Dateline News for the Asian American

AsianAMERICA

Compiled by CeCe Wang

White House Reports “Continuing Progress” For Asian Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders released a report showcasing the federal government’s progress addressing the needs of AAPIs. The Initiative has developed and implemented plans with 23 federal departments and agencies to increase AAPI participation in federal programs and services. Among the highlights:

• The Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration published a new health and safety guide for nail salon workers. Approximately 40% of U.S. nail salon workers are AAPI, and the guide was translated into Vietnamese and Korean. (See “Danger at Their Fingertips” in the January Asian Fortune, or online at www.AsianFortune.com.)

• The Department of Agriculture conducted outreach and provided education materials to Hmong communities about the nutritional benefits of USDA programs in California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission expanded its ability to collect demographic information from individuals filing a charge of discrimination from five Asian national origin categories to twelve.

• Efforts underway from The White House Initiative include ensuring that individuals with limited English have access to federal services; expanding workforce diversity programs; and utilizing existing federal grant programs to help support AAPI communities.

Day of Remembrance Observed

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Feb. 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II. On the anniversary, Members of CAPAC, the Congressional Asian Pacific American, and Congressional leaders observed the Day of Remembrance, some remembering family scars.

Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) said, “Executive Order 9066 stripped 120,000 Japanese Americans, including my own mother and father, of their basic human rights. This dark period has not only left a permanent mark on my own family, but on the families of all Americans, as I truly believe that an injustice to one, is an injustice to all.”

Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) related his personal story, as well, saying, “In 1942, some 120,000 Americans of Japanese, Italian and German ancestries were rounded up in this country and incarcerated. I spent my childhood, alongside my family, in the Amache internment camp in southeast Colorado, the experiences of which shaped my political beliefs and outlook on life.”

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) added, “This sad chapter should stand as a constant reminder of how easy it is to act against those who have no voice, and are vulnerable to the acts of a majority driven by stereotypes and distrust. As someone whose own family history includes stories of internment, I consider it my duty to speak for those who still struggle for equality and fairness.”

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) noted, “Twenty-five years ago, our government finally apologized for these transgressions and provided reparations to Japanese American survivors of internment through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The former shows what can happen when we fail to remain vigilant, and the latter demonstrates our ability to recognize our wrongs and move forward as a nation.”

Opposing Federal Law on Indefinite Detention

SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Supervisor David Chiu introduced a resolution at the Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 12 opposing provisions of a federal law allowing military detention of American citizens without a warrant or due process, also known as Indefinite Detention. “By standing by and allowing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)’s indefinite detention provisions to remain law of the land, we risk repeating our history of incarcerating without due process Japanese Americans during World War II,” said Chiu.

2013 Lunar New Year Stamp

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As the Year of Snake got underway Feb. 10, the U.S. Postal Service released its 2013 Lunar New Year stamp. It features firecrackers, paper-cut design and Chinese calligraphy to celebrate this special moment. The USPS Celebrating Lunar New Year series started in 2008, and will continue through 2019 with the Years of Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar.

Eighth Annual ChinaFest in Virginia Capital

RICHMOND, VA—ChinaFest, Richmond’s festival celebrating Chinese culture, heritage and history was held Feb. 21–24 at the University of Richmond and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The event featured expert discussions, film screenings, and ChinaFest Family Day, with thousands of children and their families participating in hands-on arts and crafts activities and watching lion dances, puppet shows, and dance performances. A “gallery hunt” had the kids looking for clues related to Chinese culture. ChinaFest is sponsored by The Rose Group for Cross-Cultural Understanding, which promotes understanding between people of the U.S. and China.

Kevin Tsujihara Named CEO of Warner Bros.

LOS ANGELES—Kevin Tsujihara, the president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group since 2005, has been named successor to Barry Meyer, becoming the new CEO of Warner Bros. Tsujihara joined the legendary studio in 1994 as director of special projects and finance. “Kevin has a rare combination of extraordinary business acumen and a love for the art of storytelling, and I’m confident he will be a great leader for Warner Bros,” said Meyer. Effective March 1, Tsujihara is the first of Asian descent to run a major Hollywood studio.

AAPI Heritage Becoming Part of National Parks

SEATTLE—The National Park Service (NPS) has begun researching stories, places and people relating to the Asian American and Pacific Island experience in America. Departing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the “Asian American Pacific Islander Theme Study” at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle Feb. 10.

“From Angel Island where more than one million Asian immigrants arrived on these shores to the Chinese immigrants who built the railroads across the country to the Japanese American internment camps of World War II, these are stories that will be part of the next chapter in our continued efforts to better tell the story of all of America and her people,” Salazar said.

“Their accomplishments and struggles are an important part of the American story, worthy of preservation in America’s national parks and deserving of the recognition that our historic preservation programs offer,” added NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis.