FilAm History Month: Far West Conventions remembered as a period of awakening and activism

A critical period of Filipino American activism and social awakening is being remembered in October as the theme for Filipino American History Month.

The theme chosen by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) is "50 Years Since the First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention."

The late 60s and the decade of 1970 was an era activism among the Filipino American community that were swept up in  several concurrent social, academic, political and economic movements. 

It has been 50 years since the first  Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention, a meeting that took place at Seattle University in 1971 and brought over 300 young Filipino American participants from the West Coast. The convention is hailed as the beginning of the Filipino American Movement.

In 1971 the theme was “A Quest for Emergence” and was hosted primarily by the Filipino Youth Activities, Inc. (FYA) under the leadership of then-FYA Youth Director, Dorothy Laigo Cordova and convention chair, Anthony Ogilvie. Cordova with her husband, the late Fred Cordova, would later become the founders of the FANHS.

This initial meeting would launch a series of conferences that would later become known as the Filipino (or Pilipino) People’s Far West Conventions (FWCs), which were held annually between 1971 and 1982, in places like Seattle, Los Angeles, Stockton, and Berkeley.

The gatherings of hundreds of young Filipino Americans coming from as far away as Canada, Hawaii and the Philippines became incubators for community and youth activists that helped bring issues like Filipino Farmworkers rights, housing rights via the International Hotel struggle, the long fight for the rights and recognition of the Filipino WWII veterans and anti-martial law movement to the forefront of the Filipino American Movement. The FWC also served as the impetus for annual student-led conferences now held across the country. Many scholar-activists consider the FWCs to be the impetus of Filipino American Studies.

2021 also marks the 25th anniversary of PinoyTeach and the 20th anniversary of Pin@y Educational Partnerships (PEP) – both educational programs that teach Filipino American history and curriculum to Filipina/x/o American students from elementary school to graduate school. 

"We recognize the Philippine Studies Department at City College of San Francisco – the only department of its kind in the nation – which was advocated for, established by, and sustained through the support of Filipino American students and community over 50 years ago," said a FANHS press release.

"We also acknowledge the many youth organizers who formed scores of Filipino American student and youth-led organizations all over the country."

This theme honors the earlier pioneers in the Filipino American Movement, as well as the subsequent groups of young people across the country who have advocated for social justice issues affecting Filipino Americans (and other historically marginalized groups) for the past 50 years.

Possible activities related to “50 Years Since First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention” might include:

• Organize teach-in’s about the Far West Conventions. Invite FWC participants to speak and share their oral histories.

• Teach about the histories of Filipino American college student organizations (SFSU PACE, UCLA Samahang, Columbia Liga Filipina, UIUC Philippine Student Association, UMich FASA), regional umbrella student groups (FIND, SCPASA, MAFA), or youth organizations (FYA, PEP, PinoyTeach).

• Highlight the history and development of Filipino American Studies/ Filipino American curriculum in your region/state.

• Interview Filipino American community leaders of various generations to talk about their experiences with youth organizing.

• Learn about the pensionados, or government-sponsored students who attended U.S. universities in the early 1900s.

• Curate a panel of Filipino American artists to describe their contributions to the arts (e.g., music, dance, theater, hip hop).

• Conduct oral histories with Filipino American elders who can share perspectives about the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s in your city or state.

• Organize a children’s book reading for "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong" by Dawn Bohulano Mabalon & Gayle Romasanta.

• Host a panel or workshop on the anti-martial law movement and the KDP (many who attended the FWCs).

• Begin dialogues on how to advocate for Filipino American Studies in your K-12 systems or colleges/universities, and more

Recognizing the early activism in that era is appropriate for the Filipino young people and community activists of this present era when Asians and Filipino Americans are being attacks, harassed and bullied.

"We are also still combating anti-Asian violence that resembles the anti-Asian and anti-Filipino violence that occurred a century ago in places like Watsonville, CA and Yakima Valley, WA. We must educate others – as well as our own families and communities – about our history, so that historical violence does not repeat itself over and over again.

Met Gala gowns worn by Saweetie, Hailee Steinfeld and Gemma Chan make fashion statements

Saweetie's gown stressed her dual racial heritage.

The theme for this year’s Met Gala was "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" and each attendee was expected to show up in attire representing an interpretation of that concept. Clearly,  rapper Saweetie aced the assignment.

There is no doubt about the message sent by the Filipino American performer and the gown she wore to the Met Gala last weekend.

“I’m wearing Christian Cowan and I have two flags dedicatedly draped on my body,” she told ESSENCE correspondent Gia Peppers.

“One is them is the Black American heritage flag and one of them is a Filipino flag because I’m a Blackapino girl and that’s what makes me an American,” she continued. The flags on accentuated both sides of the performer’s body and formed two trains that draped down the museum’s iconic steps.

Hailee Seinfeld's "white" appearance raised some eyebrows.

On the other hand, Hailee Steinfeld's fashion statement rendered her completely unrecognizable. Except for her brown eyes, any hint of her Filipino heritage has been completely erased.

