Some statistics/thoughts to keep-in-mind:

• 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 the 15-24 age range.
• There are few major differences by ethnicity, although Chinese (10.9 percent) and Filipinos (9.76 percent) report the highest rates of thinking about suicide.
• The death of Private Danny Chen & Lance Cpl. Harry Lew can be used as a reminder that suicide also affects male Asian-Pacific Americans.

With this being said, it is vital to keep APIA students informed and aware of prevalent suicide rates for APIA women. How can you spot out signs of depression (which can possibly lead to suicide)? Look for: cognitive distortions, poor sleeping habits, expressions of worthlessness, and excessive feelings of guilt.

If you notice a friend who has these symptoms or you feel similar to the above description, make sure to take the proper action! Call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Additionally, most universities should have free counseling sessions for students, which can prove to be useful and an opportunity for more information to defeat thoughts of depression.

For this blog post, I would like to hit on the story of Ka Vang, who may have had past behavior and thoughts of suicide. As an APIA student who attended St. Cloud University in Minnesota (directly in the Midwest), it is important to advocate for Ka Vang and the loss of her family and community. The family has been going through a detrimental time of stress, with added costs of the funeral burdening their minds and hearts.

If you would like to help raise money for the funeral of Ka Vang, you can up until March 31st. The following link will take you there – Raise Money For Funeral To Support Ka Vang.  Spread the word, use your voice, advocate!

In Service,
Lena Faye

Continue looking out for more blog posts! If you have questions, concerns, or topics you feel should be noted, feel free to contact me (Advocacy Chair) at: advocacy@maasu.org

Internship class on the last day, somewhat teary-eyed!

–

The summer has a special way of changing everything. It’s all about transformation, recreation, & learning…and my summer last year was a profound one which changed my life forever.

Last fall, I attended a training called APIA U hosted by OCA at the University of Oklahoma. Low & behold, the training introduced me to issues dealing with the APIA community, something I had rarely heard of being in the Midwest. They spoke briefly about a summer internship in Washington D.C., specifically targeting Asian and Pacific Islander Americans & I decided to give the application process a shot. Never in my life did I expect to receive the internship, it was simply a goal to keep myself in check of the future. Somehow, someway things fell into place and I was given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Through this post, I’ll be recapping reasons why you should do an APIA internship, what made my summer in DC so special, and my lessons learned.

• The opportunities to apply to an APIA summer internship are slim-to-none. Growing up in Oklahoma, I never learned about issues facing the APIA community, whether it’s the model minority myth, health care issues, or immigration issues. Being around other APIA students who are wanting to advocate and change the world is an inspiring, life-changing opportunity. Don’t be afraid to apply!

• Take risks. Don’t always play by the rules. You only have one life to live and the biggest mistake of your life is being the perfect person everyone expects you to be. It’s your life. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Going to DC was a huge risk & I had doubts on whether I should go. Can I just say the risk was worth it? I can’t even imagine what my life would be like had I not gone & how different my viewpoints would be.

• Know your roots. I’ve always been interested in my Taiwanese/Palestinian heritage, but this summer only increased my desire to learn as much as possible about the issues facing the APIA/Arab/Muslim community. The internship reiterated over & over again – your roots are what connect you to your family history, who you are, & quite possibly your deepest passions. Knowing your roots is a beautiful opportunity to enriching your life – something so many people take for granted.

• Critically think. Before you ever decide to speak on a subject, take a look at both sides & get down to the heart of the issue. I was never introduced to the idea of ‘critically thinking’ until college, something that is so vital in everyday life.

• Go against the status quo. This world is full of people who want you to memorize words & recite them…without looking at the bigger picture. Don’t just go with the flow and agree with the words of anyone. Question them, challenge them, & call them out (in a graceful manner of course) when you feel they aren’t speaking the truth.

• Ask questions. The depth of my knowledge is still slim, but that’s what life is about: living & learning. Ask questions to further your understanding of concepts and issues. During my time in DC, I tried to do & learn as much as possible because I knew it was an opportunity many people would kill for. But asking questions shouldn’t just be done ‘when I’m in DC’. It should be anywhere, anytime. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how simple you feel the answer may be.

