Jeff Yang and the dads from the Rice Daddies blog on being an Asian-American pop and Father's Day ...
"Asian Pop: Poppa Culture"
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Nisei in WWII
SF Gate has an interesting article today on American-born children of Japanese immigrants and their roles during World War II:
"Secret Revealed: Nisei's WWII Role"
If you're in the area ...
At the end of the article, it states that McNaughton will read from his book Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Veterans will also share their experiences.
"Secret Revealed: Nisei's WWII Role"
They were enrolled in a secret Japanese language school to train military interrogators and translators.
Though Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was more than a month away, deteriorating relations between the two countries had prompted the War Department to comb the Army ranks for potential linguists. They were known as nisei, the American-born children of immigrants.
Now, the National Japanese American Historical Society is starting a fundraising campaign to build a museum at the Presidio honoring the nisei linguists -- while the men are still alive. Military historian James McNaughton, who recently published "Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service," will speak Wednesday at the Presidio about the veterans and their story.
If you're in the area ...
At the end of the article, it states that McNaughton will read from his book Nisei Linguists: Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service during World War II at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Veterans will also share their experiences.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ahh, the pressure!
An article from CNN ...
"Push to achieve tied to suicide in Asian-American women"
Some interesting points:
"Asian-American women ages 15-24 have the highest suicide rate of women in any race or ethnic group in that age group. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Asian-American women in that age range."
"First and foremost, they say 'model minority' pressure -- the pressure some Asian-American families put on children to be high achievers at school and professionally -- helps explain the problem."
"Family pressure often affects girls more than boys, according to Dr. Dung Ngo, a psychologist at Baylor University in Texas. 'When I go talk to high school students and ask them if they experience pressure, the majority who raised their hands were the girls,' he said."
Perhaps pressure would help explain this case:
"Wannabe freshman outwits Stanford"
I'd like to know what the statistics are for Asian-American boys and men, particularly adoptees. About 10 years ago, a close male friend committed suicide. I know another who tried. Both Korean adoptees.
In my friend's case, I'll never know for sure of course what led him to his decision, but I can think of two factors in his life that contributed to his depression: a profound sense of grief and loss surrounding his adoption, and unfortunately, rejection from his love interest, a Korean adoptee who wasn't attracted to Asian men.
In the latter case, I know there had been pressure from his parents to change his major in college. He wanted to be a writer. They thought he should go into business or finance.
I was fortunate, I guess. My parents supported my choice in majors in college -- once I actually decided on one.
"Push to achieve tied to suicide in Asian-American women"
Some interesting points:
"Asian-American women ages 15-24 have the highest suicide rate of women in any race or ethnic group in that age group. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Asian-American women in that age range."
"First and foremost, they say 'model minority' pressure -- the pressure some Asian-American families put on children to be high achievers at school and professionally -- helps explain the problem."
"Family pressure often affects girls more than boys, according to Dr. Dung Ngo, a psychologist at Baylor University in Texas. 'When I go talk to high school students and ask them if they experience pressure, the majority who raised their hands were the girls,' he said."
Perhaps pressure would help explain this case:
"Wannabe freshman outwits Stanford"
I'd like to know what the statistics are for Asian-American boys and men, particularly adoptees. About 10 years ago, a close male friend committed suicide. I know another who tried. Both Korean adoptees.
In my friend's case, I'll never know for sure of course what led him to his decision, but I can think of two factors in his life that contributed to his depression: a profound sense of grief and loss surrounding his adoption, and unfortunately, rejection from his love interest, a Korean adoptee who wasn't attracted to Asian men.
In the latter case, I know there had been pressure from his parents to change his major in college. He wanted to be a writer. They thought he should go into business or finance.
I was fortunate, I guess. My parents supported my choice in majors in college -- once I actually decided on one.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Going home
I was planning to go back home to visit family in July for a wedding open house, but looks like I'll be returning home much sooner for a memorial service instead.
The open house was canceled, and last night I found out my aunt died on Sunday. I was about an hour and a half away from the city, and on the drive back, I basically cried the whole way home.
I keep thinking about how much influence my aunt had on my life and career. She first introduced me to editing, design and fonts -- and this was before computers and Quark XPress. Years ago, my aunt and uncle owned a small magazine, and I stayed with them one summer, working at their office.
