Well, it's done. President-Elect Obama seems to be moving full speed ahead, although he does, characteristically, emphasize "deliberate" as much as "haste."
The gabbing of course continues. Asia Society has done a number of articles on what an Obama Presidency could mean for Asia, check it out here.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Final 36 Hours
Soon, we will have a new President. Most voters have decided by now who they will vote for, though reports from canvassers reveal some are still undecided (or claim to be, anyway).
This year, more than any other year, every vote counts! Get to your polling place early, record numbers of voters are projected. Remember to take off any campaign buttons, t-shirts, etc. as you approach/enter the polling station.
See here AAPIs for Obama's final video push before the election tomorrow.
This year, more than any other year, every vote counts! Get to your polling place early, record numbers of voters are projected. Remember to take off any campaign buttons, t-shirts, etc. as you approach/enter the polling station.
See here AAPIs for Obama's final video push before the election tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
7 Days: Racial Fears Rearing
It's hard to know how much is media hype, how much is real... but the supposed plot to kill 102 African Americans and then assassinate Barack Obama by White supremacists does seem real, (however loopy the plot itself). Check your local paper.
On NPR's Morning Edition today, evidence that Senator McCain's accusations that Obama wants to "redistribute wealth" (socialist implications) has gained at least a bit of traction. A (White) woman interviewee says she thinks an Obama administration will "take money from people who are working and give it to people who aren't working." While it's possible that this comment has no racial aspect at all, it's also possible that it reflects something another White interviewee expressed during NPRs York, PA focus group session on race: that if Obama takes the White House, there will be "pay back"--Blacks against Whites. "It used to be that a Black person couldn't stay on the sidewalk if he saw a White person walking towards him; [under Obama], I think it might be the other way around."
On NPR's Morning Edition today, evidence that Senator McCain's accusations that Obama wants to "redistribute wealth" (socialist implications) has gained at least a bit of traction. A (White) woman interviewee says she thinks an Obama administration will "take money from people who are working and give it to people who aren't working." While it's possible that this comment has no racial aspect at all, it's also possible that it reflects something another White interviewee expressed during NPRs York, PA focus group session on race: that if Obama takes the White House, there will be "pay back"--Blacks against Whites. "It used to be that a Black person couldn't stay on the sidewalk if he saw a White person walking towards him; [under Obama], I think it might be the other way around."
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Generational Issues in Chinese American Voting
Listen to this great PRI piece, with Marco Werman and Yan Tai of the Chinese-language daily World Journal, about second generation Chinese Americans trying to convince their more conservative parents to vote for Obama.
Click here to listen.
Click here to listen.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
13 Days: What Does the World Think? and Mixed Race
Listen to NPR's spots on world opinion with regard to the US Presidential election. In particular, here's the piece on China.
Also, an interview with Time's International Editor about how the US candidates are talking about (or not talking about) China.
Finally, listen to Jen Chau, Founder of Swirl, talk about Obama's candidacy and mixed race identity issues.
Also, an interview with Time's International Editor about how the US candidates are talking about (or not talking about) China.
Finally, listen to Jen Chau, Founder of Swirl, talk about Obama's candidacy and mixed race identity issues.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
16 Days: Live Blogging From NAASCon
What's NAASCon, you ask? It's the National Asian American Students Conference, taking place this year at Emory University in Atlanta. Conference theme: "From Visions to Actions." Lots of exitement from the youngins about political change and participation. Opening night screening of WHO's VINCENT? by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress was telling--about 1/2 knew who Vincent Chin was or had vaguely heard of the landmark 1982 hate crime/murder in Detroit; about 1/2 had never heard of him.
ACV brought filmmaker Johnny Kwon, director of ALWAYZ BE BOYZ--an AAIFF '08 feature and National Festival Tour offering--out to Atlanta to help us conduct a media arts and social change workshop. The kiddos were excited about "cultural activism," or, what we called "right-brained activism." The wave is catching on.
Most of the students were excited about Obama; but a thoughtful student leader from North Carolina State expressed reservations about Obama's pro-choice stance (the student having strong Christian beliefs), and also a skepticism about the idealistic visions being presented: "It sounds good, but..." he said. He was undecided, as a large percentage of Asian Americans still are.
AALDEF and APIA Vote conducted a meaty workshop about voters rights protection and Asian American voter participation. 2006 stats show Asian Americans at the lowest participation rate of all ethnic/racial groups--across the board, and in the 18-29 age range specifically. Hopefully we'll see something different in 16 days. Daunting accounts and reality check about what goes down at the polls--poll workers violating all kinds of rights (rushing people who have language issues, sending ESL speakers to the back of the line, refusing to let elderly/ESL voters bring a relative with them into the booth for assistance, which is their legal right)--so volunteer to monitor voters rights! Go to the AALDEF Web site for more info; they're in 13 states.
ACV brought filmmaker Johnny Kwon, director of ALWAYZ BE BOYZ--an AAIFF '08 feature and National Festival Tour offering--out to Atlanta to help us conduct a media arts and social change workshop. The kiddos were excited about "cultural activism," or, what we called "right-brained activism." The wave is catching on.
