Inside This Issue: the DREAM ACT and Why It Matters INCARCERATION the Truth Behind the Bars ...Plus More TABLE of CONTENTS

THE GREEN ISSUE

ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER NEWSMAGAZINE AT UCLA VOLUME 32 ISSUE 3 | SPRING 2010

THE ENVIRONMENTAL SPHERES of Asians and Asian Americans OUTREACH PROGRAMS help L.A. students in need MENTAL HEALTH breaking the silence Inside this issue: THE DREAM ACT and why it matters INCARCERATION the truth behind the bars ...plus more TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOR THE LOVE EMPOWERMENT THROUGH BREAKING THE SILENCE 5 OF EDUCATION & ETHNIC STUDIES 6 Speaking out about mental health Why the DREAM Act Awareness of self, others through and its effects on the community matters to students relevant education

the issue STRUGGLES FROM THE STREETS green : FEATURE 7 The American prison-industrial complex and the Asian Pacific Islander community

ACROSS TWO WORLDS 8 The environmental spheres of Asians and Asian Americans

OVERFISHING ASIAN NATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL ENDANGERING & ACTIVISM IN THE SPECIES COMMUNITY

Asia is the source of overfishing and various CULTIVATING Tutoring groups seek endangered marine species, but is there really 10 to help L.A. students A COMMUNITY in need no hope for the world’s oceans? CLASSROOM

A look at The Los Angeles Times’ Festival of Books PHOTO COURTESY OF CLAUDIA LI PHOTO COURTESY

TRUE MUSIC BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS 12 FROM OUTSIDE THE LINE A review of Teddy Chan’s movie shown Kollaboration 10 performers share & at the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific their passion for music Film Festival

PAGE 2 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES Letter from the Editor “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” VOL. 32, ISSUE 3 - Chief Seattle, leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish Native American tribes The power of the person. I was in my Chicana/o studies course when our guest speaker, Dolores Huerta, sent us this resounding message. She was commending our mediation efforts at middle schools around the L.A. area. I reflected on what “the power of the person” meant beyond that class: what kind of power do we have as students, as an API community and people of this world? After all, we play Editor-in-Chief a role in shaping our lives, the lives of others and the world we dwell in. In this sense, there is continuity and innerconnectedness in our Malina Tea Tran everyday action. Imagine!–how much positive change can we initiate during our lifetime? Our efforts to conserve energy and our natural

resources mean thinking forwardly for the future generation. Our endeavors to fight for a cause, advocate for our community and share Managing Editor Shirley Mak our experience mean strengthening our “web of life.” What will you do with your power? Each one, teach one. This model of the Commu- nity Programs Office has set a tone for the way my view of the world. We all have our networks (friends, family, classmates, co-workers, A&E Editor acquaintances) and they affect you in some way or some form, big or small. But what if we talked to one person, or five people or even Ray Luo twenty, about an issue we cared about? And what if they join us to take action? Margaret Mead cautioned us to “never doubt that a small number of dedicated people can change the world,” and it’s true. With people, passion and patience–yes, we can. But this spring issue is not Designers just about earth conservation and environmental activism; it is about self-sustainability. This ever-growing, fast-paced world is character- Alice Mongkongllite ized by our own busy schedules, dietary habits, high levels of stress and mental Malina Tea Tran illnesss–among many other indicators of modern-day living. It is equally important to sustain ourselves, and gain a sense of rejuvenation everyday in our In solidarity, Photographers academics and work. In the hype of technological advancement, remember to Keli Arslancan keep it real and keep it organic. Being an advocate and activist will certainly Claudia Li have its challenges. But by being true to yourself and respecting each other and the process you must undertake (to win a campaign, to raise awareness, etc.), Malina Tea Tran Writers that is where the true growth lies. Keep it grassroots: for the people, by the Editor-in-Chief Karen Lee people, with the people. Ray Luo Leila Mirseyedi Shirley Mak TASTE THEN WASTE Azusa Takano By Stepfanie Aguilar Glossary Layhearn Tep We cover so many topics and issues here at PacTies that language often gets technical. Here’s a handy little Contributors glossary to help you out while reading through the issue. Stepfanie Aguilar Throughout our publication, you will find various Tuyen Bui acronyms related to the ways we identify ourselves: Marvin Ferraz An Ngoc Le AA: Asian American AAPI: Asian American Pacific Islander Acknowledgements APIA: Asian Pacific Islander American APA: Asian Pacific American Sothy Eng API: Asian Pacific Islander Charles Liu AATP: Asian American Tutorial Project Jenny Liu AB540: Assembly Bill 540 Souania Moua BS: Big Straw CITES: Convention on International Trade in Student Media Director Endangered Species Arvli Ward CPO: Community Programs Office DREAM Act: The Development, Relief and Education for Student Media Adviser Alien Minors Act Amy Emmert E3: Ecology, Economy, Equity (student group at UCLA) Enka: Japanese musical genre HOPE: Higher Opportunity Program for Education We are located at: Hikikomori: self-confining people who shut themselves in 118 Kerckhoff Hall their rooms to avoid judgment from society 308 Westwood Plaza IDEAS: Los Angeles, CA 90024 JACCC: Japanese American Cultural and Community Cente [email protected] KASEO: Koreatown Awareness Student Educational Outreach 310.825.1004 KORE: Khmer Outreach Retention and Education NYU: New York University Pacific Ties is a member of the PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Campus Progress Publications Network. SB1070: Senate Bill 1070 www.campusprogress.org TASSEL: Thai American Students for Success in Education and Leadership © 2010 UCLA Communications Board TS: Thai Smakom UC: University of California The Fine Print: JOIN PacTies STAFF Unsigned editorials represent a majority opinion of the Pacific Ties Editorial Board. All other columns, cartoons and letters represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily NEXT YEAR | 2010-2011 reflect the views of the Editorial Board. The UCLA Com- Cover Art munications Board has a media grievance procedure for re- solving grievances against any of its publications. For a copy Since 1977, we have been committed to serving the Designed by ALICE MONGKONGLLITE of the complete procedure, contact UCLA Student Media Asian Pacific Islander community on-campus and beyond. For Alice, creative geniusness at 118 Kerckhoff Hall, 310.825.2787, or director@media. Be a part of our dynamic staff! Staff positions available in writing, and insomniac nights and Pas- ucla.edu. The UCLA Communications Board fully supports editing, advertismenet, photography, website devleopment, design, the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. sion Pit were ingredients for illustration and more! Experience preferred, but not required. The student media reserves the right to reject or modify this cover. This spring’s cover is advertising portraying disability, age, sex, or sexual ori- centered around growth through entation. It is the expectation of the Communications TO APPLY FOR FALL QUARTER 2010 Board that the student media will exercise the right awareness. By planting the fairly and with sensitivty. Any person believing that any http://apply.studentmedia.ucla.edu seeds of knowledge, we learn advertising in the student media violates the Board’s policy about community issues--espe- on non-discrimination should communicate complaints in FOR QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION cially affecting the environment-- writing to the Business Manager: 118 Kerckhoff Hall, 308 and becoming agents for a bet- Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024 feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] ter, more organic future.

PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010| PAGE 3 FEEDINGNEWSPRINT YOUR APPETITE WITH SHORT NEWS ITEMS THAT YOU CAN REALLY SINK YOUR TEETH INTO + IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS FOR THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY FOR MORE

