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Hey, this is Annie from all the way from Hong Kong. Yes, I am abroad, as a former AAA member asked my good friend and Barnard VP for AAA, Ai-Lin today. But wanted to bring forth an article that hit the front page of the NYTimes Page today. This has been happening for years: Mandarin is eclipsing Cantonese as the dominant spoken language in Chinatown! An influx in the Mandarin-speaking population as well as an increasing interest in learning the Mandarin language have shifted demographics. Cantonese, for those who are unfamiliar with Chinese languages, is a dialect of Souther China; Mandarin is the official language of China, and the two are quite different dialects. While the written characters are the same for the most part, the dialects are such that a Cantonese speaker may not understand a Mandarin speaker, and vice versa. In addition, many of those in Chinatown are Taishan speakers: Taishan is a dialect of Cantonese which Cantonese speakers may not understand!

Now why am I concerned? Part of it is a personal reason; Chinatown is where I was born and raised, and still consider home today. I've grown up using my broken Cantonese/Taishanese to buy groceries, wander around, talk to my parents, etc. Put in context, my parents are Taishanese, and speak Cantonese. My mother speaks a bit of Mandarin, while I believe my dad does not understand it at all. As the article mentions, historically it was Cantonese speakers who immigrated to this country and made lives here. Chinatown, especially, is a place where one can make friends, connections, a living, and generally have all you need-- without learning another language. We've seen problems at the voting polls because of language barriers and limited resources (side note: you all should consider helping AALDEF on Election Day with its Poll Voting Survey! more information is linked). This already underrepresented group (albeit increasing in awareness and political clout) is beginning to be alienated from its home, Chinatown!

And it's not just a problem in Chinatown; this has worldwide implications for whole groups of people who've lived their lives with only one language. In Hong Kong already, there are schooling shifts to teaching Mandarin and English, as Cantonese is not as widely used, primarily only used in Southern China. (The Chinese dept. at the University of Hong Kong, on a side note, only teaches beginning Cantonese to exchange students, while Mandarin is available through an intermediate level). Now I am not saying demographic shifts or the teaching of different languages are a bad thing; Chinatown was once a Jewish and Italian neighborhood, and I understand completely the role of cultural diffusion. What I am saying is that something needs to be done to make sure these communities are not alienated and eventually endangered or exploited. This is especially applicable to the Asian-American community, which has such a diverse number of languages. I understand it may be inevitable that Chinatown shifts in languages as more Mandarin speakers arrive in America, but yeah, I'll be helping my dad translate throughout. I just hope that if and when Chinatown and other places like it change, as is inevitable, that others will be helping those like my dad, my fellow Chinatown-ers and those beyond its limits.

Please help out by filling out this survey!
Hi,
As a PhD student in counseling psychology at Columbia University, I am currently working on my dissertation regarding the Asian American experience with racial microaggression (a contemporary form of racism). I was wondering if it would be possible to send out the survey link/following email through your listserv/blog or post it on your website?
Thanks for helping to further research on racism against Asian Americans!

Annie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Asian American participant,

As a PhD student in counseling psychology, I am currently recruiting Asian American participants for a study on experience with racial microaggression. The data collected will assist researchers and educators in understanding how Asian Americans experience modern forms of racial discrimination.

Your participation is completely voluntary and confidential. There is minimal to no physical or psychological risk involved in this study. The survey should take about 20 minutes.
Please forward this survey link to as many of your Asian American friends/family/colleagues/listservs as you can and ask them to forward this on.
If you have any questions about the survey/research, feel free to email me at ail2103@columbia.edu.
Thanks in advance!
Annie

I am utterly stunned and captured by Varun Gulati's (SEAS '10) response to a column posted in the Spec by Rajat Roy. In his column, Roy makes some strong criticisms regarding the existence of "cultural" groups on Columbia's campus, and how they can sometimes be too insular to merit their funding.

Race was, is, and always will be a divisive issue on this campus. However, we have created a new word that doesn’t spark as much controversy but means essentially the same thing to the layman (and yes, even though we are Columbia students, we, for the most part, are still laymen). This word has some truly nefarious implications, and at Columbia, we have seen how big an issue it can be.

This word is—“Culture.”

I am not joking. “Culture” is causing more harm than good at Columbia. Let me clarify—culture in and of itself is inherently good. Every person needs to be cultured and be exposed to other cultures. However, Columbia does “Culture” in a way that only hurts the overall community. It wouldn’t cost that much in terms of man-hours or money to rectify this situation. In fact, changing this could increase the amount of money available to all students.

And Gulati puts him into perspective.

From the explicit identification as “cultural” within each constitution, cultural groups under the Activities Board at Columbia received only 4.4 percent of student life fees for clubs, the equivalent of less than $7 from each undergraduate. Especially in recent years, these groups have made extraordinary efforts to create collaborative programs and outreach to the entire Columbia community with little funding, contrary to the insinuation that an organization’s “worth” is entirely dependent on its funding.

Through five major cultural showcases in the 2008-2009 academic year, nearly 3,000 students, families, professors, administrators, and New Yorkers were given a glimpse into the communities that make up the diverse cultural fabric of Columbia University. The real problem here is not the lack of open cultural events, but the unawareness and apathy towards these hundreds of events. Ultimately, this causes the perpetuation of repulsively ignorant statements, including “’Culture’ is really a definition of insularism where people of the same group can meet and hook up.”

Bigoted generalizations such as these inappropriately dismiss the genuine interest of the thousands of students who engage in events thrown by the cultural organizations, none of which are exclusive in membership or attendance. To label these groups’ funding needs as unworthy or their intentions as incestuous is oppressive and insensitive. [emphasis mine]

Though Roy does give examples of "cultural" groups that, in his view, make good use of their funding allocations, I can't view as legitimate the argument that "insular" groups don't deserve their funding. What kind of campus culture would we have if we could only experience the "cultures" of those who could successfully market and sell them to their peers? Shouldn't we also value the groups whose priority is to support constituencies that experience a lack of resources or representation?

