japanese descent were thrown into internment camps during the WWII era.

The situation rose where many Asian Americans viewed this organization as being racist for condoning the usage of such a derogatory word. The problem was, however, that this organization had absolutely no idea that this word was derogatory, nor would they have utilized such a word if they were aware of it being so offensive. This organization is the largest one on the UofI campus and works directly with the UofI administration (based on my experience, they have a pretty good track record). Anyways, this was about the time that I started to become involved with the cultural community on my campus and it really struck me because I definitely understood why the Asian American community was offended, but at the same time, was wondering whether this organization really allowed this word to be utilized with the understanding that it really was derogatory.

I would view the organization as being ignorant: they made a mistake that offended a cultural community due to the offensive, historical background of the word. Would I go as far to say they are racist? No...they did not know that the word was offensive and thus, allowed it to go on without the realization that it would create such controversy.

The point of the entry is to try to be more aware of the world around us. What we may find offensive, may not be directly understood by another person: not everyone shares a similar understanding of the world's history. What is offensive to one person may be completely okay to another. Rather than being annoyed with those who are ignorant, try teaching them so that they are aware of why something is viewed in the manner that it is. It really is the only way people will learn and thus, force ignorance to be suppressed.

Curbing Global Warming: US Must Set Example

2007-07-28T00:52:00.000-04:00

http://goldsea.com/Asiagate/707/27ban.html

How many of us actually know who is the current Secretary of the United Nations? It seems nowadays people are more inclined to only read the news if headlines characterizing Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan's latest blunders are right smack on the front page, rather than being concerned with what is really happening in the world. There are more important things than what's hot in Hollywood Gossip (quite frankly, I could care less about these supposed role models and their antics).....but back to the matter at hand: for those of you still wondering, Ban Ki-Moon (South Korea's former foreign minister) is now the eighth Secretary of the United Nations by succeeding Kofi Annan.

Ki-Moon has stated that in this term, he hopes to place the spotlight on the issue of global warming and the deleterious effect it is having on the global community. The most significant point he made is that the United States must lead the way and be the role models for other nations to follow if this predicament is ever to be contained. The status of the United States these days is often one eliciting great skepticism due to the many questionable decisions that the nation has made in regards to various global issues (e.g. War on Iraq). Having faith in the United States shows that Ki-Moon supports in the credibility that the United States is assumed to have as one of the leading global powers.

Can the United States truly be the kind of leader that Ki-Moon believes it has the potential of once again becoming? The nation has definitely shown progress and with individuals like Al Gore spearheading an environmental awareness campaign, it seems as though the issue of global warming is finally taking center stage with the world wondering exactly how it can control this issue so that future generations are not grealty devastated by the mistakes of the present.

Ki-Moon has already shown great leadership in the manner in which he upholds himself and is truly being a great representative on behalf of the United Nations. Issues like global warming are what we as global citizens need to be truly aware of and how the global community is reacting to such topics. These are the kinds of things we should be concerned with, moreso than the aforementioned 'Hollywood gossip'.....now you know who the Secretary of the United Nations is....that's definitely a start: keep it going...

Taliban Kills One Hostage

2007-07-26T00:07:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070726/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan

One of the 23 South Korean hostages was killed by the Taliban since their demands have not been fully met. This is truly devastating news. The very fact that an innocent individual is murdered just because a group of radicals have not attained their full demands is repulsive. It is morally reprehensible to utilize innocent individuals as mere pawns in this cruel game.

Let just hope that no more innocent lives are in danger....

HR 2669: Financial Boost for Low Income AAPIs

2007-07-24T23:14:00.000-04:00

http://www.aapress.com/nationalnews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1184942039&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

Sia Moua (Programming Chair for MAASU ECC) gave me the heads up about this article. This is truly a momentous occassion in regards to legislation, since this greatly benefits Asian American and Pacific Islander students who fall within the lower income bracket. It is truly comforting to know that there are actually people out there who have their priorities straight and are truly seeking to assist those in need of attaining the same opportunities that every individual is entitled to. The opportunity to pursue one's educational ambitions without financial hindrance is truly something important.

Most of us may not realize how fortunate we are to be able to attend institutions of higher education and be given the opportunity to pursue various endeavors to which we feel will enable us to make the most of our lives. The unfortunate reality, however, is that there are so many individuals who are unable to pursue such opportunities only because everything in America has a price, and if you cannot afford it, then you are forced to live without it. This legislation opens a door that was once closed out to so many and its focus upon Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is truly showing that the spotlight hasn't been cast away from this group of individuals.

These are the types of issues that we should be the most concerned with, because these issues are the ones that can truly change lives and enable those who are less fortunate to attain a fighting chance in this world. Helping one another should be something that we aim to pursue in our lives, because with the opportunities and advancements we make, we should try to help pave that road so that those who come after us are able to pursue their dreams without the kind of obstacles that could be overcome with the proper attention.

Taliban Extends Deadline for Korean Hostages

2007-07-22T22:35:00.000-04:00

http://goldsea.com/Asiagate/707/22hostages.html

The clock is ticking as many are anxiously hoping for an immediate resolution to be reached that would bring the 23 hostages safely back home to South Korea. It must be devastating for these individuals to be under such a high stress situation as their fate is in the hands of negotiators between the two opposing forces. To abduct innocent individuals and place their lives in jeopardy in an attempt to gain a military advantage (in this case: the release of Taliban prisoners and the removal of South Korean forces from the area) is inhumane in every manner.

It is difficult to empathize with these hostages: to understand exactly what they must be feeling to be isolated from the rest of the world due to the political tensions that are taking place with extremists perpetuating the violence in the Middle East. The unfortunate reality is that constant exposure to the media's portrayal of the 'War on Terror' has almost desensitized Americans in regards to the catastrophe that is taking place there. If we just stop for a second and realize that there really is a world beyond our own: it is not the most glamorous or heart-warming one, but it's there and it's a reality that so many innocent individuals have to experience each and every single day.

