Kalayaan is a word in Tagalog that means "freedom" or "independence."
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Asian America is not a monolithic concept; it cannot be located to one focus, locale, or situation. Yet, we must realize that the very term "Asian American" grew out of a collective sense of resistance amongst young peoples of different origins, uniting on their campuses and communities with an understanding of their common histories (and present times) of oppression, and a unified program for social change.
"Asian American" as a race is a subjective, social process--it grows and changes with the parallel growth and change within our communities, and we hope to reflect the diversity and wealth of opinions, reflections, and statements of our constituencies through the pieces on this blog. Moreover, we understand that through these writings, and these platforms of online networking, we may contribute to our goals and mission as an organization, and advance our commitment to issues of social and economic justice.
This is not the end in itself, but rather one of many means by which we seek to spread awareness of our concerns, commitments, and passions; to engender dialogue; and to network among like-minded students, activists, and organizers around the country.
As Yuri Kochiyama, Asian American activist, quoting African revolutionary Franz Fanon, has said many times past, "Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it." Here is our attempt.
-Ryan Fukumori & Joyce Yin
Communications Co-Chairs, NAASCon 2007-2009 board
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Asian America is not a monolithic concept; it cannot be located to one focus, locale, or situation. Yet, we must realize that the very term "Asian American" grew out of a collective sense of resistance amongst young peoples of different origins, uniting on their campuses and communities with an understanding of their common histories (and present times) of oppression, and a unified program for social change.
"Asian American" as a race is a subjective, social process--it grows and changes with the parallel growth and change within our communities, and we hope to reflect the diversity and wealth of opinions, reflections, and statements of our constituencies through the pieces on this blog. Moreover, we understand that through these writings, and these platforms of online networking, we may contribute to our goals and mission as an organization, and advance our commitment to issues of social and economic justice.
This is not the end in itself, but rather one of many means by which we seek to spread awareness of our concerns, commitments, and passions; to engender dialogue; and to network among like-minded students, activists, and organizers around the country.
As Yuri Kochiyama, Asian American activist, quoting African revolutionary Franz Fanon, has said many times past, "Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it." Here is our attempt.
-Ryan Fukumori & Joyce Yin
Communications Co-Chairs, NAASCon 2007-2009 board
1 comment:
you guys rock. the blaaag shows major love & support!
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