Hey, all: this is Annie, all the way from Hong Kong catching you up on the latest news. It still baffles me somehow to see so many Asians in office here in Hong Kong, as I'm generally not used to the sight back in New York or in America in general. I'm taking a class here called "Hong Kong and the World," which is all about Hong Kong's role in this globalizing world; it's been really interesting so far. I recently got to hear Margaret Ng, Legislative Councillor, speak about rule of law over here in Hong Kong and the ever-confusing Chinese influence on Hong Kong (well, at least to me: I have a lot to learn). But enough about Hong Kong. Here's the real news:

I found out via multiple Facebook postings/statuses/etc. that John Liu recently won his runoff election against David Yassky (as the Times reports)! While the poll sites were pretty empty on the 29th (as is typically the case for runoffs), Liu won convincingly, beating Yassky 56-44, and will face Joseph Mendola in November to become Comptroller, the equivalent of the city's accountant. Although Liu's rival for Comptroller, Joseph Mendola, is a Columbia Law School graduate himself, I'm sure the Columbia Blaaag crew would agree with me that it'd be much more interesting to see NYC's first Asian council member become NYC's first Asian-American comptroller. Congrats, Liu! (Although a Daily News editorial doesn't seem so quick to congratulate him or his campaign financing)

Hey everyone! This is Laura, AAA's current political chair. I know this post is coming a little late, but I just wanted to officially announce that Columbia has been named one of ten best colleges/universities for AAPI students by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP)!!!
On September 24th, APAP, in association with Angry Asian Man, recognized Columbia for "holding the institution accountable to its campus community and getting active in the surrounding community to make a difference." Columbia's student activism, including 2007's hunger strike, the campaign for worker's rights at Saigon Grill, and action regarding an arrest of a Korean student marked with racial slurs are highlighted. The post also mentions Columbia students' work with AALDEF and AAA's AAPI high school leadership conference, Crossroads.
A huge thanks to everyone who nominated us! I feel extremely lucky to be AAA's political chair at a university with such strong commitments to student activism and community service.
You can check out the article here and here.
Other colleges/universities recognized include Dartmouth College, UCLA, University of Southern California, Oberlin College, University of Massachusetts at Boston, UPENN, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Loyola Marymount University, and Pitzer College.



As many of you probably already know (via the Times), City Councilmen John C. Liu of Queens and David Yassky of Brooklyn ran for New York City comptroller on Tuesday September 15th. If elected, Liu would become the first Asian American to hold this office. He led the primaries at 38% of the vote, just short of the 40% required to avoid a runoff. Yassky took second with 30%, while Councilwoman Melinda Katz of Queens was third with 20% and Councliman David Weprin of Queens was fourth with 12%.

It has been a competitive race, with the candidates raising $10 million between the four of them. Compare this with the $5 million spent on 2001's election for the same position. Unfortunately, like Liu said in a Chinatown dining hall, "I gotta ask you for two more weeks." I guess we'll have to wait and see!


Congratulations to Dartmouth for being one of APAP (APA for Progress) and Angry Asian Man's "Best Colleges and Universities for AAPI Students!" Among other things, Dartmouth is cited for its student involvement in various intiatives in coalition-building, furthering the institutionalization of Asian American Studies, and community service. What I am personally most jealous about is the (hott with two T's) list of Asian American stars they've hosted: Helen Zia, Maxine Hong Kingston, Gary Okihiro, Captain and Chaplain James Yee, Valerie Kaur, Mari Matsuda, Frank Wu, Shilpa Dave, Margaret Cho, David Choe, the Slant Performance Group, and Lisa Lowe. C'mon Columbia, we've got some catchin' up to do! [There will be plenty of this at CultureSHOCK, in case you were wondering...]

So, way to go Dartmouth! But for those of you who are thinking, "Let's take 'em down," take a moment to nominate COLUMBIA!

NOTE: For the full article about Dartmouth from the APAP website, click here.

Hong Kong!

Hello, all! So as I, Annie, mentioned last entry, I'm going to be a correspondent in Hong Kong this semester. I have arrived! It's my second day here: I've so far gone through a ton of Hong Kong, and it's pretty great. I love the in-your-face buildings that are always 20+ floors high, kind of like a taller New York. But I also love the green mountains that are always in the background, a reminder that amongst all the busy urban life, there's also a need to remember the smaller things in life, the natural things that, while so obvious sometimes, need to be remembered. And of course, there are many more things, but that would take a long time to explain.

Anyways, I am very interested in all the things I'll be doing here, and, more importantly, how I can relate it back to things that I know, including American things. Amongst all the stores and businesses stacked amongst one another are McDonalds, Burger Kings, KFCs, and a sea of people that, as my cousin on my dad's side put it, really like wearing clothes with English words, no matter what they say (you'll see like KCIMEY SOUME shirts and KNIE shoes back in China, for example. Interesting). And very different lifestyles, philosophies on things that I've already seen. And college life at the University of Hong Kong will be quite different.

I need to catch up on my New York news. I feel so out of the loop now haha, and it's only been two days.

Anyways, enjoy the rest of summer! I'll keep updating.

-Annie

Hey, all. My name's Annie, and I'm the Event Advisor of AAA as well as a new blogger for the BlAAAg! I'll be our resident Hong Kong person for awhile, as I'll be abroad for the semester. But for now, I blog from Chinatown, NYC, where voting, immigration, gentrification, and so many other issues still apply, as throughout the world still (and you better not forget it!). I thought I'd write an entry as summer winds down, and thank y'all who've been reading this blog for quite some time, even through these cool summer months. I'll be writing periodically about things happening in the HK; I'll elab more once I'm there (the 19th is approaching!)

Anyways, it was big news when Euna Lee and Laura Ling, journalists who crossed the border to N. Korea so many months ago, were freed last Wednesday: it was the first article on the NYTimes site for a day and a half, woot! Bill Clinton made a 20-hour private visit over to North Korea and spoke to Kim Jong Il, supposedly just on humanitarian issues (but who knows what could have gone on there). Anyways, Il gave a special "pardon" to the two, who had been there since mid-March. The video of their return was pretty damn emotional.



As for US-Asian relations, who knows how this can affect things. Sure, the Obama admin. has been claiming that Bill went on his own and that they had no say in it, but there must've been some approval by the White House to get the girls out. North Korea, too, has been given its share of good press, which has been rare for the isolationist and expanding nation. Perhaps this'll be the beginning of resuming and progressing talks btwn. the UN and North Korea, which has been threatened with so, so many sanctions in the past. But for both sides, this looked pretty darn good. We'll see.

It's been cause for celebration, too, not just for the families of the journalists and the U.S. government. This has been huge news, too, for a good portion of the Asian-American community in America who've been keeping an eye on this story for quite a while. For some months, I was beginning to think that the two could be there for years. What could that have said about U.S. policy? I wonder, too, what this story could mean for a lot of the community out there in the future. But hey, we'll see again.

Us AAAers (yes, we still talk, despite the summer recess) kept touch about it, and our VP from Barnard suggested a celebration once people return to campus! Yay! But we'll stay in touch about that...and cultureSHOCK... and OCM apps... and other things and events, as we've been planning for the new school year. Stay tuned to this blog, our upcoming Twitter page, our Facebook group, for more and more updates!

-where it's A.T.

Yesterday was the Third Annual Hate Crimes Prevention Art Exhibit, presented by OCA-New York and coordinated by our great friend and Blaaag-writer Ryan Fukumori / Heiroku. A bad night and some bodily ailments left me unable to go at the last minute (sorry, Ryan!), and no word yet on whether or not fellow writer David went, but those of you who are in New York and heard about the art exhibit - Did you go? How was it? Was New York City Councilman (and Comptroller Candidate) John Liu fantastically vague and diplomatic as usual? Did our dear friend Taiyo do a good job of counteracting that by being provocative and saying too much (which, I think, is how it should be done)? What were students' art work like? Did it inspire any new thoughts or emotions in you?

