Asians in America : Magazine

Listen to an Interview with the First Chinese-American Woman to Enter Congress

By NPR | July 23 2009

Making history after coming a long way, Judy Chu sits down with National Public Radio to discuss the long road now behind and in front of her.

California Democrat Judy Chu last week became the first Chinese-American woman to enter Congress. Chu, 56, was sworn in Thursday and represents the 32nd Congressional District of California. In a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Labor Secretary Labor Hilda Solis, Chu won with nearly 62 percent of the vote.

The newly-minted Congresswoman talks about her journey from school board member to Capitol Hill and winning a district of majority Hispanic voters.

To listen to the full interview, visit NPR's site.

The 2008 National Asian American Survey - A Post-Election Report in New York City

Press Release | July 21 2009

Looking at the role of Asian American voters in last year's election and understanding these results' larger implications.

Data on Asian American political behavior and policy preferences will be released in New York City on July 22, 2009. The National Asian American Survey, conducted in the fall of 2008, will be presenting new findings that highlight the importance of Asian Americans to the political process and to policy debates. They will discuss voter mobilization and turnout, political participation beyond voting, and also present findings on:

-civic engagement
-interracial attitudes and coalition polictics
-discrimination and hate crimes
-policy items like health care and immigration

The initial release in the fall of 2008 showed a majority of the Asian American eligible voters still undecided about their presidential pick. NAAS researchers documented the population's presidential preferences and the differences of opinion among its specific groups. The data also revealed the pivotal role Asian Americans could play in U.S. presidential races, given their significant presence in battleground states and swing states, and indications that, with a notable percentage of that population undecided, their vote was up for grabs.

DATE: Wednesday, July 22 , 2009
TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 20 Eighth Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10018-1405

For more information, visit www.apiavote.org.

China dismisses links to engineer convicted in US of economic espionage

By the Associated Press | July 21 2009

Passed on trade secrets said to be false.

China on Tuesday denied links to a Chinese-born engineer who was convicted in the U.S. last week of stealing trade secrets for China during his 30-year career at Boeing and Rockwell International.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a brief statement the charges against former Boeing Co. engineer Dongfan "Greg" Chung were "fabricated."

"The allegations about a Chinese person stealing trade secrets in the U.S. for China is purely fabricated out of ulterior motives," the statement said.

A federal judge in California found Chung guilty of six counts of economic espionage and other charges for hoarding 300,000 pages of sensitive documents in his home, including information about the U.S. space shuttle and a booster rocket.

Chung, 73, could face up to 90 years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for November. His defense attorney said he planned to appeal.

The full article can be found here.

Obama cautioned on talks with Philippine President

By Pia Lee-Brago for The Philippine Star | July 21 2009

Clarifying the terms of the ties between allies.

While President Arroyo’s meeting at the White House next week will be an opportunity for US President Barack Obama to reaffirm RP-US ties, a US think tank urged Obama to be “clear” about what he will say to his counterpart so it will not be interpreted as support for unconstitutional extension of her term or a change in the Constitution to allow her continued leadership.

Walter Lohman, director of the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation, said in his analysis “Time for the Administration to Turn to Substance in Southeast Asia” that Thailand and the Philippines are democracies whose people have the freedom to change their governments through the ballot box.

Lohman said a continued leadership of Arroyo, who is savaged in the press on a daily basis and every year she is put through the paces of an impeachment vote, will have destabilizing impact on the Philippines.

He said several factors tie the US more closely to the Philippines than any other country in Southeast Asia: a long, shared history of struggle, the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, current cooperation against terrorists in Mindanao, and even extensive family connections.

“President Arroyo’s meeting at the White House will be an opportunity for President Obama to reaffirm these ties. He should also be clear, however, that his respect for President Arroyo is grounded in the constitutional order of the Philippines and the office she holds,” Lohman said.

Read the full article at www.philstar.com.

Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009

News Release | July 21 2009

Recognizing an important bill that addresses literacy in immigrant communities and extends the opportunity for the growth of more English language learning classes.

The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) commends Congressman Mike Honda for introducing the Strengthen and Unite Communities with Civics Education and English Skills Act of 2009. The bill would provide much-needed assistance to populations that are limited English proficient (LEP), allowing these vulnerable community members to learn English, integrate more quickly and fully into American society and maximize their social and economic contributions to our society.

"This bill is extremely important for the Asian American community," said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. "Nationally, one in three Asian Americans is limited English proficient, and one in four Asian American households is linguistically isolated, meaning that everyone over the age of 14 speaks English less than very well."

In 2006, AAJC produced the groundbreaking report, Adult Literacy Education in Immigrant Communities: Identifying Policy and Program Priorities for Helping Newcomers Learn English. The report found that, as immigration to the United States has increased, funding for English language learning (ELL) classes has failed to keep pace with the growing demand for those classes.