Ads Plea for Asians to Test for Hepatitis Attacks on Asian Americans Possibly The Last Airbender Casting Stirs Controversy May 2, 2010 Racially Motivated May 2, 2010 May 15, 2010 Recent attacks on Asian immigrants have prompted The movie in- the Asian American community in San Francisco to pro- dustry, especially test, drawing anger from a community that has generally in Hollywood, is a kept quiet in fear of retaliation. realm where fans Mrs. Cheng, who does not want to be identified further, constantly object to was pushed off a public transit platform in March. She was bad adaptations, but knocked unconscious and awoke a few minutes later with Shyamalan discusses a scene with Ringer. OF ZADE ROSENTHAL PHOTO COURTESY the issue of casting her front teeth knocked out and a mouth full of blood. PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM WILSON PHOTO COURTESY actors of the “right” ethnicity stirs tremendous controversy. An older man receives his hepatitis B vaccination. Mrs. Cheng’s neighbor, an 83-year-old Chinese immigrant, had been beaten into a coma in January and Films with Asian characters played by non-Asians are A provocative advertising campaign by San Francisco Hep B died in March. typically scrutinized, and The Last Airbender is no exception. Free aims to eradicate hepatitis B by providing citywide vaccina- Such attacks have made the Asian American commu- M. Night Shyamalan’s adaptation of the popular Car- tions against the disease. nity wonder if they are the targets of racially motivated toon Network series features white actors playing supposedly violence. Police have said that in all cases, the attackers One of the more provoking images in their campaign features Asian characters, though the ethnicities of the actual charac- were African American teenagers. ters in the series are actually quite ambiguous. However, the ten beauty queens smiling and dressed in beautiful gowns. Written Chia-Chi Li, an organizer of a rally condemning the series does carry elements of Chinese and Tibetan cultures across the photograph is, “Which one deserves to die?” attacks on Asians, pointed out that although San Fran- The image is serene and the message is shocking, but the cam- cisco is an activist city, the Asian American community and is heavily influenced by Asian martial arts. paign ultimately aims to rouse the Asian population into con- is not a generally activist population. Some Asian American fans of the series are appalled that fronting the public health hazard of hepatitis B. The tension between the Asian American and Af- white actors are playing the main roles. San Francisco health officials estimate that 1 in 10 residents of Asian rican American community is due to steady growth Noah Ringer, a tae-kwon-do champion from Texas, was of Asians, and decline of blacks. Asian Americans are descent are infected with the virus, a percentage that contributes to the cast for the role of Aang, the protagonist of the series and of also moving into predominantly African American the film. Twilight’s Jackson Rathbone and Nicola Peltz from nation’s highest rate of liver cancer. In the general population, about 1 neighborhoods due to affordable housing. Deck the Halls were cast as his best friends Sokka and Katara. in 1,000 people are infected with hepatitis B, which attacks the liver. The elderly, young and women have been the main Leaders of the Chinese American community, which is the larg- victims of the violence. Some other characters in the film are going to be played by est Asian ethnicity in San Francisco, believe that a large part of the Asian actors, such as Slumdog Millionarie’s Dev Patel in the problem is due to the stigma associated with the disease, which is UCLA Alumnae, Activists Killed in Tragic role of the villainous Prince Zuko. Some Asian Americans saw the film’s casting as the latest an endemic in much of Asia. Car Accident are Remembered The advertisements hope to encourage people to get a simple blood insult from an industry where it was once common for white test, because hepatitis B can be treated and prevented. May 8, 2010 actors to play stereotypical Asian caricatures, such as squint- Fiona Ma, a state assemblywoman from San Francisco, who is also UCLA alumnae and undocumented student activists Cinthya Felix ing their eyes and speaking in bad accents, and in which Chinese American, claims that if people knew that hepatitis could and Tam Ngoc Tran passed away on Saturday after a car accident in Asian actors were confined to stereotypical roles as well. affect those they care about, they might want to talk about it. Trenton, Maine. Both were involved with the founding of IDEAS, But Shaun Toub, an Iranian-born actor, noted that if the The disease often shows few symptoms in its victims, and it an advocacy and support group for undocumented students. For film had cast all Asian characters, then people would have manifests itself when it is already too late, said Dr. Edward Chow, many, their efforts in higher education despite their citizenship sta- a problem with that as well, attempting to argue that it is vice president of the San Francisco Health Commission. tus was inspiring. Felix was a student of Columbia’s public health stereotypical to place Asians in anything that has to do with The campaign, which will also incorporate photographs depict- graduate program, and Tran was a doctoral student of the American martial arts. ing families, a basketball team, a group of doctors and office work- civilization department at Brown University. Their memorial service “Ultimately, this movie, and then the three movies, will ers, is being published in several languages, including Chinese, on May 10 in Moore Hall brought together families, friends, admin- be the most culturally diverse tent pole of movies ever re- Vietnamese, and Korean. istrators and student leaders who celebrated their legacies. leased, period,” said Shyamalan. The film is scheduled to be released on July 2, 2010. Asian Civil Rights Groups Challenge Arizona’s Bill Music of China Ensemble Performs for May 15, 2010 Spring Festival of World Music and Jazz Denny Chin Confirmed for NY Appeals Court, The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), Asian May 15, 2010 Only Asian American US Circuit Judge American Justice Center (AAJC) and a coalition of other civil As part of UCLA’s annual Spring Festival of World April 22, 2010 rights groups filed a class action lawsuit this month in the U.S. Music and Jazz, the Music of China Ensemble per- The United States Senate confirmed Denny Chin, District Court, challenging Arizona’s new law requiring police formed in Schoenberg Hall on May 15, featuring folk a Federal District Court judge in Manhattan, to the to demand “papers” from people they stop who they suspect music, folk dance, opera, and bamboo music from United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. are not authorized to be in the U.S. This law, the coalition various parts of China. Students of various ethnici- The confirmation arrived by a 98 to 0 vote, mak- argued, invites the racial profiling of people of color, which ties played a variety of Chinese musical instruments, ing Denny Chin the only active Asian American U.S. violates the First Amendment and interferes with federal law. including the erhu, a two-string fiddle popular in circuit judge on a U.S. Court of Appeals. “This extreme law puts Arizona completely out of step with China and the sheng, an ancient mouth organ with Judge Chin has been involved in numerous promi- American values of fairness and equality,” said Julie Su, litiga- 17 or 21 bamboo pipes, and also sang opera on stage nent cases, including that of Bernard L. Madoff, whom tion director of the APALC. “In a state where U.S. citizens in front of family, friends, and fans. he sentenced to 150 years in prison for his Ponzi scheme. of Japanese descent were interned during World War II, it is Director of the ensemble was Professor Li Chi, a Judge Chin, 56, was born in Hong Kong and im- deeply troubling that a law that would mandate lower-class highly accomplished artist on the erhu and educator migrated to the U.S. with his family when he was two treatment of people of color, immigrants and others seen to of Chinese music. After graduting from the Conser- years old. His father worked as a cook in Chinese res- be outsiders would pass in 2010. APALC and its sister affili- vatory of Chinese Music (Beijing), Li was an erhu so- taurants, and his mother worked as a seamstress in Chi- ate Asian American Justice Center, as members of the Asian loist at the National Traditional Orchestra of China natown. He graduated from Princeton, and received his American Center for Advancing Justice, joined this lawsuit to (the most renowned orchestra of Chinese musical in- law degree at Fordham University. defend the rights of Asian Americans in Arizona as well as to struments) and performed in renowned venues such President Obama nominated Judge Chin to the Sec- stand in solidarity with Latino, immigrant rights, civil liber- as the Madison Square Garden in N.Y. or the Ronald ond Circuit in October 2009. The circuit is known for ties and other organizations fighting this oppressive new law.” Reagan building in Washington D.C. its decisions in financial and white-collar cases. PAGE 4 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES MONOLOGUE|DIALOGUE all boiled down to one question: applications while, at the same time, hearing the echoes of Should education be a right or “It’s America, speak English!” For the Love of Education a privilege? Unlike many people In light of the recent deaths of undocumented student who view the DREAM Act as an activists Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix, I ask students to con- Why the DREAM Act Matters for Students immigration reform bill, I view sider the role of immigrants in achieving higher education. this issue as an education crisis, Both Tran and Felix were UCLA graduates attending Brown By TUYEN BUI in which various students are de- University and Columbia University, respectively. Despite the nied the rights to the benefits of lack of financial aid available to them due to their statuses, s a second generation Vietnamese American who came higher education. they worked earnestly to fund their tuitions. They helped to America as a baby, I was considered an “illegal alien” It is an education crisis when students have to resort to found an advocacy and support group for undocumented stu- Auntil I was 12 years old. All my older siblings had “under the table” jobs after receiving their hard-earned de- dents, created media documentaries, and testified their stories reached age 18 and were able to acquire citizenship through grees in higher education. It is a sad moment when a high to Congress, our campus and beyond to shed light on their tests, and my younger brother had been born in the U.S. It school student sees her education as having little relevance to circumstances. Their fight was a fight for educational access. was just me and my parents left in limbo without citizenship. her own life because she knows that she cannot work the “sys- I strongly urge students – especially API students – to As a young child, I remember not really understanding why tem” to her advantage in the future. It is deeply troubling for reflect on our privileges as students and to understand this becoming a citizen was so urgent. At the age of 12, I felt name to see the rest of the student population going about their issue through the lens of an education battle. No matter how ively excited at the thought of changing my name and becom- lives and enjoying their documentation privileges without any you feel about immigration reform, it is still important to ac- ing more “American” in the citizenship process. awareness or social responsibility for others who cannot drive, knowledge that many students did not have a say in their un- Coming to UCLA has definitely challenged and broadened travel, or receive federal student aid. It sickens my stomach to documented status. I myself could have easily fallen into the my critical consciousness of the world and the communities see the current sentiment of Arizona’s SB1070 upheld, which AB540 student category and had not known it. So could you, surrounding me. After learning the stories of many AB540 legalizes racial profiling and fires English teachers who have or the people that you know. In these difficult times, assum- students and their unjust struggles, I was baffled by how long accents. The education crisis becomes painfully ironic when ing your social responsibility and educating yourself about the this issue has been prolonged. It was then that I realized that it we mandate two years of foreign language education for UC DREAM Act is crucial.