If you remember our last (and only) Senior Profile post back in May, then you already know that our beloved '09ers have trouble responding to Blaaag-related requests. We still love them, but with a bit of added sadness that they're holding out on the awesome stories (which we know exist; we've partied with them, after all).

Name, school
Nhu-Y Ngo, Columbia College

Hometown
Lincoln, Nebraska (technically Hue, Vietnam--I'm transnational, baby)

Greatest achievement
Being the first in my family to graduate from college and being a somewhat respectable role model for my three younger siblings. And inciting dance offs at Curry in a Hurry and NYCAASC, respectively.

Most hilarious anecdote from student organizing
I once was called an "illegal" at a city council meeting in Fremont, Nebraska. My absurd sense of humor makes me think its hilarious. Tragic, a bit, but totes hilarious.

Favorite yearly/semesterly tradition
How insane/irrational/illogical/ridiculous everyone becomes during finals/term paper season, so much so that they don't mind my painful cries (known in the AAAPC circle as "Ngoises").

Fondest memory of AAA/PC

The late night runs to Hamilton Deli, and the lovely friends I have made. Awwwzz. And when some of us drove non-stop from New York to Atlanta for NAASCon...and back. The Cracker Barrel stops along the way were worth it.

Favorite neighborhood haunt

I really like La Negrita, day and night. Though it has poor lighting for reading during the day.

Your weakness or poison, five words or less

Saji's chicken katsu

The name of your future dissertation

I'm not sure, but I know it will most likely involve Beyonce and immigration history.

What you'll miss most and least about Barnard/Columbia, post-grad

I'll definitely miss the friends I saw regularly on campus (who are now spread throughout the United States and world, doing a-ma-zing things!), the interesting conversations, the requisite college angst, the time to explore my interests and call it academia, and the four boys & supporters of EC1412. I won't miss the twisted excitement I experienced when the Red Bull promoters rolled up to Columbia with free energy drinks.

Where we can find you in ten years

A few years out of law school and most likely having life crisis number three.

Where we can find you in thirty years

Sipping sweet tea on a porch, hopefully living near a lake with my family, contemplating that life crisis I had twenty years prior, and doing what I love.

Dream occupation(s) other than the one you're pursuing?

I want to be a public interest attorney, but secretly, I want to write for MTV reality TV shows.

Three words of advice for incoming AAA/PC'ers in the 2013 class

1) Take care of yourself. Self-care is extremely important, especially when balancing school, life, activities, relationships, etc. It's good to take time out for yourself.
2) I had some great mentors during my college career, and I encourage you to seek them out. They can be profs, staff, upperclassmen, etc. And once you're an "upperclassmen," mentor others.
3) Obviously, challenge yourself and everything you believe. Don't think in absolutes and dichotomies. Everything is annoyingly nuanced--it'll drive you insane. That's a good thing.

So, I'm kind of a hater. Well, actually, I'm a big hater. But it's mostly out of fun and love. And I totally hated on Blue Scholars a while ago. I'm thinking about it now because I'm listening to them at work as I write some depressing piece on immigrants and the economic downturn, and am thinking about how much I love the self-titled album. I guess what I want to do right now is say I'm sorry--I actually feel bad about that entry now. I felt it a bit last August when I saw Geo and Sabzi open for Hieroglyphics in Omaha, Nebraska (Midwest, holler). And we all have our contradictions and tensions.

Okay, back to work.

I've probably posted about this before, but filmmakers Annabel Park (121 Coalition, an organization to help pass HR 121, the "comfort women" resolution) and Eric Byler (director of Charlotte Sometimes, Americanese) have been working on 9500 Liberty, a documentary about the immigration debate in Virginia. It's been an ongoing YouTube project so far, but hopefully there can be some sort of cinematic feature or whatnot.

They have a new trailer! It's pretty shocking. You really need to just watch it.


A note from AALDEF:

We have scheduled the following big outreach days for our housing needs assessment. Please let us know if you are available to help on any of the days. For the days that we are in Queens, people who can speak all Asian languages are helpful. For the days that we are in Sunset Park and Chinatown, Chinese speakers would be especially useful. But our surveys are translated in many languages so even if your bilingual language ability is very limited, we could use your help. If you can volunteer, please email the person coordinating that day (see below for emails) with (1) the day you can volunteer (2) available times, (3) any language ability, and (4) cell number.

Outreach Days
--Friday, July 17: Jackson Heights, Woodside, Elmhurst (9:30am-5pm) – Email: Tony at choim (at) berea.edu

--Saturday, July 18: Jackson Heights, Woodside, Elmhurst (11am-6pm) – Email Kim at ksarabia (at) indiana.edu

--Sunday, July 19: Sunset Park (11am-6pm) – Email Stephanie at ss3511 (at) barnard.edu

--Saturday, July 25: Sunset Park (11am-3pm) – Email Tony at choim (at) berea.edu

--Friday, July 31: Jackson Heights, Woodside, Elmhurst (11am-7pm) – Email Sulekha at gango20s (at) mtholyoke.edu

--Friday, July 31: Chinatown (11am-7pm) – Email Kim at ksarabia (at) indiana.edu

--Saturday, August 1: Chinatown (11am-6pm) – Email Stephanie at ss3511 (at) barnard.edu

--Sunday, August 2: Sunset Park (11am-6pm) – Email Stephanie at ss3511 (at) barnard.edu

Bethany Y. Li
Equal Justice Works Fellow
bli (at) aaldef.org
212.966.5932 x213

A few months ago, we asked six graduating AAAPC amazians to fill out fairly extensive senior profiles for us. Only one did. Regardless, two months out of school these dedicated and passionate people are doing incredible things left and right.

A brief overview of what some of these '09 graduates are up to... because we can get tired nagging them for their profiles. I'll keep this short and first names only (and in no particular order) so as to keep stalker activity to a minimum.

PC/SAAS members Joanne and Saffiyah are prepping for Teach For America, in the Bronx and New Orleans, respectively. I am reminded they also have a bajonk number of additional affiliations, including NYCAASC and ROOTEd/MSA/APAAM/USCC, respectively.

Fellow Blaaager and NYCAASC/APAAM/SAAS/AdCo/PC matriarch Nhu-Y is working at the Migration Policy Institute. Word out on the street is she might work at somewhere awesome in NYC in the future? (Am I being very careful?)

Fellow Blaaager and APAAM/PC/USCC/NAASCon/lots-of-things member Ryan is working on the Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project, in affiliation with OCA-NY, Ana Luisa Garcia Community Center, SAYA!, and Chinatown Youth Initiatives. We see his web design/Photoshop skills remain in good shape.

Blaaager-wannabe and PC/USCC/NAASCon rock star Christina is an intern for the Applied Research Center. We're seeing some awesome articles by her on Racewire, concerning topics ranging from children's healthcare to hate crimes to Michael Jackson. We only wish she wrote for us when she was here!