These innocent hostages.....what we may not even realize is that these individuals could be any person and to someone in South Korea and even abroad, they are meaningful and loved. A parent, sibling, cousin, best friend, neighbor, etc. to someone. They may not be our close acquaintances, but the fact that they are human beings who went to the highly volatile Middle East to volunteer their time and effort to helping those less fortunate shows a lot of heart and passion: characteristics that the world is in dire need of when we take a close look at the world around. Let us just hope that these individuals are safely returned to their homes in South Korea and that everything turns out for the best.

Taliban Kidnaps Korean Volunteers

2007-07-20T17:39:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070721/ap_on_re_as/afghan_kidnappings

There does not seem to be an end in sight to the supposed "War on Terror" as various factions are engaging in warfare in an attempt to establish themselves as the superior religious sect. The unfortunate reality is that such tension is among elites for power, but it is the innocent civilians who are in harm's way. With the death skyrocketing, one can only pray that the US stops throwing fuel into the fire and actually takes steps to ease the tensions that currently exist.

Innocent individuals, either residents of a Middle Eastern nation or are there for their occupation, are constantly being targetted and utilized as leverage for the radical faction to attain some type of short-term goal in this never-ending struggle. Well, it seems the Taliban have taken a different turn of events as they have now abducted 18 Korean Christians who have decided to volunteer themselves to assist those who are in need. It is horrible that such a group of individuals are now in the hands of the Taliban, even though they pose absolutely no threat to them or the Taliban mission. The fact that these innocent individuals have been adbucted (even though they came with only good intentions) just goes to show how devastating the situation is over there. We cannot even send volunteers to aide those in need without fear of being attacked by someone who believes that there must be an ulterior motive to why any foreigner would come to the Middle East.

There has been controversy in that the Korean Christians were proselytizing in a predominantly Muslim region and that such actions were deemed unacceptable to those residing in the nation. Evidently, religion does play a substantial component in the war that is taking place over there, but that alone does not justify the abduction of these Korean volunteers, who only intended to be in the Middle East for a short period of time to do volunteer work. Now, their lives are at stake as the Taliban has demanded that either S.Korea withdraws its troops from Middle East combat or these innocent individuals' lives are in stake. The war has evidently gotten out of hand and it is devastating to imagine what these poor individuals must be feeling now as they are under the jurisdiction of the Taliban and their radical ways.

The conditions are horrible to imagine and each day, the demands of the war are escalating with the lives of innocent troops and civilians thrown in harm's way just to fulfill the power-hungry nature of the elites who seem to have some stake in this constant power struggle. It is comforting to know that there are people who are willing to risk their lives to help those who are in great need of aid. Let us hope for the best for those Korean citizens who have been abducted and that they are released safely.

Interracial Marriage: Al Gore's Daughter

2007-07-19T11:38:00.000-04:00

http://goldsea.com/Asiagate/707/15gore.html

Did you know that Al Gore's daughter married a Chinese American businessman? With an icon like Al Gore, I found it surprising that there was practically no word on it in any media outlets. Then again, I guess since Sarah Gore never really established herself in the public eye, news about her would not spread so quickly. Regardless, the very idea of interracial marriages seem to be more acceptable in the current era than it ever was before, but there is always a lot in mind when two individuals from two different backgrounds want to pursue a life together....

There is absolutely nothing wrong with interracial marriages, but it can be hard for some families who have very conservative lifestyles or prefer to have their family lines remain on a particular track, in regards to race, religion, etc. There are some families who are open to interracial marriages, some who are opposed and others who are unsure of where to actually stand on the matter at hand. It takes a lot of getting used and compromise, I'm sure. My cousin married a Caucasian English teacher and I have to say, the guy is definitely one of the coolest people out there (almost close to my caliber). It was definitely the topic of discussion once word got around my mother's side of the family because it was always assumed that my cousin would marry "a nice Indian boy". But I guess life sometimes throws a curveball into the mix of things...

My cousin and her husband have a little girl (my niece or whatever the actual terminology is) and no bias, she is definitely the cutest kid out there. They raise her with both American and Indian values and she is constantly exposed to individuals from a multitude of cultures, which I find amazing. As long as these two really love each other and are giving their daughter the best life possible, then there really shouldn't be a reason why individuals from two background should not be married.

We all have differences to some extent and who actually fall in love with and become close to is something that is technically out of our hands. There is nothing wrong with looking for someone within our own cultural background, due to ease of transferring values and such to one's future generations. Culture, as we all know, is of great importance to all individuals to some extent and at times, a certain cultural value is so important that the only way of ensuring that it is maintained and shared is if both individuals fall into that same category. Cultural values do play an impact....how much though definitely falls back upon the individuals.

The way I look at it is that families should not be the restricting component in who a child wants to marry. After awhile, my mother's side of the family began to love Aaron (my cousin's Caucasian husband) and they never would have known how great of a guy he is if they never gave him a chance and just based their judgement on the fact that he was cultural different. Like the old saying goes: "You can't judge a book by its cover", so does the concept work in everyday life. Rather than trying to judge an individual by their appearance, it is better to see who the individual really is on a personal level and go from there. As long relationships and marriages are genuine in that they seek to exemplify the identity of both individuals, then there really isn't anything to challenge. Whether individuals share the same cultural values or not is truly up to the individuals at hand, but based on what I have learned from talking to various people, it is truly possible to have a strong, healthy relationship when individuals differ in race, religion, ethnicity, or any other category. As long as the foundation is based on love and respect, then the relationship will truly go the distance. I wish Bill Lee and Sarah Gore the best as they start their lives together.

Conservative India versus Sex Ed

2007-07-17T11:52:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070716/hl_nm/india_sex_education_dc

The highly conservative India is in a deadlock between two sides of the morality debate regarding the AIDS epidemic: one side is proposing that institutions of higher learning allow sex education to be taught in order to curb the HIV rates, while the opposing side believes that sex education will only corrupt the minds of the younger generations.

India has the world's largest number of HIV cases and many beleive that the only way to reduce the number of cases that are found each year is to educate the youth of today of the potential dangers of unsafe sex, while at the same time, educating them about human sexuality (a topic that parents all over the world dread to even discuss with their children). It seems that parents in many conservative Asian nations may not be so open to talk to their children about sexuality and thus, children go about trying to learn for themselves and at times, may experiment in ways that only places them in greater danger of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). The danger is out there whether we realize it or not; it is just a matter of us taking measures to ensure that the youth of today are better equipped with an understanding of what is really out there.

