Dreams,
Stories, Passions, Spirit and Soul
Of the Asian Pacific American Communities through their story-tellers, authors, commentators,
advocates and observers
TO DISCOVER OUR TRUE STORIES
that provides an "Up Close and Personal" view of the stories,
dreams, history, struggles, spirit and soul of the Asian Pacific American
communities - one must read the words from our many story-tellers. One
might disagree
with some of the issues or the information, it cannot be disputed that
these stores (on the whole) are not widely known.
WE
WANT TO BREAK THE MANY FALSE STEREOTYPES
that
the general public has of the Asian/Asian Pacific American communities
(starting
before the 1800's). A stereotype could be defined as a "loaded
image" - an image that is associated with a set of meanings and generalities.
Thus, a racial
stereotype is an image imposed on a racial group that defines that
racial group according to a generality or a set of generalities become
associated with an image and become stereotype? It occurs through repetition.
As
stated by James Chan - "One of the many functions of the mass
media, aside from informing, entertaining, or persuading various segments
of society, is cultural transmission. Whether the various forms of mass
media intend to or not, they reflect and uphold the culture that they
serve.
AS A RESULT, A PERSONAL INVITATIONis
extended to "experience" the stories listed below to "break"
past stereotypes (presuppositions/assumptions/beliefs/views)
of the Asian/Asian Pacific American communities that has been "imposed
on you" by the American media and to established accurate images
of our communities. As with all immigrant communities that makeup the
ethnic backdrop and foundation of the United States, there are strategic
connections of our communities throughout Asia that comes in many forms.
These connections can be seen from the eclectic combining of music from
Cambodia and the United States (Dengue Fever), Asian talent successful
in Europe/U.S. (Unsuk Chin & YoYo Ma/Hiromi) to prominent entities
building bridges between the communities/marketplaces/consumers/sport
fans of the United States and China/Asia - along with many other stories
listed below. Your many journeys through the below-listed articles and
podcasts (such as the one with Handprint Worldwide CEO Jackie Subeck)
will provide many revelations, surprises, sadness and joys that are unique
to the Asian/Asian Pacific American communities.
