To disclose or not to disclose? That is the question.

Do you check off your ethnicity when applying for a job or admission to a school/organization? Some college hopefuls have decided that it may be in their best interest not to disclose their Asian heritage. Why would some applicants intentionally keep their ethnicity to themselves? Read on to get a sense of what some people have experienced when it comes to college entrance strategies.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Some-Asians-college-strategy-Don-t-check-Asian-2342006.php#page-1

What would you do? Are there any institutional or societal changes that may need to be considered so that one can claim who they are?

Cosmetic Surgery Among Asian American Females

Asian American females have the highest level of elective surgery to alter facial features (Iijima-Hall, 1995). For example, popular procedures may be to create a double-eyelid or taller nose. Plastic surgery is so mainstream among some Asian females that there are tourism packages that are available. The industry associated with this is known as "medical tourism." A booming economy is associated with altering racial features so that the individual may adopt a more Western look. Kawahara & Fu (2006) have pointed towards the reason being that the racialization of facial features may have something to do with why this may be so. Why do you think this phenomenon may be occurring?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On October 13, 2011, the API Domestic Violence Task Force of the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California hosted an event to raise awareness about domestic violence in the Asian Pacific Islander community.

The event began with a press-conference with various ethnic media outlets to kick-off the morning. There was an awards ceremony to recognize first responders and volunteers. Finally, a panel of law enforcement, district attorney, legal services, psychologist (yours truly) and others were given the opportunity to share the effects of domestic violence on Asian Pacific Islander youth. Resources were shared and audience members stayed beyond the allotted time for an extended question/answer session.

I am grateful to be part of the API Domestic Violence Task Force. October is domestic violence awareness month. Please help spread the word.

Looking for a good cause?

What types of philanthropy do you engage in? Walking/running/biking for a cure? Donating time or talents towards organizations?

In just a few days, I'll be joining others for a good cause. If you feel moved to help, you'll be with me as I reach my personal goal.

http://www.nami.org/walkTemplate.cfm?section=NAMIWALKS&template=/customsource/namiwalks/walkerpage.cfm&walkerID=184772

Better yet, walk WITH me. Would be great to have you on my team!

Sun Sisters: Asian American LGBT

Asian American lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals have an added layer of stigma to consider. They may need to also weigh in the possibility that their cultural values include Confucian-based ideas of the importance of furthering the family lineage. Such populations may wrestle with multiple oppressed identities (e.g., less privileged status in society). Therefore, the added layers that Asian American LGBTQ individuals can complicate the coming out process.

The posting below appeared on Facebook earlier this month to promote a discussion about Asian American LGBT issues:

"Who's a Michi Fu fan?? Come join Michi Fu Phd for the Cultural Intersections Talkback THIS Saturday, 8/13 after the show, SUN SISTERS - a new play by Vasanti Saxena to discuss Asian and American cultural clashes and intergenerational family dynamics. Show starts at 8 p.m. www.companyofangels.org

Company of Angels companyofangels.org
Company of Angels presents Company of Angels presents SUN SISTERS A new play by Vasanti Saxena Directed by Lui Sanchez A daughter’s homecoming. A mother’s secrets. SUN SISTERS explores the clash between unspoken desires and cultural traditions as one woman’s illness forces her to examine her life’..."

I was honored to take part in a post-show Q&A featuring the producer, playwright, and cast members where audience members asked candid questions regarding some of the sensitive topics raised by the play. Hopefully you'll be able to watch this show in a city near you one day soon.

Dance for charity

Dear Friends,

You are cordially invited to join me in making a difference for LGBT minority youth in the greater DC area. Did you know that LGBT youth have the highest rates of suicide? The numbers are even more staggering for Asian American youth who have the added stigma of patriarchal values, repression of emotional/sexual expression, etc. It doesn't have to be this way.

The American Psychological Association's Divisions 45 (Ethnic Minority) and 35(1) Black Women are co-coordinating THE annual dance during the APA to benefit The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) http://www.smyal.org/. This organization is the premier Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The dance takes place on 8/6/2011 (Saturday) from 8-1am at the Grand Ballroom South of the Renaissance. Online tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/182019. In return for your generosity, you'll enjoy a LIVE set from the acclaimed world-music band Funkadesi (Come and see why they've been voted as best world music band and personally mentioned by President Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amAT_t05yJg). Door prizes are going to the first 60 ticket purchasers and dance souvenirs will be gifted to the first 60 to arrive at the dance.

Won't be in DC or not a fan of dancing? Feel free to purchase a ticket in your name to gift to a student or to the cause. Simply designate that this is a GIFT in the "notes" section and I'm certain good things will come your way for your act of kindness.

Thank you in advance for being part of the solution so that countless LGBTQ young people don't have to endure horrific bullying and harassment on a day-to-day basis, which we all know can have a devastating impact on their self-esteem and emotional health. This event is open to the public so please feel free to pass along this message.

