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Celebrating Independence

Last June the 3rd, several hundreds gathered at South Madison Avenue in NYC to participate in the annual festivities commemorating 114 years of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule. ^[1]

Having attended the event a few years ago, I remember but a sprinkling of mostly bland floats, haphazardly or disingenuously put together by banks, money-transfer outfits, law firms and handful of other bland industry sponsors. Regardless, this year’s celebration was reported to be the largest. ^[2] And, based on the little press coverage it garnered, it was thought to be more colorful and festive that what I recollect.  Too bad, I missed it!

However, Grand Central Terminal, itself a daily hub of many tongues, was teeming with commuters of familiar Philippine dialects.  A couple of times, I turned my head, silly me, to see if it was somebody I knew.  Hey, you never know!  For one thing, I was on my way to meet a handful of former co-workers, friends from the distant past and the distant land.  It was a mini reunion of sorts.

Brunch happened a distant 50-something blocks north of the Philippine festivities.  The fare was Italian but the talk was nostalgically Filipino, with familiar gossip replayed over again since past reunions. The get-together was both endearing and reassuring. 

Endearing, because I missed my friends and the good old times when we were all together.  Good, fun-loving, genuine people!

Reassuring, because the gathering took me to pause and reflect on my personal journey towards my own independence as an individual.  Not just from the past, but from the bland molds of expectations that my family, culture and religion have imposed on me over the years.  Thank god, it doesn’t take 114 years to come out of such shackles.

^[1] http://www.pidci.org/june-03-main-events

^[2] http://www.myfoxny.com/story/18688617/philippine-independence-day-celebration-in-nyc

Enlightened

High expectations!  What else can you expect from a novel that won the Man Asia Literary Prize of 2008^[1] even before the book was published?  This ambitious project casts such a wide net of multiple plot lines and character perspectives that span several generations.  Michael Dirda^[2] of The Washington Post describes Miguel Syjuco’s novel, Ilustrado, as an example of “literary bricolage”.

…Bringing together Filipino jokes, transcripts from "The Burley Raconteur" blog, real history and people, made-up footnotes and the narrator's increasingly nightmarish dreams and experiences, some heightened by snorts of cocaine.^[3]

It is in fact such an assemblage of parts, which makes the novel unique and successful in its reach.  Mr. Dirda points out that the prize for such literary awards typically go to “earnest, high-minded, politically correct and rather dull books”.  Without a doubt, Ilustrado is atypical.

Its craftiness may sometimes prove distractive--style over substance?  That may be true for outsiders including Filipino Americans not quite enlightened enough by the complex weave of style and substance that has long pervaded the multi-layered Philippine society—a product of “three centuries in a Catholic convent and fifty years in Hollywood”.^[4] If you’re not privileged with that distinct advantage of a split personality, you won’t likely get this joke.

“Three male students loiter around Shoe Mart Megamall”, one note said.  “One is from the exclusive Ateneo de Manila University.  One from the rival De La Salle University.  The third, name Erning Isip, is from the populist AMA Computer College.  The three students spot a very pretty light-skinned girl.  Each of the boys takes a turn at trying to woo her.  The Atenista says: “Why, hello there.  Perhaps I should text my driver to bring my BMW around to chauffeur us to the Polo Club so we can get some gindara?”  The Lasallista says: “Wow, you’re so talagang pretty, as in totally ganda gorgeous.  Are you hungry at all?  Let’s ride my CRV and I’ll make libre fried chicken skin and Cuba libers at Dencio’s bar and grill.”  Erning Isip, the AMA Computer College student, timidly approaches the girl.  Scratching the back of his head, he says:  “Miss, please miss, give me autograph?”^[3]

Through such intricacies, Mr. Syjuco successfully brings out the substance of his work that is equally, if not more, complex.

That’s the problem, we’ve written one book, and it’s been re-bound again and again.  So many re-presentations of the war, the struggle of the haves and have-nots, People Power Revolutions on Edsa, whatever.  All those Pinoy writers industriously criticizing.  All those critics tirelessly writing.  About unsuccessful 1970 rebellions, 1990s domestic dramas.  Or the Filipino-Americans, eagerly roosting in pigeonholes, writing about the cultural losses that come with being raised in a foreign country, or being not only brown, but a woman, and a lesbian, or half-blind, or lower-middle-class, or whatever.  Oh my, what a crime against humanity that the world doesn’t read Filipino writing!^[3]

I’ll just have to read Ilustrado again.  Or, whatever! 

