The PublicAsian - November/December 2012

The PublicAsian

Nov/Dec 2012 | A Voice

for

the

Asian Pacific American Community

at

the

University

of

Maryland, College Park | Volume 19, Issue II

At least four Verizon Wireless commercials that aired in the last year featured Asian Pacific American actors, portraying them as tech-savvy experts on tablets, computers and cellphones.

Whether or not these commercials roles seem stereotypical, APAs have made a strong presence in the technology industry and can give impressions of having expertise in the field. In actuality, they have also been huge consumers of smartphones, according to surveys from Nielsen. In the first half of 2012, 63.7 percent of APAs owned smartphones and had a higher rate of switching to the more advanced devices than any other races and ethnicities in the United States.

Technological knowledge and interest among APAs may be more than just a trend in the U.S., though. According to Guiling Hu, a Chinese language studies professor at this university, being involved in technology and science is a part of modern Asian education and culture.

“In mainland China, we have a saying that if you are very good at mathematics, engineering and technology, you can be really successful anywhere in the world,” Hu said. “So even when children are very young, their parents will encourage them to learn these things, and they are very proud if their kids are good at math and engineering.”

TECHNOLOGY, Page 3

Graphic by Linda Poon

AASU introduces new IMPACT mentorship program

By Colleen Wilson Staff writer The Asian American Student Union introduced a new program this semester to help incoming freshmen and transfer students assimilate to campus life.

IMPACT is the brainchild of sophomore Yooni Choi, a neurology and physiology major, who wanted to pair new students with upperclassmen to create a mentor-mentee relationship and encourage campus involvement among Asian Pacific American students.

Choi came up with the idea after a summer internship program paired her with her own mentor. “He was a really good resource and told me to expand my horizons and don’t be afraid to do things you’ve never done before,” she said. “It was a good, cultivating experience.”

In August, Choi approached the AASU

board to make sure the idea was feasible. In previous years the AASU had a freshmen council, but that was dissolved this year to try Choi’s mentorship program.

Because the program is just taking off, AASU is using a rolling admissions system so students can join all year round. Choi hopes to eventually have set deadlines as more people get involved to encourage early signup.

“Instead of having a freshman council we wanted to try out a new way to … make sure there was a program for freshmen to be able to get involved,” said Amanda Wang, AASU’s Vice President of External Affairs and an IMPACT mentor.

Students who live off campus can also benefit from the mentorship, according to Choi. “One girl that I’m co-mentoring is in Freshmen Connection. She sort of has a disconnect with the campus,” Choi said.

Newsfeed

“Talking to her made me realize that there are more students out there. A lot of the focus now is to get the word out.”

Choi created a Facebook group for IMPACT and made flyers early on in the semester. AASU is looking to do more publicity next semester.

Six pairs have been formed since the program officially started in early October and they meet weekly or biweekly. As more people become involved, the groups will be paired by majors or similar interests.

“We’re doing conversation targets about career goals and four-year plans on majors and minors; it’s not strictly social,” Choi said.

“A lot of it is based on the academic successes of the upperclassmen that they can pass down to their mentees.”

Wang is a mentor for freshman psychology major Ylan Nguyen, who said she found out about the program after stopping at the

Features

Inside

Historic Firsts in Life of Pi gets Election 2012 3D treatment

Newly elected Asian Pacific Americans make history in this year’s elections | Page 4

Ang Lee takes Yann Martel’s celebrated novel, “Life of Pi,” to the big screen | Page 8

AASU’s table during the First Look Fair held earlier this semester on McKeldin Mall.

“This could really help me get more involved and find out more about events than I could myself … so far I’ve met a few people through my mentor and she told me things I’ve never heard of and helped me get more involved with AASU,” Nguyen said.

As for the mentors, Wang said that she sees benefits in gaining leadership skills by sharing past experiences and passing it on in the APA community. As the program expands, she said, she would like to see more diversity in the mentor and mentee pairs to spread the openness of the APA community to all races.

Choi hopes that IMPACT can create an organic relationship between the mentor and mentee. “The main goal is to make it a little bigger and acceptable with students, and hopefully start some really good friendships.”

Opinion

Unpacking and reflecting

Hyobin Sung reflects on her time in China and the value of having support | Page 10

Online Exclusive

Read our online exclusive profile on College Park’s fusion restaurant, Shangai Tokyo.

www.publicasian.com @publicasianumd

2

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

newsfeed

PA asks: What do you think about the “model minority”?

Interviews and photos provided by Morgan Eichensehr

Nathan Yeh Freshman business major

Nicole Huang Sophomore civil and environmental engineering major

Michael Zhang Sophomore finance and accounting major

“Sometimes it’s nice because people always think you’re smart. But then it can be bad if you do something dumb because people judge you more.”

“Others stereotypically label us because a lot of times, [APAs] seem to have better grades. But if people are just using grades to compare us to themselves, then they’re missing out.

Each person is an individual.”

“Quite frankly, it does apply to a lot of my Asian friends, but it doesn’t mean that everyone fits the stereotype. You just have to make sure you don’t judge others just based on stereotypes.”

To read more about the story behind this question, check out PublicAsian.com for an online exclusive!

Typical pairings of white male, APA female in ads

By Maria Andia Staff writer

In recent years, companies have used more interracial couples in their commercials and advertisements for the purposes of broadening their target audience. Although big name companies attempt to have a more inclusive and all-encompassing commercial, the majority of interracial couples portrayed in advertisements feature white men with Asian Pacific American women.

In the “Ruffles: Ultimate Dip” commercial, a white male walks into a friend’s house with his APA girlfriend and asks if they have room for her join in on a game of poker.

In contrast to the little dialogue and shy disposition the woman has in the beginning of the commercial, immediately after eating the chips she spontaneously transforms into a seductive, witty “tough girl,” who becomes enticing to all the men in the room.

On the surface, the advertisement can be seen as breaking the stereotype that women are passive and cannot have the same skills as men, but it inadvertently reinforces another stereotype. In the commercial, the APA woman is paired with a white male who could be considered less attractive than her, and is seen solely as an alluring and exotic object.

This raises the question about how the media projects members of the APA community.

Alex DoQuang, Vice President of Finance for the Asian American Student Union, said he thinks this matter originates from an earlier period in history. “Asian women have been often portrayed as exotic and delicate,” he said. “This dates back to the World War II era when relations between American soldiers and Asian women became more common.”

Sarah Strada, a freshman anthropology and environmental science double major, feels more strongly about the portrayal of APAs in advertising. “I think [the media is] feeding into a stereotype that [Asian women] are more submissive, and more easily dominated,” she said.

While the media may objectify APA women, it also excludes APA males. They aren’t often given traditionally “manly” roles, and aren’t commonly portrayed being

The PublicAsian A Voice for the Asian Pacific American Community at the University of Maryland, College Park Co-Editor-in-Chief ................................................................................ Linda Poon Co-Editor-in-Chief ..............................................................................Mary Tablante Features Editor..........................................................................................Karen Xie Web Editor.............................................................................................James Levin Advertisement Manager........................................................................Jennifer Lien Photographer....................................................................................Ryan Alphonso Photographer........................................................................................James Levin AASU Liaison..........................................................................................Angela Mei Copy Editor.......................................................................................Ulysses Munoz

in relationships with women of any race.

The pitch in many advertisements seems to be misrepresenting interracial couples in the APA community.

Interracial relationships are not a new phenomenon for the APA community.

DoQuang, and his Caucasian girlfriend, Jacqueline Betro, a freshman community health major, talked about the common pairing of the Caucasian male and APA woman.

“It’s definitely more common to see white men with Asian women, but I don’t think race has ever played an active part in any of my relationships,” DoQuang said.

“It seems like the media establishes this idea that you need to date someone near your race in order to have something in common with them,” said Betro. “Your race doesn’t define your personality or who you like.”

Married couple Louis Putterman, an economics professor at Brown University, and his wife, Vivian Tseng, vice president of law and general council at Welch’s, gave their opinions. “I think that society finds white male and Asian female pairing more acceptable, but because that is more acceptable, I don’t think it communicates a message of diversity in advertisements,” said Tseng.

On the contrary, Putterman thinks this trend is seemingly representative of what dating is like in the APA community. “I’ve encountered maybe three times as many couples in which the man is white and the woman Asian, than the other way around,” said Putterman.

The media occasionally pairs couples with the APA and Caucasian roles reversed, such as a McDonalds commercial featuring a white woman with an APA boyfriend, but this pairing is less common.

“The APA community itself is very ethnically diverse,” said Tseng. “A Chinese and Vietnamese couple, for example, would be regarded as interracial within the APA community even though the dominant white society may not see the couple that way.”

Although APAs are getting more attention in the media, the common trend seems to be the typical pairing of the white male and APA female, which many may argue misrepresents the APA community.

About: The PublicAsian is a student-run newspaper sponsored by the Asian American Student Union (AASU) of the University of Maryland, College Park.