PC/SAAS/AdCo member and consummate foodie Jamie is in South Dakota, working for Re-Member, an advocacy organization for the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She's enjoying the vast open space, Midwest thunderstorms, and roving buffalo.

If you're a senior who has yet to send in your profile, please do! We'd love to hear about the little details.


Check this out... new site called PostMimi seeks to be the PostSecret for Asian Americans. It could try to broaden itself a little - "Mimi" is "secret" in Chinese...

Thoughts? Does it help bring out difficult conversations or continues to stigmatize certain issues?

WHOOO!
Stay tuned for: Senior Profiles, graduation notes, end-of-the-year reflections, and more!

A week ago, our friend, ally, and graduating senior Christina Chen forwarded a message from Larry Tantay and Dennis Chin (the man whom I love to give shoutouts), who are participating in the Amazingly Queer Race for Economic Justice, which is a fundraising benefit "for a great cause: fighting poverty and homelessness in the LGBT community. Nurture your inner child, challenge your friends and co-workers, and have fun while supporting the community and drawing some good karma".

Larry and Dennis have been posting vlogs to update friends, family, and lovers on the progress of their fundraising (hint: see 3:55):



The race is on Saturday, May 30th, so be sure to show up and show your support!

Holla for that dolla! Larry and Dennis need $$$ to race!!

A fundraising page by Larry Tantay
Hello family, chosen family, colleagues, lovers, and soon-to-be-lovers,

Our team (the FOBs - Fabulous, Outrageous Bitches) has just registered for the Amazingly Queer Race for Economic Justice.

The race is a competitive scavenger hunt here in NYC for prizes and sweet sweet glory, but most importantly a great cause: challenging and changing the structures and institutions that create poverty and economic injustice in queer communities.

We want to raise $700 for this race and we really need your help to get us there before the deadline, which is in a few days.

Can you give $20 to support this great cause? If you do, we'll give you love in our vlog. Check out our first vlog here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxV_G2MnbuQ

$20 would be great, but anything you can give means so much. You can make your secure donation below.

When we take the prize (which you know we will - I mean, two sexy Asian men with even sexier politics. How could we lose?) we'll be sure to include you in our victory speech.

One time for the Gaysians!

HOLLA!!!!

We love you all,

Dennis & Larry (the FABULOUS, OUTRAGEOUS BITCHESSSS)

Star Trek


Are you wondering why we haven't talked about J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, despite our obvious excitement about it? That's because we haven't seen it (see: finals). Boo hoo. So don't talk about it until after Wednesday, when we've seen it in IMAX!

Finals

Good luck, everybody!

The case of Vincent Chin, where two white men publicly brutally beat a Chinese American man to death in 1982 and only received 3 years probation each, is an open sore in Asian American history. While Asian American activists took the case to court, filing the first federal case of a hate crime against an Asian American, the killers were still acquitted of all charges (including committing a hate crime) by an all white jury in Cincinnati.

Most recently, two young white men beat to death Luis Ramirez, a Mexican immigrant, while taunting him with racial slurs. The killers were also acquitted by an all white jury of all charges including third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation. Although the Vincent Chin case has passed but is continually remembered by the Asian American community, Luis Ramirez's case is still active. This is where crossracial coalition and alliance work is crucial.

So far, this is the only petition/action I've found, but let's all please keep our eyes peeled for more actions to come. Petition

---------------------

No Justice for Vincent Then, No Justice for Luis Now

Editor’s Note: Last week, two of the young white men who allegedly killed Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, Penn. were acquitted by an all white jury. The case mirrors the first federal hate crime prosecution involving an Asian American. Carmina Ocampo is a Skadden fellow and staff attorney at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) of Los Angeles. Immigration Matters regularly features the views of immigration advocates and experts.

Last July, Luis Ramirez, a Latino immigrant who worked in a factory, was brutally killed by a gang of drunken white teenagers motivated by their dislike of the growing Latino population in their small coalmining town of Shenandoah, Penn. Two of the young white men who killed Luis were recently acquitted by an all white jury of all serious charges including third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation.

The facts of this case sounded all too familiar to those of us lawyers who work on civil rights cases. They mirror the facts at the heart of the 1982 Vincent Chin hate crime case.

Luis Ramirez was taunted with racial slurs and beaten to death during an altercation with a group of drunken white teenagers....Luis’s murder occurred during a time of increasing anti-immigrant sentiment directed primarily towards Latino immigrants, exacerbated by the economic crisis. Vincent Chin’s murder took place during a climate of intense anti-Asian sentiment directed at the Japanese who were blamed for taking jobs away from American workers. Helen Zia, a well-known Asian American civil rights activist described the early 1980s as a dangerous time to look Asian. The same may be said for Latinos today.

In both Luis’s and Vincent’s cases, the killers argued that their actions should be excused because they were drunk, the victims were the aggressors, and they were merely exercising self-defense during a drunken brawl.

continue reading...

Again, we end the year by asking our exalted seniors (there are some in every year!) some questions about their time, Asian Americana, and memories of organizing at Columbia. Since sending them out, our eager fellow Blaaager Ryan Fukumori was the first to respond! May we take wisdom from his words. Also, if you're a senior who got this - DO YOUR PROFILE I COMMAND YOU. That's all.

Name, School
Ryan Heiroku Fukumori, CC

Hometown
Northwest Aztlán, a.k.a. Berkeley, CA

Greatest achievement
Clocking in nearly 100 hours in the first Party Room without smelling like I was decomposing (or so I hope). Or 50 Yen.

Most hilarious anecdote from student organizing
At the 2008 New York City Asian American Student Conference, I attempted to stave off the effects of sleep deprivation by drinking a few of those 6-hour energy shots . They did the job, but they also made me really weak in the knees, which Nhu-Y claimed was polio. She was also throwing things at me all day. And I'm not sure this is hilarious to anyone beyond ourselves...

Favorite yearly/semesterly tradition
Pacing nervously and drinking six cups of water right before cultureSHOCK performances

Fondest memory of AAA/PC
April 21, 2007, eating gravy & cheese fries with Geologic of Blue Scholars in EC1412, after they performed their first show (ever!) in NYC. Blue Scholars played drinking games (with Street Fighter, of course) and bought us food from Hamilton Deli, and their manager passed out on an air mattress at 5am while Geo smoked cigarettes out the window and waxed poetics & politics with us. For a bunch of the '09ers it was the end of our tenures on the AAA board--elections were that following afternoon--so it was a great parting gift.

Favorite neighborhood haunt
The Intercultural Resource Center--I never lived there, but I've spent innumerable hours there in meetings and made connections to a lot of amazing people doing great progressive work in their organizations, peer circles, and communities. Also, Saji's has the best Japanese food in the area, hands down (I may not speak the mother tongue, but I do know the cuisine)

Your weakness or poison, five words or less
Poison: I plead the fifth, Weakness: Funyuns

The name of your future dissertation
Get back to me in five years, when I'm actually writing one (aaaahhh!)

