Emergence

Crouching Asians, Hidden Voice
By Heidi Hyun Cha, Staff Writer

The American Dream. This cliché, patterned into the lives of every immigrant, is instilled in the fundamental notion of becoming rich and successful. It exists as an assumed inspiration in coming to America, whether it was embraced by a poor Italian boy with nothing in his pockets, landing on Ellis Island after a long journey on sea from his motherland; or embraced by the determined Korean student whose family gave up everything to support her studies in America, glancing at the night sky of lights and glitter from her airplane window - my story. [more]

The APIA Vote
By Jennvine Wong, Special Contributor

November 2nd, 2004 will be the date remembered largely for the swirl of media attention around this election. Moreover, it is also the election year that a rise of about 50% growth in Asian American voter registration culminates from the 2000 elections. Yet, with a growing population of about 6 million Asian Americans eligible to vote, there is a much smaller voting bloc numbering at around 3 million that are actually registered and a trend of only a fraction of them going to the polls to vote on Election Day. [more]

Indian Youth Today
By Arwa Gunja, Special Contributor

Over ten years ago, Bollywood hits were classified by teenagers embracing a romantic love story, depicting the innocence and wholesomeness of Indian society, culture, and values. But after backpacking through India last summer, it is no longer shocking to see a movie with Prieti Zinta wearing revealing clothing, standing under a waterfall in a thin white shirt, or erotically dancing with the movie’s heroin. But, what is most odd about the phenomenon is that while girls in India seem to be slowly rebelling, Indian girls in America are emerging with a new sense national pride and honor. [more]

"I was born Chinese. I was born Chinese."
By Karen Y. Chu, Special Contributor

Growing up, my friends and I loved Barbies but also loved playing hand-clapping games. “Down, down baby, down by the roller coaster…” these words carried a euphonious tune and the vivacious claps that accompanied it echoed down the hallway as my friends and I all sang along, captivated by the song. We sounded like a menagerie of exotic parrots, “Let’s get the rhythm of the hotdog!” We put our hands on our hips and we put on our come-hither face, as we seductively twisted and swayed our hips. Lindsay, a bubbly blonde, announced that she had learned a new song. We all huddled around her as she sang and demonstrated the new lyrics and claps. After her instructions, we exploded and shrieked, “Chinese, Japanese, Indian Chief!” As we cried out these nationalities, we’d pull our eyes into upward and downward slants. When I pulled my eyes into slants, things were blurry and surreal. When I removed my fingers from my eyes, my friends and I were hysterically giggling and initiating another round of the game. [more]