Understanding self, others Empowerment through Ethnic Studies through relevant education By AN NGOC LE César Chávez hese names and words evoke a powerful sense of strength and solidarity. But if we look at them from a linear Dolores Huerta perspective, both the events and individuals have passed on— recovered only in words, photos, museums, docu- Tmentaries, and memorials. They remain alive only when people learn about them generations later. Ella Baker The typical K-12 education curriculum in the U.S. generally teaches history from a narrow, linear perspective. In Stokely Carmichael high school, I heard about people such as César Chávez, Ella Baker, and Thurgood Marshall and learned about their Bunchy Carter accomplishments, but I never truly understood the significance that they had in our collective history and present John Huggins lives. Even worse, countless individuals, events, and histories were never mentioned – Mendez v. Westminster, Execu- tive Order 9066, and Freedom Riders, just to name a few. Angela Davis Upon entering UCLA as an undergraduate, I was overwhelmed to see a more comprehensive selection of history Yuri Kochiyama and ethnic studies courses available, courses with names such as “Southeast Asian Crossroads,” “20th Century Jazz in Ronald Takaki African American History,” and even “The Vietnamese American Experience.” Angel Island Ethnic studies gave meaning and significance to my life–with it, I gained a critical consciousness. It allowed for the voices of my parents, grandparents, and ancestors to be heard and recognized. I realized then that I am a product Executive Order 9066 of their herstory; I am a member of an oppressed people in a war-torn country, many who fled as refugees with only Freedom Riders a small sack of rice and one change of clothes. I am a product of communist indignation and capitalist exploitation. Alcatraz Island I am a product of those who gave their blood, sweat, and tears so that I didn’t have to hustle through the daily grind Mendez v. Westminster just to survive. Ethnic studies challenged all preconceived notions I had about the study of herstory. Hystory is not just a study of Freedom Summer the past, present, or future. We all live and breathe history and hystory lives and breathes among us. Thurgood Marshall Over the past several months, a series of unthinkable events have occurred, forever altering the landscape of Amer- Harvey Milk... ica’s education system. My heart drops in anger and frustration as the devaluation of education in America continues its destructive course. It is already unfortunate that thousands of students across the U.S. are getting history through a linear vacuum, which instills for some a belief that hystory is irrelevant and impersonal. But in Arizona, the study of history has become further encased in concrete cinder blocks. Teachers and students are trapped within these walls, erected out of ignorance and bigotry. With one stroke of the pen, thousands of young lives across Arizona (and potentially other states) were denied a social studies curriculum that teaches tolerance and understanding. The ethnic studies ban in the state of Arizona is a wake-up call for all of us who truly believe in the importance of a critical pedagogy in education. Ethnic studies do not promote resentment nor do they ”It is the seemingly ordinary folk–the slaves, farmers, create divisions among its students–on the contrary, they sweatshop laborers, janitors, line cooks and dishwashers– bring unity to students across who make up the backbone of America.” different ethnic and racial lines. Through ethnic studies, I realized that the struggles of other marginalized communities were similar to those of my own community. The personal is the political. The Forever 21 skirts and blouses that many women purchase today are made by “invisible” sweatshop laborers who are Mexican, Vietnamese, Ecuadorian, Khmer, Thai, Lao, and Korean–the same people who are also our mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, and friends. Regardless of their ethnic or cultural differences, struggling minorities fight hard to ensure that they receive fair wages and fair treatment from their employers. Their struggles are my struggles. Ethnic studies were never designed for students of a particular ethnic group. They are designed for all students in order to open their minds to the experiences of peoples in the U.S. from all walks of life, including marginalized groups. The ethnic studies movement of the 1960s and 1970s fought to have these courses taught in schools because the hystories of oppressed, marginalized, and minority peoples in the U.S. were for the most part excluded from the social studies curriculum. With ethnic studies, this changed, and for good reason. It is the seemingly ordinary folk–the slaves, farmers, sweat- (Note: “Hystory” and “herstory” are shop laborers, janitors, line cooks and dishwashers – who make up the backbone of America. inclusive and alternative terms for the word “history,” which is viewed by Ethnic studies do not serve as pity parties for black, brown, yellow, and red students demanding reparations from oppressors. Instead, they are a progressive activists and scholars to be gateway to making students more open-minded and critical of what they are taught in school. Minorities have a right to demand that voices and histories hegemonic recounts by and of dominant are heard and taught in schools. Ethnic studies have taught me to love my country and even advocate on behalf of it. It is because I love my country groups and patriarchy-based society.) that I work hard to make sure that America’s founding principles and rights are protected, and that these rights extend to all who live and work in it. PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 5 NEWSPRINT

Breaking the Silence Speaking out about mental health and its effects on the community By SHIRLEY MAK

or many, college is a difficult time – moving away from “Our families pressure us to do really well and we’re per- home, making new friends, and struggling to stay on fectionists so we’re not used to dealing with failing or things Ftop of academics can be challenges for even the most going wrong. When it does happen, especially in college, we unfazed individuals. However, for some, college isn’t just dif- (may) get depressed and not tell anyone about it,” Liu said. ficult – it’s unbearable. “Being Chinese and talking to other Asian people, people According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sui- like to talk about their accomplishments…rather than reveal cide is the third highest cause of death among the 15-to-24 their insecurities or the problems they might have. Seeing a age group in America. Recent studies have also shown that counselor has a bad connotation; (people think) ‘Oh she’s API students in particular are at high risk. The Center for not doing that well.’ ” Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that APIs are more likely to commit suicide than the average American. As part of a model minority, API students often face im- mense pressure from their families, peers, and society to “It’ll be good to let students see succeed both in and outside of school. At the same time, their reluctance to talk about their failures and doubts may that people can be successful in cause many who have depression to suffer alone. Jenny Liu, doing what they do while dealing OF JENNY LIU PHOTOS COURTESY a fourth year economics major at UCLA and winner of the 2010 Jerry Greenspan Student Voice Award, an annual award with a mental health issue.” Liu’s paintings allowed her to express feelings about mental issues. designed to encourage dialogue about mental health on cam- - Jenny Liu puses and reduce the stigma surrounding emotional disor- While depression, suicide, and eating disorders are often ders, was one such student. considered taboo topics for many college students, opening Liu suffered from depression starting from her freshman year The pressure that results from the desire to live up to up the discussion about mental health has helped many stu- in college and encountered firsthand the stigma surrounding the the model minority ideal is a theme that was explored in dents begin the recovery process. Awards such as the Jerry illness, encapsulated by the first time she considered seeking help this year’s Chinese American Culture Night (CACN), which Greenspan Student Voice Award for Mental Health encour- from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), a counsel- took place on May 1 in Royce Hall. Put on by the Associa- age students to reach out to their peers and raise awareness ing center at UCLA that offers students psychological services. tion of Chinese Americans, CACN focused primarily on ex- of mental health problems on campus. As part of her contest “I remember walking back and forth in front of the build- ploring gang violence and mental health issues in the Asian entry, Liu submitted pieces of her art. ing and debating whether or not to go in,” said Liu. “But American community, particularly on the overachiever men- “I try to open up the conversation about mental health in I never did it because it was a scary feeling and embarrass- tality and suicide. The production included a screening of an my paintings…one of (them) has a picture of a girl confined ing. I felt like it was just a phase and something I was going interview with a CAPS counselor, who discussed suicide in within a measuring tape just to show how being really skinny through and could get over it.” relation to the model minority idea and its impact on Asian isn’t healthy at all,” Liu said. For many APIs, being silent when it comes to confronting American students. Liu is also an events director for Active Minds, a student depression and other mental health issues may be related to According to the counselor, the idea that all Asian Ameri- organization at UCLA dedicated to promoting awareness how they were raised. cans do well in school, do well in work, and have few social about mental health and reducing the stigma of mental illness problems is often ingrained within the culture itself. on the college campus. Some of Liu’s paintings were recently Among API females, body image is often an issue as well, displayed in “A Piece of Mind,” an art exhibit organized by putting API women at even greater risk for suicide and depres- Active Minds that encouraged students to submit poetry and sion. API women ages 15 to 24 lead in the highest suicide rate artwork in order to speak out about mental health. amongst all ethnic groups, according to the Department of “I just thought for me, drawing was a really good out- Health and Human Services. let to express my mental health problems and feelings. If I

OF JENNY LIU Liu discussed her battle with an eating disorder along couldn’t talk about it, drawing was my source of therapy, with depression in her award-winning essay for the and I wanted other students to do the same. Maybe they Greenspan award. couldn’t speak out because they were too nervous, but if “A lot of Asian girls are really skinny and there’s the they had another way to express themselves, then it’s good

PHOTOS COURTESY PHOTOS COURTESY pressure to (adhere to) the image of being the petite Asian and healthy,” Liu said. “It’ll be good to let students see that Painting can be a healthy alternative to expressing problems for girl. And if you don’t have that you just feel really down people can be successful in doing what they do while deal- those who find it difficult to directly speak about them. and low,” Liu said. ing with a mental health issue.”

BREAKING THE SILENCE: STATISTICS

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the third highest cause of death among the 15-to-24 age group in America. For more information about Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that APIs are visit http://www.counseling.ucla.edu/ more likely to commit suicide than the average American. or call Free Mental Health Services Help Line: According to the Department of Health and Human Services, API women ages 15 to 1-800-834-6817 24 lead in the highest suicide rate amongst all ethnic groups.

PAGE 6 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES STRUGGLES FROM THE STREETS the AMERICAN PRISON-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX & the ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY

By LAYHEARN TEP and MALINA TEA TRAN

hile some young adults were preparing for college, being homeless. What we missed at home, we created in the ans), and Pacific Islanders, immigrants or refugees, poor, low- others were preparing for time behind bars. streets.” achieving in school and without parents to provide for them, W “Gang life prepares you to go to prison,” said John- Staff members at West Valley City high schools noted that found themselves in the streets. ny Ty, a 27-year-old former gang member of the Tiny Oriental family problems can sometimes lead to gang activity. More “You get beat up at school, you go home (and) you get Posse (TOP). TOP has been recognized as one of the most vio- students are inclined to join gangs if another family member beaten because your parents are wondering why you got beat lent Asian gangs in West Valley City, up,” Ty said. “They felt as if we started it. Utah. “You’ve been seeing your friends They never understood we got mocked, so going to jail all the time. It’s glorified.” “When we go home, our parents are working low-paying jobs. who do you really have? Your friends, who Ty’s story reflects the high number They don’t have time to watch you. It’s like being homeless. have your back.” of Asian Pacific Islanders who are in- In 2004, Ty was charged for burglary carcerated and enter the prison-indus- What we missed at home, we created in the streets.” and in 2009, he was convicted of at- trial complex every year. APIs are the - Johnny Ty tempted murder. Six years ago, 13 other fastest growing population in prison, gang members of TOP were arrested and having increased by 250 percent from incarcerated in different facilties through- 1990 to 2000. Despite the model minority myth, out the nation. Ty went to the Lompoc Federal Cor- the API community has the largest growing percent- rectional Institution. age of youth incarcerated; in 2004, the Services and While Ty learned survival skills in jail, he also Advocacy for Asian Youth Consortium reported developed a passion for learning. He read everything that the API conviction rate is 28 percent higher from The Godfather to books about politics. than all other racial groups. Eddy Zheng, project manager of Community For many APIs, gang life often starts at a young Youth Center (CYC) in San Francisco and former age. prison inmate from Oakland, experienced some- In first grade, Ty befriended people who were thing similar when he was imprisoned as a youth. involved with or knew other gang members. For “It took me to go to prison to realize that knowl- Ty, whose family immigrated to America in the edge is power,” said Zheng, who learned to read and early 1980s after the Cambodian genocide, gangs write in English during his time in prison. Zheng also were a form of protection. Their settlement in Utah became politicized during that time, recognizing how was a difficult one; tension between recent immigrants warfare and immigration has interplayed with the prison- and the predominantly white Mormon population often industrial complex. led to harassment. In regards to war-torn countries, especially in Southeast “Being born in Utah, from a refugee family, I didn’t fit in Asia, the U.S. “(accepted) them as refugees, but when they automatically,” Ty said. “A classmate of mine once said, ‘Do came over, they put them in the ghettos,” said Zheng. Im- you know about Jesus? Your parents never told you about Je- migrants and refugees are then faced with further obstacles. sus? Then you’re going to hell!’” “They have to deal with language barriers, gentrification; PHOTO BY MALINA TEA TRAN Childhood taunts spiraled into race riots during Ty’s middle Ty’s tattoeed arms show his identity: etched on his right they have to fight to survive,” said Zheng, who immigrated school and high school years. According to the West Valley forearm is “TOP” (which stands for Tiny Oriental Posse), to America at the age of 12. “Yet, we blame them and lock City Comprehensive Gang Model Survey, high school stu- writing in Khmer on his right forearm and his hometown, them up.” dents in West Valley City often experience intimidation and “West Valley” on his wrist. Now 37 years old, Zheng has compiled an anthology of violence on a regular basis. stories, poetry, and art from API prisoners called Other. He After witnessing a friend getting shot in middle school, Ty is in a gang, if there is a lack of parental support and supervi- currently works with Bay Area youth through CYC, which started carrying a gun for protection. Often humiliated for be- sion, or if they come from working parents and single-parent offers employment services and after-school tutoring. ing Asian, he felt a pressing need to protect and be protected families. “We outreach to the students and offer alternatives to vio- by others. With both his parents working and being teased by his lence,” Zheng said. “We offer them a safe space for self-esteem “There were very few Mexicans, Pacific Islanders, and no peers, Ty found it difficult to be motivated in school. and education.” African Americans. There weren’t that many Asians,” Ty said. “We were supposed to get good grades,” Ty said. “It’s weird, Ty returned to Utah and is now a part-time worker and “The other students would pull and slant their eyes and make but that’s not how we grew up. We didn’t have goals. You don’t community college student. He wants to make a name for fun of me…we (minorities) got to stick together.” see anybody doing anything in life (sic).” himself and earn an honest living. However, his identity and But Ty was also looking for a place that would accept him, The surrounding violence, coupled with familial neglect, community are still strongly rooted in his gang. a community he could identify with. forced Ty and others like him to seek solace in gangs. The con- “You can never really leave the life of a gang,” said Ty. “You “When we go home, our parents are working low-paying ditions of those in the gang were very much similar to his: live, walk, and breathe the gang. As long as you have the tat- jobs,” Ty said. “They don’t have time to watch you. It’s like many of them were Southeast Asians (Laotians and Cambodi- too, you’ll always be a member.”

In California, 64.6% FROM 1990 TO 2000, of API prisoners were API prison population grew by immigrants and refugees

250% Other: an Asian & Pa- while overall prison population grew by 77% cific Islander Prisoners’ Anthology, compiled by Among them, the largest populations Eddy Zheng, is the California’s API Prisoners in 2005 were Vietnamese and Filipino, followed first book to highlight by Pacific Islanders and Laotians stories and experiences Increase in API prison of API prisoners population within 8 1994 9,825 years 2006 12,799

PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 7 The Environmental THINKING ACROSS TWO WORLDS Spheres of Asia & ACTING globally Asian America locally by SHIRLEY MAK ASIAN NATIONS ENDANGERING SPECIES h ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM IN THE COMMUNITY or many people, the first word that comes to mind when devastated the ocean’s ecosystems to the extent that large fish environmental and social justice organi- hile major environmental environmental destruction and pollution is very damaging to hu- “I think even getting the word out is really helpful,” said eyeing a plateful of sushi is “delicious.” However, as the re- populations are only 10 percent of what they were in the 1950s.” zation based in UCLA. w movements and organiza- man health and aesthetically displeasing as well.” Brewer. “Stuff gets out into the media and people like you or me f cent Convention on International Trade in Endangered Despite scientific evidence that calls for protection of marine “Japanese fishing corporations have traditionally been Although many Asian Americans do have a vested interest in read it and take grassroots action.” Species (CITES) has demonstrated, when it comes to sushi, species, countries such as China and Japan seem to believe that tions have a vested interest headed by a white majority, the environment, more work can be done in terms of encourag- For many, the beginning of a “green” education has its roots there is much more at stake than a piece of raw fish. commercial interest in sharks and bluefish tuna far outweighs in keeping fishing alive a recent poll conducted ing more APIs to get involved in environmental movements and at the university. CITES, an international agreement between governments any potential negative effects resulting from their depletion. because that’s what by the California organizations. “I encounter students all the time who haven’t even heard established in 1975 that protects more than 30,000 different “If you look at big organizations that focus on environmental their livelihoods League of Conser- “In terms of leadership, it has been predominantly white about the (CITES) issue and who come into my class and find species of animals and plants, had its 15th meeting last March. issues, they are European or American organizations,” said Julia depend on. I re- vation Voters Ed- males,” said Le. “I think that has to do with the fact that many out about it and decide to do a project because they’re used to For many conservationists, it was a day of disappointment. Due Kim, a second year linguistics and French major. “I think it has ally don’t think ucation Fund in members of colored communities have been disenfranchised in eating sushi and shrimp and loving it,” said Professor Rebecca to aggressive lobbying tactics by Japanese delegates, who have a lot to do with culture…in Asia, food is food, and they also it’s a matter 2009 showed many ways and it’s hard when you’re looking for jobs. In the past, Shipe, a UCLA professor in the ecology and environmental biol- long held a commercial interest in sinking bids to protect marine place a lot of emphasis on health benefits derived from animals. of East ver- that Asian the leadership of environ- species, the conference concluded without providing any trade Certain parts of animals, such as the shark fin, have medicinal sus West, A m e r i c a n mental movements has not protections for Atlantic bluefin tuna and four species of sharks value.” b e c a u s e (AA) envi- been in touch with people of (scalloped hammerhead, oceanic white tip, porbeagle, and spiny With the lack of API representation in major environmental if you ronmen- color, but now we can see that “Any awareness is a good thing, dogfish), two marine groups that are currently in rapid decline. movements and conferences such as CITES, one has to wonder look at talists are there are more links between Japan, which imports 80% of the Atlantic bluefish catch, was if going green is simply not as huge a priority in Asian countries. Japanese on the the two things. I really hope able to convince developing countries during the conference – “You don’t see the same vegetarian slash vegan movements in p o l i c y, rise. it continues to progress be- because a lot of the time people Libya, Egypt, and Zambia, to name a few – to vote against the Asia as you do in the West, and I think it’s probably due to the o t h e r Of cause I think all people need ban. Their tactic of persuading poor island nations to vote with standard of living,” said Benison Pang, a third year ecology and t h a n the more to think about the environ- just don’t know the impact of them in return for investment in their fishing industries is not evolutionary biology major. “Asia, with a few exceptions, con- fishing, t h a n ment.” new. The Cove, Louie Psihoyos’ espionage documentary about sists of developing countries. Whereas in the West they have the they have 1,000 AA APIs often counter unique their actions.” dolphin drives in Taiji, Japan, touched upon Japan’s long his- luxury of thinking of where the food comes from, in developing done re- California challenges when they pursue tory of hunting marine life and recently won an Oscar for Best countries they’re thinking about whether they can get food or markable voters sur- environmental studies both in - Professor Shipe, ecology & environmental biology department Documentary. Popular television shows such as “South Park” has not.” things for veyed, 83% school and as a career. also satirized Japan’s blatant disregard for protecting marine spe- Environmental awareness and activism may be more of a the envi- of them de- “When I was working at cies, a phenomenon that will have far-reaching effects on the luxury in some countries than in others. ronment.” In scribed them- the Sierra Club, I was just one environment. “If I was starving and poor, the environment probably wouldn’t many Asian selves as envi- out of a handful of Asian Americans…there’s the initial barrier ogy department. “Any awareness is a good thing, because a lot “Sharks are top predators. When you remove top predators be the first thing on my mind either,” said Laurel Brewer, a first nations, depic- ronmentalists. of even applying in the first place knowing that (you’ll) be a very of the time people just don’t know the impact of their actions.” from a system, every single level underneath them is affected. year ecology and evolutionary biology major and member of tions of nature and “One reason why distinct minority,” Chong said. As future leaders, students often find themselves at the fore- That means that the top predator won’t be controlling the level Bruins for Animals. the environment ap- APIs are at least gen- Parental disapproval can also be a discouraging factor. front of the growing environmental movement, a trend that will below it, so whatever those sharks are eating will go up in num- While it can be easy to put the blame on countries perpetrat- pear grounded in the erally aware of and care “The environmental sector is still an emerging field and if hopefully continue. ber, and whatever those things are eating will go down in num- ing the decline of some of the ocean’s most valuable populations, culture itself. about environmental issues you work for a non-profit or for a small organization, the jobs “I definitely think it’s important for students to get involved, ber. It’s called a trophic cascade,” said Debra Pires, an associate the lack of environmental consciousness among Asians and APIs “Different types of Asian art may be because many of them aren’t that stable and the salaries aren’t very comparable to more especially students of color, whether it’s through (environmental professor in the UCLA life sciences department. may be limited to big corporations and government officials are centered around nature. There are immigrants who realize that lucrative professions, such as law or medicine,” Chong said. “I groups) or the respective groups that they’re already in,” said Le. In recent years, overfishing by Japan and other nations has rather than to individuals. are celebrations during certain times of going green – using and buying less – is feel like our community in general has the notion that it may not “E3 is a great group to learn about the issues and to incorporate also taken its toll on the environment. “I don’t necessarily think that the Japanese people don’t care the year where they harvest certain things from economical,” said Debbie Chong, a 2009 UCLA be worth it because it’s a new field and the pay isn’t necessarily some awareness in the groups you’re already in or in everyday “Commercial fishing is wiping out biodiversity, as miles of about the situation. I think that in Japan, just like in America, rivers,” said Pires. “I don’t think that APIs do not care (about alumnus who majored in geography and environmental studies that great.” practices. As students, we’re supposed to be leaders not just on nets sweep up all the fish in their path – and take coral habitats there are certain people who are more environmentally conscious the environment). It’s just that conservation is sometimes called and currently works as a naturalist at the National Recreational Well-known conferences such CITES can be helpful in edu- campuses but in the future, so if we can’t come out, get together, with them,” said Ryan Huling, senior college campaign coor- than others,” said Dorothy Le, a 2007 UCLA alumnus who ma- the luxury of the rich…and conservation practices make things Area in San Francisco. cating the public on the importance of environmentalism and the and work on campaigns, then it’s harder to say that we can do it dinator and spokesperson for PETA. “Commercial fishers have jored in environmental science and was a former leader of E3, an more expensive.” “Also, because many of us settled or live in cities, we know that people who lead it. outside of school.”