^[1] Man Asia Literary Prize
^[2] Michael Dirda, “Book review: 'Ilustrado' by Miguel Syjuco”, The Washington Post, May 6, 2010
^[3] Miguel Syjuco, “Ilustrado”, Farrar, Straus and Giroux: 2010
^[4] Stanley Karnow, “In Our Image”, Ballantine Books: 1989

The Language of Self-Discovery

It publishers have dubbed Wang Gang’s “English” as a “transcendent novel about the power of language to launch a journey of self-discovery”.  This journey is set during the Cultural Revolution, a sad period in China’s history.  One might expect the author’s work to be laden with grief and bereft of humor.  Not the case!

Mr. Gang exploits the childish innocence and curiosity of his main character, a young schoolboy studying the English language, to describe the mode of the times.  In this exchange between the main character (narrating), his schoolmate (Garbage Li) and the school principal, Mr. Gang injects humor when the boys are called into the principal’s office to be punished for their misdeed.  This humor just naturally flows over and envelopes the mood of the discussion that follows.  It broaches on what perhaps may be the author’s main point--a sad one, albeit—in this smart, endearing and--at times--lighthearted novel.

Garbage Li fixed his eyes on the ground. I was looking up at the ceiling.  I heard the principal say, “It’s you.  Were you two fighting?”

“Mr. Principal, he hit me first,” Garbage Li declared.

“Shut up!  I am not asking you!” the principal barked.  Garbage Li lowered his head.  The principal then turned to me.  “What did he say to you?”

“He said, ‘You’re an asshole.’”

The principal was infuriated, as if he were the object of the remark. “Li Jian-ming, did you say that?”

“Mr. Principal, I didn’t say you’re an asshole.  I said he’s an asshole.”

The principal pounded on the desk and boomed, “You are not allowed to say that to anyone, period!”

Garbage Li and I were silent. The principal paused for a moment.  “You!  Go back to your classroom now and write a self-criticism statement.  It has be thorough and soul-searching!”

Garbage Li walked to the door.  Hen then stopped and turned around.  “Mr. Principal, what is a soul?” he asked.

The principal was about to say something.  “Soul…,” he began, then changed his tack.  “Don’t worry about what it is, just go and write your self-criticism.

Garbage Li finally left, feeling wronged.

What is a soul?  What is soul-searching?  I wondered, too.

Discovering one’s self, you’ll need the words to describe it.

[1] Wang Gang, “English”, Viking, 2009

Carnegie Hall Chinese Music Festival: A Welcome Surprise!

To the delight of its executive and artistic director, Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s three-week Chinese music festival is a surprise.¹  So writes New York Times critic, James Oestreich, in his column today.  He explains why:

Mr. Gillinson is quick to acknowledge that Chinese music, in any traditional sense, is almost antithetical to the traditional Carnegie concert format. At least until the mid-20th century, music in China was seldom seen as something to be presented on a proscenium stage and contemplated in isolation by sedentary, silent listeners. It was often a part of daily life, if not integral to the performance of a particular activity or ritual then as background for socialization. And when it did rise to the level of artistic aspiration, it was typically part of a larger catchall form, as in Chinese opera, which includes not only music, drama, dance, costuming and décor but also acrobatics and martial arts.

Aptly dubbed “Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture”, the festival which runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 10 seeks to explore both “the hunger for Western works, as well as ‘real’ Chinese music.”² 

Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture pays tribute to a vibrant culture and its influence around the globe with 21 days of events and exhibitions at Carnegie Hall and partner institutions throughout New York City. It features leading Chinese musicians, including artists and ensembles traveling outside of China for the first time, performing myriad genres of music. This festival also includes traditional marionette theater, dance, exhibitions, and much more—a true immersion into a world that mixes ancient and modern, familiar and new.

The festival itself is happening beyond the confines of the Carnegie Hall premises seeking perhaps to stretch beyond the realm of music itself.  Take for example, Mingmei Yip’s performance of both qin music and calligraphy at the China Institute on October 22nd.³

The aesthetics shared by qin musicians and Chinese calligraphers are discussed and demonstrated. The linear quality of calligraphy and the melodic lines of the qin (seven-stringed zither) embody the interplay between yin and yang, sound and space. The ancient Chinese philosophy of nurturing life and the quest for longevity by harnessing breath and qi (chi) are aspired to through qin playing and calligraphic brush strokes.

Indeed, the festival is a welcome surprise not only for its antithetical content but also its more open approach.  As Mr. Ostereich writes, “If Chinese music has opened up in recent decades, so has Carnegie Hall, particularly in Mr. Gillinson’s festivals, which have been studiedly multidisciplinary and multi-institutional.”

