Last semester’s winter semi-formal held at Fisherman’s Dock. The theme of the dance was “The Oscars.” The ballroom was decorated with movie paraphernalia and balloons, giving it the feel of an awards ceremony. People were dressed to kill. Over 100 people showed up to the dance, making it a success. People could give donations at the front door for the Asian American Aids Foundation.

The party started off with music provided by a DJ. Food and drinks were catered at the party. A limbo contest was held and prizes were given out to the winners. The dance was a success. All the beautiful people were at the dance. If you missed the winter semiformal, be sure not to miss the Unity Dance February 22nd.

There’s just as much integration as there is separation

America has always been known as the melting pot of cultures. Yet amidst this unity in diversity, there is still many nuances and subtlties that hinder the meld into a so-called universal spirit.

Contrasting cultures can not be bridged so easily over a mere century of immigration. Thus, though integration into the pop culture here in America is possible, many ethnic groups still question if complete assimilation is plausible. Many minority groups still prefer to hang out with those from the same grassroots as themselves. Maybe it’s a question of communication. Maybe it’s a question of human nature. Who knows the answer.

But basically, every person needs some friends to relate to, some group to identity themselves with, some emotional anchor to help create a sense of belonging and guide the ships of our ambitions and dreams into the harbor of success. American-born Asians have it slightly harder than most international students- born in a land far away from their parents homeland, it’s a struggle to define their roles and positions in the society they are in.

Whatever cultural and language is basically seeped from their immediate family over here in America. And there is also the Western influence of ideals and lifestyles. So it’s basically a nebulous compromise of East and West that most Asian Americans subscribe to- a blend of attitudes and preceptions that is unique to the Western world as it is to the Orient. With the evolution of this new culture, a greater sense of cohesion is being generated among the Asian American community and the AAA here in Bloomington is a fine example of how this new generation from all across America is able to find a close and united group of friends with whom to share the best years of their college life together.

Life is a journey and not a destination. Through this strange travel of ours, we will meet many faces and shake many hands. Some will be closer friends, others may be slightly more distant acquaintances.

And those with the same roots and same beliefs will always have a special place in our hearts. Yet friendship transcends all barriers of language and culture, so let’s always remember to reach out as far as our hearts and hands and voices can.

And someday, maybe not tommorrow, maybe not even for another decade, but one day, the minority groups will grow into a united whole, where culture and language is no longer an impediment but rather a interesting overlap which we can all share and learn from. Auspicium Melioris Aevi.

The student protest held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a day for all minorities to come together and demand change. Some of the demands were met and others are still pending, waiting for approval from the Bloomington Faculty Council. The list of demands made by the Student Coalition were:

• the establishment of an Asian Culture Center
• appointment of an Asian American Advocacy Dean
• recognize the King Holiday
• implementation of a Latino Studies Department
• increase in the number of Non-White and Women faculty
• maintain/expand the Office of Diversity Programs
• funding and permanence for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Office

The negotiators, consisting of six people from the coalition, negotiated from early afternoon until evening with Vice President Kenneth Gros Louis. After long hours of negotiating, every demand was somehow met. A Latino Studies Department will be established and the GLB Office will remain on campus. The university will allocate $50,000 to the establishment of an Asian Culture Center, although, further funding will need to be brought up with the Bloomington Faculty Council. As for an Asian American Advocacy Dean, Gros Louis supports it but the Bloomington Faculty Council must approve it. Increasing the number of Non-White and Women faculty and recognition of the King holiday will be discussed with the Bloomington Faculty Council. President Myles Brand supports the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day but cannot make the decision without the approval of the Bloomington Faculty Council.

January, 20, 1997 was a day of revolution for all minorities on the IU campus. Though, not all the demands were met all the way, it was a considerable step to change from the situation before. News media from Indianapolis and Bloomington covered the protest. The student protest was heard all around the state. A day that was planned out for three long years brought change to the IU Bloomington campus which was in need for change. Count this as a victory for students all across the campus.

The unprecedented events that took place on January 20th, 1997 will forever be a blazing picture of triumph through struggles. There are no descriptive words that I can utilize to express the exhilaration that embodied me on that beautiful day. Nothing that I can express will in turn do justice the same experience that transformed me. The powerful momentum of cheers of people gathered in unity whose cries of demands are the creed and principles by which one lives is truly the feeling of a holy embrace. An embrace that was so long overdue, it makes me wonder about the progressive nature of civilization.

As people of all colors, creed, sexual orientations, had gathered and rallied outside of Bryan Hall, I had a speech prepared. A speech that would educate and disseminate my opinion about “America.” However, I decided to ditch the speech. Some parts I kept, but I felt it was wrong to regurgitate what I was thinking before the protest actually happened…

Instead, I took a deep breath and absorbed the omnipresence of the many bodies gathered in support. I felt the surge of power that was not innate in me, but was fanned by the energy that rampaged in the crowd. And then I spoke:

“Today is a good day for a revolution. . . ”