Printing Schedule: The PublicAsian is published twice a semester, with a circulation

of 1,500. It is distributed at the University of Maryland, College Park and at the Library of Congress Asian American Reading Room.

Involvement: If you are interested in becoming a reporter, photographer, copy editor or layout editor with The PublicAsian, please contact publicasian@gmail.com.

Published with support from Campus Progress, a division of the Center for American Progress.

Online at CampusProgress.org. | Sponsored by the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

THE PUBLICASIAN | NOV/DEC 2012

NEWS | 3

Honors alumna from WHIAAPI urges students to engage in activism

By Joseph Marshall Staff  writer

Christina  Lagdameo,  who  served  as  Deputy  Director  of  the  White  House  ,QLWLDWLYH RQ $VLDQ $PHULFDQV DQG 3DFLÂżF Islanders,  challenged  a  small  group  of  attentive  students  at  an  Honors  Brown  Bag  Lunch  Talk  to  log  out  of  social  media  and  become  active  in  the  campus  community.  The  event,  which  took  place  in  the  small  basement  of  Anne  Arundel  Hall  on  Nov.  8,  was  streamlined  via  Internet  through  a  fuzzy  Skype  connection.  Although  Lagdameo’s  image  was  slightly  distorted,  her  message  of  student  involvement  was  rather  clear. “I  always  stress  the  importance  of  getting  involved  in  student  life,â€?  Lagdameo  said.  “Now  is  your  time  to  turn  off  Facebook  DQG XVH WKDW WLPH WR H[SORUH UHĂ€HFW DQG UHDOO\ ÂżQG \RXUVHOI E\ WDNLQJ ULVNV WR EH WKH person  you  need  to  become.â€?

Lagdameo,  an  Honors  alumna  of  this  university,  worked  for  the  White  House  2IÂżFH RI 0DQDJHPHQW DQG %XGJHW IURP 2000  to  2007,  where  she  examined  over  $45  billion  in  federal  income  support  programs.  She  served  as  an  analyst  under  the  Clinton,  Bush  and  Obama  administrations.   While  at  the  university,  Lagdameo  said,  KHU VWXGHQW DFWLYLVP GHÂżQHG KHU DV D OHDGHU and  guided  her  on  the  path  of  political  activism.   Known  on  campus  as  the  “Yellow  Panthers,â€?  Lagdameo’s  student  activist  group  organized  many  student  protests Â

on  behalf  of  a  formerly  neglected  Asian  3DFLÂżF $PHULFDQ FRPPXQLW\ DQG KHOSHG WR HVWDEOLVK WKH ÂżUVW $VLDQ $PHULFDQ 6WXGLHV program  in  the  D.C.  metropolitan  area. “As  much  as  it  is  important  to  really  understand  your  studies,  there  is  so  much  power  in  making  a  demonstration  sign,  or  being  a  part  of  a  rally  or  something  you  really  believe  in  to  make  your  voice  heard,â€?  she  said.

Lagdameo  also  encouraged  students  to  ¿QG WKHLU SDVVLRQ DQG QRW WR EH GLVPD\HG E\ those  who  may  not  support  their  ambitions,  even  if  those  naysayers  may  be  their  own  parents.  “My  parents  wanted  me  to  be  a  GRFWRU EXW , KDG WR ÂżQG P\ SDVVLRQ DQG pursue  it,â€?  she  said.   “It  was  a  struggle,  but  my  parents  are  proud  of  me  now.â€?   Joel  Vasquez,  a  freshman  and  currently  undecided  major,  found  inspiration  in  Lagdameo’s  personal  testimony.  “My  parents  want  me  to  go  into  a  different  career  path  as  well,  so  hearing  Christina’s  story  really  motivated  me  to  continue  following  my  passion,â€?  he  said. $VKPL 6KHWK D VRSKRPRUH ÂżQDQFH DQG government  and  politics  double  major,  said  it  might  have  been  divine  intervention  that  brought  her  to  this  event.   Upon  receiving  the  event  invitation,  Sheth  admitted  that  she  was  unaware  of  who  Lagdameo  was.  After  conducting  a  little  research,  she  discovered  WKDW /DJGDPHR ZRUNHG LQ WKH YHU\ ÂżHOG she  is  interested  in. Âł7KLV ZDV UHDOO\ D UHDIÂżUPDWLRQ RI P\

PHOTO CREDIT: KCCD.ORG

Alumna Christina Lagdameo Skyped in on Nov. 8 to talk to students about activism.

goal  to  focus  my  studies  more  on  public  policy  because  there’s  a  lot  of  potential  in  WKDW FDUHHU ÂżHOG DQG , FDQ VHH LW WKURXJK Christina,â€?  said  Sheth,  who  is  on  the  board  for  the  Indian  Students  Association.  “I  think  it’s  really  important  to  have  an  Asian  American  in  the  government  representing  [the  community’s]  voice,  and  that’s  exactly  what  I  want  to  do,  but  from  a  South  Asian  standpoint.â€?

Special  Events  Coordinator  Ryan  Elza  of  the  Honors  College  organized  the  Brown  Bag  Lunch  series  to  bring  in  several  guests  speakers  throughout  the  year  to  motivate  students.   He  said  that  he  believed  the  event  went  very  well. “Everyone  seemed  really  engaged  and  inspired  by  [Lagdameo’s]  story,�  Elza  said.   “It’s  hard  not  to  be  inspired  by  someone  like  Christina,  who  has  come  so  far,  done  so  much  and  devoted  her  life  to  her  passion.�

APA student groups adapt to SGA budget cuts

By Ulysses Munoz Staff  writer Whether  it’s  the  chess  club  or  Model  United  Nations,  virtually  every  student  organization  on  campus  has  had  to  deal  with  budget  cuts  from  the  Student  Government  Association  )LQDQFH &RPPLWWHH 7KH $VLDQ 3DFLÂżF American  student  groups  are  no  different.  Every  APA  group  received  less  than  half  of  the  money  requested  for  events,  according  to  the  SGA’s  Primary  Allocations  2012  document.  Some,  including  the  Filipino  Cultural  Association,  the  Taiwanese  American  Student  Association  and  the  Chinese  Student  Association,  obtained  a  third  or  less  of  what  was  requested.  But  so  far,  APA  groups  on  campus  have  been  able  to  cope  with  the  decreased  funds  available  to  them.  “These  cuts  haven’t  really  impacted  our  event  hosting  ability  too  much,â€?  said  Japanese  American  Student  Association’s  vice  president  of  programming,  Danny  Zollner.  “We  haven’t  had  to  cancel  any  as  a  result.  We  just  have  to  be  a  bit  thriftier.â€?

JASA  has  already  held  three  major  events  WKLV \HDU²WKH 1DJDVKL VRPHQ Ă€RZLQJ noodles)  at  the  beginning  of  the  semester,  a  scavenger  hunt  and  a  two-­night  calligraphy  workshop  taught  by  a  local  Japanese  teacher.  “We  have  a  lot  of  ideas  for  events  and  would  like  to  hold  as  many  as  we  can,  but  our  two  main  limits  are  time  and  money,â€?  Zollner  said.  More  recently,  JASA  had  an  outing  to  Azuma  Izakaya,  a  Japanese  restaurant  and  bar  in  Rockville,  and  they  plan  to  host  a  movie  night  on  Nov.  19.

The  Asian  American  Student  Union  has  also  been  forced  to  deal  with  budget  slashes. “We’ve  faced  budget  cuts  within  the  last  few  years,  but  many  of  the  SGA-­funded  student  organizations  have  also  had  the  same  experiences,â€?  said  AASU’s  vice  president  RI ÂżQDQFH $OH[ 'R4XDQJ Âł)URP ZKDW , have  heard  from  previous  executive  board  members,  each  year  the  SGA  budget  gets Â

lower  and  lower.â€? “So  far  this  semester  we’ve  planned  three  PDMRU HYHQWV ´ 'R4XDQJ DGGHG Âł:HÂśYH held  our  Freshman  Welcome  event,  our  APA  Networking  Event  and  our  annual  F.U.E.L.  leadership  conference,  which  happens  to  be  our  largest  event  of  the  year.â€? %RWK =ROOQHU DQG 'R4XDQJ VXJJHVWHG WKDW applying  for  grant  proposals  from  university  departments  and  external  funding  sources  DUH WZR RI WKH PRVW HIIHFWLYH ZD\V WR ÂżQDQFH events.  “The  Pepsi  fund  is  a  great  opportunity  for  all  student  organizations  because  they  are  open  to  DOPRVW DOO VWXGHQW UXQ HYHQWV ´ 'R4XDQJ VDLG “They  gave  out  about  80  grants  last  year  and  offer  up  to  $50,000  to  help  support  campus  events.  It’s  generally  a  reliable  source  of  funding.â€?