Truly,
Dr. Michi Fu

Overrepresented but underserved

How does a minority group receive funding or other resources when they are not viewed as a minority group? See what's going on around college campuses.

"Although APAs make up just 5 percent of the nation’s population, they are often an overwhelming minority on college campuses, exceeding 40 percent at some schools."

http://diverseeducation.com/article/15785/

Not just flowers in the Month of May

Did you know that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month? http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

It's also Mental Health Awareness Month!
http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/mental-health-month-blog-day-may-18/

Happy Birthday to those born under the Taurus and Gemini signs.

There are many reasons to celebrate in the month of May.

What else is May known for?

Empowerment & Parenting

Many thanks to the ladies of the North American Taiwanese Women's Association for being open to hearing about female empowerment and bicultural parenting. Here is one woman's perspective of a workshop created to empower our next generation:

http://natwa2.org/newsletter/may-2011/empowering-our-next-generation/

The Place With No Name

On April 23rd, 2011, a group of second-generation Taiwanese American women decided to pioneer the discussion of sexuality at the North American Taiwanese Women's Association Annual Convention. Turns out that several of the group members had been in or produced The Vagina Monologues and wanted to share a version of this with the Taiwanese American community. It proved to be a controversial event fraught with discussions over whether or not to give a name to a body part that had not been discussed while growing up. It was evident that many of the women had been taught "nothing," "nothing," "nothing at all" about their sexuality while growing up in Taiwanese immigrant families.

Here is a sample of some of the responses to the questions posed on an online survey used to create the script that would ultimately be used for the skit: "The Place With No Name."



1. What did you learn about sexuality while growing up and how did you feel about your own?
Growing up I never knew there was a 3rd hole down there. I only thought there was one to niao niao(pee) and one to bung sigh (poop). How was I supposed to know? I didn't really have a reason to lookdown there.
2. Did your mom talk to you about sex and sexuality?
HELL NO! Not sure what the reason was, but I'm assuming it's a combination of language and culturaldifferences.
3. What did your mother teach you about the vagina?
NOTHING. NOTHING. NOTHING.
4. What do you call your vagina?
Don't really have a name for it...maybe I should!
5. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of your "vagina"?
I don’t think I ever think about my vagina….
6. There are thousands of women whose "vagina" are unwillingly violated every year (e.g. raped, soldfor prostitution, genocide, etc.). What would you say to these women?
It is not your fault...you do not deserve this. you are not alone.
7. How do you feel about your sexuality now?
With age I discover a power with my sexuality, that the femal form is beautiful, female voiceis enchanting, and female touch on big or little things goes a long way. I am happy to be a woman. Being a woman gives me power.
8. What advice would you give to your daughters or nieces (current or future ones)?
Your body belongs to you and nobody else. Don't let anyone else make decisions about your body and sexuality. You are who you are and you should be proud of it.

Perhaps most encouraging is that some of the first generation women of the audience were inspired to produce their own version of this skit for the next convention. What a way to reclaim the place with no name!

What messages did you grow up learning about sexuality?

Isit ever okay to say: "Ching chong, ling long..."

If you've heard of Andrea Wallace, then it's because you've seen her rant on YouTube. What do you think? Does free speech make hate speech acceptable?

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/03/22/ucla_student_s_youtube_video_illustrates_many_asian_racial_stereotypes

Were she referring to any other group, do you think there would have been a different response from the community?

Asian American parentified children?

In psychology, there's a term called the parentified child. This is usually due to the family system not working the way it's supposed to. For example, in a Western family there would be the parents and the children. If mom or dad aren't able to serve the roles that they typically would (e.g., provide for the kids' basic needs), then there is a role reversal where the children might step up and taken care of themselves or their siblings. This is sometimes seen in the family where a parent is an alcoholic.

Sometimes, it may seem that Asian American families appear to have parentified children. For example, one of the children might be designated to call credit card companies or read mail on behalf of the parents. While it may appear to be dysfunctional, the difference is that the child is not truly parentified (the power structure of the family system hasn't changed). Instead, the child is serving as a linguistic or cultural broker on behalf of the family. This is not uncommon for immigrant or refugee families. This is also differentiated from the families of parentified children because children who serve as language/cultural brokers may still need to defer to their caregivers for their other basic needs.

What other ways are Asian vs. Western families different in the American culture?

Asian mothers

Parenting leads to who are today. How were you raised? Do you believe in tough love? Read about one parent who is proud of using traditionally Eastern parenting methods.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html

This has stirred controvery considering the efforts made to dispel the model minority myth. What are your thoughts about strict parenting styles?

Is a headache just a headache?

Why do some people get headaches when they are sad or stomach aches when they are anxious? To learn more about how our mind and bodies may be connected, check out:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6138562/somaticization_disorder_symptoms_help.html?cat=5

What to do if you suspect somatic disorders related to mental or mood issues? Rule out physiological reasons for your somatic complaints by going to your primary care physician. Request a referral for a mental health professional if physical symptoms persist and there is no medical explanation for your stomach ache, head ache, skin rash, etc.