I remember sharing with her the joys of brownies, shopping 'til we dropped, and learning to crochet. Then there were the family camping trips to my aunt and uncle's lake property in Wisconsin, and spending weekends at her house, which was always a major treat.
And I blame her for my Coke addiction. (Man, was she relieved when Coca-Cola came out with Coke Classic after its new Coke fiasco.)
She called me her "favorite niece" -- granted, I was her only niece -- and she was my favorite aunt.
I can't believe she's gone.
I feel so bad for my cousin. As the only child of an only child, she doesn't have much family left. Since moving to San Francisco, I haven't kept in touch as much as I should have.
My parents said I didn't have to fly back for the service, but I want to go home -- I need to go home.
The open house was canceled, and last night I found out my aunt died on Sunday. I was about an hour and a half away from the city, and on the drive back, I basically cried the whole way home.
I keep thinking about how much influence my aunt had on my life and career. She first introduced me to editing, design and fonts -- and this was before computers and Quark XPress. Years ago, my aunt and uncle owned a small magazine, and I stayed with them one summer, working at their office.
I remember sharing with her the joys of brownies, shopping 'til we dropped, and learning to crochet. Then there were the family camping trips to my aunt and uncle's lake property in Wisconsin, and spending weekends at her house, which was always a major treat.
And I blame her for my Coke addiction. (Man, was she relieved when Coca-Cola came out with Coke Classic after its new Coke fiasco.)
She called me her "favorite niece" -- granted, I was her only niece -- and she was my favorite aunt.
I can't believe she's gone.
I feel so bad for my cousin. As the only child of an only child, she doesn't have much family left. Since moving to San Francisco, I haven't kept in touch as much as I should have.
My parents said I didn't have to fly back for the service, but I want to go home -- I need to go home.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
CNN on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
CNN has some special coverage this month for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It even has a special section (oooh, aahhh) on its Web site -- Uncovering America: The Asian-American Journey.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Baby deposit
"Japan Has Drop Box for Unwanted Babies"
When I was in Italy, I saw an old building that had been used as an orphanage. The building had a revolving drop box for babies. I read that there was some kind of system to alert the nuns who ran the orphanage that a baby had been left in the box.
A Japanese hospital opened the country's only anonymous drop box for unwanted infants Thursday despite government admonitions against abandoning babies.
The baby drop-off, called "Crane's Cradle," was opened by the Catholic-run Jikei Hospital in the southern city of Kumamoto as a way to discourage abortions and the abandonment of infants in unsafe public places. The hospital described it as a parent's last resort.
A small hatch on the side of the hospital allows people to drop off babies in an incubator 24 hours a day, while an alarm will notify hospital staff of the new arrival. The infants will initially be cared for by the hospital and then put up for adoption.
When I was in Italy, I saw an old building that had been used as an orphanage. The building had a revolving drop box for babies. I read that there was some kind of system to alert the nuns who ran the orphanage that a baby had been left in the box.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Heroes
Amazing animal stories ...
"Dogs, cat honoured for heroism"
"Three dogs and one cat were inducted into the Purina Hall of Fame for feats of bravery and determination that saved lives."
"Dogs, cat honoured for heroism"
"Three dogs and one cat were inducted into the Purina Hall of Fame for feats of bravery and determination that saved lives."
Friday, May 04, 2007
Go to jail. Go directly to jail.
Ha! Paris Hilton will be living the real "simple life" for 45 days. A judge ordered her to jail for 45 days for violating her probation. Guess her parents' money couldn't bail her out of this one.
"Paris Hilton sentenced to 45 days in jail"
"Hilton wept and her mother, Kathy, yelled at the prosecutor, "You're pathetic," as the packed courtroom cleared.
"The stunning decision capped a two-hour hearing in which prosecutors argued that Hilton was thumbing her nose at the court and seeking to be placed above the law, while defense lawyers said she was being singled out for harsh treatment because of her celebrity."
She's lucky she didn't have her ass thrown in jail the first time she got pulled over after her alcohol-related reckless driving incident.
Dumb ass.
"Paris Hilton sentenced to 45 days in jail"
"Hilton wept and her mother, Kathy, yelled at the prosecutor, "You're pathetic," as the packed courtroom cleared.