What you'll miss most and least about Barnard/Columbia, post-grad
Will: Having the time, space and energy to explore new things, starting my day at 2pm, and the people with whom I've been fortunate enough to spend my time here.
Won't: the folks (and there are a lot of them) who filter everything through middle-class politics and don't consider their own class privilege in what they say, think, or do. And the, uh, aftereffects of eating at John Jay, to put it politely.

Where we can find you in ten years
Struggling to win tenure at some nondescript institution of higher learning in California. And, raising kids? What a scary thought.

Where we can find you in thirty years
Coming to the inevitable and horrendous conclusion that I've become technologically illiterate, as my kids look on embarrassingly.

Dream occupation(s) other than the one you're pursuing?
If I had Jeff Chang's job, but I also got to drive an ice cream truck.

Three words of advice for incoming AAA/PC'ers in the 2013 class
1. Asian Americans are people of color! Building bridges with Latino/a, African American, and Native American students, and critically engaging the issues common to multiple communities of color, were huge sources of inspiration and empowerment for me and definitely helped break down the (mis)conception that Asian Americans have to be an isolated student population on campus. And hell hath no fury like a multiracial alliance fighting for institutional change.

2. I came here with a lot of problematic attitudes about gender and sexuality. It hurts to admit that, but I owe everything to my sistas who (whether they know it or not) helped me break down my own sexism and promote gender equality in my everyday actions, not just my words. So, to my fellow APA men: really take the time to learn from the women around you, and don't be afraid to be wrong. And--the notion that Asian men are effeminate really does suck, but if we start upholding sexist and homophobic ideas to combat that stereotype, we're part of the problem and not the solution.

3. This isn't original, but: HAVE FUN! It's not worth the time if it's all chores and obligations. Make friends, and make the most of the opportunity and learn new things.

Boulder, Colorado -

Two Boulder middle-school students have been arrested on suspicion of harassment and a bias-motivated crime after police said they called a 12-year-old girl and threatened to rape and kill her because she’s Asian-American.

The 13-year-old boys — and a 10-year-old boy, whose arrest was pending — are suspected of calling the girl’s cell phone at 9 p.m. Monday and using explicit and violent language to describe raping her.

link to rest of article...


--------

Boulder also happens to be my hometown, which claims to be the most liberal place in Colorado but has consistently been in national people of color news for hate crimes including an incident where an Asian American student was held at knifepoint and forced to say "I love America" and another incident with a university publication article calling for a "war on Asians" and "hunt."

How is the "most liberal" town in Colorado the site of the majority of the state's high-profile hate crimes? political liberalism ≠ anti-racism


Margaret Cho, one of my perennial favorites, is starring in a new Lifetime show, Drop Dead Diva, this summer. Airing on July 12th, the show will also star Broadway actress, Brooke Elliott, according to Theater Mania. The show is about a shallow model reborn as a brilliant plus-size attorney, played by Elliott. Cho's role in the show is the attorney's assistant, serving as a comedic foil to Elliott's character.

See below for her first interview with CNN below, where she also talks about Asian Americans in the media, Betty Brown, her new term "Asian adjacent," her new music album, as well as her role in the queer community.



http://www.bwog.net/articles/senior_wisdom_nhu_y_ngo

Our very own Nhu-Y Ngo gives some senior wisdom for the masses! The Blaaag will soon have these as well for our graduating '09ers. They will inevitably be more yellowbrown-centric and cracked out.

Some key references are elaborated upon below:

Acronyms - Vietnamese Students Association, Asian Pacific American Awareness Month, Asian American Alliance Political Committee, and Advocacy Coalition. All groups which are, I believe, The Shit.

Little brother - He has a love/hate relationship with chips and is perhaps unhinged in time.

The Solomon R. Chao Memorial Party Room - Camp-out room in Butler beginning Fall 2006, last witnessed Spring 2008. All Blaaagers and AAA/PC members have partaken in its festivities at some point in time. Important characteristics: Pepperidge Farm cookies, Ryan's verses on the whiteboard, Facebook Scrabble, smells of ass and strawberries.

There are more, but this reminds me of May Lin's Senior Wisdom back when I was just a little frosh.

From the KollabNY Fam:

Dear Kollaboration Friends,

As Kollaboration New York gets closer to the show on Saturday, June 27, 2009 one thing is certain. New York is the place for dreamers. Among its stoops, skyscrapers, and subway stations, there is an unmistakable undercurrent of dreams realized, on their way, taking shape. Getting closer.

In our pursuit of helping realize dreams, KNY has been blessed to receive the moral and artistic support of the New York music and entertainment community. A few local artists (not necessarily competitors) spent weeks to help put together this video in celebration of our mission. This project is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word. An homage to New York City, its dreamers, the pursuit of dreams...

To getting closer.



For details about the event, see Marilla's original post here. Tickets go on sale next week here.

Another AALDEF Internship opportunity! Not overkill.

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is the first organization on the East Coast to protect and promote the legal rights of Asian Americans through litigation, legal advocacy, and community education. For more information about AALDEF, please visit our website at www.aaldef.org.

Internships for the summer of 2009 are available in the following program areas only:
Housing & Environmental Justice Project Intern: Responsibilities include conducting field research on housing needs in Chinatown, Sunset Park and other Asian immigrant neighborhoods in New York ; interviewing residents; coordinating data from field research for a housing needs assessment; and contributing to a report on Asian Americans and their housing needs.

Description of Summer Internship Program:

The summer program is ten weeks, from approximately June 1st through August 7th. Interns work full-time and are supervised by attorneys in specific program areas. Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups. AALDEF also provides trainings in housing law, naturalization procedures, and immigration law. The position is unpaid. However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding. Academic credit can be arranged.

To Apply:
· Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to be received by AALDEF on or before Friday, May 8, 2009 at the address below. Please indicate why you are interested in focusing on the Housing & Environmental Justice Project in your cover letter. For email applications, please write “Summer Internship Application” or “SIP Application” in the Subject. Fax or email applications are acceptable, but email applications are strongly preferred.
· Any bilingual ability should be stated in the application. Bilingual ability is helpful but not required. Chinese, Punjabi, Bengali, and Urdu-speaking applicants are especially urged to apply.
Summer Internship Search (Undergrad)
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York , New York 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303
For more information, contact: Bethany Li at 212-966-5932 x213 or bli@aaldef.org

The Hmong American Writers’ Circle (HAWC) in association with Heyday Books will publish an anthology of literary writing focused on the Hmong American experience, specifically on the connection to the Central Valley, its land and people. A section of the anthology will include original artwork/photography.