The  SGA  budget  cuts  have  also  forced  APA  leaders  to  think  outside  of  the  box  when  it  comes  to  fundraising,  according  to  CSA  president,  Steven  Wang.  “Budget  cuts  have  EHHQ VLJQLÂżFDQWO\ PRUH WKLV \HDU EXW ZH have  managed  to  deal  with  it,â€?  he  said.  “This  makes  us  come  up  with  new  and  creative  ways  to  manage  our  budget  and  hold  creative  fundraisers.â€?

Collaborations  between  APA  groups  both  on  and  off  of  campus  are  taking  place  as  well. “We  just  had  a  dumpling  night  mixer  with  TASA,�  Wang  said.  “We  continue  to  work  with  other  APA  groups.  [CSA  works]  with  [George  Washington  University]  and  Georgetown  [University]  and  formed  the  Chinese  Metropolitan  Student  Association.�

Every  few  weeks,  JASA  also  fundraises  by  selling  onigiri,  or  rice  balls,  outside  of  Stamp,  and  the  group  has  been  looking  into  collaborating  with  different  groups  on  various  projects,  according  to  Zollner.

Despite  the  budget  slashes,  morale  has  remained  high  among  members  of  the  APA   student  organizations,  and  they  continue  to  overcome  obstacles.  “In  a  way,  this  is  a  good  thing,â€?  Wang  said.  ³,W ZLOO GHÂżQLWHO\ EULQJ RXU H[HFXWLYH ERDUG together  and  help  us  become  closer.â€?

TECHNOLOGY Compared  to  those  in  the  U.S.,  Asian  families  also  place  more  importance  on  technology  education.  “I  can  say  that  from  conversations  with  parents,  at  a  family  level,  technology  is  not  that  emphasized,â€?  Hu  said.  “American  parents  encourage  their  children  to  participate  in  sports,  for  example,  and  in  ‌  arts  [and]  theater  performance  more  than  Asian  parents.â€?  The  emphasis  on  technology  also  goes  back  to  the  philosophy  of  the  Asian  education  system.  Senior  English  major  Ayesha  Rahman,  who  grew  up  in  Dubai,  United  Arab  Emirates  before  coming  to  the  U.S.  in  2003,  said  that  there  is  a  stronger  focus  on  academics,  and  eventually  math  and  science  once  students  reach  college.  “The  pressure  is  a  little  crazy  and  every  year  in  India,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  students  commit  suicide  because  the  pressure  is  way  too  much,â€?  Rahman  said.  “The  academic  environment  is  completely  different.  >7KH@ ÂżUVW FRXSOH RI \HDUV WKDW , ZDV KHUH , IHOW OLNH I  didn’t  learn  anything  new.  It  was  just  regurgitation  for  me.â€?

While  the  United  States  may  lag  behind  Asia  LQ WHUPV RI VFLHQWLÂżF DQG PDWKHPDWLFDO DFDGHPLF achievement,  there  are  little  differences  in  acquisition  of  the  latest  products.  “A  lot  of  American  college  students  use  the  new  generation  cellphones,  like  iPhone  and  Android,â€?  Hu  said.  “I  think  it’s  the  same  [in  China].â€?

Some  Samsung  products,  which  are  manufactured  LQ 6RXWK .RUHD DQG UHOHDVHG WKHUH ÂżUVW KDYH UHFHQWO\ made  their  way  to  the  U.S.,  such  as  the  Galaxy  Tab  2  and  the  Galaxy  Note.  But  in  addition  to  cellphones  or  tablets,  Asian  countries  manufacture  smaller  accessories  that  are  available  for  smartphone  users.  “Even  for  cellphones  in  China,  like  iPhone  and  Android  ...  they  have  some  kind  of  converter  that  can  exchange  data  between  the  two  models,â€?  said  Hu.  “There  is  also  this  technology  that  can  unlock  cellphones  for  you.  But  I  think  that’s  probably  illegal.  I  think  there  are  small  things  like  that.â€? Â

4 | News

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

Election 2012: Historic Firsts

Mazie Hirono

Tulsi Gabbard

Mark Takano

First Asian American With 55% of the First LGBT Asian woman elected to the vote in Hawaii, she American elected House of Senate after became the first to Congress after winning 61.6% of the Hindu woman winning 53% of the vote in Hawaii. elected to Congress. vote in California.

Grace Meng

New York’s first Asian American woman elected to Congress. Won 67% of the vote.

Tammy Duckworth

First Asian American from Illinois elected to Congress after winning 55% of the vote.

UMD rallies for Dream Act

Before voters passed Question 4, students made one last push in support of the Dreamers

By Joseph Marshall Staff writer In the days leading up to the night the media announced that Maryland voters passed the Dream Act, student supporters rallied together to make a last-effort push to increase voter awareness on the issue.

After a full day of classes on Oct. 25, many culturally diverse students gathered at the Nyumburu Amphitheater on a chilly Thursday afternoon in support of the Dream Act. The rally, sponsored by a host of oncampus organizations including Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) and the Asian American Student Union, was headlined by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md), who was re-elected to a second term on Nov. 6.

“Are we ready to make a difference with Question 4?” Cardin asked an enthusiastic crowd who answered with loud cheers and thunderous applause.

The Dream Act was a proposed law that would enable undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States under the age of 16 and have attained a high school diploma to attend college at in-state tuition rates.

Maryland first passed the Dream Act in May 2011 but after petitioning from opponents, the law was placed on the ballot as Question 4.

Many supporters of the rally wore shirts that read “I have a DREAM,” alluding to the famous equality speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the American civil rights movement.

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that each one of us can help bring about a better life for others, but if we work together collectively, we can bring about change,” Cardin said. “We’re going to bring about change in Maryland.

We’re going to pass Question 4!”

After Cardin, several state delegates spoke, including Ana Sol Gutierrez (D-Montgomery), Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s) and Heather Mizeur

(D-Montgomery). There were also several self-proclaimed “Dreamers,” undocumented and legal immigrants, who spoke for the cause.

Among those dreamers was Francisco Cartagena, one of the founding members of Justice for Students in America, which is a youth movement dedicated to restructuring the immigration system and equalizing educational opportunities for all students.

Cartagena came to America with his family from El Salvador at the age of 10 with the hope of finding a better life. It was not until his senior year of high school, when Cartagena applied for financial aid and was denied for not having a social security number, that he realized he was an undocumented immigrant.

“You have to be my voice, because I don’t have a [social security] number, and I can’t vote,” Cartagena said to the crowd. “I can give a hundred speeches and tell you all how I felt, and all my struggles, but if you don’t go out and vote, it means nothing.”

On election day, Cartagena’s dream became a reality. According to the unofficial election results on Maryland State Board of Elections website, Question 4 passed with 58.3% of the vote.

Freshman undecided major Nadia Turner supports the Dream Act, saying that many immigrants were brought to this country by their parents at a young age and had no clue of the difficult situation they would be placed in.

“I don’t think it’s fair that we raise these ‘illegal immigrants’ to be citizens of our community, only to tell them that all of their hard work was for nothing because you can’t go to college,” said Turner. “You can do nothing with what you’ve learned.”

Luis Cortes, a junior psychology and Spanish double major, doesn’t see the harm in allowing undocumented immigrants the chance to better themselves and contribute positively to society.

“What’s the big threat?” said Cortes.

“They [undocumented immigrants] come here as kids, looking for opportunity and who are we to stop them?”

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

NEWS | 5

U.S. Supreme Court case puts affirmative action on trial

By Melanie Balakit Staff writer

The use of race as a factor in admissions to higher education institutions could be eliminated or limited if the Supreme Court decides next year that Abigail Fisher, a white female who was rejected from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008, was discriminated against because of the university’s raceconscious admissions policies.

The oral arguments of Fisher v. University of Texas, the third case in history to challenge the use of race in admission to higher education institutions, were heard in Austin on Oct. 10.

Affirmative action was last challenged in the Supreme Court nine years ago in the 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger case. The court upheld the use of race in college admissions, given that it is not a decisive factor in admissions.

The case also reaffirmed the idea that the advancement of racial diversity is a valid goal for higher education institutions.

When Fisher was rejected, the state of Texas had a Top 10 Percent law, where the top 10 percent of graduating seniors could be automatically accepted to a public higher education institution. Fisher did not qualify for the Top 10 Percent law and was put in a separate pool of

applicants, who were then evaluated on other factors, including race.

Fisher believes that lesserqualified minorities were admitted because of the holistic review. In contrast, the university claimed that Fisher’s case was invalid because she did not meet the admissions requirements in the first place.

The Top 10 Percent law, implemented in 1997, was an attempt to boost minority enrollment after a court case prohibited admissions officers from considering students’ race. On Oct. 31 of this year, the law was revised and the University of Texas will only automatically admit freshmen fall 2014 applicants in the top seven percent of their classes.

“Universities can’t just have token minorities,” said Joshua Civin, assistant counsel of the NAACP legal defense team during a panel about the case sponsored by the School of Public Policy on Oct. 24. “Universities are trying to achieve a critical mass, or a meaningful representation of minorities in their classrooms.”

