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Welcome to the APASD blog! Follow us for weekly memos (every Tuesday!) on current issues affecting AAPI/Pilipinx/SSWANA communities, as well as weekly article round-ups and spotlights!

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THE QUICK TAKE:

On June 7th, California will be holding both its presidential primary and its election for its open Senate seat. Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez are front-runners for the Senate seat.

Although California’s primary is rarely an important one, this year’s primary may have deciding power. Trump, who is currently leading among Republican candidates in California, needs 1,237 delegates to clinch the Republican nomination, something a big win in California may be able to give him. Clinton leads Sanders in California, but the Democratic primary is opening their process to independents, a group that heavily favors Sanders.

California’s open election for its Senate seat - the first open seat since Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein were first elected in 1992 - also has national implications. The top two candidates in the open election will advance to the November general election. Kamala Harris - who is currently the first female, first African-American, and first Asian-American Attorney General of California - leads the polls. She was previously District Attorney of San Francisco.

Only 56% of AAPIs were registered to vote in 2012 - the lowest of any community of color - and voter turnout has historically been low. 47% of registered AAPI voters are registered as independent. Many campaigns, however, outreach to AAPI voters at lower rates. In California, 80% of registered AAPI voters report not being contacted about the elections in 2012.

There has been various efforts to mobilize AAPI communities in this election season. This January, a group of Asian Americans founded the AAPI Victory Fund, the first Super PAC to target AAPI communities. Both Democratic candidates have also made efforts to court the AAPI vote.

REGISTER TO VOTE HERE: http://www.apiavote.org/register-vote

MORE RESOURCES FOR THIS ELECTION:

APIA Voter FAQ

APIAVote CA Fact Sheet

Election Primaries Calendar and Results

The California Democratic Primary Is Finally Going to Mean Something

California’s Asian voters could deliver poll wins–study

The Other Big 2016 California Primary: U.S. Senate

Field Poll: Near majority of voters in California's U.S. Senate race favor -- nobody

Field Poll: Large Number Of Californians Still Undecided In U.S. Senate Race

In Sleeper Race, Voters Deserve More Debates for California’s U.S. Senate Seat

OTHER LINKS:

Key Facts and Figures on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Behind the Numbers: Post-Election Survey of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Bernie Sanders Holds Meeting with Asian-American Leaders to Talk Issues

Clinton Campaign Announces Formation of AAPI Leadership Council

Asian American voter turnout lags behind other groups; some non-voters say they’re ‘too busy’

The increasingly important Asian-American vote, in 5 charts

Asian Americans, growing in number, struggle to emerge from political shadows 

MORE TO CONSIDER:

Have you voted in the past? If not, what were reasons you chose not to?

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We are the Malaysian Student Association (MaSA) at Berkeley and our mission is to provide a forum for socialization, cultural interaction, recreational and professional activities for the Malaysian community in University of California, Berkeley or those who wish to partake in Malaysian culture. Some prospective programs that we have planned this semester are a movie night, the EAU Night market and an end of the semester banquet. For those interested to become involve with our organization, please reach us at [email protected]. We welcome everyone who have an interest in learning about the Malaysian culture and would be more than happy to share it with the Berkeley community.

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THE QUICK TAKE:

On November 20, 2014, New York City police officer Peter Liang fatally shot Akai Gurley during a vertical patrol when his gun accidentally went off in an unlighted stairwell. He then failed to provide medical aid to Gurley, despite being required to do so, and Gurley was pronounced dead about an hour later. 

On February 10, 2015, Liang was indicted for the death of Akai Gurley and charged for charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and two counts of official misconduct. He was found guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct on February 11, 2016.

In March 2015, thousands of Chinese Americans march in support of Liang. Supporters argue that Liang is being scapegoated as an Asian American, citing many white officers who have not been indicted for shooting black men, and rallied for charges to be dropped. These protests continued after Liang was found guilty in February 2016, as well as fundraisers, letters, and petitions in support of Liang.

Despite media attention on Chinese American supporters of Liang, many Asian Americans have also rallied for justice for Gurley. CAAAV, a NY-based progressive Asian American organization, have been especially active, and several Asian American activists have spoken out about the issue.

RESOURCES:

Officer Peter Liang Convicted in Fatal Shooting of Akai Gurley in Brooklyn

His Life Matters: The Story of Akai Gurley

Why The Chinese Community Shouldn't Rally Around Indicted Cop Peter Liang

Peter Liang Was Justly Convicted- He’s Not A Victim, Says This Niece of Vincent Chin

https://www.facebook.com/fusionmedianetwork/videos/1338409436185031/

http://reappropriate.co/2016/02/there-is-no-chinese-side-of-justice/#more-10311

MORE TO CONSIDER:

In the above video, Jess Fong, a Liang supporter, argues that Liang is being scapegoated to appease the Black community and that the system, which also discriminates against Asian Americans, has failed both Liang and Gurley. She and other supporters have rallied under “One Tragedy, Two Victims” and believe the sentencing to be too harsh.

Timmy Lu, in his column, argues that the message presented in the video is wrong. He states that supporters of Liang cannot position themselves as allies to Black Lives Matter or address white supremacy while also not holding all cops accountable, including Peter Liang. He cites anti-blackness and the exclusion Chinese Americans have faced in the West as underlying reasons for the widespread support.

What are your thoughts on the opposing views on Liang in the Asian American community?

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University of Arizona Students Hurl Insults, and Litter, at Mosque in Tucson (via NY Times)

In Fiji, 17 dead from 'monster' Cyclone Winston; schools shuttered for a week (via CNN)

Peter Liang Was Justly Convicted- He’s Not A Victim, Says This Niece of Vincent Chin (via Medium)

Sikh Comedian Allegedly Forced to Remove Turban at Airport (via NBC)

Confessions of a Low-profile Dreamer (via Medium)

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The Pilipinx Academic Student Services (PASS), a student-run organization under the bridges Multicultural Coalition, is dedicated to the recruitment and retention of Pilipinxs into higher education. The organization focuses primarily on increasing the educational opportunities available to Pilipinx students through the implementation of various informational resources, support, and referral services and the facilitation of programs such as class mixers, outreach trips, Senior Weekend, and Pilipinx Graduation.

For more information, stop by our office at 31 Eshleman Hall or check out our website. To keep updated on upcoming events, refer to our Facebook page.

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THE QUICK TAKE:

Several universities, including Northwestern University, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, are currently considering establishing Asian American Studies programs due to student demand and activism.

According to a directory compiled by the Asian American Studies program at Cornell University and this map of Asian American Studies programs, less than 50 universities nationwide offers Asian American Studies as a major. In total, only about 130 universities offer any sort of Asian American Studies course or program, of the nearly 5,000 universities and colleges in the United States.

Asian American Studies emerged from student activism in the late 1960s. Student strikes led by the Third World Liberation Front (a coalition formed by various ethnic organizations on campus) began at San Francisco State in the Fall Semester of 1968 and lasted until March 21, 1969. Student strikes at UC Berkeley began in January 1969. They were the longest and second longest student strikes in US history respectively, and they led to the establishment of the first College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State and the first Ethnic Studies department at UC Berkeley.

Ethnic Studies students at San Francisco State are currently protesting against proposed budget cuts to the College of Ethnic Studies. Students, faculty, and community members met with the SFSU President on February 25, 2016 to demand restoration of full funding to the college. There is also a petition being circulated and a Facebook page with updates.

RESOURCES:

Editorial: It's Time to Step Up for Asian American Studies

On Strike: Ethnic Studies 1969-1999 

Third World Student Strikes at SFSU & UCB 1968-1969

Faculty submit proposal for Asian American Studies major

Students and Faculty Advocate Asian American Studies

University establishes committee to look into new program after BAATF activism

MORE TO CONSIDER:

About half a century after the TWLF strikes, there are still a very small number of Asian American Studies programs, and even on campuses with programs, like our own and SFSU, these programs often face severe budget cuts. How can we engage more students and campuses to actively mobilize around this issue?

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THE QUICK TAKE:

On October 25th, 22-year-old Yibin Mu was arrested for skateboarding in Columbus Circle in New York. The police officer was aggressive during the arrest, including putting Mu in a chokehold.

The entire arrest was caught on film by a bystander and spread widely on social media. Mu himself spoke up about the incident and called it a case of police brutality. As of this moment, Mu was eventually released and the officer was not held accountable for the chokehold.

Chokeholds are not a legal move for New York police officers and is especially under scrutiny after the 2014 murder of Eric Garner by a New York police officer that involved a chokehold.

Police brutality disproportionately affects the Black community, but there have been cases of police brutality that have lead to deaths of Asian Americans, many of which are not reported or prosecuted: Yong Xin Huang, shot in the head by a police officer in 1995; Kuanchung Kao, shot by police officers in 1997; Cau Thi Bich Tran, killed in 2003; Fong Lee, killed in 2006; and Daniel Pham killed in 2009. Muslim, South Asian and Arab-American communities have also been a constant target of racial profiling and surveillance post-9/11.  