The actor and singer went with blonde wig and matching bleached eyebrows . She also wore matte makeup that was one tone, without much color on her lips or cheeks.

Steinfeld wore a dress by Dutch couture designer Iris van Herpen with an environmental theme. The Instagram page for van Herpen's line explains that the dress Steinfeld chose, the Magnetosphere dress, is made out of recycled plastic trash tossed into the ocean. "The Magnetosphere dress is created with Parley Ocean Plastic®️, sourced from upcycled marine debris in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans," reads an Instagram post from July.

The question is: Was going whiteface her intended message? Was her appearance a political statement about representation in Hollywood? Iff so, it would be a case of redundancy. Steinfeld, whose grandfather was Filipino, has never played a person of color in any of her movies. She hasn't attempted to shed any light on her appearance in any of her social media.

Gemma Chan, left, was inspired by pioneer actress Anna May Wong.

Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, The Eternals) used the high fashion event to pay tribute to Anna May Wong, the first Asian American Hollywood star.

Chan's dress had a dragon pattern on her Prabal Gurung minidress resembled a gown Wong wore in the 1934 film Limehouse Blues. An oversized, green bow that flowed into a train tied the dress together.

In an Instagram post featuring an image of Wong, Chan asked, "Who gets to be an American?"

Stop AAPI Hate co-founders make Time magazine's most influential people

Of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world are 26 Asian or Asian American..

Asian Americans' influence and impact was unmistakeable with poet  Cathy Park Hong gracing one of seven magazine covers.that will be released worldwide.

Because of the surge in anti-Asian attacks, TIME includes the co-founders of Stop AAPI Hate: Cynthia Choi, Manjusha Kulkarni and Russell Jeung.The community based organization's collection of racist incidents made media and government to realize the enormity and how prevalent the attacks have become. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate reports that over 9000 hate incidents were reported.

For TIME's full list of the 100 most influential people, click here.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for this award among this list of influential leaders,“ said Kulkarni. “This work would not be possible without the bravery and strength of our respondents and the AAPI community at large, and we want to thank them for their willingness to speak out against injustice."

Vice President Kamala Harris, China's President Xi Jinping, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other world leaders were repeats  on the prestigious list.  

But it was a first-time honor to be included on the list. Among them were athletes the Angels' Shohei Ohtani, tennis player Naomi Osaka and Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao, Saturday Night Live's Bown Yang, actor Steven Yeun, along with other innovators, authors, researchers and activists.

Besides the 26 Asians and Asian Americans on the list, the 18th annual list of influential people includes 10 climate leaders, dozens of advocates, political leaders, 54 women and the youngest featured in the issues is 18-year-old Olympic gymnast Sunisa Lee. The oldest person in this year's list is 78-year-old President Joe Biden.

“At TIME, we see the TIME100 as far more than a list,” Edward Felsenthal, said TIME's CEO and editor in chief. “It is a community of leaders whose energy and commitment we hope inspires others to spring into action as well.”

The full list and related tributes appear in the Sept. 27 / Oct. 4 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, Sept. 17.

ABC will air a special about the selection of the Top 100 on Sept. 20, 10 p.m. The special offers an inside look at the pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, titans and innovators comprising the coveted 2021 list, along with special performances and surprises. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary, observations, tips and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed

California has a chance to tell the stories of a majority of its students

California's student population is growing more increasingly diverse, but lesson plans rarely
mention their histories and contributions.

OPINION

When I was going through the California public school system, I don't recall any mention of Filipinos except for the one-line sentence regarding their role in World War II.

There was one bright moment in 4th grade when a well-meaning teacher, perhaps noting that there were two Filipino students in her class mentioned the Filipinos who volunteered for the U.S. Army's 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments. 

"They use their bolo knives," she said, moving her arms in a downward motion in an X-pattern. I perked up. They were the only military units issued machete's. "they were really good soldiers," she continued. Thank you Mrs. Vriend.

Except for the Blacks because of their role as slaves, the Civil War and the fight for civil rights, voting rights and equality and Mexicans because of the Alamo and building the California missions, the contributions of Asian Americans and other ethnic minorities barely get mentioned in U.S. classrooms.

A bill passed by the California Legislature Wednesday, Sept. 8, seeks to change that omission. Assembly Bill 101 authored by Assemblymember Jose Medina, (Riverside)  would make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature.

The nearly 900-page Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum approved by the State Board of Education, has been years in the making. It seeks to teach high school students about the struggles and contributions of “historically marginalized peoples which are often untold in U.S. history courses.” It centers on the four groups that are the focus of college-level ethnic studies: African Americans, Chicano/Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said last March when State School Board voted on the instruction that he recognized the importance of introducing a non-ethnocentric curriculum that would teach students of color about their history.

“After the killing of George Floyd, we sought to provide support to our students for the trauma that the nation, that the world had witnessed,” Thurmond said in a statement. “Our students said to us that they wanted to see representations of themselves. They asked us why they didn’t learn about their own histories in school.”