"The stunning decision capped a two-hour hearing in which prosecutors argued that Hilton was thumbing her nose at the court and seeking to be placed above the law, while defense lawyers said she was being singled out for harsh treatment because of her celebrity."
She's lucky she didn't have her ass thrown in jail the first time she got pulled over after her alcohol-related reckless driving incident.
Dumb ass.
U.S. troops used 'comfort women'
"Documents: U.S. troops used 'comfort women' after WWII"
The article also states that the brothels were operated by the Recreation and Amusement Association (RAA) and that "occupation GIs paid upfront and were given tickets and condoms. The first RAA brothel, called Komachien -- The Babe Garden -- had 38 women, but due to high demand that was quickly increased to 100. Each woman serviced from 15 to 60 clients a day."
"American historian John Dower, in his book "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of WWII," says the charge for a short session with a prostitute was 15 yen, or about a dollar, roughly the cost of half a pack of cigarettes."
Thanks to a fellow blogger for this CNN article.
Japan's abhorrent practice of enslaving women to provide sex for its troops in World War II has a little-known sequel: After its surrender -- with tacit approval from the U.S. occupation authorities -- Japan set up a similar "comfort women" system for American GIs.
An Associated Press review of historical documents and records -- some never before translated into English -- shows American authorities permitted the official brothel system to operate despite internal reports that women were being coerced into prostitution. The Americans also had full knowledge by then of Japan's atrocious treatment of women in countries across Asia that it conquered during the war.
Tens of thousands of women were employed to provide cheap sex to U.S. troops until the spring of 1946, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur shut the brothels down.
The article also states that the brothels were operated by the Recreation and Amusement Association (RAA) and that "occupation GIs paid upfront and were given tickets and condoms. The first RAA brothel, called Komachien -- The Babe Garden -- had 38 women, but due to high demand that was quickly increased to 100. Each woman serviced from 15 to 60 clients a day."
"American historian John Dower, in his book "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of WWII," says the charge for a short session with a prostitute was 15 yen, or about a dollar, roughly the cost of half a pack of cigarettes."
"Amid complaints from military chaplains and concerns that disclosure of the brothels would embarrass the occupation forces back in the United States, on March 25, 1946, MacArthur placed all brothels, comfort stations and other places of prostitution off limits. The RAA soon collapsed.
MacArthur's primary concern was not only a moral one.
By that time, Tanaka says, more than a quarter of all American GIs in the occupation forces had a sexually transmitted disease."
Thanks to a fellow blogger for this CNN article.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
To celebrate the month, KQED in the Bay Area is featuring a special lineup.
Check out the program listings on the KQED Web site.
Hmm, after looking through the program guide, I'm disappointed to see that there are no programs specifically featuring Korea or Korean Americans. What's up with that?
Check out the program listings on the KQED Web site.
Hmm, after looking through the program guide, I'm disappointed to see that there are no programs specifically featuring Korea or Korean Americans. What's up with that?
Friday, April 27, 2007
Pretty in pink?
I came across this article today. Makes me cringe to think what my husband and I will deal with in raising our kids ("No, you cannot wear a midriff-baring t-shirt that says 'Slut'!"), especially when companies are creating marketing schemes targeting them as early as their preschool years ...
"What's Wrong With Cinderella?"
"What's Wrong With Cinderella?"
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Permanent outsiders
The Salt Lake Tribune is featuring an article about international adoptees ...
"I realized I was a permanent outsider"
"What we know is that none of us fully fit in with our adoptive cultures or our birth cultures.
"But we are excited to start an adoptee culture, one that allows us to pull the good from our cultures and create a space where we feel comfortable with each other and ourselves."
"I realized I was a permanent outsider"
"What we know is that none of us fully fit in with our adoptive cultures or our birth cultures.
"But we are excited to start an adoptee culture, one that allows us to pull the good from our cultures and create a space where we feel comfortable with each other and ourselves."
Russia halts foreign adoptions
On NPR this morning ...
"Russian authorities have suspended the work of foreign adoption agencies. That has put into limbo the plans of many Americans waiting to adopt Russian children, even as human rights groups say a growing number of institutionalized children in Russia are living — and dying — in wretched conditions."