But the racial makeup of a school’s population isn’t the only thing that makes a campus diverse, according to Civin. “It’s all about your different experiences, and your background,” Civin said.

This university has similar goals of producing a diverse student

body. Undergraduate applications are reviewed holistically and individually, and are based on a little over two dozen factors.

“Our responsibility is to admit and enroll a class of students that is absolutely academically talented,” said Shannon Gundy, director of undergraduate admissions. “We’re also looking to shape a class that is interesting, that is diverse, that is really going to impact the face of the University of Maryland.

We’re looking at the individual students within the context of their own opportunities.”

At the panel, Civin pointed out that diversity is not only representation, but also about giving students a unique experience toward understanding differences. “It can be a student’s first experience with students of different races,” he said. “If college is done right, it can provide an experience to cut across those racial stereotypes.”

Even if the court decides not to uphold affirmative action in college admissions, “the university’s commitment to diversity doesn’t go away,” said Gundy.

Though she does not think affirmative action would be completely repealed, she said the university leaders would have to hold a meeting to discuss how to maintain a diverse student body without the use of affirmative action.

--China-Within the next eight years, China plans to build an entire new green city from scratch on a small farmland that sits right next to a crowded urban center. In an effort to mitigate some of its pollution and crowding problems, China will build the Chengdu Tianfu District Great City, which will only cover half a square, host roughly 80,000 people and use 48 percent less energy and 58 percent less water, according to Popular Science.

--South Korea-Koshik, a 22-year-old elephant in South Korea, has captured the hearts of people around the world by using his trunk to imitate human speech.

While he has yet to learn any English, he can say the words “hello,” “sit down,” “no,” “lie down” and “good” in Korean. Koshik “speaks” by placing the tip of his trunk into his mouth to mimic the human voice.

--Bangladesh-For some people living in Bangladesh, the Internet is literally rolling into their home via women on bikes. The Info Ladies project employs dozens of unemployed women to ride bikes equipped with a laptop and Internet connection into remote villages to provide connections to tens of thousands of people. Consumers pay 200 takas, about $2.40, an hour to research vital information or just to Skype with someone far away.

Young activist Malala becomes symbol of peace

By Kaila Stein Staff writer

The world came together Nov. 10 to honor Malala Yousafzai and celebrate what has become Malala Day. Tens of thousands have signed a petition calling for the young woman to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The 15-year-old Pakistani activist was shot in the head and wounded in October by the Taliban for speaking out in support of education for girls and publicizing the atrocities committed by the militant group.

Malala’s work to promote the schooling of girls—something that the Taliban strongly opposes—earned her a nomination last year for the International Children’s Peace Prize.

The Taliban gunman hopped aboard her school bus, asked who Malala was and shot her in the head and neck. She was immediately flown by helicopter to a military hospital and later airlifted to a hospital in Britain for further medical treatment. Doctors recently reported that Malala is making a dramatic recovery considering what she has been through.

At the age of 11, Malala began writing a blog for BBC in 2008, under the pseudonym Gul Makai, about life under the Taliban in the Swat Valley in Pakistan. BBC originally contacted Malala’s father, a teacher in Swat, who suggested his daughter write a regular diary for the news organization. She was outspoken about the militant group and the desperate need for girls’ education in the blog.

“Girl members play an active role,” she said, according to an article on the United Nations’ website. “We have highlighted important issues concerning children, especially promoting girls’ education in Swat.”

The Taliban ardently oppose girls’ education in Swat and prohibit them from attending school. They also destroyed nearly 200 schools, mostly girls’ schools in the region.

“We understand Malala’s situation better than anybody in the world, [yet] our

government defends women’s rights with empty slogans and actually does next to nothing,” political leader in Pakistan and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Suraya Parlika told Reuters.

Malala is among the 61 million children denied the right to go to school, according to UNESCO’s annual Global Monitoring Report.

This recent attempt by the Taliban to silence Malala has instead amplified international awareness for the critical need for education for girls in Pakistan and around the world.

Ashwini Tambe, an associate professor in this university’s women’s studies department, said that the hardships women face due to religious extremism in Pakistan and Afghanistan is an old and serious problem, and it’s interesting to note how Malala’s story is being processed in that region. She said that while most people in Pakistan are revolted by the attack, there are some who are troubled by how the western media has highlighted this particular incident and not others.

“Some in Pakistan have begun to ask, ‘Why is this one case receiving so much attention?’

They say that so many kids have been killed

by U.S. drone strikes in recent months, but there is a silence about that issue in the U.S.,” Tambe said.

Tambe added that some Muslims feel the Western media is paying this story so much attention because it is congruent with an Islamophobic narrative that focuses only on the egregious and violent actions of Islamic fundamentalist groups such as the Taliban.

“It’s unfortunate that an opportunity to take on the Taliban and its extremism and violence has become twisted because of the sudden and overwhelming attention to Malala and neglect of what’s happening with the drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan,” she said.

Tambe said that journalists should note other courageous women’s groups and leaders who are taking action and speaking out against the Taliban. She mentioned activist and legislator Malalai Joya as well as RAWA

PHOTO CREDIT: Veronique de viguerie

Malala Yousafzai, 15, became a target of the Taliban after advocating for girls’ education in Pakistan.

To honor the young activist, who is still recovering, the world united Nov. 10 to celebrate Malala Day.

(Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan), an organization that creates underground education networks for girls.

Students at this university and other universities are also speaking out in support of Malala and getting involved in advocacy and social justice efforts afforded to them in their schools.

Senior English and sociology major Rebecca Krevat is a Repair the World fellow and works on various social justice initiatives to the university. Repair the World is a Jewish organization that creates opportunities for individuals to connect with meaningful volunteer experiences, and provides organizations with resources to enhance existing service programs. Krevat is interested in the promotion of women’s rights and is working on bringing a women’s rights initiative to Hillel.

“It is a great tragedy what happened to Malala,” she said. “She is incredibly brave to have stood up to the Taliban in the way that she did, and I think it is a testament to the atrocities that women are being subjected to around the world, and how they are fighting

back. I only hope that the world community responds to this with outrage and a goal of making a difference to the millions of women who desire access to education.”

Leah Wiznitzer, a senior English major at Barnard College, the first college in New York City to offer women the same liberal arts education available to men, believes strongly in female advocacy.

“My time at Barnard has made it clear to me that advancing education for women around the world is the most crucial way to affect true change and bridge the gender gap, and that it’s essential for women to advocate for each other,” she said.

Wiznitzer said that to her and her peers at Barnard, Malala’s determination throughout all the hardships she has faced is inspirational.

“The tragedy that occurred with Malala and the fact that extremist groups in Pakistan continue to threaten her life, is both saddening and discouraging,” she said. “I think it also gives me some perspective, and forces me to recognize how lucky I am to live in a country that values women’s education and promotes women’s rights.”

eatures fYodo Kurahashi delights with the art of shakuhachi

6

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

By Caitlin Hennegan Staff writer Japanese shakuhachi player Yodo Kurahashi made a special visit to the university Nov. 9 to perform selections of centuries-old traditional music.

The shakuhachi flute literally means “1.8” in Japanese— where “shaku” is a traditional Japanese measurement and “hachi” means eight. Made of bamboo and dried out for two to three years, the instrument is slightly curved and held like a clarinet, and was made to replicate the natural sounds of life.

During the 17th century, shakuhachi players were mostly Zen Buddhist monks, who used the instrument as a spiritual tool.

Although Kurahashi, the son of a shakuhachi master, has played for more than 40 years, he said he did not come to terms with the instrument until after his childhood.

“Some shakuhachi players have an interesting story,” Kurahashi said. “I don’t have an interesting story … when I was little, I didn’t like shakuhachi music, and when I was 20 years old, I accepted it.”

Now, Kurahashi frequently makes visits outside of Japan to promote the art of playing the shakuhachi and to teach students from different countries such as Malaysia, China, Thailand, Singapore and Canada. Traveling the world has also influenced Kurahashi to explore instruments of other cultures, like the cello and the Chinese pipa.

Did you know?

The shakuhachi flute is used in the music scores of numerous films, including “Karate Kid” parts II and III, “Jurassic Park,” “The Last Samurai” and “Braveheart.”

PHOTO BY RYAN ALPHONSO

Traditional shakuhachi flute player Yodo Kurahashi, who is from Japan, performs the centuries-old instrument at the Stamp Student Union on Nov. 9. Kurahashi is accompanied by artists playing the Japanese harp.

One of the most notable pieces Kurahashi played was “Mushi no Musashino” (Insects of Musashino). Brought to Japan by the Chinese in the 14th century, the song remains popular among the Japanese today.

“In ancient times, people in Kyoto often went to the Sagano forest [in Kyoto] to hear the locusts or the sounds of insects,” Kurahashi said. “They enjoyed the sound.”

The Japanese American Student Association was originally contacted by another faculty member about Kurahashi’s visit to the D.C. area and helped promote the event at the university.

