February 22, 2012

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Actress from Racist Hoekstra Ad Apologizes

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lisa Chan, the Asian American actress from Pete Hoekstra’s racist ad against Debbie Stabenow, has apologized for her participation in the tv spot.

She posted this on her facebook wall:

“I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities. As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven. I feel horrible about my participation and I am determined to resolve my actions.”

Lisa Chan
–
CEO/ President, The Strive
Vice President, Sparxo Inc.

As a UC Berkeley graduate who works with an at-risk population, she should have known better. But I’m glad that she’s apologized and hope that she will use this as a real learning opportunity.

Thanks to Angry Asian Man for the tip.

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, Anti-AA Violence, Republican Party

Don’t Give Idiots a Microphone

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

OHN GURZINSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; NED DISHMAN/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES / Floyd Mayweather's Twitter comments on Jeremy Lin (r.) are bigoted and short-sighted.

I’ll avoid politicizing the LINsanity because inevitable articles like “Commentary: Five Things Republicans Can Learn From Jeremy Lin” and “What the GOP Can Learn From Jeremy Lin” (reprint here) threaten to throw him onto the third rail of popularity.

I’ll also avoid repeating all the thoughtful to eloquent commentary out there, the personal sighs of relief, the media stereotypes, the religion of Jeremy Lin (as interesting as it is for my other favorite topic here), his complicated heritage, a wistful history of Asian-Americans in pro sports, if race matters, model minorities, the weight of history and the weight of fame, the heights of inspiration, the sense of shared heritage and identity, Yao Ming’s eloquent and humble reflection, and the importance of it all.

I instead go after Floyd Mayweather’s bigoted Tweet about Jeremy Lin:

Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.

What a Twit of a Tweet. Indeed, NY Knicks’ Jeremy Lin is Mr. Big Shot while Floyd Mayweather is just another Twitter twit (and more racist Tweets abound with supporters around). More than a Twit, he’s a publically tolerated racist. Such racism is what happens when you give any old idiot a microphone. Think Rush Limbaugh or any of his kind. Plus, you get bad candidates galore with no fundamental grasp on government masquerading as government official-wanna-be’s, personal flaws masquerading as religious conviction, dumb ideas masquerading as party line policies, and opinions masquerading as news. Hoekstra and his kind are no flukes. We’ll get more like them as long as racists have a microphone.

– Richard Chen

Related: Pete Hoekstra’s Racist Superbowl Ad, DNC AAPI Leaders on Hoekstra Ad, AAA-Fund Condemns Racist Superbowl Ad, Question of the Week: LinSanity, Hyphen magazine: Happy VaLINtine’s Day

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, Media, Richard Chen

Asian American Action Fund Endorses Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi for United States House of Representatives

February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Asian American Action Fund has endorsed Raja Krishnamoorthi and Tammy Duckworth for Illinois’ newly re-districted 8th Congressional District. Both candidates are running against Tea Party-backed Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh.

“We are extremely pleased to see two highly qualified APA candidates seeking to represent Illinois in Congress,” said Gautam Dutta, Executive Director of the Asian American Action Fund.

Tammy Duckworth has a long history of serving our country. She is an Iraq war veteran and after being awarded the Purple Heart in 2004, continued her service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard. In 2009, Duckworth was appointed by President Obama as the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, she implemented many first in the nation programs to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, improve traumatic brain injury screening and reduce homelessness among Veterans.

She is passionate about getting Illinois residents back to work by investing in infrastructure, tax incentives for small to mid-size businesses, investing in education and modernizing schools and getting the budget under control while continuing to provide for struggling Americans.

“Tammy is a true American hero who has dedicated her life to serving the United States. She has proven herself time and again as a tireless advocate for veterans and the hardworking people of Illinois,” said Dutta.

Raja Krishnamoorthi has a strong background in both business and government. He is the president of Sivananthan Laboratories, a technology company that specializes in national security and renewable energy. He has also worked in government, as the Deputy Treasurer of Illinois where he helped revamp the state’s unclaimed property system while cutting costs. Before that he was appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to serve as Special Assistant Attorney General to start her Public Integrity Unit.