A (RECYCLABLE) BAG OF GOODIES READING MATERIALS ORGANIZATIONS As the community service v Love animals? Bruins for Animals supports animal rights by Resources for a Greener Lifestyle branch of E3 (the Ecolo- BRUINS gy, Economy, and Equity means of education, discussion, public demonstration, and group at UCLA), Environ- other creative outlets which promote critical thought. Their re- v FOR cent Veg. Food campaign hopes to ensure availability, variety MEDIA mental Bruins educates the UCLA campus and ANIMALS and proper labeling of vegetarian and vegan food on campus. No Impact Man community about envi- 1 Directed in 2009 by UCLA alumnus Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, this eco-friendly documentary focuses on one ronmental topics through man’s mission to have zero impact on the environment for a year. Colin Beavan lives in NYC, but still manages to give activities such as hikes, Formerly known as the Recycling Committee, up toilet paper, electricity, and take-out in an effort to show the world that sustainability is possible in everyday life. LOS ANGELES beach clean-ups, kayak- STUDENT WELFARE COMMISSION BICYCLE COALITION Food Inc. ing, birding, habitat res- EARTH This Oscar-nominated documentary sheds light on corporate farming in the U.S., focusing on the industrial production of meat and toration, and the UCLA 2 (Environmental Awareness, Recycling, and Terrestrial PHOTO COURTESY OF PENGUIN GROUP INC. PHOTO COURTESY the production of grains and vegetables, two industries that are in many ways economically and environmentally unsustainable. OF AAAJ PHOTO COURTESY Earth Day Festival. Health) promotes sustainability by educating students on en-

The Cove The Omnivore’s Dilemma OF PICADOR PHOTO COURTESY “Historical Overfishing and the Recent ENVIRONMENTAL vironmental issues and programming that promote reusing 3 Louie Psihoyos of the Ocean Preservation Society directs this espionage documentary, awarded the 2010 Oscar for Best Docu- Hot, Flat, and Crowded Collapse of Coastal Ecosystems” materials, reducing consumption, recycling waste. mentary. Part spy-thriller, part sob-fest, this eco-doc sheds some serious light on the controversial dolphin drives in Taiji, Japan. What do Americans like to eat? Mi- BRUINS chael Pollan answers this question Thomas L. Friedman’s bestselling Featured in a 2001 issue of Science LACBCb works to make Los Ange- “Whale Whores” and much more in this bestselling book provides an entertaining and magazine, Joshua Jackson’s exten- USAC FACILITIES COMMISSION les communities healthier and more 4 While “South Park” has a reputation of successfully blending comedy and satire for social commentary, this particular epi- non-fiction book, which follows con- fearless perspective on the green sive article about overfishing is a Components: Student spaces, sustainability, building vibrant for everyone who lives in sode is especially entertaining and relevant, bringing the issue of Japanese whaling to a large audience. sumed food in all forms – whether it revolution in the U.S., urging Ameri- must-read for those who want to learn resources, social justice, parking & transportation, campus them, not just bikers. They advo- is industrially produced, organic or cans to start implementing energy more about human disturbance to safety ([email protected]) cate cleaner air and safer streets. alternative, or that which we forage practices that promote clean energy coastal ecosystems, especially in light PAGE 8 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES ourselves. and energy efficiency. of the recent CITES conference. PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 9 Cultivating a Community Classroom

Tutoring groups seek to help L.A. students in need By AZUSA TAKANO

f you’re able to read this sentence, that it’s important to have these tutor- “We encourage our tutors to reach you are fortunate. In some parts ing programs for those in need. out,” said Sunghun Kim, a fourth-year of the U.S., literacy has become “Education is very important, and business and economics major at somethingI of a luxury. Today, thou- these communities need us,” said Lu. UCLA and member of KASEO. “We’re sands of people in the U.S. are un- “Especially in Los Angeles, it’s a good here for the kids if they want to talk able to read, write, or comprehend the thing that we go and help. We’re just about their problems or anything else.” English language. A simple thing like providing a little extra for these kids.” Programs such as AATP and KASEO reading is something we often take for Despite their name, AATP does not hope that the encouragement and so- granted, but there are many citizens only teach kids of Asian ethnicity. The cial experience that the children gain who struggle to live their everyday demographics of the children in the will help them with their education and lives because of this handicap. program range from Latino to African self-confidence in the future. In Los Angeles alone, the literacy American backgrounds. In additional to the various student- rate has dropped tremendously over run groups that assist children, there the last decade: an estimated 53% are also some that strive to improve of the Los Angeles community is illiteracy in adults as well. Though they literate, and the numbers keep rising. “The most rewarding don’t have to do worksheets and take One reason for this high percentage is tests, adults have just as much incen- the increasing number of immigrants part of our program (in tative to learn English. Having some entering the U.S. Furthermore, high command of the English language is school dropout rates are relatively necessary for them to get around so- high and add to the illiterate statistic. the long run) is when ciety, especially when it comes to fill- In communities with many immigrants, ing out job applications or knowing the a vicious cycle is at work: adults who we see our tutees go names of different streets. Project Lit- are unable to speak or write English eracy at UCLA provides both children cannot teach their children, who of- and adults with free English tutoring. ten struggle in school because of lan- onto levels of higher Students go to Baldwin Hills to aid guage deficiencies. those who are willing to learn English. To help lower illiteracy rates and education.” English tutoring programs can be improve education for all, tutoring pro- beneficial to their tutors as well. grams at UCLA provide free tutoring - Andrew Chomchuensawat “An immediate satisfaction comes and mentorship for those struggling to from seeing the children enjoy learn- read and write. ing,” said Andrew Chomchuensawat, a Established in 1969 as part of the AATP is also not the only student or- fourth year physiological science major Asian American Studies Center and ganization that provides free tutoring at UCLA and president of Thai Ameri- consisting of students from UCLA, to kids in need. Korea town Awareness can Students for Success in Education USC, and Occidental College, mem- Student Education Outreach (KASEO) and Leadership (TASSEL). “The most bers of the Asian American Tutorial members visit Korea town and work rewarding part of our program [in the Project (AATP) visit Castelar Elemen- with underprivileged children in the long run] is when we see our tutees go tary School in Chinatown every Sat- inner-city area. Rather than tutor Eng- onto levels of higher education.” urday to tutor English and math for lish, they teach mathematics to middle grades one through six. Anna Lu, a school students. In addition to tutoring, fourth year French major at UCLA and the KASEO program stresses the im- longtime member of AATP, believes portance of mentorship. LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER OUTREACH PROJECTS AT UCLA

HOPE KORE SPACE

Higher Opportunity Program for Education Khmer Outreach Retention and Education Samahang Pilipino Advancing Community Empowerment HOPE attends 3 sites every week, provid- Established by the United Khmer Students SPACE engages at-risk, historically underrepre- ing high school students from underrepre- (UKS) at UCLA, KORE is a mentorship program sented, under served high school and commu- sented areas with tutoring services, peer that pairs college students with high school nity college students, supporting their efforts advising and leadership development. students in Long Beach. Together, the men- toward academic and personal achievement. Founded by the Vietnamese Student Union torship pairs provide support, advice on ac- SPACE has supported hundreds of students (VSU), HOPE targets many students: at- cess to college and attend field trips to plac- through services such as peer advising, tutor- risk youth, English language learners and es such as the Los Angeles County Museum ing, and workshops. Services are geared to- college-bound students. Each site serves of Art and California Science Center. Once wards promoting academic success, personal specific needs in the Vietnamese and a year, KORE outreaches to all high school well-being, community engagement, and the Southeast Asian community. students to visit the UCLA campus. formulation of solid post-secondary plans.