"Russia's Halt on Adoptions Spotlights Conditions"
The NPR site has a link so you can listen to the radio segment.
On a different note, another NPR story out of China ...
"Cases of Forced Abortions Surface in China"
"Russian authorities have suspended the work of foreign adoption agencies. That has put into limbo the plans of many Americans waiting to adopt Russian children, even as human rights groups say a growing number of institutionalized children in Russia are living — and dying — in wretched conditions."
"Russia's Halt on Adoptions Spotlights Conditions"
The NPR site has a link so you can listen to the radio segment.
Americans adopt more children from Russia than from any other country except China and Guatemala. But now the government has suspended the work of all foreign adoption agencies. Officials say it's a temporary measure, part of the new registration requirements for all non-governmental organizations.
Still, Education Ministry official Sergei Vitelis says Russian children should stay in Russia.
"Adoption by foreigners probably isn't entirely right," Vitelis says. "Any normal state should create conditions for children to grow up in their own country. That's what we're aiming for."
Children's rights advocates say the official crackdown on foreign adoptions is more about national pride than concern for child welfare. They say it condemns children to a system of Soviet-era institutions desperately in need of reform.
On a different note, another NPR story out of China ...
"Cases of Forced Abortions Surface in China"
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Fire 'em!
"CBS Radio suspended two New York City radio hosts on Monday for their prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant that Asian American advocacy groups across the country decried as racist, sexist and vulgar."
"Ex-Bay radio jocks suspended"
Updated (4/26/07):
"Rights groups demand firing of radio hosts"
"Prominent Asian American civil rights groups in the Bay Area are demanding that CBS Radio fire New York shock jocks Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, who were suspended this week for making a prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant seen as racist and sexist."
Updated (5/14/07):
"Asian Slurs End Shock Jocks' Show on CBS"
"One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes."
"Ex-Bay radio jocks suspended"
Updated (4/26/07):
"Rights groups demand firing of radio hosts"
"Prominent Asian American civil rights groups in the Bay Area are demanding that CBS Radio fire New York shock jocks Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, who were suspended this week for making a prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant seen as racist and sexist."
Updated (5/14/07):
"Asian Slurs End Shock Jocks' Show on CBS"
"One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes."
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Backlash
"Braced for Backlash"
"Korean-Americans fear that hatred toward the Virginia Tech killer will spill over into their community—and fuel negative typecasting."
Updated (4/24/07):
From NPR's Robert Siegel of "All Things Considered" ...
"Weighing Cho's Heritage and Identity"
And from the Washington Post ...
"Koreans Aren't to Blame"
"Korean-Americans fear that hatred toward the Virginia Tech killer will spill over into their community—and fuel negative typecasting."
Updated (4/24/07):
From NPR's Robert Siegel of "All Things Considered" ...
"Weighing Cho's Heritage and Identity"
And from the Washington Post ...
"Koreans Aren't to Blame"
Monday, April 16, 2007
Mass shooting at Virginia Tech
The AP is reporting that at least 30 people are dead after a gunman opened fire on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA, this morning. One eyewitness to the shootings at a Norris Hall classroom described the shooter as "an Asian male in his twenties wearing a maroon hat and a black coat."
"Gunman Kills 30 on Virginia Tech Campus"
Updated: MSNBC is reporting that about 50 people were shot and 33 are confirmed dead, including the gunman.
"At least 33 dead in rampage at Virginia college"
MSNBC also has a phone interview with the eyewitness who described the gunman as an Asian male, along with another interview with a classmate.
Updated (4/17/07):
The gunman has been identified as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, a Virginia Tech senior majoring in English. He was a legal, permanent resident of the U.S. from South Korea. His family lives in Centreville, VA. (Kind of weird because I was thinking of my Korean friend who lives in Centreville yesterday. I looked up Blacksburg on Google Maps and saw it was about three hours away from Centreville.)
"Va. Tech: Gunman Student From S. Korea"
"Gunman came to U.S. at age 8 from South Korea"
"Korea 'In Shock' at Shooter's Origin"
"South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the suspect had gone to live in the United States while in primary school and had permanent residency there while maintaining his South Korean citizenship, citing an unnamed official."