California is one of three states where Whites do not have a majority, according to the 2020 Census. More than three-quarters of California’s 6.2 million K-12 students are non-white: 55% Latino, 22% white, 12% Asian or Pacific Islander and 5% African American.

The vast majority of California’s immigrants were born in Latin America (50%) or Asia (39%). However, among immigrants who arrived between 2010 and 2019, more than half (53%) were born in Asia, while only 31% were born in Latin America. according to the Public Policy Institute of California. The leading countries of origin are Mexico (3.9 million), the Philippines (859,000), China (796,000), Vietnam (539,000), and India (513,000). based on the 2019 American Communities Survey by the US Census. 

From the 2020 US Census, we learn that Asians make up 15% of the state with more than 6 million people of Asian descent — more than the total population of most other states. 

When Attorney General Rob Bonta was a member of the Assembly, he co-authored a similar bill that failed to garner then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

"Studies have shown that not only are students empowered by these courses, but their academic performance improves and graduation rates increase," said Bonta. "Research also indicates that students with more racial awareness are more civically engaged which benefits our society as a whole. It is important to see history represented in a way that is complete, fair and accurate. Our histories deserve more than one paragraph in a textbook or one lesson in a social science class."

Source: American Communities Survey

Still a majority of California's school districts stick with the prescribed textbooks that emphasize only the story of the "hero-like" European immigrants that (in my words) exploited, conquered, colonized or erased the histories of other Americans whose parents and/or ancestors came from different continents.

A.B. 101 requires students graduating from California high schools in 2030 and after to have completed a one-semester ethnic studies class, and for these classes to be offered no later than the 2025-2026 school year. The bill made its way through the state's Assembly and Senate and passed its final hurdle last week and sent to the Governor's desk. 

Newsom vetoed a similar effort last year, yielding to strong criticism from Jewish groups, who condemned previous versions for an alleged bias towards Palestine and not enough content on anti-Semitism. Some critics, including the Jewish legislative caucus, by approving a significantly revised curriculum in March.

If the curriculum attains its goal, it would create a more inclusive California school system that would include the teaching  of the significance of the 1965 Grape Strike led by Filipinos and Latinos, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and the racial animus that allowed the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Illinois' governor has signed a similar measure, authored by its Asian American lawmakers, that broadens the perspective on the history of the U.S. to tell the stories of that state's large ethnic groups. Other states, including Massachusetts, are in various stages of developing curriculum that would included teaching "the truth" about US history, according to some teacher advocates.

Unsurprisingly, this development has garnered strong opposition from groups that see the efforts to broaden America's story as an attempt to usurp White dominance in US society. 

As of August 26, 27 states have introduced bills or taken other steps that would restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism, according to an Education Week analysis. Twelve states have enacted these bans, either through legislation or other avenues.

However, if Newsom signs AB101 into law, California's economic clout would be hard to ignore by textbook publishers, who would have to rewrite their books and lesson plans would have to altered to fit California's requirements because the state has the largest school system in the US.

I often wonder how my life would have been different if more Asian American stories were included in my school lessons. Not only would it have most certainly boosted my self esteem, but it would also have rounded out the image of Asian Americans held by most of my nonAsian classmates.

Hopefully, if California's governor signs AB101, my grandchildren -- and equally important, their nonAsian classmates -- won't have that huge hole in their lives and their eyes will be open to the diversity that makes up their school, community and the United States.

“Some kids may not believe [systemic racism and white privilege exist] when they come in, but if you give facts and say, 'You be the judge of these facts,' then hopefully they understand the problem,” Saratoga High School teacher Mike Davey told KQED. “And then they can work on a solution.”

"It's a big step, no doubt," Medina said at last week's hearing. "I think it is something that is overdue in the state and in this country."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional observations, tips and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed

Now Michelle Wu's real campaign begins for Boston mayor

Michelle Wu thanks her volunteers.

Just two hours after the polls closed Tuesday (Sept. 14), Michelle Wu declared her one of the two finalists for Boston Mayor.

An hour later, Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George  claimed the other spot to challenge Wu to become Boston's mayor on Nov. 2.

Wu, endorsed by Massachusett's progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren, led in the polling leading up election day and maintained that lead as the votes were counted. 

“I’m overjoyed to share with you in our home neighborhood of Roslindale that we are confident that we are in the top two,” Wu told her supporters at Distraction Brewing Co. to await the results.

The 36-year old Wu, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, became the first Asian American councilor after winning election in 2014. If elected, she would become the first woman of color to hold that position.

The special election was necessary after Mayor Marty Walsh accepted President Biden's invitation to become the Secretary of Labor.

The final count is not expected until the 7000 mail-in ballots that were dropped off on the election day are counted.

"Tonight is not a victory celebration, it is a thank you for what we have been through together and a reminder we have 49 days to get it done,” Wu reminded her supporters.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional observations, tips or references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.

Vote today! Michelle Wu leading in race for Boston's mayorship

MICHELLE WU CAMPAIGN

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., right, campaigns for City Councilor Michelle Wu,
who is running to become Boston's mayor.

Boston's next mayor may be an Asian American woman reflecting the changing political landscape of the historical city.