However, what many conservatives are afraid of is that with sex education, children may be more inclined to have premarital sexual relations and would greatly devastate the moral code that this nation, like many others, strives to maintain. But is this really the case? I mean, look around us. Television, magazines, advertisements, etc. have all exemplified the well known expression "sex sells" in a variety of means. With constant reinforcement of this expression in various markets, as well as the notable change in the manner in which the youth of today are acting and dressing (let's face it: more and more people are attempting to emanate the Abercrombie look because of the supposed "sex appeal"), the fact is that the times have changed from what it was even when I was in middle school (which was about 8 years ago).

The reality is that sex education should not be viewed as a tool that promotes sexual promiscuity or premarital relations, but rather, as a means of ensuring that individuals are educated about the dangers out there. The fact that younger generations are more than likely to be open to sexual relations is truly a concern but rather than focusing on the negativity of teaching children about sex, individuals need to realize that as the times are changing, so must the standards in which we hold with our youth. The dangers of contracting AIDS or any other STD is devastating, but THAT can be curbed if individuals are given the proper information on how to take care of themselves and if it is their decision to have sexual relations, how to ensure that they are doing it safely. This may not be the ideal conservative model but in reality, it may very well be the ideal life saving one.

Satendar Singh: Victim of Hate

2007-07-15T15:15:00.000-04:00

http://www.indiawest.com/view.php?subaction=showfull&id=1184265905&archive=&start_from=&ucat=11

Culture is a valuable component of the lives of many. It is a component that many of us place on a pedestal high above all else due to the significant impact that it has upon our identity. It is something that no one else has a right to demean or challenge in any way. We have a right to be proud of our culture, whether it be racial, ethnic, religious, and so forth. Unfortunately, it seems to be all too common that individuals are willing to exhibit hatred against those whose only reason for being a prime target is that they are just different. This is what happened to a man named Satendar Singh....

Satendar was a Fiji Indian who was verbally assaulted with racial and homophobic remarks before he was eventually beaten and killed. There is no justification whatsoever to the horrific actions that took place. To attack another individual in any way because they are different or because their culture has been improperly characterized as being immoral, evil and whatnot is unacceptable in every degree. An innocent man lost his life because a group of individuals felt that certain aspects of his cultural identity marked him as someone who was deserving of such an attack.....let it be clear, NO ONE deserves to be treated in such a cruel way.

Just because an individual does not agree or accept the cultural identity of another is NOT justification to attack that individual. We are all different to some extent and it is those differences that truly help to define us as individuals. The fact that Satendar was targeted because of his racial affiliation and sexual orientation goes to show how ignorant and barbaric some people can be.

Hate only promotes more hatred. What happened to Satendar is truly a travesty and unfortunately, such hate crimes seem to be all too common in today's society. We as individuals have a right to be proud of our cultural identity, no matter what anyone else says. No one has the right to make us feel that what we are is worthless or a negative tag. If only people realized the pain that comes with such hatred...

My prayers go out to the Singh family

Slow Down the Arms Race

2007-07-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/07/13/north.korea.nuclear/index.html

I give a props to N. Korea for taking a step in the right direction by showing their intention of hopefully disarming their nuclear program. The threat of nuclear war escalates each day with more and more individuals seeing these weapons as the greatest means of acquiring power due to the devastation that such weapons can wreak upon civilization. With various nations already having somewhat of a nuclear arsenal already, the desire to have such weapons as "a means of defense" seems to be on the minds of many throughout the world. The unfortunate reality though is that some nations are willing to jeopardize the well-being of their people just so they can attain a level of prestige and power that almost catapults them into the higher rankings of the global leaders in the international hierarchy.

I am not a supporter of nuclear arsenal, nor nuclear programs that are tailored towards weapons development but if the most powerful nations already have an arsenal at their disposal, then the only way that weaker nations can feel protected from such a threat would be to develop their own program. The worst part about this whole arms race is that many nations are willing to place this as their main priority while their people are greatly suffering. Have we lost sight of those who live in poverty everyday and do not get the satisfaction of attaining the bare necessities that every human being is entitled to? Compared to most people in the world, Americans in general live in the lap of luxury but with priorities placed upon such things as nuclear programs, the focus upon those in dire need of attention and assistance is greatly neglected.

The US was called by N.Korea as being "belligerent" due to its constant pressurizing for N. Korea to disarm its nuclear program and if the US continues to throw its weight around, then the disarming would be in jeopardy. The US should act as a strong role model to the world and not as an entity that deems itself superior to those around and could easily just force any nation to abide by its own standards. The US does have a lot of leverage but as time has shown, the current administration has not only jeopardized the well-being of its own people, but have continuously flaunted their power as a means of pressuring the international world to see the world through one set of lenses: that of the US.

It was what Al Gore wrote in Assault on Reason that I feel fits almost perfectly into this scenario: that leaders need to actually discuss issues without automatically assuming that what believes is gospel in relation to the views of anyone, especially those who disagree. Discussion is what essentially is lacking in the government scene, since most individuals go in with the mentality of debating their own views and closing their minds to the beliefs of others....it has become a struggle for power. The fact that N. Korea wants to have direct talks and have shown progress over the past few months have shown that they are on the right track to what a nation should do: discuss a problematic situation and determine what truly is the best course of action for themselves, as well as the international community. The US, in my opinion, should take a page out of this playbook and realize that just because the nation at one point possessed such a strong reputation, does not necessarily mean that they can act and utilize pressure as a means of getting their way. Rather than "bullying" other nations, the US should learn to cooperate and work with other leaders on a one-to-one basis in hopes of hammering out the problems that plague society in general. The nuclear problem in society is one issue, but there are countless others: the time is now to take initiative for change.

Student Activist: Carrie Kagawa (Chicago, IL)

2007-07-11T01:09:00.000-04:00

Every so often, I plan on having an entry just for strong student leaders within the Asian American community to share their insight and experiences to the future leaders of this community. What better way to kick things off right than with one of the CoChairs of the MAASU Spring Conference 2007,
Carrie Kagawa!

What is your cultural background?
I am half Chinese and half Japanese.

