“If all of us were gone, Shawn, you’d be the only one sitting here.” said senior Khai Troung at the now historical minority protest held on Martin Luther King Day.

During the course of the next few days, these words haunted my mind.. Toward the end of the protest, I sat with the few Asian Americans remaining. Unfortunately, I was the only non-senior in the crowd.. Quickly a make-fun-of-the newbie session turned into a ugly realization: I was the only “young generation” Asian American there.

I came to realize that the younger generation seemed almost nonexistent during the latter course of the protest. I began to wonder if my generation of Asian Americans actually “cared” about any of the issues presented. In fact, I pondered if they cared about issues of diversity at all.

The older generation of asians has had the experience of actually watching the creation and uprising of many of the asian student groups and their ideals. Among them was the creation of an asian culture center. This became their passion, their dream, while my generation of young adults seem to overlook the meaning behind all of their efforts. In essence, the younger generation Asian Americans do not have a conscious sense of ownership in these organizations and these issues.

I think that my generation should wake up and take a good hard look at what they now have in their hands. A legacy is now forming. The older generation has provided a dream, and we must carry out their dreams. We must stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, so we can materialize the dreams of tomorrow. Who of you will carry the torch of student activism into the future?

I recently received a copy of Bridging the Gap and I loved it! It’s great to see how much AAA is doing this year. For those of you who don’t know me, let me introduce myself… my name is Ellen Wu, I graduated from IU in May. Now I’m a first year in the masters program in asian american studies at UCLA. it’s very strange to go from a school where we fight for asian american studies (the bare bones!) to one where there is an asian am. studies center! not to mention a student body of around 40% asians! Is that crazy or what? Just try to imagine it!

However, even though I am in what is a dream land of sorts, I do miss IU! Although in Bloomington there aren’t a lot of the things you can find here on every street corner (cheap Thai restaurants and sushi bars, hot asian guys(!), sanrio surprise), there’s a lot to be said about a small, close-knit community. The asian american pop. Here is so huge, it’s actually quite overwhelming. In some ways, that’s great, but in other ways, it’s really hard to get your foot in the door and meet all the great people.

So I guess my point is, you guys are doing some great work! I’m sure people tell you this time and time again, but GET INVOLVED!!! when I look back on my years at IU what really sticks out in my mind and what I keep close to my heart is the asian community. My life would not be what it is today without AAA, ASU , KGD, etc. etc. and that’s the truth, ruth!

Best wishes for a fantastic year,
Ellen

With our faculty advisor of many years gone to Hong Kong for the duration of this school year, AAA has been fortunate enough to have found a new faculty sponsor, Angela C. Pao, Ph.D. When asked if she ever anticipated coming to a place like IU, the answer was a “no.”

“It never occured to me, but my sister’s family had lived in South Bend for a few years, so Indiana was a familiar concept.”

The concept became reality for Dr. Pao when she accepted a “wonderful position” in Comparative Literature that would allow her to be involved in both theatre studies and Asian American studies.

The move from environments with a large Asian American presence and support base to a campus with a relatively microscopic population of Asian Americans is a drastic change.

However, when Dr. Pao discovered that there were indeed Asian Americans here at IU, she felt it seemed “very important and appealing to be part of a group of people with similar cultural backgrounds or experiences.”

Angela Pao
Current job: Assistant prof., Comparative Literature
Education: Received doctorate from University of California, Berkeley. She taught in the Asian American studies department during her grauduate years.
Published materials: papers on 19th century French theatre; analysis on David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly.
Current project: completing book on Orientalism

Consequently, she decided to become involved with AAA as our advisor.

Dr. Pao admits though, this is the first time she has worked with a student group. Most of her previous involvement has been with professional Asian American organizations.

Some of the goals Dr. Pao hopes to accomplish for AAA and Asian Americans on this campus include offering courses in Asian American literature and culture that will involve speakers, screenings, and readings that would be of interest to AAA members.

“Once the Asian American Cultural Center opens, I’m interested in helping plan events and exhibitions…and building the research resources on campus for Asian American studies,” Dr. Pao said.

When our AAA advisor is not in the classroom lecturing, writing, or putting up with Bridging the Gap staff writers (you don’t have to include that part), she enjoys taking dance classes.

“I once wanted to be either a jockey or a ballerina,” said Dr. Pao.

Finally, when asked if she could be any food or dish, what would she be, Dr. Pao replied, “scrambled eggs – this is a metaphor.” Whether she prefers to be vegan style egg beaters or natural farm fresh grade A eggs, remains to be answered.

Currently, one of the most inspiring move towards the creation and evolution of a cohesive force among Asian Americans in Bloomington is the drive for a literal “home away from home.”

As the sun peels away the thick coat of snow off from the ground and the trees burst into fresh greenery, just try to visualize a small corner on the campus ground that you can call “a place of our own.”

Have you ever heard of a home, far away from home? Where we can turn bare walls , and dusty tables, into a place of our own. Where we can make riends and do things that we have never known. Where there are smiling faces all around, and friends who follow and words of encouragement, making us stars of our shows.

This is it then: a cultural center as a means to reach out…. to grab hold of our past and of our heritage and revive it by holding out our hands and hearts to each other in the present and in the future.

It’s only a proposal in its infancy….. and it could grow into a building of grand architectural potential and it could be draped in magnificent feng-shui.

But ultimately, it’s the attitudes of those who use the place and who take care of the place that will harness the spirit of fraternity and solidarity- and this forms the foundations of even intending to build the cultural center.

So when it comes, be ready with your support and who knows: it may even begin to fulfill it’s namesake and truly evolve into a center of our community.