Michelle Wu, a city councilwoman, has been running for Mayor for almost a year and of the polls are any indication, the chances are good that she'll be one of the two mayoral candidates vying for the city's top post on Nov. 2.

Wu, who has the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren leads the polls with the other candidates -- Acting Mayor Kim Janey, City Councilors Andrea Campbell and Annissa Essaibi George, and former city economic development chief John Barros. -- hoping to capture the second spot.

The election is nonpartisan so the finalists could very well be of the same party in the city that is heavily Democratic.

"Growing up, I never thought I would run for office one day. As the daughter of immigrants, I understood from my youngest days how my family and so many others feel unseen and unheard in our society," said Wu in a statement.

“I recognize the ways in which I’m not the typical mold of a Boston politician, but it’s really not just gender and ethnicity or age necessarily, although [it’s] all of those things,” she said.

Find your polling place, here.

Last Saturday, a rally with Warren was held in Chinatown, the neighborhood is where Wu first began volunteering and community organizing in Boston nearly two decades ago.

“If there was ever a moment when we needed to organize, to fight, to stand up to tackle impossible odds, it is right now. We are facing an ongoing public health crisis and a climate crisis and a displacement crisis. But this is a city, and a community, that stands up to fight," said Wu. 

Boston's Asian American population makes up 10% of the city's residents; White, 53%; Blacks, 25%; and Hispanic, 20%. 

"After eight years in the City Council, ten years in City Hall, we have seen the power we have to make that change at the local level. I’m so grateful to Senator Elizabeth Warren for being in this fight with me, and know that together, we will take on the big challenges to meet this incredibly important moment,” said Wu.

“I believe in Michelle because I know Michelle. I’ve known Michelle since she was my student, since she had the courage to step up and run for City Council. I’ve known her as a partner in the fight for childcare, more affordable housing and a Boston that works for working people," said Warren.

“We need more working parents in leadership roles. It makes a difference when moms are in charge, and for me, being a mom and raising two boys in this moment in our city and in our country’s history gives me an urgency to make sure that we’re getting things done,” Wu told Yahoo News. “You put a Boston public school mom in charge [of] our city, and we will see changes to match the scale and urgency of our community’s needs.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For further commentary, tips and recommendations, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.

Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak win at MTV Awards

Olivia Rodrigo accepts one of three Video Music Award.

After her blockbuster debut as a pop singer, it was no surprise that Olivia Rodrigo was named the VIdeo Music Award's Best New Artist of the Year.

The VMA Awards returned Sunday at the  with live performances in front of an audience at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NYC.

The Filipino American artist also won Best Song for her breakout hit "Drivers' License." She also won in the category of Push Performance of the Year.

"I want to thank all of you guys the fans. This is so incredible," she said as she accepted her Moon Person trophy. "This has been the most magical year of my life and it is all because of you guys so thank you so much. Thank you to the VMAs and everyone who helped me make Sour," Rodrigo''s first album.

"I want to dedicate this award to all the girls who write songs on their bedroom floor... speaking your mind and sharing your work is one of the most beautiful things in the world," she added.

Rodrigo, star of Disney's "High School Musical: The Musical: the Series," was also nominated for Artist of the Year and her second hit "Good 4 U" was nominated for Best Pop. 

Other Asian or AAPI artists who won a VMA Award include:

BTS, the Korean boy group, which won two awards for Best K-pop for their single "Butter"  and the award as the Best Group. Because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the group could not attend in person but were able to thank their fans with a video.

"Thanks for this award," the group said. "Sorry we couldn't be there, but hopefully next time we will," 

"We've been so blessed and grateful for all of the love we received this year. Shoutout to ARMY! You're the best people in the world. We'll keep bringing great music for all of you guys. Love you all!"

Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak won Best R&B song for their collaboration as Silk Sonic for "Leave the Door Open."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary and observations, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed. 

Emma Raducanu wins US Open in closely fought contest vs. Leylah Fernandez

SCREEN CAPTURE / ESPN

Leylah Fernandez, left, and US Open champ Emma Raducanu.

OPINION

Emma Raducanu beat Leylah Fernandez at the US Open, 6-4, 6-3 in a history-making match that featured the first all-Asian final for the women's title.

The hard fought match between the teenagers could be the start of a long rivalry between the unheralded players.

“I really want to congratulate Leylah and her team on an incredible fortnight,” the 18-year-old Raducanu said during the trophy ceremony. “She played some incredible tennis and beat some of the top players in the world. It was an incredibly difficult match but I thought the level was extremely high. I hope we play each other in many more tournaments and hopefully finals." In the background the just-turned 19-year old Fernandez can be seen smiling and nodding in agreement.

“Leylah is always going to play great tennis and always going to fight," said the Chinese Brit champion. "That’s just the competitor she is and that’s why she’s here in the final. I knew that I’d have to dig deep and I fell somehow. I thought that would throw myself off balance because I would have to serve."