RESOURCES:

Eric Garner Case Resonates Among Asian Americans

Why All Communities of Color Must Demand an End to Police Brutality

Police Officer Screams At Asian American Suspect: ‘I’ll Put You In A UPS Box And Send You Back’

Asian Americans Benefit From Black Struggle and We Need To Start Shouldering The Burden

MORE TO CONSIDER:

Why are cases of police brutality experienced by Asian Americans not reported on by the media?  

Many Asian Americans are already involved in the movement against police brutality and profiling, but most recently, Chinese Americans rallied around Peter Liang, a police officer being prosecuted for killing Akai Gurley in 2014. Others have remained silent. Why is there a lack of Asian American support and engagement and what can be done to encourage it?

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On November 1st, 2015, the 9th annual Celebration of Asian Pacific Womxn (CAPAW) was held to recognize and celebrate the womxn in our communities. This year’s theme was “Because I Am,” with an emphasis on Narratives and Stories - to emphasize the importance of celebrating womxn simply because of who they are as individuals. We also strived to honor the APA womxn who came before us (Because They Were) and encourage the ongoing celebration of APA womxn after CAPAW is done (Because We Will). The celebration featured performances by dance troupe Sorayya and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra, as well as a keynote speech by cici ambrosio, Director of Women's Resources, Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources at the Gender Equity Center. Over a hundred people joined us in this celebration this year and helped make the event a success.

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10/24 - 11/7

Central Coast Celebrates First Official Larry Itliong Day (via KEYT)

Video Shows NYPD Officer Tackle, Pepper-Spray Skateboarder (via Huffington Post)

How Our “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach to Healthcare Fails Southeast Asian American Patients (via Reappropriate)

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Mission Statement: To provide support to the SSWANA community through fostering understanding and dialogue to increase representation to campus administration so that SSWANA students can have a community Student Development Office SSWANA hosts tea talks to create a safe space where people in the community can come and talk about issues they are facing, reach out for help and meet other people in the community. Right now, our focus is building the coalition, so we have not really focused on events. If you would like to join SSWANA, you can email [email protected], like our Facebook page, or join our Facebook group!

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THE QUICK TAKE:

Activist, writer, and philosopher Grace Lee Boggs passed away on October 5th, 2015 at the age of 100. Her life and work was an inspiration to many, and Bogg remained an influential community organizer throughout her long life.

Born in 1915 in Rhode Island, she received her PhD in Philosophy at the age of 25 and moved to Chicago, where she became involved in the March on Washington in 1941. From then on, she was actively involved in community organizing in Chicago and joined the Worker’s Party led by CLR James.

She married fellow activist James Boggs in 1953 and moved to Detroit, where she stayed for the rest of her life. There she founded many organizations, including Detroit Summer and the Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership.

She was deeply involved in the Black Power movement and fought tirelessly for civil rights, labor rights, environmental justice, and gender equality. She also spoke and wrote about the need to re-imagine community, work, and revolution in widely regarded books such as “The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century” (UC Press).   

RESOURCES:

Remembering Detroit's Grace Lee Boggs (via Michigan Radio)

A True American Revolutionary: Rest in Power, Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015) 

5 Lessons We Can Learn from the Long Life of Activist Grace Lee Boggs

Grace Lee Boggs’ century of social renewal

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10/18 - 10/23

5 Lessons We Can Learn from the Long Life of Activist Grace Lee Boggs

Asian-American Voters Express Frustration Over Democratic Debate on Twitter

Editorial: The Source of the 'Asian Advantage' Isn't Asian Values

Millions Of Children Affected By Typhoon Koppu In Philippines Need Food, Medicine (via Huffington Post) 

UC students protest UCOP’s handling of issues faced by undocumented students (via Daily Californian) 

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SASC is a student-run organization that works with the Southeast Asian community affected by the Vietnam/Southeast Asian War through youth mentorship (Summer Institute), community graduation (SEA Grad), pen-pal programs with incarcerated folks (SEAPOP) and more. SASC just celebrated their 15th anniversary in October and we are proud to have served over 400 high schoolers with 80% of the students going on to college. As a coalition, SASC is supporting young leaders to rebuild Berkeley Cambodian Student Association (BCSA) and Iu-Mien Student Union (IMSU). SASC means a hella down Southeast Asian family that is a space for folks to find out what being Southeast Asian means to them and to feel the #sasclove. If you’re interested in getting involved with SASC, check out our page Southeast Asian Student Coalition or our group page. There are many ways and varying in time commitment to get involved with SASC, hope to see you around!