Local members of the community and school faculty came to watch Kurahashi perform. Despite the modest amount of

attendance from university students, the performance was well received, and the audience was eager to learn more about the shakuhachi.

“I thought [the performance] was wonderful,” said Michele Mason, an assistant professor in this university’s Japanese language program, who helped organize the event. “I was concerned about the room, but it worked really well. It’s rare that we get that kind of opportunity.”

“I enjoyed it, because I had never heard the shakuhachi being played before,” said JASA’s vice president of programming, Danny Zollner. “I’m definitely partial to the cultural aspect of the music.”

Students learn ancient art of calligraphy at workshop

Photos COURTESY OF May wildman

Japanese artist and teacher Mika Ebisawa (left) teaches calligraphy at two workshops hosted by JASA on Oct. 24 and 25. Students learn to write with brushes traditionally used in Japanese culture.

By Alexandra Tennant Staff writer Students learned a new type of art and writing when the Japanese American Student Association hosted two workshops on the basics of calligraphy. The workshops, held Oct. 24 and 25, attracted an average of 15 students each night.

JASA President May Wildman invited Mika Ebisawa, a calligraphy teacher she and her younger brother had as children, to lead the workshop. The event was popular among JASA members and Japanese majors. For those who did not understand Ebisawa’s Japanese,

Wildman, a Japanese American fluent in the language, translated her instructions.

Calligraphy is “the art of writing beautifully” and is a “very spiritual practice,” explained Ebisawa as she began the workshop with an introduction of its history.

Ebisawa concluded the history of calligraphy by discussing how it originated in China. Japanese calligraphy and Chinese calligraphy come from similar roots and use similar techniques, she said.

Afterward, Ebisawa went over a variety of Japanese symbols in order to help students decide what words they wanted to write.

She introduced the tools, which included a paperweight, a large brush to ink the symbols, a smaller brush to ink the student’s name and a felt material that goes under the calligraphy paper.

Participants began the practice of calligraphy by first having good posture. Each held a large brush to ink the symbols in one hand and laid their opposing hand flat on the writing surface. To help students distinguish which side of the paper to write on, Ebisawa explained that the top side is smooth while the reverse side is rough.

She then went on to explain that there are a variety of components

that make up the Japanese writing system. One component is called katakana, the non-native Japanese writing system.

Katakana is the Japanese syllabary, a set of written symbols that make up words. Participants followed the syllabary to try their hands at doing calligraphy.

“I wanted to learn how to do calligraphy the ‘right’ way,” said Danny Zollner, JASA’s vice president of programming.

Currently in his fifth semester studying Japanese, Zollner did calligraphy for the first time at Maryland Day last spring when he was volunteering at the Language

House, where he now lives.

Christine Bustamante, a sophomore Japanese and linguistics double major, also came out to the event. “I have never done calligraphy before, and I figured this would be a great and fun opportunity to learn more about the Japanese culture,” she said.

Toward the end of the workshop, Ebisawa went around the room and helped students complete their artwork by guiding them on how to ink their names in katakana.

At the end, every participant was able to leave with their name written in the Japanese language, as well as whatever symbols he or she had chosen to practice.

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

Features | 7

Smithsonian shows Chinese activist Ai Weiwei’s journey

By Darcy Costello Staff writer On the floor of the Hirshhorn Museum sits a giant collection of porcelain river crabs, piled on top of one another and spreading out in all directions. The red and brown crustaceans sit directly in people’s pathway, forcing them to walk around the piece.

The crabs are part of the Hirshhorn’s new exhibit, “According to What?,” which showcases Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei in his first North American retrospective. Like all of his modern art, the crustaceans represent something far deeper than what they initially appear to be.

The name of the piece, “He Xie,” literally translates to river crab. But when spoken out loud, the title of the piece sounds the same as the Chinese words for harmonious, which according to a description panel in the Hirshhorn exhibit, is a hidden reference to the ruling party of China.

The description reads, “Harmonious … is used in the Chinese Communist Party slogan, ‘the realization of a harmonious society.’ In the context of the Internet, the term refers to online censorship and the removal of antiestablishment views and information.”

Combining his artistic critique of his home country’s ruling party with the power of activism and art, Weiwei used the piece to remind visitors of when he hosted a feast of 10,000 river crabs at his art studio via social networking, in protest of the government’s oppressive censorship of free speech.

This is what makes Weiwei famous—not only does his artwork stand by itself, worthy of recognition and garnering praise from international critics, but he stands beside it, actively working against the government and making himself an icon of the free speech movement in China.

His emphasis on challenging the status quo in China is paralleled in his artwork and in his public life.

“For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that’s what most people automatically give up,” wrote Weiwei in a quote plaque presented as artwork in the exhibit. “You don’t have to march on

Tiananmen, but you have to be clear-minded, to find your own means of expression.”

Originally organized in 2009 by the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, the exhibit only came to D.C. after Hirshhorn engaged in years of talks and negotiations.

“Kerry Brougher [the museum’s acting director] was in talks for three years prior, and this was before Weiwei’s arrest, back when he was still very under-recognized,” said Mika Yoshitake, the assistant curator of the museum and the coordinating curator for the exhibit.

“We all really felt that he was one of the most significant artists of his generation in China and wanted to showcase his work.”

Other notable works in the exhibit include “Straight,” a new piece created explicitly for the Hirshhorn exhibition, composed of materials from the ruins of schoolhouses in Sichuan that were affected by the 2008 earthquake and “Provisional Landscapes,” a collection of photographs with the theme of land ownership and governmental development. The piece, “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn,” is a series of photographs showing Weiwei literally dropping an ancient vase to the ground.

“His artistic practice covers a very wide span of mediums,” Yoshitake said. “He doesn’t just use sculpture or artwork, he also takes advantage of digital media as a social platform, collaborates with architects and utilizes film and video.”

Freshman journalism major Rachel DeSantis was surprised by the presentation of his works, expecting a more traditional art exhibit. “I feel like it was less art in the way of expressing himself, and more like art used to make a political statement,” she said.

Cheri Wang, a freshman arts scholar majoring in journalism, said she finds Weiwei’s work compelling. “He can intrigue his audience, making them care about his cause,” she said. “The most admirable part of his artwork is that, I think, the social message behind his work is subtle, but there.”

“His artistic work has an incredible balance between aesthetic and political content that is really accessible on a universal level,” Yoshitake said. “It’s not just about the traditional forms of China, he’s making waves in his own way.”

The exhibit is on display until February.

Photo by DARCY COSTELLO

Ai Weiwei’s “According to What?” exhibit displays the above artwork, “He Xie,” meaning “river crab.”

PHOTOs COURTESY OF HIRSHHORN

Chinese activist and artist Ai Weiwei’s first major exhibit in the United States includes “Colored Vases” (top) and “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” (bottom), which features photography of Weiwei himself.

North Korean refugee raises human rights awareness

By Mary Tablante Co-Editor-in-Chief “My name is Jinhye Jo. I used to go on living because I couldn’t die, but I finally came here to America to find freedom.”

Jinhye Jo’s story is one of loss and survival. Her father was tortured and died in prison. Two of her younger siblings, including an infant brother, and her grandmother died of starvation and malnutrition.

Jo is a North Korean refugee. She escaped to China with the rest of her family—a mother and a sister—where they found refuge for 10 years. But even while in China, she said, she lived in fear. Jo and her surviving family members were held in prison and forcibly repatriated to North Korea four times.

Four years ago, Jo, now 24, had the chance to come to the United States because of a Christian missionary. She converted to Christianity while in China and said she believes she would not be here today had it not been for her religion. Jo now resides in Virginia with her mother and younger sister while studying to be a missionary.

The university’s chapter of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a grassroots organization with the goal to increase awareness about the oppression of rights in North Korea, arranged Jo’s visit on Oct. 15 to speak to students about her personal story and urge them to help other North Korean refugees.

LiNK’s main objective is to raise enough money, $2,500 to be exact, to rescue at least one refugee. As of the day of the event, LiNK raised $1,000. The group had the idea that getting a real perspective from Jo would be a better source of information than having students watch a movie or a documentary.

“When I was in jail in China, I prayed that if I come out of this alive, if I make it through this, I vowed to myself that I would do whatever it takes to be a voice for people who are in these situations … to be able to speak out and advocate for this issue,” Jo said through her translator, Henry Song. “That’s

one of the reasons why I decided to follow through with the vow that I made when I was in prison—to be active in the human rights world.”

Since arriving in the United States, Jo balances her studies with working for a home health care agency and heavily engaging in activism. She protested in front of the Chinese embassy, gave testimony before Congress and continues to travel to different locations to speak about her experiences.

Photo by Mary Tablante

North Korean refugee Jinhye Jo speaks to students Oct. 15 to share her experiences living in and escaping from the country.

With the death of Kim Jong-Il in 2011, people all over the world wondered if this meant North Korea could change for the better. However, Jo does not think the situation will improve unless people outside of the regime get involved and take action.