• Do something. Advocate. Feel something isn’t right? Stand up, speak out, & do something! Sitting around doesn’t solve anything or do anything to fight the many injustices in this world. If something doesn’t feel right in your heart then it’s time to make a change. As the old saying goes, “Never complain without offering a solution.”

• Strangers can change your life. There are no amount of words which can explain the gratitude and love I share for the APIA summer internship class, my internship coordinator, and supervisors. They gave me the opportunity to learn, expand my mind, and create a possibility of dreams for myself in the future. It is possible to meet strangers (especially to my internship class!) & feel a strong bond & deep connection with each of them, which is indescribable.

APIA interns with a special guest!

• Just live YOUR life. This is your life, not anyone elses. People can criticize you all they want, but at the end of the day – it isn’t any of there business what you choose to do. Live your life & live it to the fullest, for life isn’t promised. In the words of Bill Cosby, “The biggest mistake you can make in life is pleasing others.”

• Question what APIA is. As a child, I often felt like an outcast being a HAPA. I had been teased and taunted for not looking like the ‘normal’ Asian. Well, guess what? APIA is Asian-Pacific Islander Americans; encompassing South Asians, Southeast Asians, East Asians, AND Pacific Islanders. APIA is bigger than what you think and know, and it is important to acknowledge it at all times. My internship class was from an array of different backgrounds and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

• Stay grounded & know what you’re fighting for. It seems like people/organizations get so wrapped up in the glory & fame…they forget their true goals and mission statement. It’s important to always remember what you stand for & what you are fighting for. If something isn’t working, re-evaluate the situation & see what needs to be changed, but always remember what you’re working toward should be for the betterment of all people.

• Don’t just network, build stable relationships. Life is all about who you know & what you do, but it isn’t just about all the superficial aspects…it’s about building stable relationships, connecting with individuals who share your vision, and helping others.

• Passions never die. They may fizzle a bit, but they never die. Advocating for equal access & opportunity to educational opportunities – it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I used to think my passion would fade for the subject, but it only enhances the more I speak & learn about the issues facing the underserved community.

I could go on and add many more life lessons, but I would be at this laptop all day. The point of this blog post? I highly encourage you all to apply to an APIA internship, or at least some sort of internship! Please send me a personal message if you need help with an essay or want to learn more about my internship experience.

In Service,
Lena Faye

Continue looking out for more blog posts! If you have questions, concerns, or topics you feel should be noted, feel free to contact me (Advocacy Chair) at: advocacy@maasu.org

On March 8th, 2011, Neng Yang was checking his farm when three dogs ran after his truck. He accidentally hit one of the dogs and got out of his truck to apologize to the owner, Scott Osborn. Fearing Yang would hit him, Osborn claims to have hit Mr. Yang only once.

The injuries Mr. Yang received tell a far different story. Yang suffered shattered bones to his face, two broken ribs and bruises on his leg. He has plates in his cheekbones and has had reconstructive surgery. Also, on the ‘Justice for Neng Yang’ facebook page, it has been said Mr. Yang suffered severe nerve damages to his right eye and left eye. He will eventually have “tunnel vision” and is afraid he will not be able to see his children grow up. The best way to describe this? Shape your hands into the form of a binocular and look through it with poor sight.

The court proceedings continue to be pushed back without relevant reasoning – for Osborn’s lawyer requesting a conference with a judge & Osborn’s lawyer being ‘unprepared’. Additionally, Craig County denied Mr. Yang the right to use his surgeon’s and doctor’s testimony due to ‘financial hardships on the county’. This is substantial evidence for Mr. Yang to use, which could easily change the fate of the court proceeding.

The judicial system is failing our APIA community and placing our issues on the back-burner.  To say this isn’t a hate-crime is pure disregard to the injustices being faced by the Yang family.  The action currently being taken by law enforcement is unacceptable and must urgently be changed.

How can YOU help? On April 2nd, the judge will decide if this case will be heard with juries or not. With this being said, it is urged you spread this civil-rights, APIA issue throughout your community to ensure justice is served.