Sites: Sites: Sites: Chinatown Branch Library, Westminster High, Polytechnic High, Millikan High, Jordan Belmont High, El Camino High, Marshall High San Gabriel High High, Wilson HigH, Long Beach High

PAGE 10 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES SPOTLIGHT A writer brings unpublished Angeleno Publishing Press Takes Off L.A. writers under one book By KAREN LEE

writer. A teacher. An editor. A publisher. An art- Choi graduated from UC Irvine in 1992 with a degree in lished a publishing company, Writ Large Press, to publish ist. Chiwan Choi is all of these things, and not Humanities with a film theory emphasis and attended the exclusively Los Angeles writers. exclusively just one. Tisch School at NYU in a MFA program in dramatic writing “There were so many great writers we knew in the A Though born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Para- from 2002 to 2004. city that were not getting any recognition that we wanted guay until he was 10 years old, Choi considers himself a However, living in New York opened Choi’s eyes to just to do our part. We’re horribly miserable people, but I love true Los Angelino. In Los Angeles, according to Choi, there how talented Los Angeles writers are and how little respect writers,” Choi said. is no pretentious literary scene, and Angelinos are able to they receive. Writ Large Press has published two books since its write for the sake of writing. “Everyone outside Los Angeles thinks it’s Hollywood… inception, averaging to about a book a year, though Choi Choi’s poems and essays have been published in nu- The truth is, when I was in New York or San Francisco, hopes that will change in the future. merous magazines and journals such as ONTHEBUS, Es- I was amazed at how good Los Angeles writers are… “We found a distributor, Small Press Distribution. That quire, and Circa., but The Flood, a collection of poetry, is We’re not very pretentious. We just work and write and might give us a little more freedom to squeeze out two his first book, published by Tia Chucha Press in April. we don’t worry about other things. That is the true, hard- books a year,” Choi said. Tia Chucha Press is operated by Luis J. Rodriguez, core aspect about Los Angeles writers,” Choi said. The first book published by Writ Large Press was a po- who wrote the novel Always Running and is one of Choi’s Living in Los Angeles has had a huge impact on Choi etry collection, Who’s to Say What’s Home, by Kim Calder, literary heroes. as a writer. and the second, a playwriting exercise book titled You Al- “I met him years ago through a friend, who showed him “I tell other writers, and other artists of all kinds, that ready Know by Aaron Henne. A third, another poetry col- some of my writing. He told my friend that he really liked Los Angeles is an incredible city for us because the lection, will be published at the end of July. my writing and wanted to see a full manuscript. It wasn’t city couldn’t care less about what we do. There is no Writ Large Press does not have a genre preference, but ready so I never showed him a manuscript,” Choi said. reputation that we need to live up to, no style that has there are some writers they prefer over others. But the friend mentioned him again some time later, defined us. So it gives me, as a writer, huge amounts of “We haven’t been taking submissions because we and Rodriquez once again requested a manuscript. After freedom to focus on writing,” Choi said. “This city is so knew there were certain writers we wanted to publish submitting one to Rodriguez at the beginning of 2009, Choi raw, open, mysterious, (and) violent, a city of working already. We’ve been approaching them and going from learned a few months later that Tia Chucha Press wanted class people. What it’s allowed me to do is to keep my there,” Choi said. to publish his book. writing simple and clean…to continue to explore only Choi currently hosts monthly readings at The Last Book- “It’s completely humbling because it’s out there now: my what matters to me.” store, which features writers with self-published books. He writing, flaws and all. Don’t get me wrong. I’m incredibly ex- also teaches two writing workshops, one on Monday nights cited, even giddy, but then I sit here and think, ‘Now what?’ in Santa Monica, and the other on Tuesday nights in his And I realize, damn, back to writing,” said Choi. “We’re horribly miserable people, own apartment in downtown Los Angeles, where he lives Choi literally stumbled upon writing when a friend con- with his wife and their dog Bella. vinced him to attend a UCLA Extension poetry-writing but I love writers.” “I met so many writers over the years and they have workshop when he was in high school, where he instantly asked me to have writing workshops… Sometimes I’ll be fell in love with the art. - Chiwan Choi stressed out and I’ll meet with my group and feel better… “I loved it… At the time, I was not quite sure with my Seeing them work is really inspiring and makes me feel not English skills, so the writing made me feel confident about “I find myself writing about the same scenes, the same so alone,” Choi said. it… I started writing, which helped me not be afraid of read- moments...I think I just really like examining and re-exam- Choi is also working on a new poetry collection and a ing (and) it made me want to write more,” said Choi. ining the same picture until I feel I have seen all that I can play that he originally wrote while he was at NYU and is At the workshop, Choi met Jack Grapes, a teacher with see in it. And when I write about Los Angeles, it’s never in the process of rewriting. In “Drywall,” Choi explores the whom he would spend the next 20-plus years studying writing. to make any grand statement about what the city is. It is idea of a son born to kill his father, “in order to replace him “He has taught literally thousands of people in Los An- merely the setting of my life, which means nothing and ev- as part of the natural cycle of things.” geles… His approach to writing is writing like he talks… to erything,” Choi said. As busy as Choi is with multiple projects, he proclaims in be true and honest to your writing,” Choi said. In March 2008, Choi and his wife, Judeth Oden, estab- his blog: “I am sure, more than ever, that I will keep writing.”

A singer finds his place Finding Stardom Across Cultures in the art of enka By SHIRLEY MAK

othing screams East-West fusion like an African Theatre in downtown Little Tokyo, a group made up of both At the concert, the crowd American singer on stage in Los Angeles perform- the old and young, who laughed and cheered as Jero com- cheered when Jero an- ing enka, a form of traditional Japanese music mented on the unusualness of his own clothing. nounced that he would be Nrarely heard in the U.S., much less from someone wear- “When I was doing a commercial in Japan, I had to singing “Umiyuki,” the same ing gold chains, a baseball cap, and projecting in many wear a kimono,” Jero told the crowd. “But I still kept my song that he decided to ways the image of the stereotypical hip-hop singer. Ex- baseball cap on.” close the evening with (fol- cept that enka is anything but hip-hop, and Jero, the man “Jero in Concert” was one of many performances in lowing a demand from the in the spotlight, has a voice that is, oddly enough, not out March celebrating 30 years of Japanese arts, culture, audience for an encore). But of place. and community, organized by the Japanese American the real emotional highpoint Jerome Charles White, Jr., more commonly known as Cultural and Community Center (JACCC), the largest of the evening came when Jero, is the first African American enka singer in the his- Asian American cultural center in the U.S. Along with Jero performed a song he tory of Japanese music, lauded for his angelic voice and Jero, taiko artist Kenny Endo and jazz musician Hiromi had dedicated to his grand- unconventional appearance compared with his contem- Uehara also performed. mother, who passed away in PHOTO COURTESY OF JACCC PHOTO COURTESY poraries in Japan. But Jero’s performance was especially sought af- Jerome Charles White, Jr., 2005, lamenting how sad he Jero’s mastery of the musical genre of enka is unusual ter, as it marked his long-awaited U.S. concert debut also known as Jero. was that she wasn’t alive to in itself. Modern enka first developed as musical ballads since he first became a smash hit in Japan. Raised in see his success in the enka that emerged in Japan’s post-war era, often incorporating Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jero fell in love with enka at world. It was because of both her and his fans, he political texts that were made popular by activists during a young age after listening to his Japanese grandmoth- said, that he was able to make his dream of becoming the late 19th century. Enka bears some resemblance to er’s recordings of famous enka legends. Jero knew he an enka singer come true. American blues and is typically sung by females wearing wanted to become an enka singer then, but it wasn’t Through performing enka, Jero hopes to reignite kimonos or other forms of traditional dress. Anyone who until after he graduated college and went to Japan that interest in the genre in younger generations, showing has seen one of Jero’s music videos, however, knows his dreams became a reality. There, he entered and that music does in fact have the ability to create bonds that he does not fall in either of these categories. won multiple enka karaoke contests and eventually ap- between different kinds of people. On stage, Jero possessed a quiet humility that con- peared on a popular Japanese television contest, where If his first concert in Los Angeles was any indica- trasted with his brazen manner of dress. He repeatedly he landed a contract and rose to the top of music charts tion, Jero is well on his way to becoming an interna- thanked the audience sitting comfortably in the Aratani with his hit single “Umiyuki (Snowy Sea).” tional success. PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 11 True Music Comes from Outside the Line A&E Kollaboration 10 performers share their passion for music ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT By RAY LUO

ne of them wants to use her future In the future, Clara wants to do some- himself to the next level. psychology degree to teach kids thing she loves for the rest of her life, al- "My dream would be to perform and in high school. The other wants to though the choices vary: it could be music record and tour for as long as I can (sup- workO overseas. performance, music education, or English port myself)," said Yang. "I wouldn't have to Both are madly passionate about music. education. necessarily make hundreds of thousands Clara C. and Jason Yang are two musi- "Wherever life takes me, I'll be glad to of dollars like in an office job." cians who performed at Kollaboration 10, follow," Clara said. With graduation literally days away and an annual Asian American empowerment- USC student and electric violinist Jason his Kollaboration audience award tucked through-entertainment event, taking home Yang espouses a similar attitude. Born in safely into his back pocket, Yang still finds the Best Overall and Audience Choice New Jersey to Taiwanese parents, Yang himself at cross-roads between trying to awards. played classical violin for 16 years. After sustain himself in Los Angeles as an as- OF ERICH CHEN PHOTOS COURTESY Clara is a Korean American singer seeing the success of Vanessa May, a re- piring artist or finding a "normal" job at the raised in Los Angeles, where she grew up nowned British violinist, Yang’s dad urged expense of forfeiting his violin performance playing the drums, flute, guitar, and even his son to take up the electric violin. Now, career. the glockenspiel. These instruments are Yang’s work can be seen all over YouTube, "I'd say (the future) is more terrifying heard in Clara's YouTube videos, "Halle- including clips of his participation in Adam than intriguing,” Yang said. "Hopefully, op- lujah," "Fireflies," and "Misery Business.” Lambert’s Zodiac Show and his award win- portunities of epic proportions are still wait- At Kollaboration, Clara played the guitar, ning performance at Kollaboration 10. ing for me in the near future, but for now it's blew on the harmonica, hit the tambourine, And all this coming from a non-music major. back to being an aspiring artist." and vocalized her way to the best overall "It's a safer choice really," said Yang. Clara, too, has a similar vision of her performance with her quirky and infectious "I've seen so many of my friends finish suc- post-graduation plans. original "Off Beat." cessfully with a performance degree and "I’m still the same person with the same Clara’s success seems to come from find no work; I wanted something more passions, quirks and character I was born her desire to create music that is not, ac- academic that I was still interested in." with," Clara said. "In this world of entertain- cording to her, "boxed in" as classical mu- Like Clara, Yang didn't think he had a ment, I keep myself level-headed (by) re- sic. Her dream wasn’t extinguished when music career in him until a friend of his membering that music is first and foremost she decided to study psychology and edu- found a flyer for a corporate gig with Pana- art, not a mere product that is pumped out cation at UC Irvine, but Clara didn’t per- sonic in Las Vegas that demanded an elec- to be sold." form in public too often until she started tric violinist with serious rock chops. Yang For both Clara and Yang, Kollaboration rep- participating in singing contests. Soon she took the last audition spot, got the gig, and resented something bigger than themselves. was racking up win after win, including JC had the opportunity to work with the Ford "The talents who shine, whether Asian Penny's ISA Breakout Artist contest. motor company and Amway. American or not, are the ones who really One of her passions, however, still re- Balancing school with his music can of- believe in their art," said Clara. “They don't OF ZACH DEZON PHOTOS COURTESY Chung won the grand prize, while Yang won the mains school. ten be a challenge. do it because of the money or fame; peo- Audience Choice award at Kollaboration 10 "Remember those kids in schools who "I would be getting out of a class Friday ple can smell a phony." always asked why for everything you say?" morning, getting to the airport, in rehearsal Clara asked. "I was one of those kids; I Friday evening and Saturday, perform on wanted to know why everything happened, Sunday, and get back to class Monday why you think that way, why people react to morning," Yang said. this (and) not that." Kollaboration was an opportunity to take Bodyguards and Assassins By RAY LUO