¹James R. Oestreich, “A Path to China, Through Carnegie Hall”, The New York Times, Oct. 11, 2009
²carnegiehall.org
³chinainstitute.org

Mao and Deng: Now and Then

“So on this 60th anniversary, we should join in the celebration of the Deng revolution and not be distracted by the portrait of Mao hanging in Tiananmen Square”, concludes Ezra Vogel in her op-ed today in The New York Times.¹  Mr. Vogel argues that while Mao Zedong should be credited for laying the base for his successors’ accomplishments, “The true revolution belongs to Deng Xiaoping.”

Mr. Vogel views the leader’s major achievements in further opening the country’s door to foreign trade and investment, triggering massive infrastructure and industrial development and thereby raising millions of his countrymen from poverty.  Still, he does not ignore the many challenges China faces now since Deng’s assumption into power: “corruption, crackdowns on dissidents, environmental degradation, unequal educational opportunities and a failing rural health system”.

Should Deng Xiaoping then be held in higher stature in commemorating China’s revolution now and in future?  Absolutely!  Will Deng replace Mao as the iconic symbol of China’s turning point in its history?  I doubt it.

¹Ezra F. Vogel, “... But Deng Is the Leader to Celebrate”, The New York Times, Oct. 4, 2009

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.

President Carter: You tell the sad truth.

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter told NBC News' Brian Williams. "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that share the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans. And that racism inclination still exists. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the belief of many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply."¹

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

1salon.com

Japanese American Resettlement: Blending back into the mainstream

The Natural Museum of American History¹ in Washington D.C. hosts the presentation of Lane Ryo Hirabayashi’s latest book, “Japanese American Resettlement through the Lens”, this Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 2 p.m.

The book features the unique collection of the only surviving full-time War Relocation Authority photographer Hikaru Carl Iwasaki, who was one of many Japanese Americans imprisoned at camps during World War II.  What is particularly interesting is that the collection delves on the efforts of Japanese Americans to blend back into mainstream American society.

It promises to be a very interesting presentation.  What’s more, other distinguished personalities will be there.  Dr. Franklin Odo, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program², will be moderating the Q&A session that follows. Rep. Mike Honda³ (D-CA) will also grace the affair.

¹http://www.amnh.org/
²http://apa.si.edu/
³http://honda.house.gov/

Senator Edward Kennedy: Rest in peace!

The beloved senator strongly supported the Hart-Cellar Act of 1965, which sought to give people from all nations an equal footing for U.S. immigration, replacing an old system that gave preferential treatment to Europeans.¹

¹Center for Immigration Studies

Imelda: The Musical

The Pan Asian Repertory Theater has a lofty mission statement including introducing Asian American theatre to the “differently-abled”. But not quite as lofty as their current project—to stage a musical about Imelda Marcos! Slated for a September 22 opening at the Julia Miles Theater in New York City, this project has the necessary elements for success given the esoteric appeal of the Imelda character.

Few have come close to capture the elusive mystic that surrounds Imelda. A source, requesting anonymity, volunteers this tidbit of information after rare close encounters with Imelda in his neighborhood.

"The neighborhood buzz was that she was using Doris Duke's apartment in the relatively new Dag Hammarskjold Plaza building. I used to see her shopping at the greengrocer's stand across Second Avenue, her bodyguard in attendance; and when I took up the collection during mass at the local Catholic church, she was a steady contributor. I was struck by her height—she was much taller and more beautiful than she appeared on television—and her immaculate, elegant style. Although I was never one of her admirers, I thought that she was a stunning woman to look at: flawless skin; luxuriant, glossy dark hair; and, a rather vacant gaze."

Attempts to portray her beyond-skin-deep character proliferated in media especially during fraud and racketeering charges were brought before her in Manhattan’s Federal Court— a helpless victim, a ruthless conspirator, a crazy woman, among others. Not one sticks to me; perhaps all is true.

New York City could not have been a more fitting stage to purse such attempts to scrutinize her up-close. The first wife of foreign head of state to stand in court in the U.S., Imelda was not repulsed by the theatrical spotlight; in fact, she seemed to have reveled in it. The trial itself included celebrities including Doris Duke who reputedly posted her $5 million bail, George Hamilton who posed as “star” witness to her defense, and—who can forget the antics of—her defense attorney Gerry Spence. Following her acquittal, Imelda’s encore was “shuffling up the aisle of New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral on her (padded) knees, clutching a rosary and praying”. Bravo!

