Asians in America : Magazine

California Apologizes to Chinese Americans

By Ling Woo Lui for TIME | July 23 2009

A local government recognizes its mistakes of the past and seeks to make amends.

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.

On July 17, the California legislature quietly approved a landmark bill to apologize to the state's Chinese-American community for racist laws enacted as far back as the mid–19th century Gold Rush, which attracted about 25,000 Chinese from 1849 to 1852. The laws, some of which were not repealed until the 1940s, barred Chinese from owning land or property, marrying whites, working in the public sector and testifying against whites in court. The new bill also recognizes the contributions Chinese immigrants have made to the state, particularly their work on the Transcontinental Railroad.

The apology is the latest in a wave of official acts of remorse around the globe. In 2006, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a similar apology, expressing regret to Chinese Canadians for unequal taxes imposed on them in the late 19th century. Last February, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized to his country's Aborigines for racist laws of the past, including the forced separation of children from their parents. Five months later, the U.S. Congress formally apologized to black Americans for slavery and the later Jim Crow laws, which were not repealed until the 1960s. And most notably, in 1988 the U.S. government decided to pay $20,000 to each of the surviving 120,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned in camps during World War II. Says Donald Tamaki, a San Francisco–based attorney who helped overturn wrongful WWII-era convictions of Japanese Americans: "Part of what a humane society does is recognize past injustices and address them."

To continue reading the full article, visit TIME.

Inside the 32nd Asian American International Film Festival

By Michelle Geslani for Asians in America magazine | July 23 2009

Running over the course of three decades, this festival is one impassioned and shaped as much by its historical past, as by its contemporary progressiveness. With an unwavering eye for activism and the power of storytelling, Asian CineVision is prepared to showcase its best and most dynamic collection. How so? Read on.

“We are the center,” said Liliana Chen, the Executive Director of the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), when describing both the longevity of the festival and its influence on the other 16-20 similar events scattered throughout the country who have “emulated” its original model.

The center, indeed, because as it stands, the AAIFF, which is produced by Asian CineVision, a nonprofit media-arts organization whose roots are in activism, is the longest running festival of its kind with this year being its 32nd.

Beginning today, July 23, and running throughout the weekend here in New York City,
the AAIFF will be showcasing some of the best independent feature and short films done by Asian Americans and about the Asian American community.

After scouring far and wide for submissions, and then going through a rigorous screening and selection process, AAIFF’s lineup over the next four days is brimming with unbridled talent and an almost boundless list of topics such as education, gentrification, unemployment and even outsourcing. Underlying many of the selected films is a characteristic so central to each one’s impact and message.

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.

Nick Carbo: Chinese, Japanese, What Are These?

By Barbara Jane for Hyphen Magazine | July 13 2009

A Filipino American poet unleashes his critique on American intolerance and monoculturalism in his latest book.

There is something heartbreaking about Filipino American poet Nick Carbo's latest collection of poetry, provocatively titled Chinese, Japanese, What Are These? For those of you not in the know, the book's title references the xenophobic children's rhyme, "Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, what are these?" The gestures accompanying said rhyme include using one's hands to stretch the eyes, hence making the "chinky eye." The movement corresponding to "What are these?" is to show or motion towards the breasts, exaggerating their size.

Into the text we go, beginning with the death of the poetic speaker's mother. This is the beginning of the heartbreak; the speaker has come unmoored, from family, from a home base, and finds anchor instead in language. Chinese, Japanese, What Are These? is a largely multilingual text in which the poet and the poetic speaker can only truly communicate by moving in and out of English, in that space where meaning can get lost with translation.

In "Fukujoshi," we are told various cultures' terms for death during orgasm. "Fukujoshi," he tells us, means, "death atop the stomach." He believes Bruce Lee died this way. Here, Carbo gives our Asian American male icon not just sexuality, but eroticism.

To read the full article, go to Hyphen's website.

Tidbit Review from New York Asian Film Festival

By Michelle Geslani for AIA magazine | July 13 2009

Looking at Japan's dramatic take on the media blitz surrounding a national tragedy.

This review is coming a bit late, as the NYAFF ended over a week ago. (If you've forgotten what this festival is all about, read up on a previous post.)

But it's better late than never!

