Asian American/Pacific Islander

1. Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) • Consist of racial/ethnic groups to include Filipino, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Tongan, Cambodian, et cetera • Approximately 16.6 million AAPIs reside in the U.S. (Approximately 5.4% of U.S. population) • By 2050, AAPIs will make up 9.7% of the total United States population -- over 40 million people • AAPIs represent over 30 countries and ethnic groups that speak over 100 different languages

2. Asian Pacific American Customs and Traditions

3. Customs and Traditions • Tea • Dim Sum • Rice • Origami • FengShui • Maori Haka – Maori War Dance to show strength and put fear in the enemy • Filipino Stick Dance (Tinikling) – Filipino Cultural Dance used to celebrate Filipino pride and culture

4. Tea In China tea was probably used as a relish and as a medicine. Tea was first brewed as a medicine around 2700 B.C. in the western mountains of China. Tea was likely seen as healthy in part because it was made with boiled water, which is safer to drink in areas of contaminated water.

5. DIM SUM It literally means “to touch your heart”, Dim Sum consist of a variety of dumplings, steamed dishes and other goodies. It is similar to hors d’oeuvres.

6. Rice Rice is Asia’s staple food and pivotal to the Asian way of life, culture, customs, traditions and spirituality. Over 3 billion Asians live on rice. Rice is cooked in 500 different ways. It is also used to produce wine, liqueur and beer.

7. Oragami Origami: is the art of folding paper. “Ori” means to fold and “gami” means paper. Together it forms the word “origami.” It is an art form that has been handed down from parent to child through many generations. One of the most popular shapes is the crane.

8. FengShui “FengShui” is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. “Feng” means wind and “Shui” means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with Good health, thus good FengShui came to mean good fortune, while bad FengShui means bad luck or misfortune.

9. Other Customs and Traditions • Value hard work and family • Most remove shoes before entering the home • Adults speak to children, one way conversation • Shame and guilt used to control and train children • Parents structure children’s lives for academic • success

10. FAMILY VALUES & ASSIMILATION • Family Structure • Role of Women • Immigration/Emigration • Acceptance/Integration in American Society

11. FAMILY STRUCTURE Hierarchy Patriarchal • Father • Head of family • Authoritative, Strict • Responsible for economic survival • Disciplinarian • Mother • Oversee emotional functioning of family • Nurturer • Buffer between father and children

12. ROLE OF WOMEN

13. IMMIGRATION/EMIGRATION

14. ACCEPTANCE/INTEGRATION INTO AMERICAN SOCIETY

15. Political Leaders and Role Models • Norman Y. Mineta, the first Asian American cabinet secretary in American history. He co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus which is a bicameral caucus consisting of members of the United States Congress who have a strong interest in promoting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues and advocating the concerns of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. • Gary Locke: is an American politician who has been the United States Ambassador to China since 2011. He was the 21st Governor of Washington from 1997 to 2005 and served in the Obama administration as United States Secretary of Commerce from 2009 to 2011. He was appointed as Ambassador to China on August 1, 2011. • Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of the Veterans Administration • Sonal Shah, head of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

16. Scientists/Researchers • Wen Ho Lee: created simulations of nuclear explosions for the purposes of scientific inquiry, as well as for improving the safety and reliability of the US nuclear arsenal. • David Ho: is a Taiwanese American AIDS researcher famous for pioneering the use of protease inhibitors in treating HIV-infected patients with his team.

17. Authors • Iris Chang: wrote a widely-acclaimed book focused on Chinese immigrants and their descendants in the United States — their sacrifices, their achievements and their contributions to the fabric of American culture, an epic journey spanning more than 150 years. • Momo Chang: is a freelance journalist based in Oakland, California and her stories range from uncovering working conditions in nail salons, to stories about “invisible minorities” like Tongan youth and Iu Mien farmers. • Ken Choy: is a screenwriter, actor, producer, journalist, teacher, and director. He has won awards and fellowships for his screenwriting, performance art, and playwriting.

18. Athletes & Entertainers • Troy AumuaPolamalu: He is of Samoan descent and plays strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) • Manny Pacquiao: is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first and only eight-division world champion, in which he has won ten world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani. • Dwayne Douglas Johnson: also known by his ring name “The Rock” is one of the most decorated champions in Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment and one of today’s most popular actors.