What is your favorite television show?
The Hills. LC is my BFF. Haa, jk. No seriously...

What is your favorite color?
Teal

What have you been previously involved with in the Asian American community?
During my four years in college, I was primarily involved with the Asian Pacific American Coalition, serving as a Community Outreach member (1 semester), Secretary (2 years), and Intercollegiate Off Campus Representative (1 year). I was also a strong supporter of the MAASU conferences during my four years. I attended 6 conferences total! Haha.

When did you first get started with Asian American activism?
I received my first taste of Asian American activism my freshmen year of college. One of my older peers reached out and suggested that I apply for the Asian Pacific American Coalition. I applied and then got heavily involved in the Asian American community. This was my first experience with Asian American activism. Coming from a small town in east central Illinois, there were limited opportunities to get involved with culturally based organizations, specifically Asian American organizations. So this first experience really made an impact on me, and I am thankful that my peer reached out to me and that I got involved right away.

As one of the Co-Chairs for the MAASU SC 07 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, how was the whole experience for you and how did that align with your vision for this conference?
The whole conference experience was fantastic. Everything from the fundraising events, to the board members, to the conference attendees, to the actual conference weekend was a pleasure. There were obviously hard times that we had to work through. But after this experience I have complete faith in the power of student mobilization. My vision for this conference was to try and incorporate all facets of Asian American life. This is everything from politics, to activism, to entertainment, to career building, to Asian American health. I feel our board did a great job of creating an all encompassing conference that was as well rounded as possible. And this display of student organization shows how much students can accomplish.

What do you consider to be the most pressing social issue affecting the Asian American community?
There are many pressing social issues facing the Asian American community, such as racism and discrimination, issues of the glass ceiling, immigration, and employment. However, one issue that I feel is of great importance is the lack of Asian American presence in the education system. In general, there is a lack of Asian American figures and events in the history textbooks. This lack of presence severely neglects a large part of America's history. Asian American history is a great part of the larger American history. And the bipolar nature of history (as a purely black and white story) needs to be adjusted to be more all inclusive.

Who would you say is your hero (besides me)?
Other than Ajay Alexander, my grandmother is my hero. She immigrated to the United States, and literally had $30 when she immigrated to Hawaii. My grandmother then worked three jobs, and eventually brought over my grandfather, my mother, and her three siblings. The struggle she went through to make life better for our family is truly remarkable.

Thank you Carrie for taking the time to share your insight and time with us all. You definitely rock!

Nothing Amazing About This Racist...

2007-07-10T22:08:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz-YhaR9lgE

Albert Lin (Finance CoChair of MAASU ECC) brought to my attention this deplorable video where an individual considers it humorous to mock and ridicule Asian Americans by trying to perpetuate racial stereotypes. This is NOT humor. All that it exemplifies is the evident ignorance of this man, who deems himself the "Amazing Racist". There is nothing amazing about him; more like downright pathetic. The worst part about is that he does a series of videos with each focusing on a different racial minority and him being completely ignorant towards those of that designated minority. These racist antics of his are unfortunately encouraging others to view this type of humor as "acceptable", as can be seen in the comments that are located right below it.

Just take some time to watch this video and then go read the user comments, so that you have a better understanding of why this video and others like it are completely unacceptable and degrading towards Asian Americans. One of the users who was commenting on the video called another user a "Gook" (for those who unaware, this is a derogatory word against Asian Americans). This individual and his blatantly racist videos have only perpetuated the ignorance and hatred even further. It is outrageous that such stupidity still exists and that individuals who see this may automatically assume that such remarks are "acceptable" since they are portrayed in many forms of comedy.

Take a step back and think about how many comedians utilize derogatory words and profanity to further accentuate the humor in their routines. There are a handful of them and the numbers seem to be rising. This ignorant individual is just one of many who needs to realize that such remarks and actions are not humorous, if they are viewed as personally attacking an aspect of an individual' s identity. Everything he says and does is degrading towards Asian Americans and those who watch these videos and belt out laughter, are only encouraging him and many others to follow the same path of racism.

Be careful and considerate of what you say to others: whether we realize it or not, there are times when we may make joking remarks without the intention of hurting anyone but if taken out of context, can really stir up animosity. Nothing that ridicules individuals of any minority or cultural background can ever considered humorous and should not be supported in any way. Voice your opinions and concerns when you hear such things: that is the first step to ensuring that such ignorance does that grow forth.

Iraq: The Tension Is Far From Over

2007-07-08T23:05:00.000-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/opinion/08sun1.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fEditorials

I came across this article while reading over the Op-Eds of the New York Times. Even though the article does seem to take a distinct political stance in regards to the manner in which the current administration is leading the US, I ask you to look beyond that and actually see the facts that are utilized as support for the individual's argument. Whether you align yourself on the left or right side of the political spectrum is not of the greatest concern nor is that the focal point of this entry; rather, one cannot deny that the escalating tension in Iraq is in part the fault of the United States for assuming that it can overthrow the former dictatorship and establish a stable democracy in its place without any dire consequences. Evidently, that is not the case. As one can see, deception has led the US into a devastating predicament in which, not only has the US placed its troops and its financial stability in an unfortunate predicament, the Iraqi people are in a far worse position as the war has put the lives of many innocent civilians at a greater stake than imaginable.

In my previous entry, I touched base upon the devastation that comes with being stripped from one's comfortable, daily routine to be thrown into an environment that is completely different and unwelcome to a particular individual. This war has forced massive amounts of Iraqis to relocate themselves in hopes of finding a safer place to live and be rid of the dangers that are posed with the constant fighting. It is due to the ethnic and religious discrepancy that is present within this nation that unfortunately so many individuals cannot live in their homes without fear of being attacked by those who feel that such a discrepancy can only be solved through violent means.

The present turmoil is not something that can be overcome within a matter of months or even years; the unfortunate reality is that it will take time (a great deal of it) before any sign of stability can slowly ascend within Iraq. The US, though foolishly placing itself in a lose-lose predicament, cannot solve this predicament alone and is in dire need of assistance from those nations who are dominant forces within the global power structure. Nations such as Britain, France, China, Russia and so forth must lend a hand so that the hostile tension in Iraq does not overflow into its surrounding neighbors and quite possibly escalating the tensions in the Middle East to a state that is far more catastrophic than what is currently posed. The proper steps need to be taken now if any progress is to be made, but until then, it is devastating to even think about how chaotic it must be for those living in Iraq whose lives are in constant danger due to both the war and their own neighbors of different cultural backgrounds (being ethnic or religious).

