Category Archives: race

blog, diversity, journalism, news, race

NABJ, the National Association of Black Journalists, pulls out of 2012 Unity convention: Not a good sign for coalitions of color

Read my column at  http://www.aaldef.org/blog  to see why it’s a shock that the black journalists group has pulled out of Unity.

Established in 1994 to be a prime example of diversity in action, Unity’s biggest accomplish was just being there every four years, thousands of journalists of color all together.

When NABJ says it wants more of cut from the big confab that Unity puts on simply because it’s bigger, that’s a bad sign not just for diversity advocates in journalism but for any coalitions based on minority groups of varying size.

Who gets the bigger say? What happened to the greater good?

Greater what? NABJ essentially is saying don’t take it personally bleeding hearts. It’s just business.

And when the largest group pulls out of Unity, what are you left with? 

Nether unity, nor Unity.

blog, diversity, race

Asian Americans fastest growing minority in the country? What would Alexandra Wallace, the anti-Asian rantng, ex-UCLA coed say?

Asian Americans have been using Alexandra Walace as our domestic diversion from the real news of Japan and Libya.

But she’s what all Asian Americans face, especially as more AAPIs find themselves in far-flung places, recycling the immigrant experience in areas that to date have relatively  little AAPI experience beyond a Panda Express.

When Vietnamese refugees were sent to Texas in the 70s and 80s, we know what happened. It wasn’t exactly California. But go there now and see a thriving community a generation later.

Today, a new cycle begins for the nation’s fastest growing minority in brand new states  like Kentucky,  Tennessee and Georgia, where it’s 1965 all over again. Only the outsiders aren’t black—-they’re various shades of yellow.

On the inside?   I’d say, the odds are good  you’ll find clones of UCLA’s Alexandra Wallace.

For more on her, read my blog at www.aaldef.org/blog

blog, diversity, news, race

Asian gambling bus crash in New York: Are tour operators shorting us on safety?

The tragic bus accident in New York this past weekend that killed 15 people has suddenly drawn attention to this well known fact: Asian Americans like to gamble.

The gambling bus from Chinatown is as much a staple as the 9-course banquet meal. 

Sure there are high roller types who will fly to Vegas and bet enormous sums of money. But there’s a vast market of Asian Americans who just like a little fun and are willing to go  budget class to a gambling destination to bet a few bucks on high odds games.

That doesn’t mean the trip itself has to be a high odds proposition.

So as the New York Times discovers how Asians are targetted, much the same way as other sin products like cigarette and alcohol companies go after ethnic markets (Do you ever see an Asian American drink malt liquor?), it’s nothing new.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/nyregion/16bus.html?_r=1

What’s more noteworthy is  that by being willing to take an inexpensive overnight journey, or a quick turnaround jaunt, companies may be shortchanging Asian Americans on safety.

As you can see, the driver of Saturday’s bus wasn’t exactly an angel.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-15-ny-bus-crash_N.htm

Saftey first? Apparently it doesn’t matter with a bus load of Asian Americans.

blog, diversity, race, sports

Where’s mom? New York Times Magazine tries to get to the heart of Tim Lincecum with no mention of his proud Filipino heritage from his mother’s side

The new New York Times Magazine article on Tim Lincecum was fine. And I’m glad to see no less than the French Huguenots mentioned in the comment section on line as an explanation for Lincecum’s fighting spirit.

But let’s not leave out the distaff side.

In fact, reporter Mahler’s story is typical of the Lincecum narrative seen in the mainstream media.

Lincecum’s mom, Rebecca, is always left out of the story.  She’s a full-blooded Filipino American, born in the Philippines,  surname Asis. It’s a fact that the ethnic media has long picked up on, making Tim arguably the best Asian American athlete in professional sports.

In this era of diversity, that’s no small feat.

Reportedly, Lincecum doesn’t like to talk about his mom because his parents divorced about 8 years ago.

But Lincecum does acknowledge his Filipino roots when the  Giants’ have their Filipino American nights.  Lincecum took  the first pitch from Manny Pacquiao two years ago before one of the heritage events.  Still, mainstream stories always neglect any mention of his bi-racial heritage.  Why leave out that fact?
What’s the relevance in the star’s story? It may help explain questions about his size and body type. But it may also provide insight on why he’s such a complex athlete/personality.

More than anything else, Lincecum is a tremendous source of pride for the Filipino American community, forever under-represented in American society.   Why should the French Huegonots be alone in their claim to Lincecum’s achievements?  the guy’s half-Filipino. And  there’s never been a Filipino American in sports, let alone baseball, like him. Certainily not since  Benny Agbayani had that great year for the Mets.

But now Tim has surpassed them all!  

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/little-big-man/