News Roundup

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Some newes from around the way:

Young Japanese Starting to Embrace Diversity

There are many things of which Japan and the Japanese citizens can be proud -- technological innovation, strong economic power, and cultural trendsetter. On the other hand and just like any other country, there are other things for which Japan deserves to be criticized -- nationalistic denials over its World War II atrocities, its insistence on continuing to kill whales, and its reputation for being intolerant of “outsiders.”
The Emergence of a new Clinton Coalition

The results of Super Tuesday primaries left the democratic race where it started – a near even split of delegates for Obama and Clinton. As expected, Obama received strong support from African American, male and young (18-30) voters while Clinton solidified her standings with women, Hispanic and older (45 and above) voters.
Indian Americans make an impact on 'Super Tuesday'

Indian Americans, who have a sizeable population in crucial 'Super Tuesday' states like California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, voted in large numbers in the presidential primaries to play a vital role in shaping the country's political landscape.
Conversations with Fil-Am Democratic campaigners

San Francisco-based Angelica Jongco, 29, works as a civil rights attorney for the nonprofit agency Public Advocates. One would think that that alone would fill her daily schedule. However, when she’s not defending the rights of Bay Area’s citizens, she’s working full-speed for the Barack Obama campaign. "I first saw Senator Obama speak on TV at the 2004 Democratic National Convention," she wrote in an email interview. "He gave a speech that was electrifying, and I (along with) probably much of the nation did a double take: ‘Who is this guy?’" Fast forward four years later, and Jongco is now an active campaigner for the Obama presidential election team. "I had no idea that I would get so drawn in to volunteering for him," she said. "I’ve never been so excited about a political leader before."
Seattle Takes Steps to Recognize Minorities’ Role in Shaping Region

This year, two new museums and a new traditional gate marking the city’s Chinatown will be completed, formally acknowledging the role minority groups have played in shaping Seattle and the region — even as those roles are changing. The new touchstones will meet dueling misperceptions: that the city has had a bland racial past and that tolerance and unity are among the local natural resources.
Asian Groups Respond to SalesGenie Bowl Ads

Response to SalesGenie.com's offensive and just-plain-dumb Super Bowl commercials has been a bit more muted than I expected, for a good reason. While groups representing Asian Americans are plenty disgusted by the ads' crude ethnic stereotypes, they're also reluctant to give the spots more exposure than they've already received.