“I believe true reform, change or hope does not come from the regime or the leaders in a regime,” Jo said. “It comes from not only the people in North Korea, but also

from the people outside of North Korea. The people who are helping, taking up this issue, raising funds and helping out with the activism—these are the people that bring hope for North Korea.”

Matt Parsons, vice president of LiNK, said it was his first time meeting a North Korean refugee in person. “Something that I appreciate LiNK for is that it gives the crisis a human face. Nobody thinks about how there are actually people who are suffering,” Parsons said.

Parsons added that he felt the issues were personal because he has a family friend who has a family in North Korea and has not seen them since their separation.

“It was very touching [to hear her story],” he said. “I’ve already heard many stories about refugees, and all of them experienced tragedies, but hearing it first-hand from someone’s mouth strikes you a lot more personally.”

“I’m moved more than I would have been if I hadn’t seen her,” he added.

Grace Wo, LiNK’s event coordinator, similarly had an eyeopening experience. “The suffering she endured, and how she is able to conquer that and speak in front of so many people about her experiences and doing something about it ...” she said. “It makes me feel like I want to do that too.”

Jo hoped that the event would inspire students to take action and help North Korean refugees, as well as those who remain in North Korea.

“I’d like to plead that all the students that read [this article] will not just read it or come to events like this and go back to their normal lives, unmoved and not wanting to help out,” she said. “[I hope] they will continue to take interest and show concern for the North Korean people, for the North Korean human rights situation.”

“Even after they move on with their lives … to always remember to work for their freedom until that freedom becomes reality for the people of North Korea,” she added.

8 | Features

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

‘Life of Pi’ adaptation amazes critics with 3D visuals

PHOTO CREDIT: 20TH CENTURY FOX

“Life of Pi,” directed by Ang Lee, uses a computer-generated Bengal tiger, who is Pi’s only companion for most of the film.

By Anastasia Champ Staff writer Asian Pacific American director Ang Lee’s new film “Life of Pi” has already generated Oscar buzz because of its use of eyecatching visuals. The movie, an adaptation of the 2001 novel of the same name, is scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 21.

Although Lee is considered an esteemed director after movies such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Brokeback Mountain,” turning a book into a movie has some people at this

university concerned about his ability to fuse all the themes.

“My own sense is that in such cases filmmakers need to conceive their movies from the ground up, as independent creations, not slavishly attempt to reproduce or imitate their literary sources,” said Jonathan Auerbach, an English professor at this university who also teaches in the film department.

The book was written by Canadian author Yann Martel.

It tells the story of a young man named Pi from Pondicherry, India. Pi’s family decided to move their family zoo to Canada.

On the way there, the large freighter carrying the zoo animals

and Pi’s family sinks, and Pi is left on a lifeboat alone with a Bengal tiger.

The book has several themes that may get lost within the cinematic art of producing an incredible visual presentation.

“What I thought the themes of the book were the struggle to stay alive and the art of storytelling,” said Mellownie Ho, a junior English and secondary education major as well as the Yuri Kochiyama High School Leadership Program Chair of Asian American Student Union. “I don’t know if the art of storytelling will be able to shine through when there are so many visuals in the movie,” Ho said.

Both the book and movie follow Pi’s struggle to survive alongside a tiger in a small lifeboat. Several scenes within the movie would have been nearly impossible to create without the help of computer-generated imagery (CGI). According to Martel, the film would need a director who could understand and feel the story, but also be able to overcome technological challenges like using a CGI tiger. Lee merges CGI with reality, as the audience becomes a part of Pi’s supernatural journey to survival.

With the movie’s American debut coming soon, critics have raved that the movie’s visual nature could be this year’s “Avatar” or “Slumdog Millionaire.” Visually, the movie is said to be unbelievably captivating.

With a reputation like the one Lee has, Kishore Radhakrishnan, a senior finance and government and politics major and senior advisor of the Indian Students Association, does not doubt that the movie will live up to its expectations.

“Ang Lee has done well with ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and ‘Hulk,’ so I can’t see him making a bad movie,” Radhakrishnan said. “It probably won’t compare to ‘Dark Knight,’ but I can promise you that it will move a lot of people who read the book to consider watching the movie.”

Filipino Americans at UMD reflect on littleknown history month

By Jessica Evans Staff writer October is known for different events and commemorations such as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Halloween; however, a celebration that goes unnoticed is Filipino American History Month.

“A lot of people don’t know that it exists,” said Filipino American studies professor Gem Daus.

“History has been erased and we need to devote energy into creating resources. It’s a way then to assert our stories into American history.”

“

Being Filipino American is something I cherish ... I am lucky to have the traits of a hospitable, respectful and humble Filipina.”

– Krystle Canare Vice President of FCA

Daus was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S when he was two-and-a-half years old. Daus said he often hears students ask, “Why haven’t we ever heard about it?”

According to the Filipino American National Historical Society, October became Filipino American History Month in November 2009 when the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed laws to make it official. The month of October was selected to honor the first Filipinos that came to the United States on Oct. 18, 1587.

“Filipino American History Month is a time to think about and celebrate the achievements of my own parents as first generation Americans, and how their hard work has given my sister and myself such important opportunity because of that,” said

Filipino Cultural Association President Andrew Aggabao.

“It is also a celebration of Filipino Americans in history who had to overcome financial burden, racism and leaving their homelands to come to a country that could give them a chance to help their families in the Philippines,” he added.

On Oct. 27, the FCA held FilAmpified, a talent show for students of all cultures. Aggabao said that having different cultures in the show really displays what community is all about.

“My favorite aspect of my culture is its emphasis on family. I was always told that any person who is a friend of my parents is a ‘tito’ or ‘tita’ (uncle or aunt), regardless of my actual relation to them,” Aggabao said. “There is a heavy emphasis on remembering your family and treating them with respect, and showing how much you appreciate them by working hard in order to help support the family.”

“To me, this month celebrates the journey of the Filipino American, someone who is proud of their Filipino roots and living the American dream here to make a difference,” said junior physiology and neurobiology major and FCA Vice President Krystle Canare.

Canare said that it is imperative to learn about Philippines relations with the U.S. and also to reflect on the impact that Filipino Americans have made in the United States.

“Being Filipino American is something I cherish - it molds the person I am today. I am lucky to have the traits of a hospitable, respectful and humble Filipina,” said Canare. “I am even luckier to gain a sense of independence, leadership and willpower growing up as an American citizen.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF FCA

Singer Jeremy Passion signs the guitar of one of his fans, sophomore Min Yun, during the FilAmplified: Meet and Greet.

FilAmplified celebrates culture

By Caitlin Hennegan Staff writer Local artists and nationally acclaimed musicians gathered at the Hoff Theater Oct. 27 not only to perform for an enthusiastic crowd of students and families, but also to celebrate their cultural identity.

“In honor of Filipino American History Month, we remember that history is made by those whose voices are heard,” states the FilAmplified website. “We amplify the voices of those who need to be heard along with our own.”

FilAmplified, a talent show with a strong lineup of singers, dancers and musicians of Filipino heritage, included guest performances from the Tito BoyScouts dance crew, Lianah Santa Ana, Karla Garcia, Tori Kelly and Jeremy Passion.

Tito BoyScouts began in 2006 originally serving as a volunteer group for a camp that assisted adopted Filipino children in becoming more aware of their heritage and country’s culture. Since then, they became a dance crew and chose the name Tito

BoyScouts as a representation of their Filipino and American culture —“tito” means uncle in Tagalog, while the “BoyScouts” embody their American half.

The dance crew’s performance, which was inspired by live musical instruments, “encouraged you to engage yourself in the music within in each song as they explore the musical wonder and versatility of the guitar,” said emcee Jitter Garcia.

Santa Ana, a 13-year-old singer and the 2010 Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World, blew the audience away with renditions of popular songs by Maroon 5, Beyonce and Karmin.

Former American Idol contestant and YouTube star Tori Kelly took the stage next and performed songs from her EP, “Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly,” in addition to a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You.” Kelly, a California native, began singing at age six and made her debut on competition shows such as Star Search and America’s Most Talented Kids. She gained a following on YouTube since

appearing on American Idol and released her first album earlier this year. Kelly explained before her last song that she gets inspiration from past experiences, and in this case, a relationship.

“I was crushing on this guy lowkey,” she explained. “I’m over him now, it’s totally cool – because I wrote this song, right? … I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there, you like someone, they like you back, and then it’s like ‘wow, you suck.’ You write a song and you get over it, right?”

Near the end of the show, Kelly teamed up with fellow YouTube sensation Jeremy Passion, an R&B singer from San Francisco. Similiar to Kelly, Passion gained thousands of subscribers through his videos of original songs and covers of “So Sick” and “Cater 2 U.” Passion is also active in outreach.

In 2007, he went to Ghana to do volunteer work, which eventually prompted him to begin the Empty Suitcase Project in Tanzania, a project that aims to help children pursue their own creative paths.