April 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009

Guidelines:
• Topics: experiences involving Hmong/Hmong Americans in the Central Valley
• Accepted genres: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, plays
• Format: Microsoft Word, size 12, Times New Roman font (should you be sending pieces that require you to vary sizes and font styles, please email your concerns prior to submitting, to:
HawcSubmissions@gmail.com)
• Previously published pieces accepted (please ensure you have rights to reprint)
• Simultaneous submissions accepted
• Publication in this anthology is not limited to only Hmong American writers
• Pieces written in Hmong accompanied with an English translation are welcomed

Submissions:
• Submissions in multiple genres welcomed
• 3-5 poems, 1-3 pieces of fiction, 1-3 pieces of creative non-fiction, or 1-3 plays
• Only email submissions accepted, please send your submissions to: HawcSubmissions@gmail.com
• Include a cover letter discussing your background (include any experiences as or with Hmong/Hmong Americans in the Central Valley), and literary accomplishments or publication (if applicable); cover letters should include name, address, phone number and email

Contact Information: HawcSubmissions@gmail.com


So...this image is not uploading correctly. But, anyways: NYU is throwing a closing ceremony for their AHM (Asian Heritage Month) today! It'll be down at the Kimmel Center of NYU at 6:30pm. Food will be served...for free! Performers will be Ill-Literacy, Heather Park, and Phyllis Hetjian, with Brian Jian emceeing. Go check it out.


Join TASA, KSA, AAA, and APAAM for an epic semi-formal party next Monday (May 4th) after the last day of classes! Known last year as "Fornicasian," the party planners have decided to continue with the tradition of sexual innuendo, naming this year's event "V Spot." Check out the Facebook event for details. Admission is $30 for a wild night of mayhem and an open bar from 11pm-1am. Venue is "Amber" at 27th and 3rd, a 10-15 minute walk from Penn Station. We'll bring the dranks, you bring the party. Email AAA (aaa@columbia.org) if you would like to reserve a spot!



This Friday, May 1st, (sadly) marks the end of Columbia's celebration of APAAM 2009. The closing ceremonies will be held on the Barnard College quad at 7pm. (The rain location is Lewis Parlor.) Dinner will be served, and featured artists include El Gambina, Danny Katz, Kevin Nadal, and John Flor-Sisante. Photo contest winners will also be announced. (There was a photo contest?!)

Anyways, it's been real, folks. APAAM 2009 has featured many interesting discussions and wonderful collaborative events, so congrats APAAM board! My personal faves were "Who is Asian American?" and the screening of Corinne Manabat's Excuse My Gangsta Ways. Hope everyone had fun!


Asian American Premedical Info Session
Wednesday April 29th, 8:00 to 10:00pm in C555, Alfred Lerner Hall
Have a discussion with medical students from Columbia to learn more about the medical school application process and experience from an Asian American perspective. Get in contact with a mentor for advice in the future.

Free snacks and drinks provided!

Organized by APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association) and APAAM (Asian Pacific American Awareness Month) of Columbia. Sponsored by OMA (Office of Multicultural Affairs) and Charles Drew Premedical Society of Columbia.

This weekend marked a monumental occasion in Columbia AAA's history: the first ever high school student conference! Named Crossroads 2009, it served to educate and empower today's high school youth by providing them with information and discussions about various salient Asian American issues in today's society.

Therefore, The Blaaag (or maybe just Marilla) also loves tulips:

Happy Primavera.

CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities
http://www.caaav.org

Date: Monday, April 27, 2009
Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: IRC Extension, 554 114th Street (114th and Broadway)
City/Town: New York, NY
Email: apaam2009@gmail.com

Come learn more about issues of gentrification in New York City, current CAAAV campaigns against evictions and landlord harassment, and how you can get involved in the movement.

Asian Pacific American Awareness Month (APAAM) is an annual celebration at Columbia University dedicated to promoting awareness of Asian Pacific American (APA) issues and history among the Columbia student body.

http://www.cuapaam.com

Check it on Facebook.

Reader: Why do you post so many APAAM events?
Marilla: Because over half The Blaaag staff is on the APAAM board. We are all its slaves.
Reader: Oh, okay.

Dear all,

Apply for the 2009-2010 Columbia Political Review editorial board! Applications are due next Monday, April 27, at 11:59 PM.

The magazine is looking to fill the following positions on next year's staff:
- 2-3 managing editors*
- 6-7 senior editors*
- 2 business managers

- 6-7 campus editors*
- 2-3 copy editor*
- 1-2 art editor(s)
- 3-4 fact-checkers
- 1-2 layout editor(s)
- 1 web editor

Catherine Chong and Alex Frouman were elected last week as Columbia Political Review editor-in-chief and publisher, respectively.

The managing editor, senior editor, and business manager positions require interviews, which are tentatively scheduled for May 5 and 6.

You do not need to have had previous involvement with the CPR to apply for a position on the editorial board. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions about the given positions after reading the descriptions below.

The following is due by Monday, April 27 at 11:59 PM to karen.hl.leung@gmail.com:

There are three parts to the application: your (1) proposal, (2) resume, and (3) one writing sample (only if your position is starred) or sample web design (only if you are applying for web editor). Please put your (1) name, (2) phone number, (3) e-mail address, (4) class, (5) major, (6) school, and (7) which position(s) you would like to run for at the top of the application. You can apply for more than one job.

The proposal should include a little about yourself and why you’re qualified for your chosen position. This part of the application should mostly focus on what you'd like to see the magazine emphasize, as well as any changes you would make. The proposal should be no more than one single-spaced page.

If you are applying for positions that are starred, also attach a resume and one writing sample (no more than 6-7 pages).

A few suggestions:

Potential managing editors should discuss how they approach editing on the level of argument and style, and how they would handle editing an entire magazine's worth of content.

Potential senior editors should discuss how they would work with writers and handle the day-to-day editing process.

Potential business managers should discuss the administrative and business aspects of the magazine (advertising revenue, changes that would affect the budget, etc.). Business managers are also responsible for coordinating the responsibilities of the campus editors, as well as event planning.

Potential campus editors should discuss how they would communicate with student groups, recruit writers, and generate story ideas for the magazine.
Your application does not need to be long, but it should contain as much insight into the desired position as possible. Current staff members must submit the same application as non-staff applicants, and should specify which position they would like to run for.

Let me know if you have any questions. Past issues can be downloaded at cpreview.org - these might serve as inspiration. Good luck!

Karen Leung
outgoing editor-in-chief, CPR


While watching Brillante Mendoza’s film Serbis, viewers may only take a slippery hold on the many secrets that linger inside the campy porn movie theater (appropriately called “Family” Theater), that doubles as an underground hotspot for gay prostitution. The latter point seems to be the more arresting aspect of the film, but Mendoza isn’t interested in the men who engage in pleasure-for-profit. They consistently remain nameless and faceless. Mendoza is instead interested in the family that runs the theater, whose own disarray parallels the crumbling of the theater itself, as prostitutes and customers run rampant under blind eyes.