His priorities for Illinois include: renewing the economy, protecting women’s rights, ensuring access to quality and affordable health care and improving the education system.

“As a businessman, Raja understands what is needed to create good jobs. He also has the government experience necessary to advance policies that support the people of Illinois,” said Dutta.

“Both Tammy and Raja are natural leaders with big ideas for Illinois,” added Dutta.

To support the Tammy for Congress campaign, please visit: http://www.tammyduckworth.com/

To support the Raja for Congress campaign, please visit: http://rajaforcongress.com/

The AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we address the chronic under-representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Americans (AAPIs) as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office.

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Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, AAA Fund, Illinois, Running for Office

DNC AAPI Leaders on Hoekstra Ad

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s note: Mike Honda is the Honorary Chair of AAA Fund, and Bel Leong-Hong is a long standing board member of AAA Fund. Good to see Democrats and Republicans pulling together in opposition to Hoekstra ad.

Statement from DNC Vice Chair Congressman Mike Honda and DNC AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong on Hoekstra’s Racially-Charged Super Bowl Campaign Ad

- Rep. Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Emeritus:

“Pete Hoekstra’s Super Bowl campaign ad, is a despicable example of Republican race-baiting cloaked in the guise of genuine political debate and, quite simply, is offensive to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Hoekstra stoops to using racial stereotypes and fails to engage honestly and credibly on the issues. The only point of an ad like this is to gin up anti-Asian American sentiment at a time when we need to be united as a nation in order to move all Americans forward.

There’s no room – anytime, anywhere – for this kind of ignorance and intolerance in campaigning or governing. The hard-working families of Michigan deserve real debate and real solutions. Sadly, Pete Hoekstra’s latest ad clearly demonstrates that he lacks the values and vision to move Michigan forward. Hoekstra merely offers the kind of ignorance and intolerance that harms every single family in Michigan and beyond.”

Bel Leong-Hong, DNC AAPI Caucus Chair:

“Ads like these that play on fear and racial stereotypes must never be tolerated. We must focus on the economic issues at hand, because the people of Michigan deserve better. Our nation deserves better representatives in Congress who can stick to the issues and not use harmful, divisive measures for political gain.”

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Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, AAA Fund, APA Officeholders, Caroline, Congress, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Running for Office, Social Justice

You Heard It Here First

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

AAA-Fund endorses Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi for Congress.  More details to follow.

– Gautam Dutta

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, AAA Fund, Congress, Democratic Party, Gautam Dutta, Grassroots Activism, Illinois

#ApologizePete: Take down your offensive ad & website

February 6, 2012 By 1 Comment

I just created a petition to say #ApologizePete calling for former Rep. Pete Hoekstra to 1) apologize for his racist ad and website, 2) pull the ad and website, and 3) acknowledge the contributions that AAPIs make to Michigan. Please sign and spread the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/apologizepete-take-down-your-xenophobic-a

An eagle-eyed friend noticed that the website actually describes the actress in the ad as “yellowgirl” in the website coding. Nice! Way to increase your racist/sexist quotient.

#ApologizePete: Take down your offensive ad

Millions of people watched former Republican Congressman Pete Hoekstra’s Super Bowl ad that aired in Michigan bashing Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) by playing on and inciting fears of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

The ad stirs xenophobic fears with an obviously Asian American woman speaking in broken English: “Your economy get very, very weak, ours get very good. We take your jobs.” It plays upon the stereotype of the “China doll” and conflates Asian Americans, who are struggling with the highest long-term unemployment, with Asians. In addition, his website dismissively uses the term “yellowgirl” to describe the actress of said commercial. The whole campaign is offensive to all Americans, including African American ministers in Michigan who spoke out, and even senior Republican strategists who have called the ad “really, really dumb.”