The bill provides community-based solutions that will accelerate the integration of newcomers through increasing resources for English language acquisition, civics and basic education programs. The Bill also expands the capacity of schools and communities to respond to the demands of English language learners by ensuring adequate funding for schools and providing vital technical assistance to state and local communities.

To download the AAJC's report, and to get more information on the bill, visit www.advancingequality.org.

The White House Welcomes Actor Kal Penn

By Natasha T. Metzler for the Associated Press | July 7 2009

A familiar face to television and the big screen, the Indian-American actor steps into his new political role in the Office of Public Liaison, with the hopes of bridging the gaps between the administration and A/P/A populations of the U.S..

Actor Kal Penn started a new job Monday as a liaison between the White House and Asian communities.

The Indian-American actor is taking a break from Hollywood to work as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, with a focus on connecting President Barack Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Penn had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and starred in several films including "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and its sequel, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"

Penn, who backed Obama during the campaign, said the new job has nothing to do with his life as an actor.

"I expect to be treated just like any other staff member," he told reporters on a conference call.

To read the full article, visit this website.

First Asian American ComiCon + Exclusive Offer

News Release | July 7 2009

In the first convention of its kind, artists and fans examine and discuss how Asian Americans find a home in the wide world of comics!

This Saturday, July 11th, the newly opened Museum of Chinese in America, alongside Secret Identities Universe Media, Asian American Writers’ Workshop, Asian CineVision, AsianAmericanComics.com. NYU Asian/Pacific/American Institute and Diamond Comics Distributors, presents a day-long event that explores the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of comics and graphic fiction.

Unlike most comic cons, AACC is designed as a full-day experience, giving you the chance to listen to, learn from and engage with top creators in both casual and structured settings. In fact, you might want to think of the "Con" in Asian American ComiCon as representing not "convention," but "conference"—or even "conversation."

The event, which lasts from 10AM-5PM will bring together leading Asian and Asian American creators, fans and readers of mainstream and alternative graphic fiction, and the larger Asian American community for a one-of-a-kind gathering, incorporating education, dialogue, spontaneous creativity, intergenerational outreach and the chance for established and emerging talent to show off their work.

As media sponsors for the AAC, we have the privilege of extending a very special discount admission offer to you, our readers. Click this link www.secretidentities.org/aacc/AACCAIANY to take advantage of these exclusive prices!

Officials Want to Rename Street: Jose Rizal Who?

By NBC Los Angeles | June 28 2009

Debate is sparked over the possible renaming of a California street in honor of Philippine historical figure and national hero.

Some residents along Moneta Avenue in Carson are bewildered by the identity of the man whose name soon appear on their mail, drivers license and official identity, it was reported Sunday.

A Carson city councilman wants to honor Jose Rizal, a freedom-fighter executed in Manila in 1896, by renaming Moneta Avenue. But the Daily Breeze reports that nearly everyone on the street says they have never heard of the Philippine liberation hero.

Moneta Avenue would become Jose Rizal Avenue under a proposal by councilman Elito Santarina, a Filipino-American. Many people living along Moneta Venie say they have never heard of Rizal and have no desire to change their address, their identification, and identity to honor the hero of another nation.

To read the full article, go to NBC Los Angeles.

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Expands Multi-Lingual Website

News Release | June 25 2009

Access to housing programs by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been made easier by their updated website, whose information can now be found in Arabic, Cambodian, Farsi, Portuguese, Tagalog, and other languages. "When buying or renting a home, obtaining important housing information should not depend on how well people speak English," said John Trasvina, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).

The HUD site offers brochures on fair housing, model lease agreements, information about HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and a Resident Rights and Responsibilities brochure in various languages. These documents are free to the public.

The Limited English Proficiency website is in response to Executive Order 13166, which requires all federal, local and state agencies that receive federal funding to ensure that people with limited language skills have meaningful access to government programs and services.

FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate approximately 10,500 housing discrimination complaints annually.

For additional information, go here.

If Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Does Twittering Count?

By Michelle Geslani for Asians in American Magazine | June 25 2009

The internet has spread the news of Iran's political turmoil faster than actual word of mouth and quicker than major news outlets could send out correspondents. The question now is whether or not our generation's fixation with social networking via the interweb will translate into real activism and real change.

Apparently a popular equation online amidst Iran's election has been "Tiananmen + Twitter = Tehran," which obviously places a heavy emphasis on the idea that Twittering (or tweeting) has rounded up hundreds and thousands of people behind those protesting Iranians who feel robbed of their voices with the supposed re-election of Ahmadinejad.

It's true- everyday I receive at least 10 "Twitter updates" referring to online petitions I can sign, graphic icons I can create, and listservs I can join, all to show my support. Sometimes as I'm scrolling through them, I feel an indescribable sense of community, as if simply by reading I am declaring "Yes! I'm with you!" But to be honest, the sensation is fleeting.