iamasiam

BP’s All-Out Gulf Disaster. An All-Out Response?

Gulf Coast area residents and small business owners are scratching their heads over BP’s announcement today that it has put on hold current efforts to plug the hellhole.  More analysis is needed, the oil giant says. ^[1] However, to many, the final analysis is that the damage has been done and that ALL-OUT efforts are needed to stop and clean up the spill and, moreover, provide relief to the many people whose livelihoods are aversely impacted.

The BP disaster affects everyone, including the Asian American community.  As such, it is encouraging to know that the major AAPI groups have banded together to analyze the breadth and depth of the damage, particularly amongst Asian Americans who make their living in the Gulf.  Beyond the oil slick, plumes of “misinformation, confusion, and mistrust” cloud efforts for relief.  Let’s hope the ensuing joint efforts of these organizations are just as well ALL-OUT.

Are You Diversity Challenged?

Take a quick test below!  If you’re dating or have a close friend outside your race, you’re exempt from this test.  If you’re Mother Theresa volunteering for some community or church project where needy minorities look up to you with appreciation, even admiration—and disbelief—that’s no free pass.  If you live in a city like Mud Creek, Kentucky, where you can count people of color with your fingers, there’s no need to continue, nor count; you’re out!  If you’re Jesse Helms or Louis Farrakhan,…well, never mind!

First, take a look at the last three dinner parties you’ve hosted at home.  If you’ve never hosted one at all or, worse, if you’ve never had anyone over before, click here: Social Anxiety Disorder. Holiday celebrations and sit-down dinners carry more weight, so count those as two events each.  Office parties are less important; count those as only half an event each.  Add up the points.

Example:
Sit-down dinner party = 2 points
Super Bowl buffet = 1 point
Office Christmas party = 0.5 point
Total = 3.5 points

Next, try to recall approximately how many guests you had in those three dinner parties.  Break that out into four major groups:  How many Caucasians?  African Americans? Asians or Pacific Islanders?  How many are Hispanic?  (I know it’s easier if it’s the same group of people in all three parties.  But wait a minute, no cheating here!  We’re not counting only family members here, in case that’s all you’ve got.)  Following US Census protocol^[1], you may classify one person in more than just one group, e.g., Wyclef Jean, African American and Hispanic.

Example:
Total = 7
Caucasian = 4
African American = 2
Asian or Pacific Islander = 1
Hispanic = 1

Now, think about what each of their ethnic roots might be by country.  (Only Native Americans get to pick USA, ok?)  And, don’t get too involved with the schmuck who always goes about complicating your life with his German, Italian AND Irish lineage.  Just pick one randomly please.  (By the way, remind the schmuck he forgot Africa in his list, and dare him to confirm that with a simple genealogy test.^[2] Now, count all the countries you come up with.

Example:
Total = 7
Ireland = 3
Italy=1
Thailand = 1
Puerto Rico = 2

The last exercise really doesn’t count.  It’s just interesting to know, isn’t it?

Now, we’re down to the wire here.  (Said very quickly as in those advertisement statement of liabilities and limitations:) For your total score, multiply your dinner party points by the number of major racial groups you’ve classified your total guests into.

Example
3.5 points x 4 groups = 14 (total score)

If your total score is less than 3, you are Diversity Challenged.  Get a life!  You’re an adult now; move out of your parents' already!  Go learn something!

If your total score is from 3 to 9, you are Diversity Ripe (or Ripening), almost there for the picking or already picked, savored, appreciated—and maybe—even discriminated upon.

If your total score is 10 or higher, you are Diversity Savvy.  But of course, you didn’t need this unscientific test to know that, did you?  Hillary, if that’s you—quick, what’s the capital of Tuvalu?^[3]

^[1] US Census
^[2] familytreedna.com
^[3] geography.about.com

Racism Is Un-American (And Evil Too)

It is ironic enough that our first term wartime president received the Nobel Peace Prize even as he opted to increase troop levels in Afghanistan.  In comparison, it is not as surprising that Toby Keith, a country singer known for his pro-war anthem, performed in a concert also during the Oslo festivities. ^[1]

“If President Obama has to send (more) troops into Afghanistan to fight evil, I’ll pull for our guys to win, and I won’t apologize for it,” Keith said. “I’m an American, and I do pull for our team to fight evil.”

However, it is the singer’s petulance that unsurprisingly caught the ire of more than just his anti-war critics.  Performing onstage with other musicians at an after party in Olso, Toby Keith made an unequivocally racist gesture, albeit brief.  Essentially, he pulled back his eyes to symbolize “yellow”.

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) ^[2] has taken the lead in condemning Mr. Keith’s actions and demanding that he apologizes for such racist behavior.  It’s been weeks since the incident, but no word from Toby thus far.  Still reminiscing his patriotic, anti-evil moment in Oslo?

This type of attitude underlies a pervasive stereotype of Asian Americans, where physical differences imply a foreignness that hinders an acceptance of being considered as true "Americans."

As an American country singer at an international venue, Mr. Keith was representing our American ideals and values.  He embarrassed himself and offended the Asian American community by his crude behavior. ^[2]

After 9-11, there was an upsurge in the public display of patriotism.  No surprise, I was caught in it too.  I thought about getting one of those American flags on bumper stickers—very popular at the time.  What stopped me?  For one thing, I felt I didn’t have to prove myself, especially to those who thought I was a foreigner regardless.  And, yes, there was this bastard who cut into my lane, drove past the red light, and almost side-swept an unsuspecting pedestrian; the evil-doer had his patriotic spirit emblazoned all over his potential murder vehicle.

^[1] The Associated Press, “Toby Keith in Oslo stands by ‘Peace’ winner president”, Boston Herald, Dec. 11, 2009
^[2] JACL.org

JACL Meets with Paramount Chief

Following the public outcry against the negative Asian American stereotype portrayed in the movie “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard”, Paramount Pictures President and CEO, Adam Goodman, met with key community leaders to discuss next steps.  Among those who attended the meeting were the following: ^[1]

• Floyd Mori, National Executive Director, The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). 
• Craig Ishii, Regional Director of the Pacific Southwest District, The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
• Bill Imada, CEO of the IW Group (formerly Imada Wong Communications Group)
• Guy Aoki, co-founder of MAANA (Media Action Network for Asian Americans)

Kudos to JACL's leadership for its strong, decisive actions in pursuing this!  It was Mr. Mori who first reached out to Paramount via a formal letter of condemnation of the “The Goods”.  The letter precipitated Mr. Goodman’s eventual apology and his invitation for this meeting.  The outcome of the meeting was largely positive. Paramount Pictures:

• Acknowledged the concerns of the Asian American community regarding racially demeaning films like “The Goods”
• Expressed further cooperation and even pursuing becoming a model in portraying diversity
• Committed to continued dialogue via ongoing meetings with community leaders to monitor and evaluate Paramount's performance in such regards

With formalities aside, the next steps of monitoring and evaluating Paramount’s performance seem toughest to tread.  Open dialog never hurts.  Also, our community leaders can potentially charge their members to participate in an early warning or rating system of sorts for each film release that portrays Asian Americans.  However, the weight of the burden rests on Paramount Pictures and how sincere they are in those commitments they uttered.  The film company can start by aggressively educating its employees and partners on matters of diversity, and implanting within its ranks a sense of social responsibility that is sometimes put in the wayside by the lure of the quick buck.