Climber's High directed by Masato Harada and starring Shin’ichi Tsutsumi, Masato Sakai, and Machiko Ono is a movie exploring the inside of a newsroom as the 1985 Japan Airlines crash unfolds. I'll be the first to admit that film is not my forte, but this Japanese work had me eagerly waiting for what came next. While the tragedy itself was an epic headline during the time, the event is not the main focus of the movie; but rather a poignant, yet heart-stopping sort of backdrop for the main actors, whose job is to report the news better and faster than other competing newspapers.

Free Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown

Press Release | July 7 2009

Celebrating Filipino American history by uncovering a rich past in an unlikely spot.

What is Filipino about Historic Filipinotown? The Filipino American Library (FAL), in partnership with the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council, and the Office of Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, answers the question in its Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, August 1 during the 2009 Historic Filipinotown Festival and 5k Run/Walk.

The FAL Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown, narrated by a knowledgeable tour guide, will cover significant sites, events, and individuals in and around Historic Filipinotown, providing a rich historical overview of Filipinos in Los Angeles. The tour is part of the 7th anniversary of Historic Filipinotown.

Comments from past attendees of the FAL Community Tours of Historic Filipinotown: “Before the tour I didn’t even know about Historic Filipinotown. I didn’t know there was such a deep history of Filipinos in Los Angeles.” “It was very informative and points out all the important landmarks that we wouldn't have known.” “The tour was fascinating and informative. I enjoyed the whole experience.”

FAL is the earliest and largest Filipino library in the country and its mission is to provide access to information and knowledge through the collection, preservation, and dissemination of a unique collection of Filipino American and Filipino reading material to those that seek knowledge.

To learn more about these tours and Historic Filipinotown, visit FAL's website.

Kababayan Fest Draws 30,000

Press Release | July 7 2009

Filipinos celebrate history, performance art, food and more in one of the country's largest cultural festivals.

Kababayan Fest is one of the largest Filipino festivals on the West Coast.This year we are holding it at California’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA on Saturday, July 11th, 2009. This all day event attracts more than 30,000 people to the theme parks in which Kababayan Fest is held each year. It is an all day event comprising of headliner acts, singers, dancers, cultural exhibits, local organizations, vendors, and Filipino heritage.

Admission is only $35.99 and includes Free Admission to the festival including a Free Kababayan Fest T-Shirt if purchased before July 10th, 2009. Only available if purchased through the KababayanFest.com website link.

For more information, check out www.kababayanfest.com.

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!

The ‘Cornerstone’ is Laid: Education center will house documents of the Nisei veterans and their families

By Melissa Tanji for The Maui News | June 30 2009

World War II veterans are remembered through oral stories and archived material such as scrapbooks, all of which will be housed in a brand new $1.4 million education center in Wailuku, Hawaii.

Ground was broken on the "cornerstone" and final phase of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center's "living memorial" in Wailuku on Monday afternoon.

The Nisei (second-generation Japanese-Americans), their children and supporters, along with county and state officials, gathered for the blessing of the grounds for the center's education building, which will join the center's existing senior citizen care facility, operated by Maui Adult Day Care Centers, and preschool, operated by Kansha Preschool.

The education center, which is expected to be completed in 10 months, will house a classroom/workroom along with a long-awaited archive room to hold oral histories from the veterans as well as photographs, documents and personal scrapbooks kept by soldiers and their families during World War II.

"The education center was our main focus, or the cornerstone of the project. That's how it started," said Leonard Oka, founder of Maui's Sons and Daughters of Nisei Veterans and center board member.

Read the full article here.

Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of EWP, Receives Irvine Leadership Award

By AsianWeek Staff Report | June 28 2009

Because of Tim Dang, Asian American culture and talent frequently find a cozy home on a theater stage in front of multicultural audiences.

East West Players in Los Angeles is the nation’s oldest professional theater of color in operation today. An estimated 75 percent of Los Angeles-based Asian American dramatic artists have made a presence there, including Tony Award winning B.D. Wong, Star Trek star George Takei and the Indian-American actor and House co-star, Kal Penn.

But its greatest achievements of the last decade, under the leadership of artistic director Tim Dang, have had less to do with star power on stage than with the people watching them. Dang has guided East West Players’ evolution from a 99-seat experimental theater into a full-fledged regional theater, based in a 240-seat venue. East West Players has become a multicultural hub, where diverse audiences come together for thought-provoking performances reflecting a broad spectrum of human experience.

To access the full article, go here.