NewsBytes

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

News from around the way:

Asian activists head to Hill, call for bilingual ballot bill

Carrying signs bearing slogans like “I’m a Citizen, Protect My Voting Rights” and chanting in Cantonese about the importance of bilingual ballots, a group of over 100 Asian men, women and children flocked to Beacon Hill Monday for a “civil rights march and speak out” sponsored by the CPA, a Chinatown-based grassroots organization.
Being Chinese American and embracing the "Twinkie"

I was born in Evanston and grew up in Buffalo Grove. Both of my parents were born in Chicago. My maternal and paternal grandparents were born in Asia. When I was younger, my siblings and I didn't speak Chinese in our home as many of my Chinese-American friends did. My parents didn't teach us Chinese. Neither did they make us attend Chinese school. I didn’t mind this because my friends always complained about going since their parents forced them to go.
Filipina receives NAAAP award

"It’s a wonderful and unexpected honor. Being the first Filipina awardee, I feel even more fortunate to have received this recognition. The awards traditionally highlight young scholars from area high schools and those in business, government and not-for-profit who are more seasoned and can offer lessons of experience.
Obama Names AAPI Outreach Director

Charmaine Manansala, a former Pelosi advisor and White House AAPI Initiative staffer, is going to be joining the Obama campaign as AAPI Vote Director. AAA Fund Advisory Board Member Betsy Kim will also be departing the DNC to serve as Deputy Director of AAPI Outreach.

They will be working to outreach to Asian Pacific American Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
Do you racially stereotype?

"That remark shocked me because why would our arguments which in my opinion had nothing to do with my Asianness and only to do with my individual character flaws be somehow connected to 'other Asians' she might meet in the future? And since our 'racial differences' or my being Asian were not the content of the quarrel that broke us up, I was surprised that she would mention my 'Asianness' out of the blue.