Perhaps, beyond the thousand pairs of shoes, the lavish shopping sprees, and the extravagant galas associated with Imelda, the Pan Asian Repertory production would look further inside her self. A conniving partner to a crime wrought upon an entire nation? A lobotomized shell that is running on autopilot following a nervous breakdown? A survivor coping with an historic twist of fate? An innocent victim who only wanted wealth, fortune and fame but sans the necessary curse that comes with the pact her husband signed in her behalf? An enchanting diva who will haunt us forever, regardless.

Kudos to the Pan Asian Repertory for taking on this brave project! I wish them success and hope it turns out to be more than just, as Simon Cowell would say, a “karaoke” act. Here’s a video the theater released to promote this musical. It’s rather lengthy and choppy, but interesting notwithstanding.

Here’s to Hawaii’s 50th Anniversary: Okole maluna!

The youngest state in our nation deserves more than a toast, according to Jeff Yang today in his homage to and reflections about Hawaii.  For one, the state’s racial, cultural and ethnic diversity is like no other.  In this regard, Mr. Yang cites JFK’s declaration in the midst of the civil rights unrest that “Hawaii is what the United States is striving to become.”

“Two months later, a baby boy was born at that city's Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children who would grow up to exemplify the ideals cited in Kennedy's speech -- America's first multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural president, Barack Hussein Obama.”

In his article, Mr. Yang also cannot help but compare the challenges that JFK faced in his generation with those our president is dealing with now, including conspiracy theories borne of ignorance and fear and the desire to maintain the status quo.  Then, President Kennedy was subject to widespread rumors that his Catholic faith divided his loyalty between his country and the Vatican.  Now, recent polls indicate that one out of very ten Americans still believe that President Obama wasn’t born here and therefore should not have been eligible to run for president.

“It was fear, not hatred, that led many to whisper about Kennedy, and a similar fear is visible in the eyes of protesters raging against Obama's agenda.

“The fear then was of the unknown changes a racially integrated America might bring to the lives of white Americans. The fear today is of the next logical step beyond integration, into a future where the lines between peoples and nationalities are blurred entirely by racial blending and globalization.”

I agree with Mr. Yang that Hawaii’s dramatic history should serve as a blueprint for addressing the challenges we face in our time.  Fifty years ago today, with 40% of Hawaii’s population being Japanese Americans, the efforts of visionaries countered the opposition that fed on fear and anxiety.

“During that period, a diverse group of the island's community leaders fought to maintain ties across racial and ethnic lines, to forestall a mass internment of Hawaiians of Japanese ancestry, and ultimately, to pave the way for Hawaii's second-class standing as a territory to be replaced with the protected status of statehood.”

Before Jeff Yang’s “bottoms up” toast to 50 years of the 50th state, he reflects on the “fundamental concept underpinning Hawaiian society” that has been preserved to this day, “the spirit of aloha, an ideal of love, openness, nonjudgement, and generosity.”  Okole maluna!

I also call upon that spirit of aloha to descend upon the rest of our nation now and remove the log in the eyes of many who are still overcome by fear and anxiety.  Amen?

Indian American Celebrations Underway in NYC

New York City’s 29th India Day Parade begins at noon today, August 16th, on Madison Avenue, from 41st to 27th Street. The celebration extends to a street fair at Madison Avenue, between 23rd and 27th Streets. Indian Americans celebrate their rich culture and history every year at this time. This year also marks India’s 63rd year of independence from colonial rule, with the theme of “communal harmony and peaceful co-existence towards progress” as appropriately expressed in this recently released video.

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.

The Hardest Word: Sorry!

Time.com columnist Ling Woo Lui dissects the significance of saying sorry, following the California legislature’s approval of a bill to apologize for the racist laws directed against Chinese Americans since the mid-1800’s.

“What's in an apology? Some expressions of remorse are commonplace—we hear them on the playground when kids smack each other on the head, or they land in your inbox after a friend forgets your birthday. It's the grand-scale apologies, it seems, that are harder to come by.”

The formal apology comes more than a century and a half late.  The California Gold Rush precipitated an influx of Chinese migrant workers who were paid less and thereby resented by the local work force who of course had stronger political clout.  The state then enacted laws not only depriving the Chinese to work in the public sector and to own land or property, they were also barred to marry or testify against Whites in courts.  How contemptible was that!  (See related post “Happy Juneteenth”)

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?

First Chinese American Woman in Congress: Are we still in the sixties?

Judy Chu joins Congress today following her wide lead victory in a special election.  Representing the 32nd District of California, Miss Chu replaces Hilda Solis who is now U.S. Labor Secretary.  The 59-year old San Gabriel Valley Democrat takes on this new role after a long career in politics spanning 24 years.  (See details in today's LA Times.)