The threat of terrorism is one that the majority of the world faces and any means of suppressing that threat must be taken in a joint manner, not solely within the hands of one nation. This issue should not rest solely within the realm of politics but actually be understood as something that greatly affects a large portion of the world's population and such tensions do have a greater impact upon individuals throughout the world as instances of such hatred and ignorance flows from one base to another as such ideologies of supremacy remain prevalent amongst those who deem themselves superior to others and utilize violent measures to exemplify this mentality. The danger is out there and unfortunatley with the media's portrayal of the tension in the Middle East, many individuals have become desensitized to the War on Iraq, which is truly unfortunate as there many men and women whose lives are stake every minute because of a clash of beliefs. As I sit here typing this entry out, I cannot help but wonder how fortunate I am that I can sit here and type this entry without fear that my life is not in great danger due to terrorism or constant war. If only we could together do something to help those far less fortunate than we are...

*As characterized, MAASU does not take a political stance on issues, nor does it align itself with any particular political party. The main reason I decided to write about this issue (as well as present an Op-Ed as the source) is to open the eyes of many of an issue that grealty affects those within the US and those abroad in the Middle East (an area of the world that I believe is a part of Asia both geographically and due to the overlap of culture among certain areas of South/Southeast Asia).

Taking Life For Granted

2007-07-07T23:31:00.000-04:00

http://www.aamovement.net/news/2007/charania.html

How would you feel if one day government officials came into your home and took you away from your family, your friends and everything else you hold dear in this country because you were deemed unworthy of being protected from the dangers of your home country? This may seem like an unrealistic characterization; however, what we do not realize is that this scenario is common occurrence for many families throughout the US, as can be seen through the Charania family in the article posted above.

The problem in society is that we as Americans become so captivated in our own selves and the lives we lead that we may not often take the time to consider how devastating it is to be pried away from the consistency of one's day and threatened to be thrown back into a country where your own safety and well-being is in great danger. Throughout the world, there are many instances of cultural clashes in which individuals of a cultural minority are ridiculed, threatened, and attacked only on the grounds that their cultural affiliation does not align with that of the cultural majority within a designated area. Race, ethnicity, and religious affiliation are just a few of the areas in which cultural conflict stems from. To live a life where you are constantly in danger only because you are culturally different is truly a travesty and thus, many families seek asylum to escape such dangers so that they may attain a level of security and comfort that every human being is entitled to. Even after being in America for so long and having established a solid life here, the Charania family (who are of Indian descent) may lose it all just because their attorneys did not file their asylum papers within the proper period of time.

Rather than focusing on the flaws of the American legal system (this coming from a law school hopeful), the main basis of this entry is, as characterized earlier, the unfortunate reality that we take the lives that we have in America for granted compared to those who are suffering in many parts of Asia due to a cultural clash. Most of us can relate to the fact that our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so forth strived grealty so that their future descendants could have a better life free from persecution due to their cultural identity, an identity that any individual has a right to be proud of and hold dearly. To seek a better life in a new nation known for treating all individuals with equality is a dream for many (a dream that many at this moment really wish they could experience). Every human being deserves peace and equality, but the unfortunate reality is that this idea is far from realistic. It is hard to even imagine how our lives would be if we were stripped of everything we loved in the world (family, friends, etc) and thrown back to a country where our only memories of it were ones of horror and fear. I hope that the Charania family will be taken care of and be able to resume their lives in America, because the dangers that are posed for being a cultural minority in a place of great cultural tension is unbearable to even think about.

Every so often, take the time to realize how fortunate you are to have the opportunities that are given to you, as well as the joy of being with your family and friends: a life that many can only dream of and even if they catch a glimpse of it, may be in danger of one day being deprived of it if the US government feels that they are no longer protected under their jurisdiction.

Saving Lives for Low Low Prices

2007-07-06T23:05:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20070706/hl_hsn/medicaltourismtakesflight

"A heart bypass in the United States costs $130,000, but just $10,000 in India and $11,000 in Thailand. A hip replacement in the United States would cost $43,000 but just $12,000 in Thailand or Singapore. Hysterectomy costs are about $20,000 here but $3,000 in India"....

With the high cost of the American healthcare system, it is no wonder that so many have chosen to aim elsewhere for many major surgeries. The numbers are evidently skyrocketing each year as more and more Americans realize the great financial benefits of going to Asia, Mexico and many such other places that will perform the same surgeries at a price that is more attractive to those who cannot afford the overpriced procedures performed in the US. The only question that is coming to mind: is it really worth it?

The greatest concern that comes with individuals deciding to ship out to attain a cheaper procedure may put their lives at greater risk due to the fact that these facilities may not be as well equiped or specialized in certain areas as many of the hospitals in the US. If one does the proper research and knows exactly what they are getting into by having a certain procedure performed outside the US, then most are given the go ahead to go forth with it. The cheaper price tag is definitely attrative (there is no denying it) but the reality is that many are placed into a position where they do not have much of a choice and are forced to put their personal well-being wherever their wallet/purse leads them.

Now, there is no reason to discredit any of these hospitals. There is no doubt that many of the world's greatest physicians come from all over the world (with a large population arising from Asia). Regardless, the greater issue is that individuals should not have to rely solely on one's financial state to determine where would be the best place for a life-changing surgery. Many nations in Asia are attaining a larger audience due to their comparatively lower prices and thus, greatly benefits many of those who live within the US (due to the strength of the dollar bill). If only the US can follow lead and actually establish prices that are affordable to its people in comparison to the prices in many Asian nations, then would the system in the US have shown its concern for the greater well-being of its population. Evidently, different factors must be taken into account but hands down, medical tourism is going to keep skyrocketing if the system doesn't change....until then, the US will be losing greatly in medical status to those nations in Asia who seem to place greater regard upon human life than the price tag with such procedures.

