Community Champion

Know of anyone who has made a significant impact in your life?  

Reflecting on how current roles are impacted by immigrant roots has been a humbling endeavor.  

I'm blessed to work with inspiring mentors and students.

Many thanks to Dr. Wenli Jen for her nomination of PBS' Community Champion recognition.

http://video.pbssocal.org/video/2365249872/

What Kind of Asian Are You?

Have you ever asked or been asked:  "What Kind of Asian Are You?"  What are some reactions and what might be the source of such reactions?

Alex Dang offered a moving narrative during Boston's 2013 National Poetry Slam that shares about the history of racism as it pertains to Asian Americans.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/25/what-kind-of-asian-are-you-slam-poem_n_5208102.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

To check out more of Dang, you can visit his Facebook page here.

Parachute kids

Have you ever heard of parachute kids?  No, not the kind you find at children's parties.





Typically, "parachute kids" are international adolescents from Asia studying in the states without their parents.  I was recently interviewed for my opinions regarding what leads to positive development among this population and whether there are any special therapeutic issues to consider.
 
http://epx.sagepub.com/content/12/6/682.abstract

There are varying degrees of ideas regarding the familial, financial and social supports needed for the adjustment of these students to life in the United States.  What are your thoughts about this not-so-recent phenomenon?

Asian Americans Equal Protection for Test Scores

From the petitions.whitehouse.gov:  

On 1/30/2014, the California Senate passed SCA-5 , which would repeal some provisions of Prop 209 and allow the State of California to discriminate an individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. In the 17 years that Prop 209 has been in effect, California has become the most diversified and prosperous state in the US and Asian-Americans are proudly one of the essential pieces. Comprehensive initiatives have then been implemented to help students from disadvantaged families to obtain high educations. Currently, Asian-Americans often need test scores hundreds of points higher than applicants from other ethnic groups to have an equal chance of admission. Now SCA-5 seeks to unfairly punish Asian-Americans simply based on race.

To take action, try signing one (or both) of these online petitions:

http://www.change.org/petitions/california-state-assembly-vote-no-to-sca-5-3 

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/californias-sca-5-against-equal-protection-clause-14th-amendment-us-constitution/TlHCfZJY

Happy Lunar New Year of the Horse

From the White House Initiative on AAPIs (http://whitehouse.gov/aapi):

President Obama Extends Best Wishes for the Lunar New Year

On January 31, 2014 the White House released a video message from President Obama welcoming in the Lunar New Year. In his message, the President emphasized that America is a land that draws strength from its diversity, highlighting the importance of immigration reform:

Today, my Administration is working harder than ever to fix an immigration system that doesn’t serve America as well as it should.  We’re committed to a comprehensive plan that will continue to strengthen border security and reunite families, while creating a pathway to earned citizenship and a stronger system moving forward.  We’ve already taken an important step by lifting the fear of deportation from young people, DREAMers, who are Americans in every way but on paper – kids who just want a chance to study and serve and contribute to the nation they love.  And if you’re a young person who feels like you’re living in the shadows, take advantage of this opportunity.  Because America needs your talent. 

Click here to view the President’s video message.
Echoing the President’s message, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs also expressed their best wishes to all those celebrating the Lunar New Year:

For those who do not already know 2014 is the Year of the Horse. The horse is a great and strong symbol. Many associate this symbol with “swift success” for all facets of one’s life. We wish that everyone fulfills his or her potential and achieves success in 2014. 

Click here to read more.

Asian Americans and Therapy

Many thanks to Ms. Betty Liu for recently taking an interest in writing in her blog about Asian Americans and therapy.  She writes about her own experiences in hopes of raising awareness for others.  May you enjoy her blog.

http://bettymingliu.com/2013/12/why-asian-americans-need-therapy/

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

The Advancing Justice Conference is the first and only national conference that focuses on civil rights & social justice in the API communities.  Conference speakers and participants come together from across the United States.  If you are in the Southern California area this weekend, you may enjoy the three days of programming.  Check out the conference program at:  http://conference.advancingjustice.org/2013/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/AdvancingJusticeConferenceProgram2013.pdf.

To register, http://conference.advancingjustice.org/2013/.

Hope to see you there!