19. Asian American/Pacific Islander Military Service • Have served on behalf of the United States Military since the War of 1812 (1st recorded in 1815) • Fought for both the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War (next recorded in 1861 – John Tommy joined New York Regulars, died of wounds at Battle of Gettysburgh) • After Civil War served primarily in the U.S. Navy until the Phillipine/American war • Began attending Military academies at start of the 20th Century (Vicente Lim – West Point Graduate class of 1914)

20. Military Contributions • Private Jose Nisperos, was a member of the Philippine Scouts who received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War. He was the first Asian to be awarded the medal. On September 24, 1911, at Lapurap, Basilan, Philippines, Nísperos, a member of the U.S. Army's 34th Company of the Philippine Scouts, defended his unit's position against natives armed with spears despite being severely wounded. Nísperos became the first Filipino and Asian to receive the medal of honor; the medal was presented by Brigadier General Bell in February 1913. Trinidad has been the only Asian American recipient of the naval version of the Medal of Honor • Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad was a Filipino firemanwho in 1915, along with Ensign Robert Webster Cary, was awarded the Medal of Honor for saving fellow crewmembers when the boiler of the U.S.S. San Diego exploded. As of 2011, Trinidad has been the only Asian American recipient of the naval version of the Medal of Honor

21. Military Service (cont) • Asian and Pacific Island service fell into obscurity until World War II when significant contributions were noted. (served as pilots, map readers and other various roles among the Air Force) • After de-segregation of military forces in 1948, Asian American/Pacific Islanders begun serving amongst all units in the uniformed services. • Asian American/Pacific Islander Soldiers serving in Korea and Vietnam earned all valorous medals to include the Medal of Honor

22. Military Service (cont) • In today’s military Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders hold positions at all levels of military service, to include a Army National Guardsman unit in the country of Guam.

23. . Laws, Legislation and Legal Issues Facing Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

24. The Asian Pacific American Legal Center promotes cultural and ethnic awareness, celebrates the diversity brought by Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage and fights for equality and justice for all AAPI residents of the U.S.

25. Reunification of Families: A Critical Legal Issue for Many AAPI Families Reducing Visa Backlogs: Reunite families by immediately and expeditiously clearing out bureaucratic backlogs for family-based immigration visas that have caused AAPI families in the U.S. (including military families) to be separated for as long as two decades. Nearly half of the 4.3 million family members waiting abroad in family backlogs are from Asian countries. Special attention should be devoted to the five countries facing the longest waits, four of which are in Asia: China, India, Philippines, and Vietnam.

26. Fairness, Equality, and Due Process in Adjudication of Refugee and Political Asylum Cases There is pending legislation in Congress to ensure that AAPI immigrants and refugees are guaranteed fair court proceedings and meaningful review of their individual cases by amending the 1996 laws to repeal mandatory detention laws and reinstate judicial discretion and due process. Congress is also considering the expansion of services such as interpretation and translation assistance and access to medical care, mental health services, and legal counsel for AAPI family members who are refugees or applying for political asylum.

27. Pending Legislation to Decrease Racial & Religious Profiling and Overreaching National Security Justifications Targeting AAPI Residents Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, AAPI residents of the U.S. feel strongly that immigration authorities have increasingly targeted their community (including military members) with little regard for individual rights. The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) Program is being considered for elimination because it targets travelers based solely on their national origin or religion. Strict and broad prohibitions on the use of race and religion in enforcement of federal law must become the universal norm. AAPI citizens have been unjustly detained by Federal authorities based only on their race and ethnicity.

28. Contemporary Issues Facing American Asian/Pacific Islander • Poverty rates among AAPI (12.6%) is on par with national average of 12.4% • Cambodia leads poverty rate (29.3%) followed by Laotian (18.5%) and Vietnamese (16.6%) in U.S. • This is due in part to a limited English speaking proficiency of immigrants • AAPI immigration counts for 1/3 of the 1 million immigrants annually entering the U.S. becoming one of the fastest growing racial demographics

29. Contemporary Issues (cont) • The limitation on English proficiency also is a main factor in getting employment and/or sufficient housing and healthcare • Cancer is the leading cause of death among AAPI with cervical cancer being the leader among women • Hepatitis B affects 1.3-1.5 million people annually in the U.S. with ½ of that being from the AAPI demographic • In Hawaii, AAPI 20 years or older more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than their white(non-hispanic) counterparts

30. Importance of Conducting Annual Observance • Asian Pacific Heritage Month – May • Authority – First Presidential Proclamation – August 1973 • References for Military Notables www.army.mil/asianpacificsoldiers www.asianpacificheritage.gov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Shinseki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Asian_Americans

31. CONCLUSIONQUESTIONS?