Broadcasting these xenophobic sentiments in Michigan, on the 30th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s violent murder at the hands of men who blamed Japan for the plight of the auto industry, is just fanning anti-Asian American sentiment. Hoekstra dismissed the ad as simply being “satirical” but the fact is that anti-AAPI hate crimes have increased since September 11, 2001. This kind of divisive rhetoric isn’t harmless, it can have real world consequences.

Furthermore, Hoekstra’s anti-Asian American sentiment can drive the same jobs out of Michigan that he is purportedly addressing. In 2010, AAPI buying power in the state totaled $9 billion—an increase of 385.1% since 1990, and Michigan’s 21,589 AAPI-owned businesses had sales and receipts of $7.7 billion and employed 66,293 people in 2007 (Immigration Policy Center.) For those of us who support developing jobs and small businesses that will revive the state’s economy, his message is off-putting and nonsensical.

We would expect our current and former representatives to honor that history and not seek to repeat it. We call on U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra to (1) apologize for his ad, (2) recognize the strong contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other immigrant groups in the state of Michigan, (3) and take down his ad and his website.

–Caroline

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, Caroline, Republican Party, Running for Office

AAA-Fund Condemns Racist Superbowl Ad

February 6, 2012 By 1 Comment

Asian American Action Fund Calls on Pete Hoekstra to Remove Racially Offensive Ad and  Apologize to Asian American & Pacific Islander Community

No One Should Pander to Xenophobia on the Eve of the 30th Anniversary of Vincent Chin’s Death

WASHINGTON, DC — The Asian American Action Fund today called on Senate candidate and former U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra to remove an offensive campaign advertisement and apologize to the Asian American community. The insensitive advertisement, aired during Super Bowl XLVI in Michigan, depicts a woman of Asian descent speaking in broken English, wearing a straw hat and riding a bicycle around a rice paddy.

“The AAA-Fund is outraged to see former Representative Pete Hoekstra rely on such offensive stereotypes at the expense of Asian Americans,” said Gautam Dutta, executive director of the AAA-Fund. “We are appalled at the cheap shots taken against the Asian American community to score political points particularly as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of Vincent Chin. Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by workers seeking to blame Japan for the plight of the auto industry. We would expect our current and former representatives to honor that history and not seek to repeat it. We call on candidate Pete Hoekstra to apologize and take down his ad.”

The Hoekstra campaign’s defense of the ad to POLITICO by calling it “satirical” is perhaps even more troubling to AAA-Fund. Dutta said, “If they really wanted to make a point about Chinese competitiveness and their bilingual ability, they should not have relied on an American actor filmed in California speaking in a broken English that is reminiscent of Asian prostitutes saying ‘Me love you long time’ in Hollywood films.”

Asian Americans are one of the fast growing ethnic groups in the United States. Michigan has seen over 100% growth in its Asian American population in the last decade.

The AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we promote the leadership development of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office.

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, AAA Fund, Civil Rights/Liberties, Congress, Grassroots Activism, Republican Party, Social Justice, The Editors

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012: Rep. Mike Honda Fundraiser

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Please Join
Bel Leong-Hong
Shekar Narasimhan
Dr. Gloria Wu
Robert Y. Tsien
Irene Bueno
Mona Mohib
AAA-Fund
(committee in formation)

In celebration of the Year of the Dragon
At a reception in honor of
Congressman Mike Honda
Candidate, California 17th Congressional District
Appropriations Committee
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Chair Emeritus
DNC Vice-Chair

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
6:30pm-8:30pm
Democratic National Committee Building
The Wasserman Room
430 South Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC

Requested Contributions:
Host * PAC $5,000/Individual $1,000
Sponsor * PAC $2,500/ Individual $500
Guest * PAC $1,000/ Individual $250
Young Professional * $75

RSVP to Aleli Gapero at / or / (301) 948-1682
Alison Woodworth at
/(202) 547-6656
Make contributions payable to:
Honda for Congress
625 3rd St. NE #2
Washington, DC 20002
FEC ID # C00351379
Or contribute securely online at http://bit.ly/020112DCEvent

Contributions to Mike Honda for Congress are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. We cannot accept contributions from corporations, labor unions, government contractors, and foreign nationals who are not permanent residents. All contributions must be made from personal funds and may not be received by any other person. An individual may contribute a maximum amount of $2,500 per election (the primary and general are separate elections) to a federal candidate. Federal multi-candidate political action committees (PACs) may contribute $5,000 per election. Corporations and individuals are strictly prohibited from reimbursing another person for making a contribution to Honda for Congress.