^[1] jacl.org

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: Thailand

Top Billionaires
Three billionaires make it to the Forbes 2009 list of the richest people in the world.  Their collective net worth of $7.1 billion, equivalent to 1.3% of Thailand’s GDP last year. ^[1][2]

• Chaleo Yoovidhya is the co-creator of Red Bull and founder of Thai energy drink producer T.C. Pharmaceuticals.  With a net worth of $3.7 billion, Chaleo Yoovidhya is the country’s wealthiest. 

• Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has a net worth of $2.1 billion.  The son of a Bangkok street vendor of fried mussel pancakes, he is a self-made tycoon growing his fortune in inexpensive beer and whiskey.

• Dhanin Chearavanont heads one of world's largest producers of animal feed and livestock with operations in Asia.  He is the third richest in the country with a net worth of $1.3 billion.

The Hungry

An estimated 11.2 million are currently living in hunger in Thailand.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in Thailand remains unchanged at 17% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ^[2][3]

According to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Thailand ranks 22nd with a score of less than 8.2 in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).  The IFPRI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst. ^[4]

^[1]forbes.com
^[2]cia.gov
^[3]fao.org
^[4]ifpri.com

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: Malaysia

Top Billionaires
Malaysia has six billionaires making it to the Forbes 2009 list of the world’s richest.  Their collective net worth of $22.9 billion is equivalent to 6% of Malaysia’s GDP last year. ^[1][2]

• Ananda Krishnan has a net worth of $7 billion.  A self-made tycoon who started as an oil trader, Ananda’s fortune comes from the telecommunications business.  His holdings include Malaysia's largest cell phone service provider.

• Robert Kuok is tied in ranking with Krishnan as Malaysia’s richest. His net worth also totals $7 billion.  He heads the Kuok Group, a multinational with diversified holdings that range from shipping to real estate to media.

Ananda Krishnan and Robert Kuok have a combined net worth that’s equivalent to three-fifths of the country’s other billionaires:

• Lee Shin Cheng ($2.7 billion)
• Teh Hong Piow ($2.5 billion)
• Quek Leng Chan ($1.9 billion)
• Yeoh Tiong Lay & family ($1.8 billion)

The Hungry
An estimated 3.3 million are currently living in hunger in Malaysia.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in Malaysia remains unchanged at 13% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ^[2][3]

According to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Malaysia ranks low with a score of less than 5 in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).  The IFPRI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst. <sup>[4]

[1]</sup>forbes.com
^[2]cia.gov
^[3]fao.org
^[4]ifpri.com

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: Indonesia

Top Billionaires
Five Indonesians are in this year’s Forbes list of world billionaires.  Their collective net worth is $7.4 billion or an average of $1.48 billion each. ^[1]

• Two brothers top the list of the richest in Indonesia. Michael Hartono & R. Budi Hartono each has a net worth of $1.7 billion.  They’ve inherited their fortune in the clove cigarette business and later expanded into banking, real estate, retail, and hotels.  They hold the major share in Bank Central Asia, the country’s second largest private bank.

• The next two richest Indonesians are both self-made tycoons who have made it in the palm oil business:  Sukanto Tanoto ($1.6 billion) & Martua Sitorus ($1.4 billion).  Both are also currently residing in Singapore.

• Peter Sondakh has a net worth of $1 billion invested in a diverse industries, e.g., telecom, retail and hotels.

 

The Hungry
An estimated 38.4 million are currently living in hunger in Indonesia.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in India remains unchanged at 16% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ^[2][3]

According to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Indonesia ranks 38th (Serious) out of 84 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).  The IFPRI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst. <sup>[4]

[1]</sup>forbes.com
^[2]cia.gov
^[3]fao.org
^[4]ifpri.com

At The Polls Yesterday: Care and Attention

My participation in past elections has been largely limited to the early morning or last-minute evening dash to my precinct.  I'm one of those who tend to vote largely along party lines, partly because of my belief in the ideals of my party and also because I do have not enough information about each candidate running.

Regardless of the ridiculously overwhelming amount of campaign materials, which clog my mailbox at each election time, I end up just as ignorant about many of these candidates.  Arguably, the over-information and misinformation shoved recklessly into my mailbox daily results in cathartic effect that leads me to more so ignore candidates with the wider carbon footprint.

Also, it does not help that in local elections the size of the forum is more limited and the chatter of other districts, counties and even states often compete with each other, drowning out what may be salient to me in the airwaves.  There's also the spin-factor that adds to the clutter.  Everyone appears to be often for and seldom against something even if the issue is communicated from opposing views.  Then there's the sound byte that sometimes trumps the essence of the campaign narrative itself.

In the local elections that just passed, I have come to realize that I am fortunate enough to have access to all such inputs to begin with.  Volunteering for an organization that advocates greater access of ethnic minorities in the polls, I realize that language is still a barrier for some.  While I've come across no serious issues that may have barred one from fulfilling his or her electoral duty, it must have been tough for those who are not yet too comfortable in their English.  Translated materials and interpreters were on hand, of course, but I can just imagine how daunting it might have been, especially for those voting for the first time.

Even then I marvel at the zeal exhibited by those who've come armed only with a few words to get them started, "Do you speak Spanish?"  I admire those who cared to ask for help even in their broken English or, more confidently, in their own native language, "Who else can help me?"

I was particularly captured by the spirit of this Bengalese gentleman.  When I asked him to fill-up an exit poll questionnaire that I just handed him, he earnestly responded, "Yes, please read me your questions and write down what I answer."  Now, I assumed he either had vision problems or else was not that familiar with the alphabet, so I complied.  After my first few questions though, turning to him, I realized that he had closed his eyes presumably to focus on the questions that I read out to him.  With his eyes closed and a serious fold evident between his brows, I sensed his intent in capturing fully every question that I gave.  He evoked the same look of attention and care as he gave me his answers.  He had just come out of the polling place, and I felt his sense of pride and accomplishment having fared just as well, or even better, answering the real questions presented to him at the ballot.