As Raducanu had her knee bandaged after scraping it on the cement, Filipino Canadian Fernandez could be seen arguing with one of the officials because she had just scored an on Raducanu's serve and had momentum on her side. If she was able to break Raducanu's service the match score would have been a manageable 5-4. to set up one of Fernandez's trademark comebacks. However, the mandated medical break gave Raducanu a breather and a chance to regroup.

As play resumed, Raducanu was able reverse Fernandez' momentum to win the next serve bringing tying the game score, once again. She won the next point to gain an ad point. Fittingly Raducanu ended the game with an ace.

The final score doesn't reflect the tension throughout the match. The majority of the games had the opponents tying the game score.

Both players chased after balls sideline to sideline and played some remarkable tennis. Fernandez fought back gamely but her serve was not as potent as her other matches when her accuracy had her opponents flustered and off-balance. In the finals, she missed over 50% of her first serves.

The two virtually unknown teens surprised the US Open and their appearance in the finals was unexpected. Fernandez entered the US Open ranked 73rd in the WTA singles rankings while Raducanu came in at 150th.

Emma Raducanu, left, and Leylah Fernandez played with joy.

Raducanu made history as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam. She had to win three matches in order to enter the tourney. She is the first British woman to win a major since 1977 when Virginia Wade won. She is also the youngest to win a major since Maria Sharapova in 2005.

Raducanu earned $2.5 million for winning the US Open and runner-up Fernandez won $1.25 million. But it wasn't the prize money that motivated the players. They just wanted to win and reminded us of the joy in the game. They are unheralded, no longer. Let's hope this is the start of a long rivalry.

They were remarkably composed despite their youth and inexperience of being in the spotlight. Fernandez, fighting back tears as she received her trophy, had one more comeback as she asked for the microphone after her interview reminding the Arthur Ash Stadium audience of the date, 9/11.

“I know on this day it was especially hard for New York and everyone around us,” she said. “I just hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the past 20 years.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary, tips, observations and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.

Two women of Asian descent meet in historic US Open final

SCREEN CAPTURE

Emma Raducanu, left, and Leylah Fernandez captured the hearts of tennis fans.

The US Open's women's singles final is one for the history books. For the first time, two women of Asian descent will play for tennis' Grand Slam championship.

Leylah Annie Fernandez, a Filipino Canadian, will play Emma Raducanu, representing Great Britain.

The women's singles finals begin at 4 p.m. EDT, Saturday and aired on ESPND. (Check local listings.)

Both players were unranked and virtual unknowns when the tournament began in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. two weeks ago. It is rare to have a Cinderella player in the finals, but to have two Cinderellas? What is a fan to do?

Both Fernandez, 19, and Raducanu, 18,  had to beat older and more experienced players on the way to the finals displaying an amazing amount of confidence and composure as they dispatched their opponents.

The winner of the women's finals match will earn $2.5 million and the runnerup will garner $1.25 million.

As underdogs, both women were crowd favorites at the Arthur Ash Stadium and drew energy from the fans' cheers.

No matter which player prevails, the winner will be of Asian descent, which has special significance this year when Asians are fighting for representation and attacks against Asians in the U.S. Canada and Great Britain have surged because they are being associated with COVID-19.

EDITOR'S NOTE: More commentary, observations, tips and references from an AAPI perspective on Twitter. Follow me @dioknoed.

9/11: September 11 Congressional Resolution introduced acknowledging gov't role in targetting South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs

From top left, clockwise: Representatives Judy Chu, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal.

A Congressional resolution was introduce acknowledging that in the aftermath of terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, individuals experienced hate and were targeted by the government on account of their faith, race, national origin and immigration status, and suggesting various forms of relief for those individuals.

U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, WA-07, Ilhan Omar, MN-05, Rashida Tlaib, MI-13, and Judy Chu, CA-27, introduced Thursday a Congressional Resolution acknowledging the hate, discrimination, racism, and xenophobia that Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities across America continue to experience two decades after the 9/11.

“We must fully condemn all manifestations and expressions of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious bigotry while also finally acknowledging the climate of hate that Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities have experienced in the two decades since September 11, 2001,” said the Congresswomen. 

“As we acknowledge that our own government implemented harmful policies that unfairly profiled and targeted Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities, we must also celebrate that these very communities have met these challenges with unwavering courage, strength, compassion, and resilience while uniting in the aftermath to advocate for civil and human rights — work which continues to this day to benefit all Americans.”

“Twenty years ago, our Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian communities experienced the acute pain of racist hate violence fueled by our country’s deeply entrenched polices of imperialism, surveillance, and racial profiling,” said Lakshmi Sridaran, the Executive Director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). “We are hopeful that this resolution will center the accountability of Members of Congress to rescind the policies of the War on Terror and truly ensure the safety of all communities of color.”

The resolution also puts forward a series of recommendations to support those affected by the profiling and targeting that has occurred during the 20 years since the Sept. 11 attack. This includes:

• Creating an interagency task force to work with community-based organizations to review these government policies, investigate and document their impact, and dismantle those policies which continue to profile and unfairly target these communities.

• Holding hearings by congressional and civil rights bodies to explore the findings and recommendations of this interagency task force in consultation with and centering community-based organizations.