Paid for and authorized by Honda for Congress
Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, California Tagged With:

February 15, 2012: Tammy Duckworth Fundraiser

January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Tammy Duckworth, Democrat for Congress (IL-8)

Join Rep. Mike Honda, Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Bel Leong-Hong, Pat Webb, America’s Opportunity Fund (AOF), and the AAA Fund to support Tammy Duckworth, Democrat for Congress (IL-8).

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
6:30-8:30pm
National Democratic Club Townhouse
40 Ivy St SE, Washington, DC

RSVP at the Facebook event. Donate online at www.TammyDuckworth.com.

$1000 – Host | $500 – Sponsor | $250 Individual | $100 Young Professional

Contributions to Duckworth for Congress are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. By law,contributions from corporations, labor unions or federal government contractors cannot be accepted. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.
Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign Tagged With:

Congressional Fellowship on Housing with APAICS

January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

APAICS is Now Accepting Applications for the AREAA Housing Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. (2012 – 2013)

The Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) join together to establish the AREAA Housing Fellowship Program. This is a congressional fellowship program administered by APAICS to provide fellows with the unique educational experience as full-time staff in the U.S. Congress. The purpose is to develop a pipeline of leaders who are dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the housing and community development context.

Applicants must have a strong commitment to public service, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and must have demonstrated experience in the field of housing and community development. The AREAA Fellow will be placed in a congressional office and will work on housing and community development issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, along with other important issues facing the US Congress. The fellow will also participate in special events hosted by APAICS and AREAA.

Founded in 1994, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.

Founded in 2003, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) is a nonprofit professional trade organization dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a powerful national voice for housing and real estate professionals that serve this dynamic market. AREAA is the sponsor of this fellowship program.

Term: May 2012 – May 2013

Benefits:
➢ Fellowship placement in a congressional office, federal agency, or non-profit organization
➢ $35,000 fellowship stipend
➢ Separate stipend for basic health insurance coverage
➢ Complimentary air travel to and from Washington, D.C. (U.S. continental travel provided by Southwest Airlines)
➢ Leadership trainings led by APAICS staff
➢ Networking opportunities at numerous APAICS events
➢ Access to a lifelong national network of APAICS alumni

Minimum requirements to apply for the AREAA 2012 – 2013 Fellowship Program:
➢ Demonstrated interest in the political process and public policy
➢ Experience in the field of housing and community development
➢ Demonstrated understanding of Asian American and Pacific Islander issues
➢ Demonstrated leadership experience
➢ Excellent oral and written skills
➢ Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution
➢ Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
➢ U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency by September 1, 2011

Please submit the following required documents to APAICS Program Director at AREAAFellowship@apaics.org in a PDF document by March 1, 2012:

➢ A cover letter addressing why you should be selected for an APAICS Fellowship Program and how the fellowship will further your personal and professional goals

➢ A writing sample of 500 words or less answering the following question: What role does the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) play and why do you want to be an integral part of the work of the Housing Task Force of the Caucus?

➢ A writing sample of 500 words or less answering the following question: What do you think is the most pressing housing or community development issue facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander community? If you were a policymaker, how would you address this issue?

➢ Resume

➢ Two (2) letters of recommendations

➢ Official transcripts

Your application will not be considered until these documents are received. Semi-finalists will be contacted for a telephone interview. All applicants will receive a final decision by April 2012. If you have questions, please contact APAICS Program Director at AREAAfellowship@apaics.org or (202) 296-9200.

For additional questions, contact Program Director at AREAAfellowship@apaics.org.

–Caroline

Filed Under: 2011-2012 Campaign, Caroline, Job Postings
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