Poll: Bruce Lee v. Jet Li

2007-07-05T22:18:00.000-04:00

Now, it is rather pointless to throw your opinion around on such a well constructred poll if one does not know who either of these two individuals are. So, to get the gears rolling, I have decided to utilize one of the world's most reliable sources to give a strong biography of each of these icons: Wikipedia....

Bruce Lee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee

Jet Li: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Li

Two of the greatest martial artists in history square off to see who really is the more dominant of the two: the legendary Bruce Lee or the dynamic Jet Li. I will not throw my opinion as to prevent any bias and because only I know the true answer. Well, not really but regardless, the question definitely makes you think: who really would win?....

Made in China? Time to Recall...

2007-07-01T00:43:00.000-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal/06/30/not.made.china.ap/index.html

With the recent news regarding the hazardous contaminants found within many products imported from China, one can only wonder what priority quality has in regards to the health and safety of individuals all over the world. There are corporations all over the world that have placed their profit-driven mentality on a higher pedestal than the interests of the consumer (the general population). If individuals cannot buy goods without the added risk of there being a potentially dangerous (possibly lethal) contaminant, then the average consumer has a right to be concerned.

A great amount of the finger pointing has been aimed against the nation of China, mainly due in part to the fact that many of the products recently recalled have beared the distinctive "Made in China" label. Avoiding products that bear that label may seem like the most sure-fire means of ensuring that any products attained for one's own needs due not eventually prove to be greatly hazardous: however, due to the fact that a large amount of the products that can be found at any supermarket, convenience store, etc. are actually imported from China and thus, avoiding products from this nation bears far greater difficulty than one could ever imagine.

There is a risk with the purchase of any product but most consumers understandably are under the impression that only those goods that have passed regulation standards are out in the market for the greater population to lay their claim on. Unfortunately, if care with manufacturing or development is not maintained, then many individuals in the US and globally are at risk to the dangers posed by companies and corporations within China.

The only advice I can give is to be aware of what products are being recalled or under inspection by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It is very easy to return a faulty appliance but when it comes to products that are consumable, that is where the greatest danger lies. China, as well as many other nations I'm sure, needs to be more aware of the dangers posed by faulty manufacturing and unsafe food processing. Money is not everything, because in reality, the safety and well-being of every individual should evidently be placed upon the highest pedestal above everything else. If only that mentality was realistic...

APA Activist Training and Midwest Summit!!

2007-06-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 4. Chicago, IL

Join your fellow progressive Asian Pacific Americans from throughout the Midwest as we engage in a Saturday training led by Parag Mehta, Director of Training at the Democratic National Committee. Sponsored by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress.

To register, go to: http://www.apaforprogress.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=3

Who: Activists, student leaders, community leaders, volunteers
What: Learn the basic tools of political organizing including volunteer recruitment, networking, planning events, targeting, phonebanking and other useful campaign skills.

When: Saturday, August 4th, 2007
11:00-12:00 PM - Networking and Registration
12:00 - 6:00 PM - Training
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Reception/Social with special guests

Where: The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2496

Fee(s) - Includes training and reception/social, as well as admission to the Field Museum. Students please inquire about additional scholarships.
Student...$25 before July 15 / $30 after July 15
Regular...$35 before July 15 / $40 after July 15
Group rate (for 5 regular registrations)... $175
Group rate (for 10 regular registrations)... $300

Co-sponsors - To be listed in our program book or to place an ad, please contact Theresa Mah at apap.chicago@gmail.com

Parag V. Mehta - Parag is the Director of Training for the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC. Prior to joining the DNC, Parag served as Deputy Political Director for America Votes, a coalition of 32 of the largest progressive groups in the country who joined forces to register, educate, recruit, and mobilize voters for the 2004 elections. In 2003, Parag was a Deputy Political Director for Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign, based in Burlington, Vermont. In 2002 he served as Deputy Field Director for former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk's U.S. Senate campaign in Texas. From 2000-2002, Parag worked as a speechwriter and policy analyst for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Parag holds a B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP) - APAP is national network of progressive Asian Pacific Americans and allies. For more information, click here: http://www.apaforprogress.org/ To reach us, please email: apafp@apaforprogress.org

Bollywood: Gaining Momentum

2007-06-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

http://abcnews.go.com/International/Story?id=3308169&page=1

Hollywood, America's thriving film industry, may have to take the backseat to Bollywood, a film industry based in India, that is reaching out to a global audience far greater than any other. Originally meant to entertain only those fans in South Asia, the number of individuals who are becoming more interested in such films is rapidly growing throughout the world: from Asia and Europe to even the Western world. With the utilization of subtitles, Bollywood's outreach is far greater than anyone has ever imagined.

"Bollywood films are fairy tales for adults. That's their appeal." The beauty of such films is that they do not incorporate far-fetched, unrealistic adventures and plots, but rather, aim to appeal to what a grand majority of individuals seek in life: happiness in love, family and life in general. There are a strong number of dance scenes within each movie that help the progress the storyline. By touching base with the emotional aspect of life, individuals are able to develop a connection with themselves and others with these films: In a world that is revolved around economic prosperity and materialistic goods, it seems as though there may be times when we as individuals may lose sight of what is truly important in life: the personal things that actually enable us to wake up in the morning and feel alive. This personal fulfillment can be in the form of family, good friends, charity, and so forth. We cannot lose sight of that, even though it is very easy to do so.

Society is far from perfect. Every individual experiences hardship in some shape or form, but it is not the hardship that matters: it is how we as individuals react to these hardships that enable us to define ourselves. That is what these Bollywood films have successfully been doing for so many years: to show that there really is hope in life. It is not always easy to see or grasp this idea, but if we seek what is the most important in life (as defined by ourselves), then life becomes more fulfilling since it is not filled with the materialistic or some distinction that fades with time, but rather, bonds and relationships that will always be there. I have seen a good number of Bollywood movies in my time and I have to say, I am a fan and probably always will be because these films do not strive only to entertain, but rather, to mainly reach out and connect with their audience regarding the human condition.

OCA: Protect Immigrant Families

2007-06-26T23:27:00.000-04:00

.....This is right from the OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) newsletter talking about the amendments that are to be voted on Thursday regarding protecting immigrant families. Please read and make a difference! Every voice counts...