I wonder if he voted every candidate in his party.  I wonder too how informed he was on the candidates and their campaign issues before he came to vote.  I wonder if he took the time to study each flier that came to his mailbox and to listen to what the candidates have to say on the airwaves.  Did he see through their spin?  Did he isolate and identify what is important to him through all the clutter?

Returning home from my volunteer duties, I proceeded to my own precinct to vote.  I took an extra minute or so to sort through all the different names listed on the voting machine.  Some names were more prominent than others.  The rest remained a blur to me, and on those, like in elections before, I based my decision based on their political affiliation.  Next time, I said to myself, I will take greater care and attention, thanks to the inspiration brought to me by that man from Bangladesh that I spoke with this morning.

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: The Phillippines

Top Billionaires
In the Philippines, two rich families make it to the Forbes list of billionaires this year.  Their collective net worth is $4.1 billion. ^[1] This may seem paltry compared to the wealth of other billionaires in the Asia Pacific region, but consider that their combined net worth is equivalent to 1.3% of the Philippines’ GDP. ^[2]

• Henry Sy & family have a net worth of $2.7 billion.  The family controls the Philippines' largest shopping mall developer, SM Prime Holdings, and has diverse holdings in various industries including banking.

• Another family headed by Lucio Tan has a net worth of $1.4 billion.  Lucio Tan & family own: the Philippines' largest cigarette maker, Fortune Tobacco; Philippine Airlines; Asia Brewery; mining operations; banks; property developments in Hong Kong.

Both Henry Sy and Lucio Tan are self-made tycoons who started from humble beginnings, both immigrants from China.  Mr. Tan is currently being prosecuted by the Philippine government, which claims that his wealth belonged to Ferdinand Marcos, the deposed president.

The Hungry
An estimated 12.7 million are currently living in hunger in the Philippines.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in India remains unchanged at 13% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ^[3]

According to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Philippines ranks 34th (Serious) out of 84 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).  The IFPRI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst. <sup>[4]

[1]</sup>forbes.com
^[2]cia.gov
^[3]fao.org
^[4]ifpri.com

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: China

Top Billionaires
According to the Forbes list of the world’s richest, China boasts of 28 billionaires with a combined net worth of $43.8 billion, averaging $1.56 billion each.

• Topping the list in China is Liu Yongxing who ranks as the 205th richest in the world; he has a net worth of $3B.  Mr. Yongxing heads the East Hope Group, one of China's biggest feed producers, the very industry in which he first entered to build his fortunes from scratch.¹

Hong Kong is home to only 19 billionaires, which is nine short compared to its governing nation.  However, the combined worth of those 19 billionaires is one and half times higher than of their mainland counterparts—that is, $66.9 billion in total, averaging $3.52 billion each.  Three billionaires account for the major share of such wealth in Hong Kong.

• One of them accounts for 24 percent.  In fact, Li Ka-shing, whose net worth is $16.2 billion, ranks 16th of the world’s richest.  He is a self-made entrepreneur with holdings in container terminal operations, health and beauty retailer, energy and oil, and real estate development.

It’s worth noting that Taiwan has four billionaires who have a combined net worth of $10.5 billion averaging $2.1 billion each.

The Hungry
An estimated 13 million are currently living in hunger in China.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in India remains unchanged at 10% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.²)

According to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), out of 84 countries China ranks 5th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) which ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst.³

Hong Kong and, for the matter, Taiwan are not reported separately in the FAO or IFPRI report.

¹forbes.com
²fao.org
³ifpri.com

The World Hunger Index

According to the International Food Policy Institute¹, twenty nine countries have levels of hunger that are alarming or extremely alarming.  Four of them are in countries in the Asia Pacific Region:

• Pakistan (pop. 176.2 million)
• Cambodia (pop., 13.5 million)
• Bangladesh (pop., 165.1 million)
• Timor-Leste (pop., 1.1 million)

To see the Global Hunger Index (GHI) of the country of interest to you, simply click and drag the marker to that country in the map above and refer to the scale below:

• Low:  Less than or equal to 4.9
• Moderate:  5.0 to 9.9
• Serious:  10.0 to 19.9
• Alarming:  20.0 to 29.9
• Extremely Alarming:  More than or equal to 30.0

¹ifpri.com

Top Billionaires & The Hungry in Asia: India

Top Billionaires
Twenty-four Indian citizens have made it to the world’s billionaires club this year, according to Forbes.com.  They have a collective net worth of $106.8 billion and an average net worth of $4.45 billion each.  Of the top five billionaires in Asia, three are from India, of which two of are ranked in the world’s top ten and two are estranged brothers.¹

• The seventh richest person in the world is Mukesh Ambani with a net worth $19.5B.  Mr. Ambani heads Reliance Industries, a growing petrochemicals business that he inherited from his father.

• With a net worth of $19.3B, Laksmi Mittal follows Mr. Ambani’s ranking as eight richest.  The bulk of Mr. Mittal’s fortune is stock ownership of the world's largest steel company, ArcelorMittal, also inherited from family.

• Mukesh’s younger brother, Anil Ambani, ranks 34th in the list of the world’s richest.  Anil, who has a net worth $10.1B, inherited his family’s interests in telecommunications, power and financial services following a bitter parting with his older brother.

The Hungry
An estimated 0.24 billion are currently living in hunger in India.  This assumes that the estimated level of the undernourished in India remains unchanged at 21% as last reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.²)

Furthermore, according to a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), out of 84 countries India ranks 65th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI), which ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst.<sup>3

1</sup>forbes.com
²fao.org
³ifpri.com

Alternative Count Yields 7M+ More Living in Poverty in America

An alternative estimate based on the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)¹ brings the poverty level up to 47.4M—or 18.5% of the total U.S. population, as reported yesterday at The Washington Post by Hope Yen².  That's 7.6M more than what the U.S. Census reported earlier at just 39.8M—or 13.2% of the total population. That government estimate does not include other factors such as medical care, transportation, childcare or geographical differences in the cost of living, nor does it include non-cash government aid in their income calculations.
The NAS figures are higher than the original government estimates across racial groups except for Afrian Americans where it remains flat at 24.7%.  Hope Yen’s report underscores the gravity of the situation, which hopefully should weigh in more strongly on how the federal stimulus program is being managed to impact directly on those in dire need.

¹The NAS-based tables are available at:  www.census.gov/hhes/www/povmeas/tables.html  (Select:
Alternative Poverty Estimates Based on National Academy of Sciences Recommendations, by Selected Demographic Characteristics and by Region (CE): 2008
²Hope Yen of The Associated Press, “Revised formula puts 1 in 6 Americans in poverty”, The Washington Post, Oct. 20, 2009

"The Cove": In The Tokyo Film Festival?