That the story circulates around a movie theater is significant, because there are times when watching certain individual’s activities feels like an act of voyeurism. There is the opening scene, in which a nude Jewel boldly applies lipstick and, while observing her self in the mirror, puts on a sexual display with a series of gestures and endless mouthings of “I love you”. Whatever and whomever she is doing it for remains unclear, but there is a blatant sexuality, vanity, and privacy to her act, and those qualities are broken when Jewel realizes that, in fact, her nephew has been watching all along. This is one of many moments in which characters (and viewers) are put in the uncomfortable position of feeling unwelcome as they open doors, seeing what probably shouldn’t be seen. Yet, despite all appearances, that which is seen can no longer be erased from the mind.

The quality of voyeurism has much to do with the notion that each character has a particular position and place in this microcosm, and while crossing certain places may be unallowable, it is also unavoidable. The people running in and out of the theater are many, but there remains an unspoken agreement of where each one belongs. Through an observable series of everyday routines, one is trained to understand that Ronald runs projections (while masturbating) in the reel room; Alan trades projection reels and paints posters (while bedding his girlfriend Merly in between); Nayda stands in as the married theater matriarch (while fighting an attraction to her cousin Ronald); and so on. No mention is made of how this pattern came to be; it just seems to have been this way for as long as anyone could remember. Here it becomes clear that the family operates under the illusion that people can run by pure mechanics, can automatically stabilize their selves, and can be free of wrongdoing or mistake. Even the movie theater itself, a porn house, is maintained under the illusion that sex can be distilled and rendered immobile, resting as paintings on the theater walls or as a picture on screen for the price of a movie ticket. In fact, much more is brewing under the surface. Whether anyone knows, or wishes, to acknowledge this, remains unclear.

This droning routine, rendering even sex stagnant, makes one look to smaller, more quotidian gestures to find any hint of disruption or untidiness. Mendoza sets everything up so that seeing a man being sucked off by a boy for a modest fee is no longer shocking; but catching Ronald looking one moment too long at Nayda is. The losing principle of Serbis, it seems, is that life should be anything but messy. If things do get messy, then clean up the mess, pure and simple. As Nanay Flor, the aging mother, says, “There’s a lot to fix in this movie house”, but she fails to recognize that perhaps some things, like her divorce, can’t really be fixed. Near the end of the film, Mendoza withdraws from the family and leaves the theater. The final scene rests on two complete strangers, men who briefly converse about nothing in particular, and the film reel burns up, leaving a gaping hole in the screen. The gesture reads like a "fuck you" to this concept of social mechanization to which the family--and on another level, the audience--so desperately adheres. With people, there is no smooth running or compartmentalizations to be had, so let them remain confusing and opaque, even in the movies.

If you haven't seen it already, there is a flyer circulating Columbia's campus, created and distributed by the Clear Party in lieu of CCSC elections. Read further for an image and some of the e-mails that have been circulating in response to this flyer:

Hey lovely people,

Some of you might have found out about this already, but there's a flyer for the student council campaign of the clear party that reads "Two Asian girls at the same time". Since finding out about it from eagle eye Vivian, I've gotten increasingly irritated.

So far, a few people have contacted this group about the issue of this flyer. I was talking to Sam Stanton, and she thinks it's a ripe time to get CCSC to mandate some type of anti-oppression training for all its members, or as many as possible. Something could be done with the elections board as well. (This comes out of the fact that somehow, someone involved with CCSC didn't get the fact that this flyer was offensive.) Nhu-Y says we should involve the administration, ppl the councils look up to. All things to talk about...


I suggested to Sam that we use the time right before the APAAM meeting on Wednesday to discuss things to do. So, 10pm, Lerner 5th floor? What do people think? Hopefully something worth pulling off before the end of the year?

If you haven't seen it, it's hanging in Hamilton right now between floors 5 and 6 in the west staircase I think.

David

---

Hello folks,
I am e-mailing you guys to express my deep concern over a flyer from your party that I saw in Hamilton. I noticed a flyer that said "Two Asian Girls At The Same Time". I understand that you guys must have thought that was funny, but it is really upsetting. Not only is it a play off of a racist fetishization of Asian women that directly corresponds with the effeminization and invisibility of Asian men, as well as American imperialism, but it is also a heterosexist and patriarchal male fantasy that has contributed to the invisibility of Queer women. As a Queer woman of color I find this deeply offensive.
I wanted to e-mail you guys before I took any other actions, so that this issue could be resolved with maturity and expediency. I am asking that you please take down all of those flyers immediately. I also think it would be appropriate to release an apology. Please let me know what you decide to do as soon as possible.
Thank you
Samantha Stanton
Columbia College, Class of 2009

Who is Joe Wong?

Actually, he kind of resembles my cousin:

Executive Co-Chairs: Yadira Alvarez and Nicole Beach
Political Co-Chairs: Aretha Choi and Andrea Russell
Events Co-Chairs: Takako Kono and Destiny Sullens
Campus Liasons: Nancy Trujillo and Jia Ahmad
Communications Chair: open
Funding Co-Chairs: Maggie Jiang and open
Public Relations Co-Chairs: Wendy Bermudez and Alise Green
Webmaster: open


I am currently at New York City Asian American Student Conference (NYCAASC, aka "Nice Sak"), sitting in on a panel titled "Gender Expressions: Breaking the Binary" and taking poorly shot Photobooth pictures with my Macbook.

The description of the workshop:

Gender Expressions: Breaking the Binary

The popular idea that there are two distinct groupings of gender, with everyone falling neatly into one or the other, is simply nothing but a social construction. There is a broad middle ground that goes unaccounted, as every person is perceived to fall under one of two “checkboxes”. Not only does one’s speech and mannerisms influence this perception, but mere appearance is a sure instant telltale “sign” for classification: male or female. How does this affect APi/APi Americans? What are the tools that we need to strike down stereotypes? Why is this “clear-cut” mode of classification problematic for the APi community? Panelists ranging from various gender identities will lend perspectives in navigating the gender binary into more than just a spectrum and breaking down barriers set by society.

Speakers:
* Valerie Francisco (FiRE)
* Venancio Cabel (APiCHA)
* Calvin Sun (ECAASU)
* Shakthi Bhaskar (Columbia University)
* William Lee (betterasianman.com)

So far, there have been many awkward moments and hesitant conversation, but I think the speakers are getting into their groove. Though I was a bit turned off by William Lee's heteronormative introduction of himself. He describes his website as an Asian American Askmen.com, and says it teaches Asian American males how to get "tail" AKA women AKA OBJECTS. He focuses on what he means to be masculine and has introduced examples of masculinity, like "Denzel Washington". He says you can teach masculinity (which I am assuming involves sleeping with a lot of women and wearing a suit), as he was formerly an "effeminate heterosexual." Cracked out on insane energy drinks right now, I want to barf. His points reinforce the "gender binary" that we are trying to break down in this discussion. Fortunately, members of the audience and some panelists are keeping him in check. Granted, he admits his shortcomings and says he does not force his opinion upon anyone but rather "provides information." Still, I find this information a bit dangerous.