• Allocating resources to community-based organizations outside and independent of law enforcement that center the experiences and demands of Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities to support the needs of victims of hate and state violence, including language support, mental health, comprehensive support, system navigation, and crisis response and recovery

• Calling on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation to work together to study the impact of hate, government targeting, and profiling on physical and mental health.

Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Sikh communities have long experienced discrimination and violence in the U.S., which intensified after the attacks. During the first week after the attack, community organizations documented 645 incidents of bias and hate against Americans perceived to be of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent. This climate of hate also led to bullying and violence in their everyday lives, in their workplaces, businesses, community centers and houses of worship.

The government also targeted Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Sikh communities with overreaching policing, surveillance, and criminalization policies that resulted in wrongful interrogation, coercion, detention, deportation, arrest, and incarceration. 

Principles like due process, presumption of innocence, and evidence of wrongdoing were replaced with humiliation, mob mentality, and guilt by association, contends the lawmakers. Border officials and government authorities also cast aside constitutional rights and engaged in discriminatory searches and seizures. 

Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and immigration authorities arrested and detained as many as 1,200 Muslims immediately after the September 11 attack, and none of these “special interest” detained people were ultimately indicted for terrorist activity. This hate and government targeting impacted the ability of these communities to exercise their constitutionally protected rights including to organize, speak, travel, and worship freely.

Among the host of local, state, and national organizations endorsing the resolution, are:

 American Friends Service Committee; American Immigration Lawyers Association; American Muslim Empowerment Network (AMEN); Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF); Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF); Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for Justice San Antonio, TX; Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus; Asian Law Alliance; Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO; Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote); Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR); Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Florida; Defending Rights & Dissent; DRUM – Desis Rising Up & Moving; Empowering Pacific Islander Communities; Ensaaf; Grassroots Asians Rising; Immigration Hub; International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP); Japanese American Citizens League; Muslim Advocates; Muslim Justice League; National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association; National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF); National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development; National Council of Asian Pacific Americans; National Japanese American Memorial Foundation; National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA); North Carolina Asian Americans Together; Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund; Sikh Coalition; and the South Asian Americans Leading Together.

“This resolution is a good step in acknowledging the serious and detrimental mistakes made as a nation in the aftermath of 9/11,” said Abed Ayoub, the National Legal & Policy Director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). “Hate crimes and discrimination faced by Arab, Muslims, and South Asians continue to this very day, and we need to work collectively to push back against the hate. 

"Additionally, for two decades the expansion of government surveillance and overreach under the guise of national security has gone almost completely unchecked; targeting primarily Arab, Muslim, and South Asian communities. It is time Congress reins in the post 9/11 surveillance programs and restores our rights and liberties."

“While we reflect on the pervasive hate and Islamophobia that has only deepened over the last 20 years, we must acknowledge the ways our own government has fueled harmful stereotypes and actively and systematically targeted Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, South Asian and Sikh communities,” said Hammad Alam, the Staff Attorney & Program Manager at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus. 

“This resolution is a critical step in acknowledging the government targeting of our communities which predates 9/11 but exponentially grew afterwards. As we witness the devastating impacts of the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress must support community-based organizations who are leading movements to fundamentally shift the foreign and domestic policies at the root of this violence,” said Fatema Ahmad, the Executive Director of Muslim Justice League. 

A copy of the resolution is available here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: More commentary, observations, tips and references from an AAPI perspective on Twitter. Follow me @dioknoed.

Asian teenagers making history as they determine who will be the US Open women's champion

 

SCREEN CAPTURE

Brown people in the house -- Leylah Fernandez's family cheered her victory.

For the first time in the Grand Slam's history, both women finalists at the US Open are of Asian descent.

Emma Fernandez, a Filpino Canadian who just turned 19 on Monday, will meet Emma Raducanu, a Chinese Brit who is two months younger than Fernandez, on Saturday to determine the women's singles champion of the US Open Grand Slam.

The two teenagers are are the most unlikely players to reach the finals. The unseeded upstarts on Thursday crashed the 2021 US Open semifinal party, and sent their more experienced veteran opponents—Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari, respectively—frustrated in their inability to overpower and intimidate the youthful foes.

USTA / DARREN CARROL

Leylah Fernandez's took three sets to beat her opponent, Aryna Sabalenda

Fernandez beat the heavily favored Sabalenka, the world's No. 2 ranked player, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. In the beginning, the world's No. 2 ranked player appeared to overwhelm the smaller Fernandez with powerful serves and volleys. She led the first set 3-0 before Fernandez settled into her game returning Sabalenka's 117 mph serves and artfully placed shots. 

Having her serves returned seemed to rattle the Swiss player who was not used to having her serves returned. Sabalenka began making uncharacteristic mistakes and double faults who became increasingly frustrated at not being able to put away the teenager who clearly had the support of the Arthur Ashe Stadium faithful.

On her way to the finals, Fernandez went three sets in each of her games against ranked players, three of them in the world's top five.

USTA / DARREN CARROL

Great Britain's Emma Raducanu had an surprisingly easy victory.