The Tokyo Film Festival opened Saturday with ecology as its theme.¹ Kudos to the festival organizers for making one last minute addition to the films in their roster, even though international pressure precipitated such a move! “The Cove” exposes the gruesome slaughtering of some 2,000 dolphins each year in an annual hunt conducted in a seaside town in Japan. The documentary already won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Will it win in Tokyo? Regardless, hopefully, it raises global attention to the cruelty of the killings and the rapid depletion of our ocean’s resources.

Now, will we see another season of “Whale Wars”²?

¹The Associated Press, “Tokyo Film Festival Opens With 'Green' Carpet”, The New York Times, Oct. 17, 2009
²discovery.com

With H1N1, Everyday is Global Handwashing Day

Millions of children and adults in over 80 countries are celebrating the second annual Global Handwashing Day. UNICEF Japan has launched a project promoting handwashing among children in Japan and around the world.¹ This video shows a dance choreographed by Kaiji Moriyama, a renowned dancer, as a public service supporting such efforts.  Everybody...Washi, washi, wah...

The Japanese government also launched a "cough etiquette" campaign, which encourages people to cover their mouths, use a tissue and turn away when coughing.²

¹unicef.org
²Catherine Makino, ”Japan takes hand washing to new level”, Chicago Tribune, Oct. 16, 2009

Jila Baniyaghoob: Fearless Iranian Reporter and Advocate for Women

The International Women's Media Foundation¹ will honor three female journalists who have put their lives at stake in pursuit of truth. One of the recipients of the 2009 Courage in Journalism Awards is Jila Baniyaghoob of Iran.

Jila Baniyaghoob, 38, freelance reporter and editor-in-chief of the website Kanoon Zanan Irani (Focus on Iranian Women), Iran. Baniyaghoob works in one of the most restrictive environments for both journalists and women in the world. Still, she has fearlessly reported on government and social oppression, particularly as they affect women. She has been fired from several jobs because she refuses to censor the subject matter of her reporting and several of her media outlets have been closed by the government. She has travelled throughout the Middle East, writing accounts of the lives of women and refugees during times of conflict. The topics of her reporting make her a target of the Iranian government. She has been beaten, arrested and imprisoned numerous times.²

Iryna Khalip (Belarus) and Agnès Tallé (Cameroon) are the other two women who will be receiving similar awards, while Amira Hass (Israel) will get the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Presenting the awards are Christiane Amanpour (CNN), David Gregory (Meet the Press), Irshad Manji (NYU), and David Westin (ABC News).  The ceremonies will be held at The Waldorf-Astoria in NYC on Tuesday, October 20th.

¹iwmf.org
²iranian.com

A Call From the Deep: Lower Carbon Emissions

The Maldives government will hold a special cabinet meeting on October 17th to call on world governments to reduce carbon emissions.¹  The ministers will need scuba gear to participate in conjunction with plans to conduct the meeting underwater.  As the lowest-lying nation on earth, the Maldives have much at stake in the threat of global warming, which potentially can bring much of the nation below sea level.

In fact, as precursor to looming future disasters, this tiny nation in the North Indian Ocean, Southwest of Sri Lanka was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami causing 82 lives and significantly damaging its major industries.²  Fortunately, the Maldives have been spared of the catastrophic natural disasters that have recently struck Asia and the Pacific.

Hopefully, their important message does not land on philosophically waterlogged ears.  Regardless whether we caused global warming directly or not, it should not stop the world’s governments from addressing this very real issue.

1Associated Press, "Maldives: Bring the Waterproof Pens", The New York Times, Oct. 8, 2009
2U.S. Department of State, “Background Note: Maldives”

Trifecta of Natural Disasters in SEA and Pacific: How to Help

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake devastated Indonesia yesterday bringing down buildings, bridges and setting off landslides.  Local officials have thus far reported 200 bodies found but more casualties are expected as relief efforts pick up.¹

The Indonesian tremor occurred just shortly in the aftermath of Samoa’s 8.0 magnitude earthquake that precipitated a tsunami resulting in 150 deaths at last count.²

Meanwhile, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, still recovering from the havoc Typhoon Ketsana has wrought just days ago, face a potentially destructive new storm heading their way.  Already, the death toll has risen to over 400 in the area, including 277 from the capital of the Philippines alone.³

Social networks have been helpful at least in providing comfort to those who learn that family and friends overseas are safe—that is, if lines aren’t down to begin with.  API organizations have yet to mobilize to assist in relief efforts, but many in Twitter space are pointing to the Red Cross with local and overseas chapters soliciting donations to support such efforts.

To contribute to the American Red Cross in their efforts, please donate to the International Response Fund.  Call 1-800-733-2767 or go to redcross.org.

¹ News Service, ”Powerful Quakes Upend Lives of Thousands”, The Washington Post, Oct. 1, 2009
² Rod McGuirk and Audry McAvoy of The Associated Press “Death toll in Samoas tsunami reaches 150, The Washington Post, Oct. 1, 2009
³ Nguyen Van Vinh of Reuters, “Philippines braces for second stronger typhoon”, The Washington Post, Oct. 1, 2009

The Philippine’s Worst Flood Disaster in 40 Years: Help Red Cross Relief Efforts

A month’s rainfall packed in just a few hours renders at least 140 dead thus far in the Philippine’s worst flood disaster in 40 years.  As Vietnam braces for the onslaught of the same storm, even as another one heads its way to the Philippines.¹

The Red Cross is providing relief to thousands of flood victims in the Philippines, from rescuing people stranded on rooftops to providing hot food and temporary shelter to many displaced communities.

To help the American Red Cross in their efforts, go to the International Response Fund at 1-800-733-2767 or go to redcross.org.

To donate directly to the Philippine National Red Cross relief projects, go to redcross.org.ph.

¹ Teresa Cerojano of The Associated Press, "140 die in Philippine storm, toll expected to rise", Yahoo! News, Sept. 28, 2009

Jim Yong Kim: First Asian American Ivy League Leader

President Jim Yong Kim was inaugurated last Tuesday to become the first Asian American leader of Ivy League school.¹ Dr. Kim co-founded Partners in Health, a Harvard-affiliated nonprofit organization that provided health services in Haiti. He also served as Director of HIV/AIDS in the World Health Organization, a program that significantly raised global AIDS awareness and changed the life prospects of thousands who are currently in treatment.² In his inaugural address, President Jim Yong Kim imparted his wisdom to the student body and bequeathed upon them a greater calling ahead.

Find your passion, be persistent in achieving mastery, pursue knowledge in the way that works best for you and embrace the planet’s problems, because no one will be more prepared to fix them than you.