APA Spotlight: Chad Parslow

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

By Allison Lee Staff writer

“My name is Chad Parslow.”

With a deadpan expression, Parslow, a young Korean American, corrected the blunder of a high school instructor who had been breezing through roll call just moments before.

Upon arriving at “Hwang,” the instructor looked directly at Parslow and assumed it was his last name.

“I’m sorry, I’m just gonna murder your name here!” the teacher said to him.

A man of many stories, Parslow is able to recall a handful of occasions in which his atypical name and background caused confusion. Having been born to Korean parents but raised by a white adoptive family, Parslow is an embodiment of diversity. For Parslow, the title of Graduate Coordinator for Multicultural Student Outreach and Advocacy only seems befitting of his character.

“I’ve been a sponge of getting to know diversity,” Parslow said. “My role now really works well in that regard because it furthers my interest and my passion for exploring new identities [and] promoting diversity throughout the community at large.”

Parslow works in the Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) office in Stamp where he serves as a coordinator for the Multiracial Biracial Student Association (MBSA). He advocates for a group with whom he is able to identify; although not racially mixed, having to embody two different cultures all his life has provided him a vantage point unique to those with hybrid identities.

In his new position, Parslow hopes to craft a better understanding of the challenges and intricacies of being racially or culturally ambiguous, and to represent the

Photo by ryan alphonso

underserved or marginalized communities in the area. He wishes to achieve what he has always had an inclination toward doing: helping the underdog.

“Over the course of my life, I’ve really come to understand what it means to really look out for other people and advocate for those who aren’t necessarily in a position to fight for themselves,” he said.

Parslow grew up as an underdog of sorts while living in a homogenous town with a family considered strikingly unusual

Features | 9

amid his Wisconsin community. He became a Parslow upon his adoption at age two. His nuclear family consisted of several half- and step-siblings, an adoptee and an interracial marriage. Merely walking down the street was a sight to be seen, he said jokingly.

Attending Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year in 2003 exposed Parslow to a more diverse community. He returned to his hometown to graduate with a bachelor’s in communication arts from the University of WisconsinMadison, only to depart again in 2008 to explore Korea.

There, he spent two years teaching and reconnecting with his biological family, with whom he began a written correspondence once he turned 18.

He ultimately landed at this university at the beginning of this semester, in pursuit of a master’s degree in public policy.

A month into the job, Parslow is already well on his way to fulfilling the hopes and expectations set forth by his supervisor, Assistant Director Brandon Dula.

“He is outgoing [and] very collegial,” said Dula. “From day one, he’s been jumping to help other people.”

Senior Jourdan Davis, an intern at the MICA office, similarly praised Parslow as being an approachable and friendly, yet equally professional guy.

“He especially doesn’t shed himself away in his office,” she said. “He definitely adds to the [MICA] climate.”

Parslow, now settling into his new position and current stage in life, entertains the idea of writing an autobiography about his ongoing road to self-discovery.

One chapter may describe his early adoption into the American culture; another, the unearthing of his Korean heritage. The last chapter would be on his current involvement with MBSA and his latest commitment to helping others discover their own identities as well.

Balancing cultural interpretations of feminism with dance

performance took more notice of the dance that was least familiar to them. Americans saw the soft beauty in Chinese gestures, and Chinese saw the powerful, openness of American femininity.

The striking differences presented in “A World Apart” related to Tianyi dancer Takako Nishimura who, as an Asian Pacific American, had her own questions about identity and the internal conflicts between American and Eastern beauty.

“Every person has their own understanding of what it means to be a woman,” she said. “But very few people realize people have different definitions.”

Caroline Clay, a master’s student in acting, said the clash of traditional melodies, classical songs and fast-paced electronic music added to the “collision of identity.” Feng arranged the music to change from indistinctive foreign chatter to clear pronounced sounds, which was meant to represent the language barrier that made her feel foreign in her new home.

Photo credit: CSPAC

By Angela Wong Staff writer When Xuejuan Feng moved half a world away from China to the United States in 2005, she didn’t recognize what she saw.

The understanding she had of herself as a Chinese woman was drastically different from what Americans thought a woman should be.

This internal struggle of identity is portrayed in “A World Apart … A Heartbeat Away,” the October performance Feng choreographed and performed in as part of a shared thesis concert to complete her master’s in fine arts. The performance, held at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (CSPAC), emphasized core distinctions between Chinese and American dance to delineate their conflicting feminine archetypes: American strength, candor and boldness clashed with the softness, reserve and reticence valued in Chinese society.

The idea came a year and a half ago when Feng thought about the culture shock she experienced moving from China to America. She noticed one of the most striking differences between American and Chinese culture was their conflicting concepts of feminine beauty and aesthetics, which she later incorporated into her performance.

Traditional Chinese dance draws inspiration from flowing calligraphy and preservation of tradition, said Shuo Chen, a performer who has performed with Feng for seven years.

Proper posture and hand movements are observed; even tiny steps taken by female dancers are rooted in appreciation for women with small feet and the old practice of foot binding, she said.

These qualities become highly distinct when compared to American dance. The fine, graceful gestures of Chinese dance stand in stark contrast to the bold moves, lines and defiance that are sought after in U.S. dancers, according to Chen. In

“A World Apart,” the dancers’ flowing sashes extended their fluttering, graceful movements, and acted as foils to the sultry struts and strong triangle poses that conveyed dominance.

Chinese dancers aim for an “innate softness rather than boldness in the movement,” she said.

Femininity has a way of “manifesting into one’s way of speech, thought and movement,” Feng wrote in the program.

Bold, sensual movements indicate her experimentation with modern American femininity; later the dancers switch to traditional Chinese steps and gestures to represent Feng aligning to her roots.

Essentially, this all boils down to female attitude and perspective. A society half a world away created a contrasting feminine identity, both of which Feng struggles to balance.

Dance is ultimately a mastery of body consciousness and control. For female dancers, Feng said, the American and Chinese approaches are interpretations of socially constructed concepts of feminine beauty, which is different in each society.

These are the cultural perceptions that pervade not only dance, but also people’s thoughts and sense of belonging.

Beauty often has the power to shape and haunt those who do not fall within that frame of the female image. After her performance, Feng said she still aligns with Chinese beauty, yet her reflections have led her to examine her own conceptions.

“What [are] my aesthetics that I’m feeling? Chinese or American?” she asked herself.

Feng studied folk dance at the Beijing Dance Academy before choreographing and performing on numerous occasions, including choreographing part of this fall’s performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” She also teaches modern American dance and Chinese folk dance at CSPAC and serves as a teaching assistant for the traditional Chinese dance group on campus, Tianyi Dance Team.

Feng said audience members she spoke to after the

Nov/Dec

Community Calendar

November 15 AAST Town Hall

1145 Cole Field House - 5-7p.m.

15 FACES Fashion Show

Stamp Grand Ballroom - 7-9:30 p.m.

15 Shanghai Quartet CSPAC - 8 p.m.

16 Maryland’s Got Talent Hoff Theater - 7-10 p.m.

16 JASU: Hanabi Formal 2012 GWU: Marvin Center Grand Ballroom - 7:30-10:30 p.m.

19 ISA Charity Dinner Stamp Grand Ballroom - 6:30 p.m.

19 JASA Movie Night

2203 Art-Soc Bldg - 7-10 p.m.

30 KPL Dedicated Talent Show Stamp Colony Ballroom - 6:30-9:30 p.m.

December 01 DVI Semi-Formal

Crowne Plaza Baltimore - 6:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.

10

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

op inions

AASU Unedited: APAs in Media From PublicAsian Liaison Angela Mei

This semester, I am taking AAST398L: Asian Americans in Media. The course focuses on a select number of films and readings featuring Asian and Asian Pacific American directors, actors, writers, etc. It explores the history of APAs in film and media from the beginning of the 20th century until present time. As an APA, it was eyeopening for me as the weeks progressed to realize how little I knew or even paid attention to the representation of my own ethnicity in such popular fields like film and media. In particular, two shocking concepts I’ve learned pertaining to the Asian/APA representation in these fields have been “yellowface” and how APAs are portrayed as the “model minority.”

“Yellowfacing” gained its roots in the early 20th century. Caucasian actors portraying Asian characters in film and television would literally paint their faces yellow and use other makeup techniques in order to look more “Asian.” Aside from appearances, these actors would also speak in broken English and portray other Asian stereotypes.

Even today, yellowfacing still occurs in surprisingly high frequency. Recent examples include Justin Chatwin as Goku in “DragonBall: Evolution” and Jake Gyllenhaal as the Persian prince in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Another term, “whitewashing,” has also emerged, where intended Asian characters are changed to Caucasian and subsequently played by a Caucasian actor. In the real-life story that the movie “21” is based on, all leading characters who were originally APA students were changed to Caucasian in order to appeal to a wider American audience.

