Asian American Social Movements: Strategies for Community Education

Asian American Social Movements:
Strategies for Community Education

Asian American Studies M116; class ticket number: 121-701-200
(also cross-listed: LBR & WS M116; class ticket number: 242-396-200)

Community Event: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Community Event #1

Student Solidarity for Los Angeles Hotel Workers
Protest at Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd.
Protest at South Asian Student Association (SASA) Conference
Jan. 13-15

For more information, contact Sejal Patel (patelski@ucla.edu)

For the past 10 months, there has been an active labor dispute at the Wilshire Grand Hotel because . . .

Hotel housekeepers in Los Angeles are paid below the federal poverty level and $8 per hour less than in New York.
The federal government is investigating charges that the hotels have illegally threatened workers.
They terminated the Union Contract and won't sign a new one.
They make workers pay to get family health insurance, which the union charges is illegal.
Due to inhumane workloads, housekeepers have more on the job injuries than coal miners.

SASA is an important part of South Asian American youth culture. Unfortunately, this year SASA has chosen to ignore appeals from the community and the Hotel workers to move the conference. They also made a choice to withhold information about the boycott from unaware conference goers, forcing you to cross a boycott line that you might not want to cross!

This year, SASA has chosen to cross a worker-sanctioned boycott, but you can choose to respect the worker sanctioned boycott!

Community Event #2

Tsunami benefit concert

Sunday January 23, 2 pm
Senshin Buddhist Temple (located near USC)

Suggested donation $20 -- Refreshments will be provided.

Including a jugalbandhi performance of classical ragas featuring:

violinist Jagannathan Ramamoorthy, sitarist Paul Livingstone & tabla player Leonice Shinneman.

In support of the victims of the recent disaster in Southeast Asia, we invite you to join us for a concert representing traditions of dance and music from countries impacted by the disaster -- Thailand , Indonesia , and India . Introducing the afternoon will be the children's orchestra of classical music from Wat Thai L.A. They range in age from 5 to 18 and perform on traditional Thai instruments. The Indonesian traditions are represented by Burat Wanei, performers of Balinese traditional music and dance led by I Nyoman & Nanik Wenten, internationally praised performer and choreographer. The Indian portion of the concert will feature a jugalbandi performance with violinist Jagannathan Ramamoorthy, sitarist Paul Livingstone, and tabla player Leonice Shinneman.

All proceeds from this concert will be donated to Operation USA to aid the many victims of the region. 100% of every donation goes directly to our relief efforts in the affected regions. Presented by Senshin Buddhist Temple , Sangeet School of World Music, BALA ( Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles )

Senshin Buddhist Temple
1311 W. 37th St .
(323) 731- 4617

for more info fetlock@earthlink.net or call (323) 662-6052

(1 block east of Normandie, near USC with easy access off 110 or 10 Freeways)

Since 1979 Operation USA has garnered a reputation for innovation, care & speed as we send relief flights throughout the world. Hundreds of American corporations have contributed their products and services to our relief and development programs. Thousands of donors have entrusted us with contributions and a growing number of foundations including United Nations and other non-profit agencies have partnered with us. For further info., go to http://opusa.org

About the performers:

Burat Wanei is a group of students trained in Balinese dance and music by I Nyoman Wenten and his wife Nanik at the California Institute of the Arts. Wenten is one of Bali 's most accomplished and versatile dancers and musicians, and is celebrated as a teacher and performer. He is known not only for his work in traditional Indonesian music and dance, but also for his creative east-west fusion of composition and performance work.

A grade All India Radio violinist Jagannathan Ramamoorthy trained initially in Carnatic (South Indian) Music, from the age of seven to 19 yrs and then shifted to North Indian Vocal and Violin. Became a disciple of violin virtuosa Dr. N. Rajam and also trained by Mrs. Malini Rajurkar and Pt. V.U. Rajurkar of the Gwalior Gharana of Indian music. Jaganath has worked for All India Radio as a performer and composer, since 1990 and is currently an MFA student at Cal Arts.

Born in Beruit , Lebanon , Paul Livingstone is an international performing artist on the sitar, various world strings and fretless guitar of his own design. He studied North Indian classical music under the late Amiya Dasgupta, and continues rigorous training under Dr. Rajeev Taranath and Pt. Ravi Shankar. Paul has also developed a unique style of playing on a 9 string fretless guitar on which he plays Indian ragas, jazz, and creative new music. For more info go to www.tanpura.com.

Leonice Shinneman is recognized as the foremost American disciple of the legendary tabla master, Pandit Taranath Rao. Leonice continued with Pt Ravi Bellare in the Farukkhabad style. Leonice's research on calculations in the tala system has shed new light on improvising rhythmic resolutions. Lessons with renowned South Indian Ghatam master T.H. Subash Chandran have led to mastery of Karnatic percussion. Leonice has given tabla and pakhawaj solos in the U.S.A. Europe, India , Mexico and has performed in concert with Amiya Dasgupta, L. Shankar, Ganasaraswathy, Zakir Hussain and Rajeev Taranath.

The orchestra of classical music of Wat Thai, Los Angeles consists of children ranging from 5-years-old to teenagers. The group was formed almost thirty years ago during the early days of the temple construction. The Thai music tradition flourishes here in the U.S. with teachers brought every year from Thailand to train the more than thirty students working at varying levels of proficiency.

Community Event #3

Khmer Girls in Action of Long Beach presents

"Yellow Lounge"

"Hear our stories and witness our truth."

A celebration of cultural expressions, live performances, and readings from "A Room of Her Own" -- a publication of short stories and poetry by and about young Khmer women in Long Beach

Sunday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.

Registration begins from 4 p.m.