¹Holly Ramer of The Associated Press, “1st Asian-American to lead Ivy League school inaugurated”, Nashua Telegraph, Sept. 23, 2009
²Global Health Champions, PBS.org

JACL honors Japanese American Veterans

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) paid tribute to the Japanese American veterans who served in the armed forces during World War II and the Korean War.  In the organization’s 3rd Annual Gala Awards Dinner held last Tuesday in Washington D.C., the JACL bestowed their appreciation to veterans of all conflicts and persons who are currently serving in the military, and particularly veterans of the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), and others who served in regular units during World War II, and veterans of the Korean War.

The honorees include Senator Daniel K. Akaka of Hawaii, a World War II veteran and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and several distinguished organizations, including:  The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) which was started by World War II veterans, The Japanese American Korean War Veterans (JAKWR) which honors veterans of the Korean War, The Go for Broke National Education Center which keeps alive the history of the Japanese Americans, and The National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) which is heavily involved with honoring the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) with a proposed center at the Presidio in San Francisco.

Among Asian American leaders who participated in the affair were Congressman Mike Honda, Senator Daniel Inouye, and Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., among other dignitaries.

Founded in 1929, the JACL commemorates its 80th anniversary this year.  The JACL continues its work today as the oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization in the nation.  Its leaders include National JACL Executive Director, Floyd Mori, National President Larry Oda and Vice President Sheldon Arakaki.

Korean Adoptee: “Like my family, I saw myself as white.”

The non-profit organization, Families with Children from China¹, aims to connect, sustain and celebrate families with children adopted from China. Their New York chapter² is hosting the screening of the movie "Adopted, the Movie" by first-time director Barb Lee, which tells the moving story of two families adopting their child from overseas.³

We've seen them in grocery stores, playgrounds and at our children's schools - little Asian girls with their loving white parents. Of the 1.5 million adopted children in the United States, international adoptees are the fastest growing segment, of which most are Asian girls. While many of their stories are heartwarming and reflect our image of American compassion and generosity, the realities are much more complex. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, adoptees have significantly more behavioral problems than non-adopted children.

Adopted reveals the grit rather than the glamor of transracial adoption. First-time director Barb Lee goes deep into the intimate lives of two well-meaning families and shows us the subtle challenges they face. One family is just beginning the process of adopting a baby from China and is filled with hope and possibility. The other family's adopted Korean daughter is now 32 years old. Prompted by her adoptive mother's terminal illness, she tries to create the bond they never had. The results are riveting, unpredictable and telling. While the two families are at opposite ends of the journey, their stories converge to show us that love isn't always enough.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Theater in the Ossining Public Library⁴ (53 Croton Avenue, Ossining, New York, 10562). Registration opens at 1:15 pm; the film starts promptly at 1:30PM. The fee is $10 per ticket. For more information, go to www.fccny.org. Here’s the movie trailer:

¹www.fwcc.org
²www.fccny.org
³www.adoptedthemovie.com
⁴www.ossininglibrary.org

For They Are Uninsured: Blessed are the poor?

The Census Bureau's annual report on income, poverty and health insurance may actually be bleaker than it looks.  That’s according to a Washington Post report which argues that, since the current data was collected in spring before millions more have lost their jobs, the situation may be worse now than what was just reported.¹

• The nation's poverty rate rose to 13.2% in 2008, up from 12.5% in 2007 (the first significant increase since 2004 and the highest level in 11 years)
• Median household income shrank to $50,303 in 2008, down from $52,163 in 2007 (the first drop in four years)
• The number of people without health insurance rose to 46.3 million in 2008, from 45.7 million in 2007 (continuing an eight-year decline)

However, even this Spring snapshot would seem dire enough for Latinos and Asian Americans, who showed the biggest increases in poverty rates, the biggest decreases in median household income, and biggest increases in the uninsured rate or the number of the uninsured.²

• Poverty rates rose at higher rates among Hispanics (23.2% in 2008, up from 21.5% in 2007) and Asian Americans (11.8 % in 2008, up from 10.2% in 2007); in contrast it rose at a lower rate among non-Hispanic whites (8.6 % in 2008, up from 8.2 %in 2007) and remained statistically unchanged for African Americans (24.7 percent).
• Real median income in 2008 declined 5.6% (to $37,913) among Hispanics and 4.4% ($65,637) to among Asians; in contrast, it declined 2.6% among non-Hispanic whites (to $55,530) and 2.8% among African Americans (to $34,218)
• The percentage of uninsured Hispanics decreased to 30.7% in 2008, from 32.1% in 2007. The uninsured rate for Asian Americans in 2008 rose to 17.6%, up from 16.8% in 2007.  In comparison, the uninsured rate and number of uninsured for non-Hispanic whites increased in 2008 to 10.8% and 21.3 million, from 10.4% and 20.5 million in 2007, while the uninsured rate and number of uninsured for African Americans in 2008 were not statistically different from 2007, at 19.1 percent and 7.3 million.  (Note the difference in U.S. Census reporting here for the percentage of the uninsured versus the uninsured rate.)

The challenges we face are very daunting indeed, but according to Congressman Mike Honda (California’s 15th Congressional District) in his article today, what we need is  political courage.³

The task is not small and demands strategies on all fronts, including a more diverse workforce, strengthened ethnic institutions, and improved evaluation and accountability measures. But we must do it quickly; the health of our nation and our economy depends on it. America deserves a health care system that enables everyone to live a healthier and happier life.

For those who would rather challenge the government's efforts to reach a pragmatic solution toward this task, it may be just too overwhelming for them to fathom.  For while what is the right thing to do is to face this challenge head-on, the opposition has taken the more politically expedient approach of wanton opposition.  Is it too steep a bar to reach?  Is it easier to brandish any language one can grasp ("death panel"), allude to any scapegoat one can route ("illegal immigrants"), rouse the irrational fears of the uninformed ("socialism"), or just shout as loudly as one can ("liar") to quiet any lucid conversation that needs to transpire.

¹ Carol Morello and Dan Keating, ”Millions More Thrust Into Poverty”, Washington Post
² “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008”, U.S. Census Bureau
³ Rep. Mike Honda, "‘Political Courage’ Needed for Health Care Reform", Nichi Bei Times

NYC & Boston Elections: An opportunity to make a difference

Several local elections are just a few weeks away, including:

• New York City Primary Elections - Tuesday, September 15, 2009
• Boston, MA Preliminary Elections - Tuesday September 22, 2009

If you live or work in New York City or Boston area, here's an opportunity for you to make a difference in helping Asian Americans freely exercise their right to vote. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and over a dozen other Asian American organizations co-sponsoring this effort will provide volunteer training sessions in preparation for these upcoming primaries (and the general elections on November 3, 2009).

Below are the dates and locations for the Volunteer Training Sessions in New York City. (Lunch/dinner will be provided.)

• Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 12 Noon to 1:30 PM (Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue at 53rd St.)
• Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 6:30 to 8:00 PM (White & Case LLP, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, bet. 44th and 45th Strs.)
• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 12 Noon to 1:30 PM (Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue at 59th St.)