The immigration bill which had been stalled in the U.S. Senate is once again going through, unfortunately without three key amendments which would have placed provisions in the bill to protect family-based immigration.

There are two more chances in this session to protect families, the Dodd/Menendez/Reid and the Menendez/Obama/Feingold amendments (more info below). Opponents to reform have flooded Congressional offices with calls. We need your help in calling your Senators and urging them to support fair immigration policies!

The Senate will vote on Thursday, so please contact your Senator and support families TODAY!

The bill will also go through further debate in the House so the APA community must speak up there as well!

For more information: http://www.ocanational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=233&Itemid=247

Protect Immigrant Families: Urge Your Senators to Vote for the Dodd/Menendez/ Reid and Menendez/Obama/ Feingold Amendments!
As the Senate attempts to resume debate on America’s broken immigration system and reconsider the Senate immigration proposal, your voices need to be heard in support of family reunification. Please call (202) 224-3121 to ask for your Senators’ support on the following amendments:
Dodd/Menendez/ Reid Amendment #1199 - The current immigration bill being considered by the Senate contains provisions that will severely limit the ability of U.S. citizens to bring their parents to the United States by limiting the number of visas for parents to only 40,000 per year; creating a new visitor’s visa category for parents that unrealistically allows them to stay for only 30 days out of every year; and harshly penalizing the sponsor, parent and the entire country of origin if parents overstay.
Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Harry Reid (D-NV) have introduced an amendment to the current Senate bill that would provide some relief for U.S. citizen families and their parents by:
v Keeping 90,000 visas (the annual average) available for parents of U.S. citizens;
v Extending the parent visitor’s visa to 180 days and making it valid and renewable for 3 years; and
v Applying penalties only to individuals who overstay instead of punishing all parents from that country.

Menendez/Obama/ Feingold Amendment #1317 - The proposed Senate immigration bill also limits the ability of adult children and siblings to reunite with their families in the United States by creating a point system that would not give any points for family relationships unless a 55-point threshold is met in the categories of employment, education, English ability, and civics; awarding only 2 points to over 800,000 green card applicants who will have their lawfully submitted applications thrown in the trash by this bill; and making it significantly harder for adult children and siblings to be reunited with their families in the U.S.
Amendment #1317 co-sponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barack Obama (D-IL), and Russ Feingold (I-WI) would modify the point system and make it more beneficial to immigrant families by:
v Removing the 55-point threshold;
v Giving 10 points to each family relationship; and
v Awarding 5 points for green card applications lawfully submitted after the arbitrary cut-off date.
Please contact your Senators and urge them to preserve the ability of United States citizens to reunite with their families.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be directly connected to your Senators’ offices.
Demand that both your Senators support the Dodd Amendment today!
For questions or additional information please contact Pang Houa Moua at pmoua@advancingequa lity.org or (202) 296-2300 x122.
###
Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA, a national organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, is dedicated to advancing the social, economic, and political well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.

Obama: South Asian Outrage

2007-06-24T23:27:00.000-04:00

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/06/taken_issue_with_the_response.php

Before I throw my two cents in on this article, I want to first of all point out that MAASU as an organization does not align itself with any particular politcal party (say that three times fast) and does not have a stance on any of the candidates running for the upcoming Presidential election. I could very easily just sit here and jot down my thoughts on Obama or even moreso on who I am personally supporting in the Presidential election, but I will refrain from doing so to tackle the bigger issue at hand...outsourcing.

I commend Obama in apologizing on behalf of his campaign for giving the impression that the predicament of outsourcing is mainly due to US-India relations. The South Asians For Obama (SAFO) were outraged at the apparent anti-Indian sentiment that came across in the memo that was intended to lash out at the Hillary Clinton campaign for supposedly encouraging outsourcing by being strongly supportive of the Indian American community. Obama immediately apologized for the indirect finger pointing that came across as the true intent of the memo was to characterize the problematic issue of outsourcing.

Even though many nations (such as India) that are targeted by the US for outsourcing greatly benefits those particular nations and their economy, the problem stems back to the fact that outsourcing deprives the US of potential employment opportunities, as well as a stronger, competitive edge in the global economy. Assisting the poorer nations of the world should ideally be an objective of a nation is considered a leader in the global affairs; however, any nation that is not strong economically should aim to strengthen itself so that it can truly help those of the outside world.

The apparent discrepancy between the wealthy and those in poverty is growing ever increasingly with time: outsourcing (though not the only factor) does play a role and thus, moderating it may be necessary. The US needs to strengthen its economy so that its citizens are able to find proper employment and raise an income that will enable them to support themselves and their families. That is the problem with outsourcing: it deprives the US of essential tools to excel due to the fact that many corporate leaders are more interested in paying less for labor that they can get from international economies, so that their own corporations attain a greater net worth: unfortunately, it is the middle-and lower-class citizens who get the short end of the stick and lose out in the long run. So the fact that outsourcing to nations all around the world (including those in Asia) is a legitimate concern in regards to the affairs of the American people; however, the tone of the memo should evidently have been handled better.

India and any other nation that benefits from the US outsourcing are not to blame for they are taking strides to better enhance their own economy and nation's standard of living. Striving to excel in an ever demanding society is not an easy task for a majority of the world, but regardless, making the most of any opportunity is what puts nations on the map (not geographically speaking). In regards to the Presidential elections, the political atmosphere is tense as it is with various candidates seemingly putting more effort into tarnishing the reputation or stances of their opponents, rather than further exemplifying the importance of their positions, as well as the direction they seek to take if given the opportunity to lead. The only advice I can give is know what these candidates are about: know their history, their stances on various issues, and if he/she is the kind of person you would like leading the US starting in 2008. Do not jump the bandwagon; know your stuff. Topics such as outsourcing, immigration reform, the War on Iraq, etc. are all issues that greatly affect individuals of every community, including that of the Asian American community. Regardless of one's objective: know the facts. Hopefully the future of politics will take a turn for the better by being respectful of minority cultures, rather than just aiming to push one' s own agenda.