And gladly, we have a wonderful moderator, our own Blaaager and former NYCAASC Co-Directer, Marilla Li. I also have a soft spot for NYCAASC as I was a Columbia co-director with Marilla last year.

David, Katie, Sahil, sadness.

Oh shit, Valerie just knocked him down. I heard snaps from the audience.

Anyway, for more information about NYCAASC, visit the website here.

So I came across this FML post. I was in a really weird mood; I swear that I usually don't spend time on moany, angsty-teen-ish sites like this.

Today, I saw an old Caucasian lady drop her purse. Out of kind intention, I ran to pick it up for her. She hit me with a wooden cane she was holding in her right hand. Multiple times. I gave her the purse back. She hit me again and said "Fuck You Yellow Rat," before she walked off. I'm Asian. FML.

What?! Yellow Rat? First of all, I don't even know where this racial slur came from. Second of all, it's instances like this that remind us how real racism still is. Despite its altered form in today's overly politically correct society, the underlying sentiments clearly have not changed. Granted, this woman is old and probably grew up in a very different world, so perhaps this particular instance is not such a grave indicator of the state of society today. Still, it makes me sad and angry. WTF? Get over yourself old lady; that "yellow rat" is probably paying your social security bills!

The Columbia East Asia Review (CEAR), a Columbia undergraduate
academic publication entering its third year, is looking for an
Editor-in-Chief for the 2009-2010 year! Please see below for more
information.

The Columbia East Asia Review (CEAR) is an annual online and print,
peer-review academic journal dedicated to furthering knowledge of East
Asia through the promotion of research and interdisciplinary dialogue.
CEAR has three primary goals: first, to publish superior undergraduate
research of East Asia; second, to educate undergraduate contributors
and CEAR members about the academic publication process; and third, to
foster interest and idea exchange in the field of East Asian Studies.

In its second year, CEAR received over 100 submissions by
undergraduate students from three continents. In addition, its
substantial fundraising accomplishments allowed it to publish articles
online as well as in print. This year, CEAR was sponsored by more than
17 on-campus institutes and organizations. The Spring 2009 edition of
the Columbia East Asia Review will be launched on Friday, April 24,
2009 both in print and on our website, www.eastasiareview.org.

Position Opening: Editor-in-Chief, '09-‘10

Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the day-to-day operations of a fast-growing undergraduate
academic journal in its second year
- Manage the call for submissions, content selection, editing, and
final printing/publishing
- Lead a team of almost editors and technical staff
- Build a sustainable financial architecture for the journal
- Expand the publication’s publicity and reach through a campaign to
expand awareness of the journal at other universities across the
nation

Requirements:
- The applicant must be a student of Columbia College, SEAS, Barnard,
or General Studies
- Interest in East Asian Studies and knowledge of the East Asian
Studies community at Columbia
- The energy and know-how to run a quickly growing undergraduate publication
- at least 2 years of journalistic/publication experience (leadership
experience preferred)
- Dedication to building a dynamic academic community of
undergraduates inclusive of all disciplines as they relate to East
Asia
- Attention to detail and strong leadership abilities
- Strong interpersonal written and oral communication skills

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to editor@eastasiareview.org
by 11:59 PM, Monday, April 20,
2009. For more information about the Columbia East Asia Review, please
visit our website at www.eastasiareview.org.

Cindy Luk and the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center asks for our support!

Her email:

Hey guys!

I volunteer at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in Chinatown as part of the literacy team. We're a student-led group that promotes early childhood development in New York City's Chinatown through literacy events, book distributions, and book clubs. Our work is especially important because the parents generally are not financially well off and speak very little English so we try to alleviate the disadvantages these children face.

GOOD NEWS! We just found out that our team was selected as one of the 10 finalists from over 100 project submissions in a contest called “Power in Numbers” sponsored by Mountain Dew. The contest awards $10,000 grants to student-led projects that give back to the community.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! The team with the most votes will be awarded $10,000 for their cause. You can vote by going to www.energizeyourcommunity.com or checking out our facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/event.php?eid=86448250733&ref=mf.. You may vote once a day until Wednesday, April 29th at 2:59 EST. It takes less than a minute and can really make a difference.

We are seeking 10,000 votes. That’s one dollar for every vote if you do the math. Statistics have demonstrated that children from low-income, vulnerable population families can hear as many as 20 million fewer words than their more affluent peers before the age of 4. Please help us as we work to bridge this gap.

Thanks for your support and REMEMBER TO VOTE!

Thanks,
Cindy

In lieu of Kal Penn's new job, I wanted to point out that there is an awesomely substantial number of Asian American officials in the White House this term, whose faces we'll undoubtedly see (or not? The media is fickle) for the next four years:

  • Eugene Kang - Special Assistant to the President
  • Pete Rouse - Senior Advisor
  • Chris Lu - Senior Advisor
  • Eric Shinseki - Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • Steven Chu - Secretary of Energy
  • Kal Penn - Associate Director of White House Office of Public Liaison
Read more about them at Asian Americans for Obama.

USCC Elections!
Tuesday, April 13th @ 9:15pm
Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) 552 W. 114th

All are welcome to come, vote, and/or run!

The United Students of Color Council (USCC) aims to act as a switchboard for students of color and student of color groups on campus. We advocate and program to: build community, foster collaboration, raise consciousness, create safe spaces and mobilize and empower students of color and student of color groups on campus.

Please come prepared to speak for no longer than 2 minutes about why you want to be on the USCC board, why you are best suited for the position, your vision for the coming year, etc. Feel free to reach out to uscc@columbia.edu with any questions/comments/concerns.

Elections are drop-down, in the following order:

Executive Co-Chairs (2)
-organize/facilitate meetings
-keep track of deadlines, send out reminders, step up/delegate responsibilities
-act as the default public voice for USCC
-meet with OMA advisors on a regular basis

Political Co-Chairs (2)
-organize Making the Connection: Building a Unified Community of Color (MCBUCC), a series of events that encourages coalition building
-keep USCC up-to-date on current issues within the community of color
-respond to political events that occur on and off campus

Event Co-Chairs (2)
-hold approximately 2 events per semester (filling in the gaps by doing events other student groups are not doing)
-support political co-chairs

Campus Liasons (2)
-organize at least one general body meeting per semester
-reach out to students of color not necessarily involved in student of color organizations
-maintain communication with student of color organizations

Communications Chair (1)
-send out executive board meeting notes
-send out weekly newsletter to general body

Funding Co-Chairs (2)
-handle logistics of co-sponsorship requests
-handle all e-form requests, reimbursements, etc.
-provide executive board with monthly budget updates
-plan a co-sponsorship information session at the beginning of the year (in conjunction with the
campus liaisons)

Public Relations Co-Chairs (2)
-increase awareness of USCC
-in charge of tabling at Activities Fairs
-in charge of flyers/advertising campaigns

Webmaster (1)
-maintain USCC website (including the calendar and blog)

Update: here are the results


 

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