Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
Compiled by Mary Tablante
1. Department of Labor Releases Report on Economic Status of AAPIs
The U.S. Department of Labor released a report with disaggregated data about how Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders fared during the Great Recession. The report examines the unemployment and poverty rate for AAPI subgroups and compares them to other major racial and ethnic groups. While as a whole, AAPI workers had more favorable outcomes than any other racial group, economic outcomes vary greatly across ethnicities. For instance, half of all unemployed Vietnamese-Americans are long-term unemployed.
2. Obama names first Asian American EEOC Chair
Washington, D.C.—Jenny R. Yang was named the new chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a commission that enforces federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against an employee or job applicant based on the individual’s race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. Yang is the first Asian-American to hold the position and was previously vice chair of the EEOC. Yang is a longtime civil rights and employment lawyer and is a New Jersey native.
3. AARP Produces Short Documentary about Caring for Aging Loved Ones
To help families start a conversation about care giving, AARP produced a short documentary in which three caregivers in Filipino-American families share their stories about caring for their aging loved ones. According to AARP research, AAPIs are more likely to be care givers for their aging family members than any other group. For instance, 73 percent of AAPIs feel that adult children should care for their elderly parents, compared to 49 percent of other Americans. In the documentary, retired Major Gen. Tony Taguba spoke about his father, who escaped the Bataan death march, and the struggles Taguba’s family faced when his father started to suffer from dementia. The video, “Caregiving Dahil Mahal Kita,” can be viewed on YouTube. AARP’s Caregiving Resource Center can be accessed at aarp.org/caregiving.
4. Newspaper Apologies for Labeling Asians “Chinky Winky,” “Dinky Doo”
PHILADELPHIA—In an Aug. 21 issue of the Philadelphia Public Record, an editor used offensive slurs to caption a photo of Asian-Americans dining in Chinatown with City Councilman Mark Squilla. The editor labeled some of the people in the photo as “Chinky Winky” and “Dinky Doo.” At first, the Philadelphia Public Record publisher claimed the mistake was a proofreading error, but since then, the paper issued an apology and the editor responsible for the slurs has been fired.
5. Human Rights Lawyer Files Lawsuit Against NYPD
NEW YORK—Human rights lawyer Chaumtoli Huq filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court against the New York Police Department after she was arrested for blocking a sidewalk in Times Square while waiting for her family to use a restroom. The police pinned Huq against a wall and also searched her purse without probable cause. Huq was charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Huq believes she was targeted because of her race, religion, gender and dress, as she was wearing traditional Indian clothing on the day of her arrest.
6. Report Examines Hate Violence Against South Asian Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C.—South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) released a report in September that found the climate for South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern and Arab communities in the U.S. has become more hostile in recent years through increased incidents of hate violence and xenophobic political rhetoric. Reported hate violence incidents have remained high since the 9/11 attacks and the organization tracked an average of nearly 40 percent more examples of xenophobic political rhetoric compared to their previous report three years ago. The report also included best practices for the government and community members to address these issues, including passing the End Racial Profiling Act and educating communities about their rights. To learn more, download the report, “Under Suspicion, Under Attack,” at SAALT.org.
7. Filipino World War II Veterans Seek Veterans’ Benefits
Waipahu, Hawaii—A group of Filipino-American World War II veterans who settled in Hawaii continue to seek equality from the U.S. government. The veterans, many of whom are in their late 80s, have not received legal benefits, such pensions, reported Marianas Variety. The veterans, who fought with American forces to liberate the Philippines, do receive health care coverage and $130 monthly compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
8. Michelle Wie Appears on October Cover of Golf Digest
Professional golfer Michelle Wie is on the cover of the October 2014 issue of Golf Digest, and is the first Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) player to grace the cover since Lorena Ochoa in 2008. Wie won the U.S. Women’s Open in June, her first major title. Wie was scheduled to compete in the Evian Championship Sept. 11 to 14, but injured her hand. Wie became known at age 10 as the youngest person to qualify for U.S. Golf Association amateur championship.
9. 70-Year-Old Man Attacked, Left Unconscious
Hayward, Calif—Over Labor Day weekend, 70-year-old Wang Wei-Wang was left unconscious in a California park for one hour, suffering severe brain trauma. Wei-Wang was picking up recyclables when he got involved in an altercation with park goers having a picnic. One man knocked Wei-Wang unconscious, where he was left on the ground until his wife found him. NBC Bay Area reported that while the park was crowded on the day of the incident, bystanders did not call for help. Police are investigating the incident and searching for a suspect, who is described as a 200-pound and 6-foot-tall African-American man. Doctors said Wei-Wang will likely suffer permanent brain damage.
10. Lisa Ling’s CNN Series Premieres
Journalist Lisa Ling has a new original series entitled, “This Is Life,” which premiered on CNN Sept. 28. The show focuses on the everyday unconventional lives of people across America. In one episode, Ling travels to Salt Lake City to meet members of the Church of Latter-day Saints who are struggling with an increased number of people dying every year from prescription drug overdoses. The eight-part series is available on “Watch CNN” via CNN.com and CNN’s mobile applications.