This is encouraging news signaling how Asian Americans have continued to come out of the shadows to front and center in today's electoral landscape.  Yet it is also shocking that such a milestone did not come any sooner, considering Rep. Chu was barely a year old when an Asian American (Dalip Singh Saund of California) was first elected to Congress in 1956.  More than half a decade ago, Asian American visibility is still coming out the fringes.

It was in the 60’s and 70’s that a series of firsts trickled into our historical records.  In 1962, Hiram Fong of Hawaii became the first Asian American senator elected into Congress.  Two years later, Patsy Takemoto Mink also from Hawaii became the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress.  I just wish similar firsts could have happened shortly thereafter.

Judy Chu now joins the roster of Asian Americans currently serving in the U.S. Congress:

Senate

• Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii (Dem), 1963–
• Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii (Dem), 1990–
• Sen. John Ensign of Nevada (Rep), 2001–

House of Representatives

• Rep. Robert C. Scott of Virginia (Dem), 1993–
• Rep. David Wu of Oregon (Dem), 1998–
• Rep. Mike Honda of California (Dem), 2001–
• Rep. Doris Matsui of California (Dem), 2005–
• Rep. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (Dem), 2007–
• Rep. Steve Austria of Ohio (Dem), 2009–
• Rep. Joseph" Cao of Louisiana (Rep), 2009–
• Rep. Judy Chu of California (Dem), 2009–

On Blue Bayou

President Obama announces this morning the nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General.  Describing her qualifications and background, the president alludes to a little known town in Alabama where the doctor left her mark.  “None has been more pertinent to today's challenges or closer to Regina's heart than the rural health clinic that she has built and rebuilt in Bayou La Batre.”

The president expounds, “Bayou La Batre is a rural town of about 2,500 people. It's a shrimping town, where a lot of folks work for themselves, scrape by, and can't usually afford health insurance.”  He added how interesting the town’s demography is “because you've got whites, blacks and Asians in this community. There are a lot of Laotians and Cambodians who have moved there and are a part of this shrimping town.”

Apart from the devastating damage Hurricane Katrina has brought to this area and how inspiring leaders like Dr. Regina Benjamin continues to contribute to its recovery, Bayou La Batre is also significant landmark for early Asian Americans.  In her book, “Survivors”, Sucheng Chan shares how Asian workers were brought in to this town to supplant the prevailing core of workers then, African Americans.  Divide and conquer!  “Owners and managers like employees from Indochina because they are concerned about the relative ease of controlling various groups of workers.” 

Likewise, Miss Chen describes the move as part of a campaign to bolster the industry’s suffering image in the wake of increased health consciousness in the late 70’s.  Perhaps, lack of compliance to FDA regulations was more prevalent then than they are now.  The plant owners have capitalized on this new awareness by conveying the message that “their plants were utterly clean even if they employed Indochinese workers.”

Dr. Regina Benjamin’s hope to be “America's family physician” will hopefully be realized if confirmed as Surgeon General.  We all will need to follow through her assurance that “no one, [she repeats] no one falls through the cracks” in this administration’s goal of providing health care to all.  We owe such supportive vigilance to the people of Bayou La Batre, given their history as a racial cauldron once subjected to such unapologetically unjust agitation.

Happy Juneteenth

The appearance of a hearse in a parade momentarily brings heads scratching when they first catch a first glimpse of it as it inches down Main Street.  A few chuckles of anticipation turns to a burst of cheers and applause as the funeral car reveals a sign strategically attached to the rear window, “Slavery is dead.”  Similar parades commemorate Juneteenth nationwide.  It is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery.  Its observance has drawn a wider following in recent years with organizers invoking its principles of self-development and respect not only for African Americans but also for all cultures.

Recent developments have added greater significance to this year’s celebration.  The Senate has just passed a resolution apologizing for slavery so that “so they can move forward and seek reconciliation, justice, and harmony for all people of the United States.”  The Senate apology comes belatedly, 136 years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation—that’s about three times longer than it took the government to apologize to interned Japanese Americans during World War II after their release.

The recent resolution does not include reparations, and in fact carries a disclaimer that “nothing in the resolution authorizes or supports reparations for slavery.”  Considering the reparation payment for each Japanese American interned during the war amounts to a ridiculous $20,000 per individual interned, the act itself somehow serves only to devalue the cost of incarceration due to "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."  There is no monetary value that we can justly associate with upholding the truths we now hold evident.

But of greatest significance to this year’s Juneteenth commemoration is this.  We have bestowed upon a man who personifies everyone with a history of enslavement and bondage in injustice here in the greatest country in the world the job to lead us as the most powerful man in the world.  Priceless!

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.