Spread the word of this petition: This Did Not Just Happen With One Punch Petition

Follow the facebook page: Justice for Neng Yang Page

Contact Craig County District Court:

Craig County District Court
210 W. Delaware
Vinita, Oklahoma 74301
(918) 256-6451

Contact the District Attorney: 918-256-3320

Contact Vinita City Council Members:   Mayor: Pete Hisley 918.256.6468   Council President: Ronnie Starks   Lynnda Sooter – Ward 1 Skip Briley – Ward 3 Dale Haire – Ward 1 John Parker II – Ward 3 Ronnie Starks – Ward 2 Jim Wisdom – Ward 4 Carol Austin – Ward 2 Denver Davenport – Ward

With this issue being directly in the Midwest, it is imperative we, as APIA advocates, begin using our voices to collectively create change and ensure justice is served where justice is due.

In Service,
Lena Faye

Continue looking out for more blog posts! If you have questions, concerns, or topics you feel should be noted, feel free to contact me (Advocacy Chair) at: advocacy@maasu.org

A video, which has gone viral, shows an Asian-Pacific American teenager being assaulted by seven, unidentified males. He was beaten, kicked in the head, and malicious words were yelled at him. The attack happened in Chicago, Illinois, where many local schools are part of MAASU. The 17-year old boy was robbed of his gym shoes, wallet, and cash. The video is shown below, but beware – the material is graphic and uncensored.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Justice and Education departments, Asian American teens are bullied more than youths from any other racial group. With such a staggering statistic, the chances of you (the reader) being bullied is very possible. Moreover, the bullying of this Asian Pacific American teen sheds light again on the bullying of both Private Danny Chen & Lance Cpl. Harry Lew.

After skimming through most of the comments posted on both Youtube and Facebook, many seem to be filled with hatred and anger. The mouth is a very dangerous weapon which can create havoc amongst the most civil of people. This is why we, as people, must be careful of the words we speak or type. It is speculated most of the individuals who committed the attack are Asian-Pacific American themselves, which brings up a more important question: What can you do to prevent this type of bullying in your community?

As members of the Asian-Pacific American community, it is important to make people aware of the issues affecting our community and advocate for justice, but just as important to hold ourselves to high-standards. Whether the hate-crime was done based on color or for money, the most important part is how we, as individuals, react to the news. Rather than spewing hateful words, it is important we spread knowledge and advocate for those who have been silenced for far too long, with peace and love in our hearts. Continue spreading the news to ensure the perpetrators are found and justice is served.

With the recent passing of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this video shows there is still more work to be done in terms of social justice for all communities, regardless of color. In light of this, I leave you with a Martin Luther King, Jr. quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

In Service,
Lena Faye

Continue looking out for more blog posts! If you have questions, concerns, or topics you feel should be noted, feel free to contact me (Advocacy Chair) at: advocacy@maasu.org

Private Danny Chen, 1992-2011

Private Danny Chen grew up in the heart of Chinatown New York City after his mother immigrated from the Taishan region of China. He was a bright, obedient son who wanted something different from the norm. Instead of going the route of college, his dream was to join the military.

During basic training, Chen was the only Chinese-American in the platoon and jokes surged as fellow recruits began calling him Ling Ling and Jackie Chan. Sadly, this was only the beginning of the racial discrimination and physical abuse Chen would be subjected to.

Chen was sent to Kandahar Province, nicknamed ‘The Palace’ in Afghanistan near the end of August 2011, where the illegal hazing began. Eight men were charged in Chen’s death, all White and ranging from 24-35. They used racial slurs, dragged him across gravel, and pelted him with stones, according to his diary entries.

On October 3rd, 2011, Chen was found dead with a gunshot wound, said to be self-inflicted.

OCA-NY Chapter questioning what truly happened to Private Danny Chen

The advocacy and organizing by OCA-NY, family, friends, and elected official pressured major publications to cover Private Danny Chen’s story, which would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

A similar incident which should be marked was the suicide of Lance Cpl. Harry Lew, nephew of Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park). After falling asleep during guard duty, Lew was abused; kicked on the back and head, forced to do pushups and leg lifts, and dig a foxhole. Lew later shot himself with a machine gun.