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Special edition: Deconstructing the “Asian American Advantage” 

The New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof recently posted an op-ed that discusses why Asian Americans are “so successful in America,” bringing once again the Model Minority Myth to the forefront of debate. In the article, he explores the “Asian American advantage,” which he claimed to be educational attainment. The article credits this advantage to Confucian influence, two-parent households, and the Model Minority Myth.

The article faced backlash from the Asian American community and elicited many responses. 

When Nicholas Kristof Just Doesn’t Get It About Asian Americans (via Reappropriate)

The Source of the 'Asian Advantage' Isn't Asian Values (via NBC)

Asian Americans speak out against a decades-old ‘model minority’ myth

Asian Americans as the Model Minority: An Analysis of the Popular Press Image in the 1960s and 1980s

Missed Kristof’s op-ed? Read it here.

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THE QUICK TAKE:

Construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii was halted in April 2015 by protests by Native Hawaiians and allies. The $1.3 billion telescope is a joint project between the University of California, California Institute of Technology, and other foreign academic institutions.

Mauna Kea, the highest peak in Hawaii, is one of the most sacred sites to Native Hawaiians. It is also one of the best places on Earth for astronomical observation and home to one of the world’s largest observatory. Opposition to this observatory has existed for decades, and the construction of the TMT will be the largest telescope yet.

In April, Sandra Faber, a retired astronomy professor of UC Santa Cruz, wrote an email that was endorsed and circulated by UC Berkeley professor Alex Filippenko. In her email, she wrote that the telescope was being “attacked by a horde of native Hawaiians who are lying about the impact of the project on mountain.” They were quickly criticized for racist language and insensitivity.

In July, in efforts to deter protesters, the Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources passed an emergency rule that prohibited people to be within a mile of the Mauna Kea access road after 10 PM and before 4 PM.

The law was overturn by a local circuit court in Hawaii on October 9, and charges were subsequently dropped against the 14 people arrested and 6 people cited as a result of this law.

Protests continue, while business leaders and astronomers put pressure on the Hawaiian government to push forward construction.

RESOURCES:

The mountain-top battle over the Thirty Meter Telescope

How The Debate Over TMT Prompted a Problematic Email

Thousands join ‘Aloha Aina March’ through Waikiki

Native Hawaiians score a victory in the fight to stop a telescope being built on sacred land

Business groups urge HI Gov. to push Mauna Kea telescope construction forward

MORE TO CONSIDER:

The conflict has been often framed as one between religious belief and scientific pursuit. What way(s) of knowing do we tend to give the most power to and how does that affect how the conflict has been portrayed?

What role might power and privilege play in this conflict?

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THE QUICK TAKE:

On October 8, 2015, California governor Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill AB 176, which would have required public universities and health agencies to disaggregate their demographic data to include more Asian Pacific Islander communities.

Many of these communities currently fall in the more general categories of “Other Asian” or “Pacific Islander.”

In a letter to the California State Assembly, Brown said he was “wary of the ever growing desire to stratify” and stated his belief that this call to disaggregate data was “unnecessary, or at least premature.”  

The bill sought to address education and health disparities within the API umbrella that are rendered invisible by the lack of disaggregation. For example, only 10% of Laotian Americans have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which stands in stark comparison to the Asian American rate of college attainment of 49%.

On a federal level, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has led efforts to disaggregate data on API communities to better serve the needs of different groups.

RESOURCES:

CA Gov. Jerry Brown Vetoes #AAPI Data Disaggregation Bill (via Reappropriate)

Jerry Brown’s letter to the California State Assembly

AB 176 bill text

The Significance of Data Disaggregation to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community (via White House blog) 

Higher Education Report Highlights Disparities Among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders

Addressing Health Disparities Among Older Asian Americans 

MORE TO CONSIDER:

How is data disaggregation (or the lack of it) related to the model minority myth? 

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10/11 - 10/17

One Year Later, We Still Demand Justice for Jennifer Laude (via Bayan USA) 

'Hundreds' of Yazidi women killing themselves in ISIS captivity (via CNN) 

Asian-American Voters Express Frustration Over Democratic Debate on Twitter (via NBC) 

Huckabee: I Trust Bernie Sanders 'Like I Trust a North Korean Chef' With My Dog (via NBC) 

Everything Lost, Everything Found (via Mother of All Stories) 

Court Reopens Lawsuit Against NYPD for Post-9/11 Surveillance Program (via NBC)