Reception to follow program

University Theatre
Cal State Long Beach

University Theatre is located off Seventh Street on the south side of the campus. Follow signs to Parking Lot 7.

For more information, call (562) 986-9415

Community Event #4

Solidarity Action for Assi Market Workers

What: February Parking Action

When: Monday, February 7

Time: 5pm – 7pm

Where: Assi parking lot

( 3525 W 8th St )

What to do: Park in the parking lot and then come up to the coffee shop where you will be provided with the messages of support and tape.

It's that time of month again! We will be having a parking lot action on Monday, Feb 7, from 5pm – 7pm. We will be parking inside the Assi parking lot with general messages of support for workers on our cars and meeting at the coffee shop in the upstairs shopping area. Please come to support the brave workers at Assi supermarket, get an update on the campaign, and share some coffee with fellow activists!

If you would like to participate or have any questions, please call: Cindy – (213) 738-9050

Cindy Cho

Community Organizer
Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates
3465 W 8th Street
Los Angeles , CA 90005
213.738.9050 x 108 (T)
213.738.9919 (F)
choys@kiwa.org

Community Event #5

Philippine Studies Conference: "Turning Knowledge into Action"

February 18-20, 2005

California State University , Dominguez Hills

Conference Fee: $35/$25 PSP Alumni (includes workshops, speakers, variety show and conference dinner)

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/rabanal/psp

Alumni from the Philippine Studies Program in collaboration with Philippine Forum will have its first annual Philippine Studies Conference: "Turning Knowledge into Action" on February 18-20, 2005. The conference will take place at California State University , Dominguez Hills in Carson , CA .

This conference will bring together participants from around the United States who participated in the 2003 and 2004 Philippines Studies Program. Even though this conference will be focused on our collective experience in the Philippines all individuals (students, community organizers, and concerned citizens) interested in issues relating to Filipino communities both local and abroad are welcome to attend. Workshops scheduled to take place will include topics such as:

1) Philippine Studies Research facilitated by Philippine Studies 2003/2004 Research Participants

2) United States Primer: "Social Injustices and Social Movements" facilitated by Jay Mendoza, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)

3) Philippines Primer: "From the Root to the Fruit: Basic Contradictions in Philippine Society and its Relationship to Filipino Americans" facilitated by Anakbayan Seattle

4) National Charter Society: Development Workshop facilitated by Philippine Studies Coordinating Committee

5) World War II Veterans Workshop facilitated by Kuusela Hilo with Student Action for Veteran's Equity and WWII Veterans

Saturday night: Live performances by alum from the

Philippine Studies program and other local acts. The featured performers are L.A's very own NATIVE GUNS, consisting of pinoy lyrical headhunters KIWI and BAMBU. They have rocked crowds up and down California as well as New York City , Seattle , Chicago , and Florida with their fearless combination of hard-hitting beats, machine gun lyricism, and unapologetic critical content.

The keynote and welcome speaker is Rick Bonus, Professor at the University of Washington and author of Locating Filipino Americans: Ethnicity and Cultural Politics of Space. The closing speaker for this conference is Julia Camagong, co-director of Philippine Forum, a community organization in the New York metropolitan area devoted to helping Filipinos in the United States raise their social and historical consciousness, and organize themselves for their social and political rights and economic well-being.

If you have questions about the conference or you are interested in co-sponsoring the event please email: philstudconference@hotmail.com

Please register at

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/rabanal/psp/

and payment are due by Jan 31, 2005.

Community Event #6

Day of Remembrance — "Questioning Loyalty: A Challenge to Democracy"

Saturday, Feb. 19, 2 - 4 p.m.

Japanese American National Museum
369 E. First St.
Little Tokyo

Sponsored by Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, JACL, and Japanese American National Museum

Community Event #7

Note: One part of this event (Area One) is $10 admissions and for those 21 years old and older, and a second part (Area Two) is free and for people of all ages.

Asiatic Empire presents . . .

the 3rd annual DOUBLE STANDARD Lunar New Year Festival

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Year of the Rooster

Event website: www.asiaticempire.com

Grand Star Jazz Club

943 N. Broadway
Chinatown , LA 90012

AREA ONE (dance club, 21+, $10, 9PM-2AM)

DJ HIDEO (100.3 The Beat LA)

+HE OP+IMIS+ (Plan 9 Entertainment)

DJ ULTRAMAN ( Cerritos All-Stars)

DJ ANT

AREA TWO (free & all ages music concert, 4PM-12:30AM)

hosted by DUMBFOUNDEAD (Jeet Kune Flow)

political Azn raps:

DENIZEN KANE (Typical Cats/Two Tongues), JUPITERSCIPLES, ILL AGAIN, NOCANDO (Project Blowed), ELEMENTS OF THE OUTER REALM, PRACH LY, SHIN-B (femcee), 71RAW (Little Saigon), HEP THA TIGHTEST MC (Seattle), SKIM (femcee), KOVERT LIVE, DOC WHISPER, LYRICALL VIRUSS, FURIS & BRENDA (Jeet Kune Flow), HAVOK, DJ DENKYM, DJ ARCANE, DJ SOULSPEAK

spoken word:

D'LO, SOPHAY, EDDIE KIM

bands:

THOMAS' APARTMENT (Viet rock), INVID, BLUEKEYCORETET

comedy:

ROSIE TRAN, RANDALL PARK

live art:

CHINATOWN ANGELS, LARRY HO

plus:

spoken word open mic @ 6PM

MC Battle at midnight ($100 prize)

for more info & full schedule:

ahkwon@yahoo.com

www.asiaticempire.com

a portion of proceeds benefit Aide to Sri Lankan Tsunami Victims & workers' struggles for justice