1. Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 17:53:19 -0500
From: "Tuyet Le" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Time for Asian American community to be heard: 4/20
We need your support again for the inclusion of Asian Americans in the
city's construction affirmative action program!
After the taskforce hearings last month, the ordinance will now be
considered by the City Council's 30-member Budget Committee. They are again
holding hearings, and each group gets a day to present their testimonies.
We need as many people as possible to support the contractors who will
testify, and let the City know that we are ALL concerned about this issue.
The day for Asian Americans is scheduled for
Tuesday, April 20th
12:30pm
@ City Council Chambers
121 N. LaSalle
Despite what some media reports have said, the judge does not say in his
ruling that Asian Americans should be excluded.
Whether or not you can attend, please submit a letter to your alderman
regarding this issue as soon as possible. After the hearings are over at
the end of next week, it will be introduced into the City Council for its
approval at the beginning of May. We cannot allow an affirmative action
ordinance that excludes Asian Americans to be introduced at the start of
Asian American Heritage Month!
If you would like a list of contact information of City Council members,
please contact me by email, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Below is a letter that
appeared in the op-ed section Monday's Chicago Tribune.
Tuyet
Ms. Tuyet Le
Executive Director
Asian American Institute
4753 N. Broadway, Ste. 904
Chicago, Illinois 60640
T: 773.271.0899
F: 773.271.1982
E: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aaichicago.org
--------------------
Time for Asian-American community to be heard
--------------------
Selma D'Souza, President<
Indo-American Democratic Organization;
Tuyet Le, Executive Director
Asian American Institute
April 12, 2004
Chicago -- This is regarding "Asian leaders seek gains in political
connections; The business community has picked up momentum in rrecent years,
but some say Asian organizations are just learning how to play the game"
(Business, April 5).
In the article, Tribune staff reporter Rob Kaiser reports on the Asian
community's efforts to prevent Asians from being excluded from the City of
Chicago's construction affirmative-action program. While it is true that
Asian-Americans may not have the experience that others have at political
organizing, he failed to mention that more than 100 people from various
ethnic backgrounds and sectors of the community attended the press
conference outside Mayor Richard Daley's office, showing support for the
Asian-American community and this issue.
He also failed to note that Asian-American leaders have successfully built a
coalition and gained support from Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic
aldermen who were present at the March 23 press conference, including Ald.
Ed Burke, Walter Burnett, Joe Moore, Ricardo Munoz and Danny Solis.
The Asian-American community is diverse because of our range of languages
and cultures.
Some have been here for more than four generations, and some are newly
arrived immigrants.
We share common concerns, however, that transcend identification with a
single country of origin.
This nationwide trend to reduce or eliminate affirmative-action programs is
of great concern to us. The idea that Asian-Americans are the "model
minority," in which we are portrayed as well-educated, affluent and
universally successful, serves the interests of those trying to dismantle
affirmative action.
Certain segments of all communities--Caucasian, African-American and
Hispanic--fit this profile. And a closer look at the data shows that the
Asian community is far more complex. Asian-Americans face institutional and
personal discrimination, including barriers to access.
Excluding Asian-Americans from this program is another example of a national
trend of chipping away at affirmative action, dividing disadvantaged
communities by turning them against each other and fighting for a small
piece of the pie. If Asian-Americans are excluded from this program now,
what will be next? If Asian-Americans are excluded from the program, who
will be next? Asian-Americans face discrimination in employment, housing and
other areas, just as African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and women do.
Different segments of the community--public, private and non-profit--have
galvanized over this issue and we have pooled our expertise and
relationships.
This is a strong model of working together to have our issues heard.
In this instance, our aldermen need to know that Asian-Americans face
discrimination and should continue to be included in the affirmative-action
program. The Asian-American community has voiced its opinion on this issue,
and now it's time for us to be heard.
Copyright (c) 2004, Chicago Tribune
--------------------
2. Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 23:06:56 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Miss Mia!" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: APA talent needed for Chicago Cultural Center
hi, if your group is interested in performing at the below caberet
happening at the CCC, please email me ASAP!
thanks,
mia
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Cabaret
Thursday, May 13, 6-7:30pm
Randolph Caf�
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington
www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
Admission Free
This entertaining variety program will feature local Asian and Asian
American performers and performing groups showcasing their talents ranging
from dance to theater to song. Kaibigan, meaning "friend" in Tagalog, is
Northwestern University's student-run organization dedicated to promoting
Filipino culture and dance. Born in India, Bhangra dancer Carina Hira, was
part of a team that was the winner of the 2001 National Bhangra Explosion.
The female Korean American art gang Team Do!Boo! share their spunky,
non-traditional views on relationships with society, family and creative
_expression_ in reader-theater style. www.TeamDoBoo.com
--
Sign up for the Kick Ass Newsletter @ www.MiaPark.com!
Miss Mia
www.MiaPark.com
Team Do!Boo!: www.TeamDoBooo.com (female Korean American art gang)
Mish Mash Variety Nites: www.BeatKitchen.com
Early Risers: www.earlyrisers.net (banjo rock band)
Kim: www.kimrock.com (Asian American rock trio)
Chic A Go Go: www.roctober.com (TV dance show)
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