Raducanu, though Great Britain's top woman player, had to qualify for the US Open. The teenager, ranked No. 150, still has yet to drop a set all tournament. Since the start of qualifying she has won 18 consecutive sets and she has lost only 27 games in her six main-draw victories. 

Raducanu beat the No. 17 ranked Sakkari, 6-1, 6-4 Thursday evening. Like Fernandez, Raducanu relied on strategic placement of the ball instead of the power game used by her opponent.

Saturday's match will be the first all-teenage final at the Grand Slams since 1999, when 17-year-old Serena Williams took out 18-year-old Martina Hingis, 6-3, 7-6. 

Enroute to the finals, both players drew energy and inspiration from the audience at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It should be an entertaining, raucous match but no matter who emerges as the victor, it will be historic as a player of Asian descent will be crowned the US Open women's champion.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.

Judge acquits Chinese American researcher of espionage charges

University of Tennessee Professor Anming Hu

A federal judge from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee acquitted University of Tennessee (UT) Engineering Professor Anming Hu of all charges after his trial resulted in a mistrial when the jury deadlocked. 

"Dr. Hu is finally free to return to his life and be reunited with his family," said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, said in a statement. But the "scars of the prosecution and investigation on Dr. Hu and his family are deep and long-lasting."

Dr. Hu’s case was the first to go to trial under the controversial U.S. Department of Justice's controversial China Initiative. The decision came after the U.S. government’s announcement to retry the case in July despite serious concerns voiced by elected officials, civil rights groups, and the Asian American community over the FBI’s conduct during the course of its investigation of Dr. Hu. 

U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan  wrote in his rulings: "[E]ven viewing all the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, no rational jury could conclude that defendant acted with a scheme to defraud NASA" in failing to disclose his affiliation with the Beijing University of Technology to UTK.

The judge added "there was no evidence presented that defendant ever collaborated with a Chinese university in conducting his NASA-funded research, or used facilities, equipment, or funds from a Chinese university in the course of such research."

The case against Hu was the first attempt at prosecuting a suspect under the Trump administration's China Initiative, that has come under fire from civil rights and AAPI community organizations.

"Although we celebrate this moment, we cannot forget the life-long consequences this injustice has had on Dr. Hu and his family," said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. 

"Dr. Hu has lost years of his life, his job, his immigration status, his ability to obtain future federal grants, and possibly his career," he added.

Yang continued: "What happened to Dr. Hu and his family is not an isolated event and is part of systemic racial bias, discrimination, and profiling by our federal government against scientists and researchers of Asian descent across the country. ... We must put a stop to the racial profiling and the criminalization of our communities today, starting with ending the China Initiative.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.

California Recall: Gov. Newsom gets a little help from his friends: Vice President Kamala Harris; President Biden next

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for California's Gov. Gavin Newsom.

With a week to go before election day, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic Party has brought in the big names to shore up the California governor's fight against a Republican-led recall attempt.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold that office, returned home Wednesday to campaign for Newsom, whom she calls her friend and allly during their parallel political paths since he was San Francisco's Mayor when she was the city's District Attorney.

"You have to understand that this recall campaign is about California and it’s about a whole lot more," said Harris, who was born and raised in the East Bay where the rally was being held. "They’re thinking that if they can get this done in California, they can go around the country and do this. 

"You got to understand what’s happening right now," said Harris, "what’s happening in Texas, what’s happening in Georgia, what’s happening around our country, with these policies that are about attacking women’s rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, workers’ rights. They think if they can win in California, they can do this anywhere. Well, we will show them, you’re not going to get this done. Not here! Never!". 

Earlier in the week, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar campaign alongside Newsom to help energize the governor's campaign. Sen. Bernie Sanders put out a commercial endorsing Newsom, hoping to get his youotful, progressive supporters to support the liberal Newsom by voting "No" on the recall.

President Biden, who in 2020 easily won California, the nation's most populous state, is expected to travel to California in the next few days prior to the Sept. 14 election day to add his support for Newsom.

Newsom's political future hangs on the voters who don't bother to cast their ballots. Despite all 22 million registered voters receiving their ballots early, with less than a week to go, only 6 million have mailed in their ballots or used the designated drop boxes.

Five-Thirty-Eght, which combines several polls find Newsom beating the recall, 54.3% of the likely voters voting "no" and only 42% supporting the recall. A month ago, the polls were calling the election dead even.

Following is the text of Harris' speech.

It’s good to be home. It’s good to be home. I was flying in, landed in Oakland, flying over the Bay, Bay Area. It’s good to be home. So I landed just a short time ago and I’m here for one purpose. I came home for one purpose. I always want to come home. But it was really important to me to come home today, to stand and speak in support of my dear friend, my longstanding friend, a great California leader, a great American leader, Governor Gavin Newsom. I’m about to talk about Gavin in front of his face. But, Gavin, you were just… I was watching you backstage and you mentioned Texas. I just wanted… just one thing about Texas. When I was leaving this morning, I was watching the morning news. This was early, I left DC. And they had this clip of the governor of Texas. And the words that he spoke were the words that were to arrogantly dismiss concerns about rape survivors.