Lance Cpl. Harry Lew

The illegal hazing in both cases are centered around discrimination. The deaths of Private Danny Chen and Lance Cpl. Harry Lew should be noted as reminders – discrimination and illegal hazing should not be tolerated under any circumstances. APIA acceptance and recognition in military service should be questioned and made aware in our community; spreading awareness and advocating for our community must be done to ensure acknowledgement of the many injustices our community still faces, while providing support for future generations of APIAs who enlist in military service.

Our hearts and warm wishes are sent from the MAASU family to Private Danny Chen & Lance Cpl. Harry Lew’s family. May both Rest In Power and continue to spread light to our community.

In Service,
Lena Faye

Continue looking out for more blog posts! If you have questions, concerns, or topics you feel should be noted, feel free to contact me (Advocacy Chair) at: advocacy@maasu.org

“Mama, am I adopted?“

The mother looked into her daughters big, mischievous eyes. “Shenme?! You aren’t adopted,” she exclaimed in her made-up English and Chinese language.

“How come I don’t look like you or Baba,” the little girl asked, with a slight pout on her face.

“Well, you are half Taiwanese and half Palestinian, that’s why.“

In Hawaiian, Hapa literally means ‘half’ or ‘mixed blood’ and was originally used to refer to individuals of Caucasian and Asian/Pacific Islander decent, sometimes even used as a derogatory term. Hapa now refers to any person of a mixed heritage with  Asian/Pacific Islander decent. As the new Advocacy Chair, I am of Palestinian and Taiwanese decent; a mix that falls into the term of Hapa.

If you were to ask any Hapa, though, I can almost certainly assure you they would say the term is more complex than four letters can ever describe. Growing up Hapa, I often times (most Hapas should relate):

• questioned who I was (that story above…yup, a conversation between my mother and I when I was a kid)
• have been spoken to in Spanish more times than I can recall
• could never quite figure out which box to check when filling out standardized tests
• been asked the dreaded, “What are you?” question multiple times
• dealt with identity issues
• encountered racism through individuals of my own ethnic background.

The most influential event deals with the last bullet point, which happened in the 6th grade. An APIA student made me ‘prove’ I was Asian by speaking Chinese. She asked me to say the word ‘dog’ in Chinese and I answered with ‘gou’. She gave me a disgusted look while laughing, and made sure I understood I was not accepted in the APIA community. Even in the Arab community, I never fit in; not speaking Arabic fluently and being looked at as an outsider.

There was a point in my life where I would flee from APIAs or Arab-Americans because I never felt I could be socially accepted.  A part of my identity was lost in my attempts to fit in and conform with what society deemed as ‘acceptable’.

That was until I entered college. After attending workshops related to the APIA community, being an OCA Summer Intern, and learning more about my Palestinian roots & the persecution which still exists against my people, I started realizing the importance of speaking out and taking pride in my unique heritage. I began noticing how I could use my heritage as a tool to promote biracial awareness and issues affecting the APIA and Arab community.

What does Hapa mean to me? Hapa means being culturally aware, understanding and open. It means choosing not to fit into a box, speaking out for both my ethnicities, and understanding the beauty I am able to give and take from the world each day. Hapa means being full Taiwanese and Palestinian, and realizing the opportunity I have been given in knowing my roots.

What does HAPA mean to

you?

In our latest ad, APIAVote asks you, “What do you want?” When you exercise your right to vote, you’re taking a stand for your values, your family and your community.

Thanks to our partners at Comcast, this PSA started airing nationwide on NBC on October 24, 2011. It will serve as a great reminder for voters to take action on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 and cast their ballot for many local elections.

The PSA was co-produced by the Center for Asian American Media and Director/ Producer, Anson Ho, of Arowana Films production.

MAASU Mixer will allow membership or non-membership schools to have the chance for MAASU to come to their school. Upon arrival of school MAASU will help develop topics that the host school find most important with current APIA issues. During the mixer there will be a chance for students to network and better acquaint themselves with the mission of MAASU.