Most of the students were excited about Obama; but a thoughtful student leader from North Carolina State expressed reservations about Obama's pro-choice stance (the student having strong Christian beliefs), and also a skepticism about the idealistic visions being presented: "It sounds good, but..." he said. He was undecided, as a large percentage of Asian Americans still are.
AALDEF and APIA Vote conducted a meaty workshop about voters rights protection and Asian American voter participation. 2006 stats show Asian Americans at the lowest participation rate of all ethnic/racial groups--across the board, and in the 18-29 age range specifically. Hopefully we'll see something different in 16 days. Daunting accounts and reality check about what goes down at the polls--poll workers violating all kinds of rights (rushing people who have language issues, sending ESL speakers to the back of the line, refusing to let elderly/ESL voters bring a relative with them into the booth for assistance, which is their legal right)--so volunteer to monitor voters rights! Go to the AALDEF Web site for more info; they're in 13 states.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
19 Days: Two Debates
See the video of Ramey Ko of Asian Americans for Obama and Shandon Phan of Asian Americans for McCain giving closing statements at a sprited debate a few weeks ago at the University of Texas at Austin.
Click here for audio of last night's final Presidential debate between Senators McCain and Obama. Commentators seem to agree that "the gloves came out" and Senator McCain landed some solid body blows, at least in the early part of the debate. But whomever you think prevailed, one can't help but wonder if Obama's "oceanic" temperament throughout the last 20 months of campaigning might sway some Asian American voters who, culturally, might value that calm, that steadiness.
Lots of talk about negative campaigning in both. Joe the Plumber is the new Everyman. Still no answer from Obama about which of his plans/promises might have to go, given the economic crisis, if he were to become President; he seems to be standing by his "pay as you go" approach as viable.
Click here for audio of last night's final Presidential debate between Senators McCain and Obama. Commentators seem to agree that "the gloves came out" and Senator McCain landed some solid body blows, at least in the early part of the debate. But whomever you think prevailed, one can't help but wonder if Obama's "oceanic" temperament throughout the last 20 months of campaigning might sway some Asian American voters who, culturally, might value that calm, that steadiness.
Lots of talk about negative campaigning in both. Joe the Plumber is the new Everyman. Still no answer from Obama about which of his plans/promises might have to go, given the economic crisis, if he were to become President; he seems to be standing by his "pay as you go" approach as viable.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Break from Campaign '08 and Economic Collapse: An Audio Interview with Paula Yoo
Young-adult novelist and TV Writer Paula Yoo spoke with us about her stint as a writer for the NBC political drama "The West Wing." Click here to listen.
See Paula's blog and her amazing over-achiever's bio at her site.
See Paula's blog and her amazing over-achiever's bio at her site.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Rutgers Study on Asian American Likely Voters
WNYC (our local NPR here in New York) reported this morning on the first-ever study about likely Asian American voters in the NY metropolitan area. See below for the segment and click here for audio.
Rutgers Takes Pulse of Asian American Voters
by Jenna Flanagan
Rutgers Takes Pulse of Asian American Voters
by Jenna Flanagan
NEW YORK, NY October 14, 2008 —Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing segments of the national electorate and have a significant political presence in the New York-New Jersey area, according to a new Rutgers study.
The report's co-author Jane Junn says even though roughly 80 percent of the adults in the Asian American community are foreign born, many enter the U.S. on employment visas, putting them in a higher income, and professional skill set that drives their political behavior.
Junn says they share many of the same concerns as the majority of the electorate, with one exception.
JUNN: Whether that concerns undocumented migration or the issuance of visas and lawful permanent residence on the basis of employment characteristics or family unification.
REPORTER: The Rutgers report is the first ever study of likely Asian American voters in our metropolitan area. It found that 41 percent support Senator Barack Obama, while 24 percent support Senator John McCain. Another 34 percent say they're still undecided.
Junn says there isn't much information to compare their study to. She says this one was successful because researchers conducted it on 8 different languages.
Monday, October 13, 2008
22 Days: Vietnamese American Coalition Endorses McCain; Mrs. Park Endorses Obama
The Vietnamese Americans for McCain-Palin Coalition announced on Saturday its endorsement of Sen. John McCain for President of the United States at an endorsement rally in Falls Church, Virginia. Click here for the Asian Americans for McCain press release.
Virginia resident Annabel Park recently asked her mother, a Korean immigrant who voted Republican in the last two elections, why she is voting for Barack Obama. Click here to see the video.
Coming soon: podcast conversation with Paula Yoo, novelist, TV writer, professional violinist, who spoke with ACV's Sonya Chung about her stint as a writer on "The West Wing."
Virginia resident Annabel Park recently asked her mother, a Korean immigrant who voted Republican in the last two elections, why she is voting for Barack Obama. Click here to see the video.
Coming soon: podcast conversation with Paula Yoo, novelist, TV writer, professional violinist, who spoke with ACV's Sonya Chung about her stint as a writer on "The West Wing."
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