he story of the prodigal son is one of the many he- army. Though Lai is probably the biggest celebrity in the roic tales in Teddy Chan’s historical drama Body- film, he too transforms himself into an unrecognizable guards and Assassins, the closing night film at the character. Only one word can describe Lai's action se- 2010T Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. quences in this film: austere. There's no excessive car- The film takes place in Hong Kong in 1905, prior to the nage in Liu's scenes, only understated and well-planned 1911 revolution in Southern China that eventually topples movements. Perhaps the simplicity is used to underscore the Qing dynasty. Yan Xiao-Guo is sent to the city to as- Liu's main theme, that of release from his bondage to a sassinate Sun Wen, a revolutionary member, on behalf lover from the past. of the empire. In response, business tycoon Li recruits While the film does a good job of infusing each of the five elite bodyguards to prevent Sun's assassination by bodyguards with individual characteristics that bespeak the Qing henchmen. their bravery, Bodyguards and Assassins lacks credibility Bodyguards and Assassins boasts an impressive cast, at times. Sun's character feels more like a puppet than a including Donnie Yen, one of the few well-known actors saver of a nation. While the fight scenes are spectacular, in the film not from Hong Kong, and Mengke Bateer, an there are also moments – such as people running into ex-NBA player turned martial arts actor who plays Wang horses and lifting buildings - that leave the viewer feeling Fu-Ming, a giant powerhouse capable of easily crush- incredulous. Even with big budget sets, the film some- ing stones but also a tofu peddler with a soft heart and times feels like it takes place in a circus, a world that, simple smile. But it is Nicholas Tse who does the best despite its glamour, doesn't quite seem real. Donnie Yen job of immersing herself in his role, as Li's crippled car- and Wang Xue-Qi give less than brilliant performances, riage driver, A Si, the last of the bodyguards to sacrifice which often appear reserved and even forced at times. himself. Tse’s character adds a dimension of humanity to Despite the historical inaccuracies of the film, it still what would otherwise be another martial arts film. When serves as a dramatic introduction to a key part of China's the assassin Yan is ready to strike down Sun's carriage, history. While it ends on a somewhat subdued note, the which is really his master Li's only son in disguise, Tse journey that the characters undergo makes for the most does the only thing he knows how to do, not by fighting memorable scenes. Despite the film being five hours but by love. long, it doesn’t feel too long. On the contrary, you find Leon Lai, a famous Hong Kong pop star, plays Liu yourself hoping that the action never ends. Bodyguards

Yu-Bai, a beggar who single-handedly takes on the Qing and Assassins is not a film to be missed. OF WE DISTRIBUTION LIMITED, HONG KONG PHOTOS COURTESY

PAGE 12 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES OUR COMMUNITY TIESTIES By ROCKIN’ THE MEDIA MARVIN FERRAZ across the nation

While NU Asian magazine has been at Northwestern University since 2004, it was not until editor-in-chief, Nathalie Tadena, embarked on an ambitious publicity campaign that the venue became well-known around campus. Tadena started her rebranding efforts from a visual standpoint, as past issues were done in black-and-white from printers not really equipped to handle magazines. “I wanted to completely restructure and redesign the magazine so that it was more aesthetically pleasing,” said Tadena. Luckily, Tadena discovered that many members of her staff had an eye for design and art. Though the colorful magazine would cost more, Tadena so believed in its necessity that she obtained grants and even contributed some of her own money. The newer look coincided with a marked shift in the content of the magazine. NU Asian now strives to tackle issues that are not covered by more “mainstream” student media. For instance, articles will highlight events hosted by Asian American cultural groups on campus, developments in the Asian American studies department, and highlights the accomplishments of Asian American students (chief among them should be the magazine itself). e-mail [email protected]

The title of this radio show alludes to the famous Silvia Plath quote: “Poetry is the blood- jet; there is no stopping it.”Likewise, there is no stopping host Rachelle Cruz, who, in the space of only a year, has managed to attract the very best writers of Asian Ameri- can literature. Guests have included literary luminaries such as Joseph O. Legaspi, Lee The Herrick, and Ching-In Chen. Rachelle Cruz conducts interviews by phone, which can be streamed live from her website or listened to at a later time. Of the inventive format, Blood-Jet Cruz said that it “recalls the origins of poetry as music, as oral tradition.” The audience is privileged to hear the poet’s take on their inspiration, craft, and artistic life, especially since it relates to being a writer of color. Following this dialogue, Cruz allots the guests Writing the second half of the program to perform their work. During these readings, she said that “sometimes you can hear me catching my breath, after a damn good poem.” Hour website www.thebloodjet.wordpress.com

Started in 2004 as a class project under Professor John Eperjesi, Big Straw magazine expanded the next year into a full-fledged organization at Carnegie Mellon. Editor-in- chief, Robin Chen, said that part of the goal was to “provide an opportunity for students to express themselves, whether through writing or through art.” Under this general banner, writers and artists are encouraged to cover Asian American topics that are not normally discussed in everyday conversation. Following this style, Big Straw has become a “hub of Asian-American activity at Carnegie Mellon,” and students consider it an honor to be published in its pages. Nonetheless, Robin Chen is striving to provide more opportunities for students. She recently spearheaded a simpler redesign of the magazine, as it “allows Big Straw to publish more frequently since the staff can work faster now.” Chen has also carried Big Straw over into the digital world, with an online ver- sion of the magazine as well as a Twitter account and Facebook page. Big Straw’s internet presence has given it yet another tool for “reaching out to the community.” website www.bigstraw.org PARALLAX In 2005, Parallax became an independent campus journal at Cornell University. Its goal was to cover social, political, and cultural issues as they relate to the Asian Americans, in order to promote greater advocacy in the community. Jack Yeh, editor-in-chief, acknowledges that some prospective writers are put off by the very idea of an Asian American journal. He said, “…when they see Asian American, they imagine a narrow-minded approach to looking at the world. Ironically, this is exactly the opposite of our mission—even the title Parallax is meant to convey multiple perspectives.” Due in part to Yeh’s dispelling of common misconceptions, Parallax has experienced a boom in staff recruitment, in everything from writers and layout artists to programmers and web designers. With continued (and generous) financial support from Cornell, Yeh plans to lead his staff toward producing a magazine that innovates the traditional journalistic mold. To this point, Yeh seeks to include articles that are “humorous yet relevant” pieces that will “appeal to a wider audience and simultaneously make Asian-Americans proud of their heritage.” e-mail [email protected]

website www.hyphenmagazine.com A group of artists and journalists founded Hyphen in 2002, largely in response to the financial collapse of A. magazine. Since then, Hyphen has prospered with twenty issues, due to amazingly enough, an all volunteer staff. Their collective goal is to “[look] beyond identity...explore cultural issues while tackling what is Asian-American by accident, by tangent or by happenstance.” Their move into the blogosphere has further widened their scope. Blogger Ken Choy, for instance, ostensibly covers the arts, but it’s actually much more than that. “I think there’s a misconception about those who cover the arts as frivolous,” said Choy. “I try to frame the coverage around a larger social issue. Art is meant to provoke as well as entertain.” In one month alone, Ken Choy authored eight articles (to say nothing of bloggers dealing with different issues). He has written about everything from the film, Stand Up for Justice, which deals with a Mexican American who voluntarily joins his Japanese friends in the internment camps to a critique of the self-promotion (or lack thereof) at a Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) mixer. Choy’s work, and that of other bloggers, clearly supports his contention that “art is activism for APIs because of its visibility.” PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 13 z GLOBAL AFFAIRS your quick guide to ABROAD IN ASIA happenings, culture, society and politics! CHINA A string of gruesome killings of children across China has left its citizens baffled and horrified. Even during China’s most violent period, the Cultural Revolution, such massive attacks on children did not occur. Most of the suspects lived at the bottom of society, leading observers to blame their anger on NORTH KOREA the rich and the government, but there has been no Zheng, a worker at a military factory located in JAPAN explanation as to why children are being repeatedly Hamhung city in North Korea, was recently executed The Cove, the Oscar-winning U.S. docu- targeted. In 2004, counterfeit milk powder caused in a public shooting for disclosing the country’s mentary on dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Ja- the deaths of 13 babies and permanent disablement rice market price to a friend in South Korea using a pan, will be screened by at least 26 movie of 141 others. Such an incident reflected moral decay Chinese cell phone. North Korea prohibits residents theaters across Japan starting in June. in China, but child-harming has escalated to raw from engaging in any foreign telecommunications, Unplugged Inc., the film’s distributor, faced violence this year. and violators are treated as traitors or political the possibility of canceling the planned prisoners. screening of the film in Japan due to strong opposition from the town of Taiji, its fishery association, and other groups.The Cove was mostly shot in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, partly with hidden cameras, and won the 2010 Academy Award for best documentary but garnered controversy in Japan, with some claiming that it has factual errors.