Sample of Itinerary
12:30pm – Doors open
1:00pm – Open circle; Introductions with one another
1:20pm – Welcome / Introduction of Host School and other institutions
1:30pm – Team building activity
2:00pm – 2-3 Small ice breakers right after
2:30pm – MAASU ECC presentation
2:50pm – Break / Snack
3:15pm – Local Faculty or Student Advisor speaks??? (Optional)
3:45pm – Group dinner to Uptown

Goals:
1. Campaign for Leadership Retreat & Spring Conference.
2. Promote Executive Coordinating Committee.
3. Help the host school focus on topics that are important for their school. (i.e : collaboration between diverse groups, social justice, APIA advocacy)
4. Build stronger network & communications between host schools and MAASU.
5. Help spread MAASU’s voice and mission.

If you have more questions or want to host a MAASU Mixer please contact programming@maasu.org with the questions below filled out.

Scholarship Program Helps to Increase Success and Degree Attainment

Among Underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

Washington, D.C., October 6, 2011-The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the nation’s the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2012-2013 scholarship cycle. Scholarships will provide the critical scholarship support that many AAPI students need to pursue higher education and access to APIASF’s programs and services. During the 2011 – 2012 scholarship cycle, APIASF awarded more than $1.2 million to over 500 students in 43 states and students in the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and American Samoa. APIASF also welcomed its new cohort of Gates Millennium Scholars who hailed from across the country and Pacific Islands.

According to a 2010 report produced through a partnership between APIASF and the National Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Research in Education (CARE), there are many ethnicities within the AAPI community that have been traditionally underserved with lower than average educational attainment rates. Additionally, many are experiencing rates of poverty higher than the national average with some ranking among the lowest in the nation. The APIASF scholarship program helps address this critical need by providing direct scholarship support to hundreds of AAPI students from across the country, the U.S. Territories, and the Freely Associated States.

“There is a significant need within the AAPI community for organizations like APIASF that can provide the financial resources that students need to access higher education, the programmatic support to help them navigate the system, and the leadership development opportunities to help them successfully transition into their careers,” said APIASF President & Executive Director Neil Horikoshi. “Our goal is to see that all AAPI students have access to higher education and resources that cultivate their academic, personal and professional success regardless of their ethnicity, national origin or financial means.”

Since 2003, APIASF has provided a critical bridge to higher education by distributing more than $50 million in scholarships to deserving AAPI students through our two scholarship programs. In addition to the APIASF scholarship program, APIASF manages the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

For details about APIASF’s scholarship programs or to apply, visit APIASF’s Web site atwww.apiasf.org. Also, follow APIASF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/apiasf) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/apiasf). Applications are due on January 13, 2012.

# # #

About APIASF

Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted solely to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Since 2003, APIASF has provided a critical bridge to higher education for APIA students across the country by distributing more than $50 million in scholarships to students. APIASF manages two scholarship programs: APIASF’s general scholarship and the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Greetings!

Asian Fortune is proud to present The Asian Fortune Diversity Job Fair on Friday, October 14 at Richard J Ernst Community Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

Is your company looking to diversify its workforce and attract talented professionals with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds? Do you need bilingual and culturally competent employees in key positions to serve your diverse consumers? If YES, then your company needs to exhibit at the Asian Fortune Diversity Job Fair. We welcome corporations, small business entrepreneurs, government agencies, and community organizations. Grab this opportunity to meet and identify candidates who should be part of your team.

What: Asian Fortune Diversity Job Fair

Who: Booth exhibitors

When: Friday, October 14, 2011

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Richard J Ernst Community Cultural Center
Northern Virginia Community College,
8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

To Register, please contact: Patricia Richie-Folks, or Jay Chen
Tel: 703-753-8295; Fax: 703-753-6625
Email address: jobfair@asianfortune.com

List of Participating Employers

Arlington County Police, Prince William County Police Department, Miller’s Office Products
Fairfax County Human Rights & Equity Program, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
City of Alexandria, Cox Communications, TSA, Fairfax County Police Dept, National Science Foundation, Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency, Farmers Insurance Group Diplomatic Language Services, U.S. Army, Arlington County, Dept of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons Prince Georges’ County Fire Dept/EMS U.S. Secret Service, VMT Education Center, Sun Trust Bank Loudoun County Government Human Resources Mass Mutual Financial Group,
Hospitality Staffing Solutions, National Security Agency, U.S. Fish & wildlife Services
USDA Forest Services, USDA Rural Development