The objective of this effort is to monitor the elections and conduct non-partisan voter surveys at polling sites in Asian American neighborhoods across New York City and Boston, Massachusetts. Volunteers will administer a multilingual voter survey in 3-hour shifts and document voting problems on Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM in New York and 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM in Boston.

To sign up as a volunteer and for a training schedule, go to www.aaldef.net.  For more information, contact:

Glenn D. Magpantay, Bryan Lee, or Julia Yang
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10013
800-966-5946
votingrights@aaldef.org

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference!

Lower Divorce Rates Among Asian Americans: Good or bad?

Asian Americans experience a lower level of divorce compared to the general population.¹ 

Studies estimate that 5 – 6% of Asian American adults were currently separated or divorced compared to 10-12% of the U.S. population.²

Kung (Kathyrn) Dickerson, an Asian American divorce attorney, says this may be a bad thing. In the video below, she talks about the disturbing realities surrounding women who may be seeking separation or divorce but who--even if victims of domestic violence--are discouraged to pursue legal recourse because of language barriers and traditional cultural pressures.

While the stigma surrounding divorce may vary across cultures, domestic violence is wrong regardless of race, ethnicity, religion and culture. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 provides language translations for callers, which hopefully helps overcome at least one barrier.

¹U.S.Census
²Marc Silverstein, "Women Fear Divorce in Asian American Community", Onthemarcmedia.com
³National Domestic Violence Hotline

Of Racist Scene in “The Goods”, Paramount Says, “Our Bad”

The protest against the racist scene in the move “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard” drew a positive outcome with Paramount Studios apologizing. According to protest organizer, Guy Aoki, at least 43 people showed up in support of this outcry. A few hours before the protest, the president of Paramount sent the apology via email to the president of the JACL, and offered to meet with him and with representatives of other API groups also denouncing the scene. Paramount also said they will pull the trailers from movie theatres—but not from the movie itself, which is already showing.

With this, Mr. Aoki questions the significance of the gesture. “That didn't make sense,” he says, “the movie's already out so why would you show its trailers in a theatre?” What Paramount can do if they are seriously contrite is remove the scene altogether in the movie. But, Leanne Suter of KABC reports that it may be the funniest scene in the movie, in which case it’s a red flag to all that the film won’t be delivering the goods. You’ll probably get a better laugh elsewhere!

See related post, “The Bad: Live Free, Sell Hard”

Protest Mounts Against “The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard”

The Examiner reports several media advocacy groups will take action today Friday, August 21st, to protest the racist scene in the Paramount Pictures movie “The Goods:  Live Hard, Sell Hard” on Friday, August 21st.

Let your voice be heard!

Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Avenue, LA, CA 90038

4:30 PM

For details, contact The Japanese American Citizens League, Imada Wong Communications Group, or Media Action Network for Asian Americans.

See related post, “The Bad: Live Hard, Sell Hard”

Support the National Asian American Week of Action through one easy step

Across the country, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) will flex their political muscle during the National Week of Action (Aug. 17-24) to show that we want fair and humane immigration reform NOW.

Text "AAPI" to 69866 

TODAY, AUGUST 20, 2009

All standard texting fees apply. You will be asked to reply with your zip-code and email to become a part of the national Reform Immigration for America campaign's Cell Phone Action Network. As a part of the network, you will receive periodic text messages on the latest news and action opportunities around immigration reform, specific to your state or local community.

With more than 1.2 million AAPIs who are undocumented and need to be legalized, more than 2 million waiting abroad to join close family members through the family-based immigration system, and the ongoing detention and deportation of community members, AAPIs have a huge stake in having comprehensive immigration reform legislation passed and enacted.

This campaign is sponsored by AAJC, ALC, HND, JACL, APALC, KAYA, NaFFAA, SAALT, OCA, NAPAWF

Immigration Reform: The Call To Act Now

The last presidential elections drew an historic turnout not seen in 40 years.  New census data reveals that, compared to 2004, the 2008 elections also saw a significant increase in the number of Hispanic, Asian and African Americans exercising their right to vote.  The rate of increase in turnout among Asian American voters is over 20%, next only to Latinos.  Releasing this data, the Immigration Policy Center also points out that politicians who ignore this “demographic wake-up call” will pay a price at the polls.

Immigration reform is an important issue for Latinos and Asians, given that the majority of these groups are immigrants or children of immigrants.  The call for Latinos and Asians to manifest their clout in this issue need not wait ‘til the next elections.

• The Reform Immigration For America campaign is a coalition of various advocacy groups that is leading the call to action now.  Visit their site to send a fax your congress leader or to enlist your organization in the coalition: www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org

Many Asian and Pacific Islander communities have already joined the ranks in their support of this.  In fact, this week marks the first-ever National Asian American Week of Action for comprehensive immigration reform.  In a national display of unity and coordination, activists across the nation will hold press events, and attend town hall meetings with U.S. lawmakers to push for a comprehensive immigration reform.

• The Asian Pacific Americans for Progress is one of many championing this cause with a list of activities that extend through fall.  Today is National Text-in day.  Visit their site to learn more: http://www.apaforprogress.org/aapis-call-immigration-reform

Higher Life Expectancy in the US: What about for Asian Americans?

Life expectancy in the country is at its highest level at 77.9 years, according to the CDC’s just-released National Vital Statistics Report.  Broken out by race and gender, as in previous years, life expectancy remains higher among whites compared to blacks, and higher for women than for men. The report does not contain equivalent figures for other racial minorities.

However, accompanied by a caution that mortality for races other than white and black may be seriously understated because of underreporting, the preliminary findings reveal the mortality rates are lowest for those other groups. Also, the death rates reported for the Asian Pacific Islander (API) population is almost half lower the rate of non-Hispanic whites.

“Among the major race and Hispanic origin groups, the lowest mortality was reported for the API, Hispanic, and AIAN populations. Compared with the non-Hispanic white population, preliminary age-adjusted death rates were 46.5 percent lower for the API population, 30.8 percent lower for the Hispanic population, and 18.4 percent lower for the AIAN population. In contrast, the age-adjusted death rate for the non-Hispanic black population was 25.5 percent higher than that for the non-Hispanic white population."

These findings should not feed into the “model minority” myth, specifically the one that suggests we are without problems or needs thus leading us to be underserved in areas of real concern.  According to the CDC profile of Asian Americans:

“Asian Americans represent both extremes of socioeconomic and health indices: while more than a million Asian Americans live at or below the federal poverty level, Asian-American women have the highest life expectancy of any other group. Asian Americans suffer disproportionately from certain types of cancer, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B.  Factors contributing to poor health outcomes for Asian Americans include language and cultural barriers, stigma associated with certain conditions, and lack of health insurance.”