INDIA PHILIPPINES Debate continues in India over whether A controversial gay rights group in the Philippines, the country should enter a legally bind- Ang Ladlad, can now participate as a party list ing contract to limit carbon output. Many group in the May 2010 elections. Ang Ladlad was Indians argue that their country needs to formerly denied participation because it “advocat- grow and develop in the same fashion as ed immorality” and homosexuals were viewed as the U.S. and other developed countries a “threat to youth.” Recently, however, the court and can only do so by continuing to emit ruled that the group satisfied every party list greenhouse gases. India’s economy and requirement set by the Republic Act 7941, or the government cannot handle transitioning to Party-list System Act. Ang Ladlad is composed of a low-carbon emission contract, but some Filipino gays, lesbians, transgender, and bisexuals. Indians believe that implementing such a measure will propel the nation forward.

THAILAND INDONESIA The Red Shirt rebellion is threatening the political and People living in Jakarta, Indonesia are tired of the demographic landscape of Thailand as Buddhist follow- protests and debates being led by demonstrators and ers take over elite areas to protest the military-backed legislators in their new democratic government. A recent government. Most of the political drama is focused on survey conducted by the Indonesia Survey Institution re- VIETNAM parliamentary elections and the exiled Prime Minister, vealed that Indonesians feel that the country’s transition There has been a heightening trend of young woman Thaksin Shinawatra, but fragmentations across class from a dictatorship to a democracy has failed. Political working in Saigon’s massage parlors, hailing from and region are overlooked. Thailand could see a major activists have resorted to distasteful and offensive acts poor rural families. These women are often in battle among its different regions and become disunited to prove their point, including painting “SiBuYa” on a charge of providing for their families. In one in- if the elite do not give in to a secular democracy. water buffalo, insinuating that President Susilo Bambang stance, Lan Pham (a worker in a Siagon parlor) uses Yudhoyono is big, lazy, and stupid. her wages to pay for her younger siblings’ school- ing and feeding her family. Even though massage workers earn more than cooks or factory workers, they are looked down upon by many Vietnamese, especially men. They repeatedly encounter insults at work and on the streets.

Japanese; lit. pulling away, being confined

THE HIKIKOMORI EXPERIENCE Hikikomori refers to people, often men, A leading psychiatrist claims that one who self-confine themselves in their social withdrawal, million Japanese are hikikomori, which, if true, translates into roughly 1 percent of rooms to avoid judgment from society– school refusal, as a result of a myriad of factors, from the population. Even other experts’ more co-dependent relationships to ambiguity solitude, selective conservative estimates, ranging between 100,000 and 320,000 sufferers, are alarm- of male role to clinical depression and mutism, life crisis, ing, given how dire the consequences may autism, and more; they are often not in- reclusive, hermit, be. As a hikikomori ages, the odds that tegrated into society and depend on their loner he’ll re-enter the world decline. parents/families for support. Source: The New York Times PHOTO BY JAMES WHITLOW DELANO PAGE 14 | spring 2010 | PACIFIC TIES CALENDAR introducing... DAVID K. YOO Asian American Studies Center Director

by LEILA MIRSEYEDI Date Event Details UCLA Department of Art Lectures: Lecture on Anthony Hernandez, photographer MAY 27 Anthony Hernandez and UCLA Art Council Chair for Spring 2010 7 pm Hammer Museum Free Show will display the diversity of the Indian MAY 29 Indian Student Union Culture Show 5:30 pm Royce Hall subcontinent through dancing, singing, acting, Free and composing classical and fusion music Award-Winning Student Poetry This year’s UCLA prize-winning student poets JUNE 2 Reading will be reading their work aloud. Awards have 7 pm Hammer Museum been granted by the Academy of American Poets Free Asia America Symphony Orchestra Dave Koz, Grammy® nominee guest stars with JUNE 5 Japan American Cultural and Community Maestro David Benoit and The Asia America 8 pm Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, including timeless clas- $50 - $100 sics from Stravinsky and John Williams “Winter Garden” Art Exhibit Organized by Japanese Foundation, this exhibit JUNE 12 - George J. Doizaki Gallery in Little Tokyo explores micro-pop imagination in contempo- JULY 18 Free rary Japanese art, featuring videos, paintings and 8 pm drawings of pop/contemporary Japanese artists K. YOO OF DAVID PHOTO COURTESY In April of 2010, UCLA announced the appointment of Professor David K. Yoo as the new Director Film Screening of “Womans Looks A moving drama about two men living in a fish- of the Asian American Studies Center and Professor in the Department of Asian American Studies. JUNE 18 on Fire with Water” ing village in Malaysia. In Mandarin, Korean, Pacific Ties had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Yoo and get his insights on various topics 8 pm Regal 12 and Cantonese with English subtitles in the API community. $12 A selection of Japanese music videos that are big “1,2, 3: Apogee” Screening ven though David K. Yoo grew up in the very Asian-concentrated areas of Torrance, JUNE 19 GRAMMY Museum in Japan will be playing at the 2010 LA Film 7:30 pm $12 Festival Gardena, his interest in Asian American history did not blossom until he went to col- Elege on the East Coast. It was at Princeton and Yale where he noticed that little to Film Screening of “1428” Documentary of the Great Sichuan Earthquake nothing of what he had learned in American history classes all those years spoke to his JUNE 20 Regal 13 that rocked China on May 12, 2008; part of own experience as a Korean American. 7 pm 1000 West Olympic Boulevard 90015 L.A. Film Festival’s International Showcase Through Asian American journals such as Amerasia, Yoo discovered various narratives $12 that spoke about the struggles of Asian Americans, past and present. Although Yoo had Movies on the Plaza Summer Outdoor Film Series present classic planned on going to law school, an internship at a law firm made him realize that a law JUNE - AUG. Japan American Cultural and Community movies, food vendors, and music career was not for him. Instead, he decided to combine his desire to spread awareness Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo of Asian American history with his love for teaching. Free After working for 15 years at the Claremont Colleges, Yoo is now at UCLA as the Asian Kollaboration Acoustic 4 Talented API musicians and artists perform American Studies Director and a professor in the department. At Claremont, he noticed AUG. 27 Ford Theaters original songs--acoustic style 8:30 pm $15 - $30 (early bird special starts Aug. a driving force in the dissemination of Asian American history that resembled what hap- 20 : $10 - $15) pened during the 1960s and 70s: a push for an accurate account of Asian history on a global scale. Yoo plans to nurture this movement at UCLA, where the Asian American Studies Center is currently working with Chinese scholars to paint a more accurate pic- JOIN THE FAMILY, ture of the relationship between the U.S. and China under the U.S. Chinese Media Brief. Yoo views this as an act of “reclaiming” Asian history, much of which is still untold. ADVERTISE WITH US. The center’s already large library and archival collection is growing as its 50 faculty members, along with community organizations, collect data to research contemporary issues. Despite the progress, however, Yoo believes that it will be much longer before Asian American history, let alone a transnational Asian history, is able to take substantial OVER 30 YEARS OF form. SERVING THE “I wanted to study Korean American history because that hasn’t been a lot (said) about it. I make the argument that religion is central to their experience because it (speaks) to ASIAN AND PACIFIC their whole range. It provides a structure, main way of communication, a place to find ISLANDER meaning, and a way to come together…what’s interesting about Asian American studies is the intersection of race and religion.” COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS, DKY’s thoughts on... BUSINESSES, “For me, what I think will be increasingly important is coalition- interconnectedness building – how we (are able) to do more things when we combine ORGANIZATIONS, forces with other groups. We have to also continue to question how the Asian American experience ACTIVISTS, relates to other minority experiences.” EDUCATORS, “One of the other things I would like to do is to create a kind of traf- student relations fic flow through the center that will hopefully attract more students. PROFESSIONALS We’ve always had a strong community component. All the research that we do needs to be in some way AND LEADERS tied to the community. The center can connect the student to different communities.” “What it means to be Asian American is incredibly di- FOR RATES, SIZES AND OPTIONS, Asian American studies verse. What I try to tell people who aren’t familiar with CONTACT US AT Asian American studies is that there isn’t one (definition). It’s all about…complexity and nuances. The [email protected] field tries to focus on the multiplicity. I think that often, society tries to stereotype what Asian American means and I think the field tries to provide counter-narratives to those stereotypes.”

PACIFIC TIES | spring 2010 | PAGE 15 BACKPAGE AROUND TOWN

KHMER CULTURE OF SOTHY ENG PHOTOS COURTESY NIGHT

HMONG CULTURE

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OF SOUANIA MOUA SOUANIA OF COURTESY PHOTOS CHINESE AMERICAN CULTURE NIGHT OF ACA

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MIGHTY NO-NO BOY MIC PLAY OF HEREANDNOW THEATRE CO. OF HEREANDNOW THEATRE PHOTOS COURTESY PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLAUDIA LI PHOTOS COURTESY recycle after reading. SPREAD THE SEED. PLANT KNOWLEDGE. recycle knowledge.