And to speak those words that were empty words, that were false words, that were fueled with not only arrogance but bravado, that is not who we want in our leaders. We want in our leaders, someone like Gavin Newsom, who always speaks the truth on behalf of all the people, in a way that is about uplifting, that is about helping to understand the plight of working people, to understand the dignity of all people. That’s who Gavin is. And, guys, I’ve known him a long time. One of the things I know about Gavin Newsom, he never hears, “No, it’s not possible. It can’t be done.” Gavin doesn’t hear that. I’ve witnessed that. I was elected DA when he was elected mayor of San Francisco. And I heard [inaudible 00:02:43] talk about this, right? The marriages, that Valentine’s weekend in 2004. Gavin, couldn’t hear, didn’t hear, “It can’t be done.”

He had the courage, as he has had his entire career, to believe in and know what is possible and ability to see what can be, unburdened by what has been. The kind of leadership this daughter and we as California, and daughter of California wants. We want our leaders in California to have a vision of what is possible, to see opportunity of a moment, to inspire and uplift all people. That’s what the people of California have always wanted. That’s why the Republicans’ recall will fail. It is so good to be in the house of labor. It is so good to be in the house of labor. Let me tell you something, I am clear, I know Gavin is clear, it is the men and women of labor, the working people of our unions, the working people of California, who are going to show what kind of leadership they want and are going to walk their talk and make sure that this political game of this recall is defeated.

Let’s look at what Gavin has accomplished. He and I were talking backstage. He came in office after Jerry. And he came in with so much, in terms of what he was giving our state. And then things out of our control, any of our control, started to happen, but Gavin rose to the moment. Let’s be clear, on the issue of COVID, in this state, with the largest population of any state in the country… I’ve been traveling around the world. Larger than many countries. Gavin stepped up to the moment. Over 22 million Californians have been vaccinated, because of the programs that he led and put in place. Because he was not afraid, he didn’t say, “This problem is too big for me.” He didn’t say, “My state is too big for me.” No. He led with courage. I want us to remember those early days. Let’s remember the course of it. We were all scared. We didn’t know what was happening. But we needed leaders to have courage, to take a stand and make decisions.

If a decision is coming to a governor in a state of tens of thousands of employees, it’s because nobody else could make the decision, except the governor. It’s because it took one person, who is Gavin Newsom, to make hard decisions in a moment of crisis that was unpredictable and he led. He led in saying, “I understand the plight of working people. So I’m going to make sure that in the state of California, we have workers comp for people who caught COVID on the job because there is no reason that working people should have to lose their benefits in a moment of personal crisis like that.” Gavin Newsom said, “We’re going to have paid family leave.” Because as Jennifer said, Gavin has always understood that if you want to lift up America, you’ve got to lift up working people, understand that unions are going to be a big part of that and women are going to be a very big part of that.

This is the kind of leader we have had in Gavin Newsom. You have to understand that this recall campaign is about California and it’s about a whole lot more. They’re thinking that if they can get this done in California, they can go around the country and do this. You got to understand what’s happening right now, what’s happening in Texas, what’s happening in Georgia, what’s happening around our country, with these policies that are about attacking women’s rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, workers’ rights. They think if they can win in California, they can do this anywhere. Well, we will show them, you’re not going to get this done, not here, never.

So this election, guys, it’s not a one-off. We need everyone to vote no. I voted no. Doug, my husband, the first second gentlemen, voted no on his ballot and we mailed it in. We got to get this done. We’ve got six days. It’s a week from yesterday, so next Tuesday, the 14th. But let’s understand, we’re not only going to be doing the work of putting Gavin Newsom in exactly where we want him to be, which is as governor of California, to lead as he’s been leading. But we are also, in this election, making a statement about who we are as a nation. Because understand, if having a governor who is for workers’ rights and labor unions weren’t a problem for them, they wouldn’t be trying to recall him. They wouldn’t be trying to recall him, but for the fact that he has always stood for reproductive rights. They wouldn’t be trying to recall him, except they know he stands for our dreamers and our farm workers.

They wouldn’t be trying to recall him, except that he says that access to healthcare is right and not a privilege of just those who can afford it. These are the issues that are at play. They wouldn’t be trying to recall him, except that they know he is a national leader on one of the greatest threats to our democracy right now, which is these blatant attacks on voting rights. This is what’s going on right now. This is what’s going on right now. This is why they are putting so many resources and time into trying to take out Gavin Newsom. It is because of his vision. It is because of the agenda. It is because of who he fights for.

And so we are here to say today, “We fight for Gavin Newsom. We fight for our country. We fight for the values we hold dear. We fight for working people. We fight for organized labor. We fight for dreamers. We fight for women. We fight for voting rights.” And we stand as Democrats, saying, “We are proud to do all of that and more.” That’s what we stand for. California, let us send a message to the world that these are the things we stand for, these are the things we fight for. And we will not give up because we know that so much is at stake, so many are counting on us, and there’s so much good that we can do. Thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more commentary and references, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.