Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
Compiled by: Mary Tablante
1. Taxpayers Donating to Haiyan Relief to Receive Early Tax Relief
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate passed legislation March 6 that will provide expedited tax relief to Americans who made charitable donations for Typhoon Haiyan relief as of March 1. Under the bipartisan Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, those who donated to the recovery efforts will receive tax benefits approximately a year earlier than normal. The bill was sponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
2. First Asian American U.S. Marine Officer Passes
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee, a decorated Korean War veteran, died at the age of 88 on March 3. Lee received the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor for Marines, for his heroism during an assault by Communist Chinese forces in which he led troops in heavy snow in November 1950. He was a son of Chinese immigrants and grew up in Sacramento, Calif. After retiring from the Marines, he worked at New York Life Insurance Company and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as a regulatory compliance coordinator. Lee requested to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
3. More Than Half of Sikh American Children are Bullied
A report released March 13 from the Sikh Coalition found that more than 50 percent of Sikh American school children report being bullied. Turbaned Sikh children experienced bullying at more than double the national rate of 32 percent. Students have been kicked, had their turbans torn off by other students, and epithets such as “terrorist” have been used toward them. Researchers interviewed more than 700 Sikh school children in Seattle, Indianapolis, Fresno and Boston between 2012 and 2013 for this report. The Sikh Coalition has the full report, ‘Go Home, Terrorist-‘ A Report on Bullying Against as well as educational material on its website, sikhcoalition.org.
4. Indian American Confirmed for Administration Post
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate confirmed Arun M. Kumar as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration (ITA). This position makes Kumar responsible for foreign trade and advocating for U.S. trade and investment in international markets. Kumar was nominated by President Obama in October 2013, but was confirmed by the Senate on March 14.
5. ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ Criticized for Asian Stereotypes
BOSTON—The musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” was performed at Newton High School in Newton, Mass., in March and Asian American residents and students expressed that the stereotypical portrayals of Asians in the play made them feel marginalized. The theater director apologized for going through with the show in a community meeting on March 17. Two Asian characters in the show are laundrymen who kidnap young girls to sell as sex slaves and another Asian character uses a cliché Chinese accent.
6. Bengali American Model Poses Topless in American Apparel Ad
LOS ANGELES—A 22-year-old Muslim and Bengali American model named Maks posed topless in American Apparel’s ad campaign in which the words “Made in Bangladesh” appear across her chest, inciting criticism from those who say the ad objectifies the model. American Apparel aimed to raise awareness about the clothing company’s fair labor practices. All of the company’s clothing is made in downtown Los Angeles. Maks is an American Apparel employee who stands by the message of the ad and told The Daily Mail that she is choosing to express herself freely. However, activists also point out the ad is distasteful in light of the garment factory tragedies in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,000 people, most of whom were women.
7. Filipino Folklore Featured on NBC’s ‘Grimm’
NBC’s “Grimm,” a detective television show inspired by the Brothers Grimm, featured the Filipino tale of the “aswang” in an episode entitled “Mother Dearest” that aired March 7. Aswang are vampire-like creatures in Filipino folklore that prey on the unborn or small children. Filipino American actor Reggie Lee plays Sgt. Wu on Grimm and said he provided some input into the episode.
8. Wong Fu Productions to Make First Feature Film
Wong Fu Productions, a popular and independent new media production company, has been making short videos on YouTube for a decade. Now, they’re producing their first feature film after exceeding their fundraising goal and raising more than $350,000 to make the movie. Founders Philip Wang, Ted Fu and Wesley Chan say the movie will follow two love stories and feature laughs and emotional drama. They decided to raise funds through indiegogo, a crowd-funding platform, to have more creative control over their film. Wong Fu Productions has more than two million subscribers on YouTube. Go to wongfuproductions.com for movie updates.
9. Buddha Bar Auctions Off 12-Foot Statue
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Two years after Buddha Bar in D.C. shut down, the restaurant held an auction for its remaining items, including a 12-foot tall Buddha statue. David Chung, a restaurant owner and attorney, purchased the large statue for $1,526. Chung plans to give the statue to a friend as a housewarming gift for his friend’s estate in Miami, Chung told D.C. Eater.
10. Indian American Student Wins SuperMath Grand Champion Title
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Eleven-year-old Aditya Sriram won the SuperMath Grand Champion award in its 31st annual competition, making him the first student not of high school age to win as well as the first Indian American to win. There were nearly 200 competitors, who were all required to use an abacus to solve the problems. Sriram’s parents told India West that he was able to count and add numbers at a very early age.
11. Exhibit Depicts Sounds and Symbols of South Asia
Bethesda, Md.—The exhibit “Akshara” opened March 22 at the Gandhi Memorial Center in cooperation with the Embassy of India. In her works featured in the exhibit, artist Shanthi Chandrasekar makes the connection between shapes and letters of South Asian languages and the sounds they make. The exhibit will be on display through the end of April 2014 and can be viewed by appointment on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit gandhimemorialcenter.org for more information.