See related post: “Cancer remains the number one killer among Asian Americans“

AAPI's White House Briefing: What’s next?

Last Thursday’s White House briefing sought to engage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders into public service.  Bringing over eighty interns from various organizations in Washington D.C., the Office of Public Engagement brought speakers to talk about “the importance of engagement and empowerment”.  Representatives from the Organization of Chinese Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Indian American Leadership Council, DC Mayor’s Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, among others, were present.

It was an opportunity for the White House to reach out to Asian Americans to have a seat in the table and to point out that more Asian Americans have been appointed to office than previous administrations.  In turn, Brad Baldia, representing the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NACAP), hailed the meeting as “just the beginning of an ongoing dialogue” and an “unprecedented opportunity to have their voices heard and address important concerns”.

We salute this fine gesture from the administration and the strong presence of the AAPI coalition.  There are pressing issues where our voice needs to be heard.  In the ongoing health care debate, sensible talk that seeks pragmatic solutions should rise above all the distractive noise and the destructive political rambling.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Sentence: Shameful!

After 13 years under political detention, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to an additional 18 months for violating conditions of her house arrest.  Amnesty International calls for nothing but the immediate and unconditional release of the pro-democracy leader of Myanmar.

‘Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan described the verdict as ‘shameful’, adding that ‘her arrest and trial and now this guilty verdict are nothing more than legal and political theatre.’

A worldwide movement against human rights abuse, Amnesty International calls us to action by writing to Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and calling on them to secure the release of Myanmar's prisoners of conscience.

Universal Peace

The week-long commemoration of Universal Peace Day ends today in New York City with a tree-planting ceremony at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew Courtyard and the final showing of the documentary “Gate/Atomic Flame” at the New York Buddhist Church.  The Universal Peace Day marks its 25th year anniversary in remembrance of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.  The commemoration seeks to transform our remembrance of horror into a re-dedication to life.

Ben Steele Sketches Our Dark History

In their article, “Witness to Bataan”, Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman of the American Heritage Magazine recount the horrifying experiences of Ben Steele surviving the infamous death march in Bataan.

In his first face-to-face encounter with his captors, Steele sensed the feelings of hate that the Japanese soldiers exuded.  Yet, in his first close encounters with death itself, he felt it would serve him better to just remain aloof.  “So many were dropping to the road, he thought, it was better not to get close to anyone.”  But Steele’s humanity could not easily be removed; he did not leave a fallen soldier even though he himself was wounded.

Following months of hard labor, and the death of one in three men in his work detail, Steele and the other ailing survivors were shipped to a makeshift hospital.  There, a chaplain administered him last rites as he again faced death this time battling various afflictions, including malaria, beriberi, bronchial pneumonia, dysentery, jaundice, and liver infection.   The writers described his tenuous grip on life at that time, “Some days he knew he was alive; some days not.”

After his condition turned around, Steele still remained on the brink.  “I’d better do something or I’ll go crazy.”  He began scratching figures on the floor then eventually sketched pictures in paper.  The object of his sketches would be the images of his comrades and his captors.  Through the final chapters of his internment in the labor camps in Japan, Steele continued to document via his sketches the many ordeals he would witness and endure.

The authors’ rendition of Steele’s story is a befitting tribute to the army private’s will to survive and his continued hope of achieving freedom.  Perhaps in sharing his personal accounts with his family and loved ones, Steele also discloses the complex confluence of emotions that still stir him to this very day.  Perhaps his sketches are sufficient enough.  Words do sometimes get in the way.  But with regards Michael and Elizabeth, their words make us reflect on the thin balance that binds and separates us all.  We remember the past to live the present with greater hope on what lies ahead.

AAI's Impact Fellows Program: Empowering!

This is part of a series of videos released earlier this month by the Asian American Institute.  The video releases aim to showcase the organization’s Impact Fellows Program (IFP).  The videos feature the current year’s program participants sharing what it means to them.

“I’m realizing that there’s kind of this community of Asian Americans that’s having experiences like me and who’ve gone through, you know, the same kind of issues I’ve dealt with...has been really empowering.”

IFP is a leadership program that aims to develop young civic-minded adults who are driven to make an impact on the Asian American community.  The institute, located in Chicago IL, provides participants with hands-on training and experience.

Hate Crimes Law Update: People first!

The Washington Post reported last Thursday the broadening of federal hate crime laws to include those motivated by “gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability”.  Before the expansion of the law, hate crimes cover only those motivated by race, color, national origin, or religion.  (See related post:  “Calling All Hate Crime Victims”)

The vote passed with a wide margin (63-28) overcoming efforts from Republicans to block the legislation.  Asian American groups support the new law, including the Asian American Justice Center who rallied for its passage.  Senators Akaka and Inouye of Hawaii voted yea.  Nevada Senator John Ensign voted nay.  (See related post:  “First Chinese American Woman in Congress”)

John Ensign, a veterinarian, pursues his animal advocacy as a U.S. Senator, particularly on federal legislature for the protection of animals against mistreatment.  Animals first, people second, Senator?

Voicing Our Opinions

Vishakha Desai, President of Asia Society, invites us to share our stories about what it means to be Asian American.  Having people respond via a video is quite a powerful vehicle.  Among others featured in the video, DJ Steve Aoki’s message resounds most strongly:  “Our culture is partially invisible to people.  I think its important for us to actually voice our opinions and produce and create things that people can be part of."

Incidentally, the Asian American DJ shares he has only been in a couple of fights in his life both of which were racially motivated.  The scars of his experience cut deep and as such his call to speak out resonates very strongly.

Invisible

The most recent polls addressing issues of race and race relations have no ample representation of Asian Americans.  Take the New York Times/CBS News Poll conducted last April, which reports that perceptions of race relations have improved within President Obama’s 100 days in office.  It makes sense that the number of African Americans surveyed has been augmented to afford a separate analysis of data from that community.  However, not enough respondents were recruited among other ethnic minorities to merit similar analysis from their perspective.

Then there’s the Pew Research’s study on racial attitudes conducted early last year.  Sociologist C. N. Le’s opinion on the omission of Asian Americans in this research is one of extreme disappointment.  I share his thoughts that it is “inexcusable” for a well-regarded institution to exclude a 15 million-strong minority group from this important study.  Even as Asian Americans constitute less than a double-digit percentage of total U.S. population, Mr. Le argues that Asian Americans increasingly make up large proportions of the population of many states and majorities in many cities.

While there exist other research initiatives that focus primarily on Asian Americans, the point is that this group’s systematic exclusion from these important studies has underlying implications.  By their sheer minority status, behavioral and attitudinal data from this community are summarily irrelevant in shaping the course of the national debate on race.  Other community leaders should be as vocal as Mr. Le is in prodding major polling institutions to reconsider barring Asian American viewpoint.  How difficult is it to recruit at least two hundred—the magic number for meaningful analysis within the group of—Asian Americans to participate in such polls?

Actually, we have an issue there.  There seems to be a lack of interest and willingness among Asian Americans to participate in such a debate—or, for that matter, in any national poll or research.  U.S. Census officials from my locality attest to a lackluster response in their efforts to drive Asian Americans to be counted in the last census.  In the business world, a recent inventory I conducted on the “availability” of Asian Americans in consumer research panels confirms this lack of disposition to be enlisted even when offered some form of reward or incentive.  Perhaps, some find comfort with invisibility, but not to be counted and taken for all that one is worth, good and bad, right or wrong, is not a valid course.  As there is no excuse for anyone to discount our voice, so also is there no excuse for us not to raise our voice and be counted in the national discussion about race.

Undressing

A recent NY Times article has prompted me to see “The Seen and the Hidden: [Dis]Covering the Veil” at the Austrian Cultural Forum.  The exhibit features a collection of contemporary artwork about women donning the veil, especially though not exclusively in the context of Muslim faith.

In Deborah Sontag’s article, “The Intersection of Islam, America and Identity” (June 7, 2009), the author focuses on two artists based in the New York area—one with origins from Pakistani, Asma Ahmed Shikoh, and the other from Iran, Negar Ahkami.  The works of these two Asian Americans reveal issues of identity in deeper layers than what I would have imagined before my bare eyes touched them last week.  The forum’s official description brushes the surface, “The donning of the veil conveys conflicting ideas of faith, sexuality and public life and thus raises a host of questions and tensions between religion and identity.”

Miss Sontag writes about the parallel progression of the two artists’ personal lives and their art with their coming to America.  It is a very touching narrative that prompts one to wonder about how the stories of other women enfold here and overseas.  President Obama’s landmark speech in Cairo “at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world” encourages a wider a conversation addressing the many issues, including our policy “to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.”

There are also parallel perspectives from the 15 artists in the exhibition.  In Negar Ahkami’s “Persian Dolls”, eight nesting dolls are each painted to reflect the progression of a woman’s image from the stern-faced outer doll clad in black chador to the smiling unclad inner one.  (Interestingly enough, a photograph of the artwork in the forum’s official pamphlet shows—perhaps, a different version—only five dolls of which the inner doll is not completely naked but, in fact, draped partly by the American flag.)

It is difficult not to liken Miss Ahkami’s artwork to that of another exhibitor, Nilbar Güres, a Turkish Austrian.  Her video entitled “Undressing” shows a woman (Soyunma) gradually removing different layers of veil each owned by, or representing, female relatives.  Heavy tension is obviously laden with the initial shot where all layers of covering are still intact.  Upon the removal of the last veil that is preceded by a rather tentative pause, a genuine smile of relief and joy is finally revealed.

Like Miss Ahkami’s dolls which can also be viewed from right (inner) to left (outer doll), Miss Güres’ video can technically be played back in reverse order.  In many parts of the world, the rights of women still tread a backward track.  The veil itself is still a stinging symbol of oppression that can only be reclaimed over time.  Time alone is not enough.  We need more un-tethered discussions especially in societies where women’s rights are still trampled upon and even criminalized.  In freer societies, I deeply respect the women who decide to don the veil as a proud assertion of their beliefs and their freedoms.  However, they carry the burden of illuminating others of all the ills the wearing of the veil still represents to a vast number of women worldwide.

The OCA, Lighting The Course

The Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter of the OCA (OCA-WHV) culminated Asian American Heritage Month with festivities last Saturday, May 30th.  More than 25 similar OCA-sponsored activities were held nationwide, starting off with events in Chicago first day of May.  The OCA-WHV festival commemorated the 11th anniversary of when they first organized such an event.

Held at park grounds in Valhalla NY, just below the imposing backdrop of the Kensico Dam, the local event drew thousands of spectators to relish captivating performances that highlighted the unique, rich, and diverse Asian culture.  Chapter president Xiaochun Luo beamed with pride as she oversaw her volunteers’ zealous efforts.  By mid-afternoon, Joan Jia, organizer of the event, was already signaling success; she confirmed a much larger turnout compared to last year.

More than a hundred vendors, including business and non-profit groups, participated in the festival to promote their various products, services and charities.  The overall mood gleaned from both participants and attendees confirmed Ms. Jia’s assessment of success.  People formed queues to partake of cold sago shakes.  Many strolled the grounds clasping a heavy assortment of flyers, brochures, giveaways and product purchases.  Volunteer medical students led by Carol Pak, chapter president of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), acknowledged considerable crowd interest and participation to their cause.  The young volunteers obtained on-the-spot donor registration and HLA typing for the National Marrow Donor Program. 

Pursuing this year’s theme, “Lighting the Past, the Present, and the Future”, OCA was on focus.  The WHV chapter made its mark hosting a festival that catered to old and young alike.  A lion dance opened the festival leading a parade of kids.  Traditional music and folk dance followed, wowing spectators throughout the afternoon.  A heavy metal band befittingly capped the day’s celebrations.

For the OCA however, it is not just all fun and celebration.  Founded in 1973 with a sizeable following from over 80 chapters nationwide, the first Asian Pacific American civil rights organization to be based in Washington D.C. is tasked with a more important mission:  to secure the rights and better the lives of Asian Pacific Americans.

To exemplify its more serious side, the organization actively promotes education and community action to fight hate crime, among others.  A comprehensive hate crime manual with gripping sample cases is available for download in their website.  The OC charges a powerful call and lights the path to action.  Hopefully, the recent festivities have charged everyone enough to answer this call.

1 + 1 = 3

Not long after a “Kumbaya” moment in Washington, the New York Times editorial today awakens our attention to bad spirits and reiterates our need to be continuously vigilant against the scour of right-wing nativism.  I accept that racism may never be completely exorcised for so long as opposing factions continue battle.  In that, I ascribe to our president’s crusade in full cry for hope.

Just the day before this editorial came out, the same publication carried Holland Cotter’s review of an art exhibit running currently at the Guggenheim Museum.  Aptly titled "The Third Mind", the show features what appears to be a cacophony of American art pieces (1860-1989) which suggest Asian influence.  The author could not have chosen a better example of an artwork that exemplifies the theme than Jackson Pollock’s "Untitled [Red Painting 1-7]".  Seven images unfold a meld caught between the Abstract Expressionism and Asian calligraphy.

Once in a while, when our nation contemplates in a still of solemn oneness, our soul is at peace.  But it remains a tenuous peace.  Unlike the expression of art, there is no convergence offered.  Opposing spirits collide yet again until another glorious respite—or, in the spirit of hope, until racism is cast into abyss.