Similarly, “model minority” also refers

to stereotyping and typecasting Asians or APAs in a certain way. The famous character Charlie Chan is said to be an early example of the model minority. He is intelligent and kind, yet also subservient, asexual and isn’t fluent in English. At the height of the “yellow peril,” a term describing American fear of Chinese immigrants and the Japanese military, the audience liked Charlie Chan because he represented an ethnicity that would never challenge the white majority.

In today’s television, the “model minority” is even more prevalent. Recently, the trend of APAs in a medical profession has risen; not however, without their flaws. Much like Charlie Chan’s character, these APAs are still successful, yet due to some shortcoming, they are incapable of being on equal level as their fellow white characters.

In “ER,” Deb Chen is the foil to the main character, Carter. Her focus on the practice rather than on the people paints her as intelligent, but almost robotic in feeling, and therefore unable to ever be as successful as her white male co-worker. She is part of the “model minority,” leading the audience to believe that she is well-off but ultimately has shortcomings that will always leave her one step behind when it comes to achieving the same success as the white characters.

No matter which generation they’re from, APAs seem to fall under the “forever foreigner stereotype.” It’s very hard for an Asian or APA to gain leading roles instead of being typecast into a stereotypical character, or just altogether replaced. Even when portrayed positively as the “model minority,” they are still stereotypically represented.

Why is this? Some believe it’s because Caucasians will feel threatened that another

PHOTO CREDIT: Angela Mei

ethnicity, regardless of an individual’s citizenship, is taking away their prosperity and threatening to surpass them, playing back to the “yellow peril” fears of the early 20th century. Therefore, the industry tends to shy away from featuring Asians and APAs in prominent leads, so this paranoia will not be asserted.

Commercially, and probably more realistically, it’s all about the profit. The lack of Asians and APAs in media and film attributes to a dominant white majority in the industries.

Hollywood and those regulating the movie industry do not believe that Asians will be

successful in a role outside of these stereotypes.

They lean toward roles with white leads and prefer white actors because it is believed that is what the audience will be most comfortable with, subsequently earning them the most profit. Because the industry wishes for Asians and APAs to stick to their more commonly accepted roles, directors and actors are still far away from casting and playing non-stereotypical parts in the mainstream media.

Angela Mei is a sophomore computer sicence and economics double major.

After A Year In China: The Value of Supporters Hello Dearests!

PHOTO CREDIT: HYOBIN SUNG

Hello Dearests, I’m Hyobin! I’m finishing up my final year here at this university and recently returned from an amazing year living in China. The PublicAsian has been so kind to host me formerly as a travel columnist, allowing me to write about my experience living in China. I’ve returned to share my post-trip reflections and share with the community how I’ve channeled my experience living and traveling abroad into not only my studies, but also my social life and my future. Just like you, I have hopes and dreams to be a positive force in this world.

I hope to work in the field of international development, specifically in the areas of education and advocacy. I find that sharing my stories is the best way to bridge gaps and move forward with others in this world.

Long time no talk! It feels good to be back at the University of Maryland and to reconnect with family, friends and supporters! For the past three months, aside from trying to get back into the grind (UMD-style), I have been brainstorming on how I can continue to share my experience from China and encourage others to take advantage of the many resources out there.

In preparation for going to China, money was the biggest question. I said to myself, “Do I take out a huge student loan?

I’ll get a job right after I graduate and pay that sucker off! No, I should just ask my parents to support me. I promise to pay them back plus interest!” After many nights of going back and forth on the issue of money and reaching out to friends and mentors at the university, many recommended that I contact the National Scholarships Office here on campus. After meeting with the office, I was encouraged to go through my options and start applying! I was fortunate enough to find multiple options offered for someone with my academic background and career interest at the Institute of International Education (IIE).

The IIE is “a private nonprofit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas.” Both Freeman-ASIA and Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which funded my trip to China, are managed under IIE. What was unique about these programs was that both encouraged students traveling to non-traditional destinations (non-Europe) to apply. Both had semester and year-long awards and the application process was thorough and standard. Moreover, the aspect about both of these programs that I thought was unique was that they were intentional about their awards. The purpose was not to simply hand out funding, but to fund students for forging and building a lifelasting relationship to the international world.

Freeman-ASIA even offered additional funding for students studying critical languages!

Once I had my eyes on the prizes, I did my homework by

diligently meeting with advisors, writing and editing essays and creating a project plan to share my experience! This is the part that brought me to you! Both programs gave students the freedom to design and create their own projects that best suited them.

I chose to share my experience through using traditional and modern media. While living and traveling in China, I wrote monthly blogs for The PublicAsian and kept up with engaging with my audience through Twitter (@something. curious). I stayed connected through social media with family and friends. I snapped hundreds and thousands (literally!) of photos of the people, places and intangible things about China to be released in series of photo journals.

However, what I want to share with all of you at the end of the day is how incredible, eye-opening and core-shaking my experience was being away from home, as well as the wisdom I gained through engaging with the Chinese citizens and their customs and culture. The relationships I built meeting incredible people from all over the world, who are living out their goals and dreams and making it out there, are unforgettable!

Since being back, I wake up reflecting about the journey I began. I choose to live life excited about the opportunities that’s ahead of me. And I truly have the Freeman-ASIA and Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program to thank for getting it started! I hope to see my fellow Terps taking advantage of the incredible resources offered to us here at the university and look forward to crossing paths with you! Cheers!

See you soon.

-h.

The content of this post solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the author and is independent from the following institutions & programs: Institute of International Education, FreemanASIA, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, National Scholarships Office.

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

11

Deema’s Travel Diary

Dragons, Lanterns and Mooncakes Zhōngqiū jié, or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a Chinese lunar harvest festival that falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar.

This year, the festival was Sept. 30.

This was the first traditional holiday I experienced in Hong Kong.

I started the holiday by paying a visit to Hong Kong’s famous temple, Wong Tai Sin. This Taoist temple is located north of Hong Kong Island, in New Kowloon. It is a popular destination for locals to worship, and since it was a holiday, the temple was packed.

With this visit being my first time at a Taoist temple, I was mesmerized by the different statues of animal heads attached to human bodies and adorned with red ribbons. Worshippers would rub these statues, which stood in front of the temple, for good luck. They also prayed and burned incense.

The busy temple connected to “Good Luck Garden.” The garden had all the elements for relaxation, including a waterfall, natural rock structures and ponds filled with koi fish and terrapins. After staying in a tranquil environment, it was back to

explore the noisy city.

That night we went to Victoria Park in Hong Kong Island to see the lantern festival.

The park was decorated with lanterns of all shapes, colors and sizes.

It was literally a lantern wonderland.

First, we went inside a giant lantern that was right in the middle of the park’s pond. Every 15 minutes, the lantern changed color according to the music being played.

It was time to try the most important thing in the Mid-Autumn Festival— the mooncake. This delicious pastry is filled with a rich, thick filling of red bean paste, and at the center sat one or more whole salted egg yolk to symbolize the full moon. Mooncakes are usually served cold and can easily become spoiled after two hours out of the freezer. The one I ate was so good and very sweet.

The night ended with the famous Tai Hang Fire Dance, a tradition unique to Hong Kong. The fire dance consisted of a 220-foot-long “fire dragon” that paraded down the Tai Hang neighborhood, accompanied by drums and firecrackers. The dragon

was covered in about 72,000 lighted incense sticks.

According to the legend, Tai Hang was once struck by a plague before the festival, and a fortune teller decreed that the only way to get rid of it was by performing a fire dance for three days and nights.

After experiencing such a spectacular holiday, I asked myself: “Why am I not staying for more than a semester?” I realized that my time here is very short. I wanted to experience and witness more. It was then that I realized that I should explore and do new things. This month, I will travel to the mainland to visit China’s business metropolis, Shanghai, making stops along the way at the capital city, Beijing, and the home of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an.

Deema Alfadl is a senior broadcast journalism major who will be blogging for The PublicAsian from Hong Kong, where she is studying abroad this semester.

All photos provided and taken by Deema Alfadl. For more photos, visit www.publicasian.com.

12 | Events Recap

Z

F.U.E.L. the Pride

oomed In :

The PublicAsian | Nov/Dec 2012

Photo by James Levin

Photos by James Levin

Co-directors Shuxing Cheng and Elysha Valera kicked off this year’s F.U.E.L. leadership conference, called F.U.E.L. the Pride, on Oct. 27 with some opening remarks.

Photo by James levin

Check out www.publicasian.com for an online exclusive coverage of this year’s F.U.E.L. conference.

Photo by James levin

Photo by James levin

The panel of speakers at this year’s conference included (from left to right): Executive Director Hector Vargas of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Commission on AAPI Issues, Puesh Kumar or KhushDC, Diana Bui of the National APA Women’s Forum D.C. Chapter and LGBT activist Jennifer Luu. Photo by Nancy Pham

As this was a day-long event, lunch was provided for both the attendees and the guest speakers.

Attendee Jack Chen reads off a poem he wrote during a creative writing workshop led by Def Poetry Jam’s Regie Cabico.