Hmong: Generation Gap

2007-06-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

http://johnib.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/arrest-uncovers-divide-in-hmong-americans/

The article characterizes how the arrest of a famous Hmong general has outraged many individuals of the Hmong community. Vang Pao has a strong history of assisting American forces against communism during the Vietnam War. It is the dream of many Hmongs to return to a more democratic Laos, as characterized by Pao before his arrest. However, there does not seem to be a strong consensus within the Hmong community in regards to returning to "back home" to Laos.

What stands out the most (to me at least) is the apparent discrepancy between the older and younger generations. Many Asian American youths can probably relate to the fact that many individuals of the older generation (parents, grandparents, etc.) have at one time talked about returning to their motherland to live out the rest of their lives. It is truly understandable to feel such a strong attachment to one's motherland, a true home for many. However, those of the younger generations are more than likely to consider America their true home or motherland. As proud as I am to be an Indian American, I see myself spending the rest of my life in America (the country I consider my homeland) rather than India (the nation of my family's ancestral lines).

Individuals who are born and raised in America can proudly identify themselves as Asian Americans without feeling pressured that such pride must go hand-in-hand with one day returning to one's roots. It is possible to be proud of being both Asian and American but in varying degrees. It is evident that there are some individuals of the younger generation who would love to live in Asia due to their strong cultural attachment (possibly due to their being born there or frequent visiting), but as the article characterizes, it is evident that a strong number of younger individuals are becoming more attached to the American lifestyle and consider America more of a home for them than where their bloodline would lead them otherwise.

How individuals characterize themselves in regards to cultural identity is up to them: There is no right or wrong way to identify oneself but as long as Asians and Asian Americans realize that common cutural bond that unites them and in turn, embraces it, then what is important to this cultural community cannot be lost: it still exists in a constantly changing form as it is passed from one generation to the next. It is our duty as Asian Americans to ensure that the younger generations are aware of the rich history and honor that comes with being Asian American in today's ever changing society. In other words, pass the torch so that this legacy continues to remain strong no matter what the environment or situation is.

LGBT: A Step Towards Acceptance

2007-06-22T00:33:00.000-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/06/20/japan.gay.reut/index.html

Running for office in Japan (a nation with conservative values), Kanako Otsuji is the first openly gay woman to run for political office with the goal of creating a more diverse atmosphere that is welcoming to individuals of various minorities (including those of sexual orientation). This is truly a remarkable moment both in the history of Japan and the LGBT struggle for equal rights. If she wins, Kanako may be opening doors for individuals within the LGBT community that were once closed to those who did not fit the mainstream, heterosexual classification.

The atmosphere in Japan in regards to the view placed upon those of the LGBT community is not unique in that it is unfortunately common throughout the world. The topic of gay rights is a controversial one as it pits individuals who believe in equality for all mankind versus those who align with a strong moral code that does not condone this lifestyle. Every one is entitled to their own opinion but the reality is, whether or not one supports gay rights is a personal stance, but regardless, those of the LGBT community deserve to be respected as any human being does.

The conservative mentality against advancement of those who are proud members of the LGBT community is unfortunately dominant in most of the world today. In many nations (including a great deal of those in Asia) align with a strong conservative stance in regards to how it views those of the LGBT community. This dominant stance has made it very difficult for those of this community to be open about this aspect of their identity and those who are open risk being bombarded with an onslaught of criticism and derogatory remarks. To judge an individual on any characteristic (including sexual orientation) is deplorable and demeaning, but sadly, most people just don't get it.

The fact that there are individuals of the LGBT community, such as Kanako, who are stepping up to the spotlight as proud, vocal members of this community is truly remarkable in that they are paving the road for others in this community as well. To be openly gay and running for political office in a conservative country (such as Japan in the article) cannot be the easiest of tasks. But regardless, just the very fact that she is running for office and setting the tone is hands down, an admirable task.

Japan: Changing "Sulfur Island"

2007-06-21T10:41:00.000-04:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070620/ap_on_re_as/japan_iwo_jima

The nation of Japan has made the decision to change the name of the island of Iwo Jima (trans: "Sulfur Island") to what it was originally called before World War II: Iwo To. A clash of perspectives have resulted due to mixed feelings of the establishment of Iwo To: surviving islanders praise the name change as it gives honor to the island's true name, but many war veterans (including those of Japanese ancestry) believe that Iwo Jima should remain due to its historical significance during World War II and that the change would demean its history.

Regardless of what is said, the Japanese government have taken the initiative in declaring that Iwo To will now be the official name of this island once again and that, though its history is of great importance, the respecting of the wishes of the surviving islanders (a minority voice) is truly commendable.

25th Anniversary of the Death of Vincent Chin

2007-06-19T01:33:00.000-04:00

OCA Commemorates 25^th Anniversary of Vincent Chin’s Death

Washington, DC – OCA, a national organization with 80 chapters and affiliates dedicated to ensuring social justice for Asian Pacific Americans, today renewed its commitment to hate crimes prevention and education.

On June 19^th, 1982 Vincent Chin, a 27 year old Chinese American man, was brutally beaten to death on in Detroit, Michigan. Although the crime was racially motivated, it was not recognized as a hate crime and Chin’s assailants were sentenced to only three years’ probation and a $3,000 fine

“Vincent Chin’s murder and the soft treatment his attackers received galvanized the Asian Pacific American community to unprecedented action and awareness about hate crimes against APAs,” said Ginny Gong, National President, “OCA, a leading civil rights organization in that movement, continues to fight against violence and hate, whether it is motivated by the victim’s race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Today, on the 25^th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s assault, we renew our commitment to hate crimes prevention and to spreading awareness about hate crimes.

OCA’s Hate Crimes Initiative Conference Series, in partnership with Allstate Foundation, works with OCA chapters around the country to sponsor conferences targeting community leaders, organizations, and law enforcement officials. The conferences educate participants about hate crimes in the APA community and encourage participants to be proactive and take preventative measures. OCA and Allstate have also partnered to publish Responding to Hate Crime: A Community Action Guide, a guidebook to responding to and preventing hate crimes

OCA-Detroit chapter will commemorate the anniversary with an OCA/Allstate Hate Crimes Initiative workshop and memorial activities this weekend (See release below for details)

Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.