"Gunman's writings had raised concerns"
I'm still processing everything that happened yesterday. I woke up to hear NPR reporting that only one person was dead at Virginia Tech. Then I get to work to read that the number was up to 21. And then a little later it was 33 and the gunman may have been Asian. And now this morning that he was Korean.
All day yesterday I was checking various news Web sites for updates, wanting to know what happened and why -- something officials, students, and the victims' families are still wondering. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the victims and the Virginia Tech students and staff.
"Gunman Kills 30 on Virginia Tech Campus"
Updated: MSNBC is reporting that about 50 people were shot and 33 are confirmed dead, including the gunman.
"At least 33 dead in rampage at Virginia college"
MSNBC also has a phone interview with the eyewitness who described the gunman as an Asian male, along with another interview with a classmate.
Updated (4/17/07):
The gunman has been identified as 23-year-old Cho Seung-Hui, a Virginia Tech senior majoring in English. He was a legal, permanent resident of the U.S. from South Korea. His family lives in Centreville, VA. (Kind of weird because I was thinking of my Korean friend who lives in Centreville yesterday. I looked up Blacksburg on Google Maps and saw it was about three hours away from Centreville.)
"Va. Tech: Gunman Student From S. Korea"
"Gunman came to U.S. at age 8 from South Korea"
"Korea 'In Shock' at Shooter's Origin"
"South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the suspect had gone to live in the United States while in primary school and had permanent residency there while maintaining his South Korean citizenship, citing an unnamed official."
"Gunman's writings had raised concerns"
I'm still processing everything that happened yesterday. I woke up to hear NPR reporting that only one person was dead at Virginia Tech. Then I get to work to read that the number was up to 21. And then a little later it was 33 and the gunman may have been Asian. And now this morning that he was Korean.
All day yesterday I was checking various news Web sites for updates, wanting to know what happened and why -- something officials, students, and the victims' families are still wondering. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the victims and the Virginia Tech students and staff.
'North Koreans face danger on the run'
CNN.com has a video, "North Korean escape route," that describes the journey of North Koreans refugees who are making their way to Thailand from China. The Thai government's official policy is to deport North Korean refugees to South Korea, instead of returning them to North Korea as the Chinese government does.
The video includes the story of one woman who was on the run for four years. In China, she was raped and lived as a sex slave until she made it to Thailand. She had to leave behind her 3-year-old daughter in China. She also tells of the bodies of the dead in North Korea used for food because people are starving.
Also, MSNBC.com is featuring two slideshows on Korea, "Korea conflict in pictures" and "Inside North Korea," on it's Asia-Pacific page (scroll down, on the right side).
The video includes the story of one woman who was on the run for four years. In China, she was raped and lived as a sex slave until she made it to Thailand. She had to leave behind her 3-year-old daughter in China. She also tells of the bodies of the dead in North Korea used for food because people are starving.
Also, MSNBC.com is featuring two slideshows on Korea, "Korea conflict in pictures" and "Inside North Korea," on it's Asia-Pacific page (scroll down, on the right side).
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
All in the family
Jeff Yang has a nice write-up on Korean-American comedian Bobby Lee in his Asian Pop column ...
"Asian Pop: Mad Man"
Check out this MADtv skit with Lee's family.
"Asian Pop: Mad Man"
That's why, given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to develop a show for Comedy Central, Lee told them he wanted to do a show about a screwed-up Asian American family -- his. Starring his real family. "It's like an extension of that sketch, but obviously, a lot more in-depth," says Lee. "And I'm going to make it really Korean. It's going to be set predominantly in Koreatown, and it'll be a totally ethnic comedy show, shot single-camera, kind of like 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' only with singing, dancing. Maybe some sketches and animation. They bought the idea -- we'll see if it ever gets on the air."
Check out this MADtv skit with Lee's family.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Baby ape looking for love
"Sungai is only 7 months old, but she's already had enough rejection to qualify for a lifetime of therapy. Born in Albuquerque, she was instantly cast aside by her mother. Sent to Houston, she fared no better. Now she's in San Francisco, clinging to three foster parents who tend to her needs 24 hours a day."
"Zoo's poster child for hand-rearing"
"Zoo's poster child for hand-rearing"
Friday, March 23, 2007
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