ECAASU 2009: Distinct Worlds, One Vision | Hosted by Rutgers University

WORKSHOPS - Session #1 (Friday, February 27th, 6:15PM - 7:15PM)

A Portrait of Chinese Americans
Facilitated by Dr. Larry Hajime Shinagawa
The most current and comprehensive profile of Chinese Americans, based on extensive Census data, has been released by the Asian American Studies Program, University of Maryland and OCA. The study offers a complete profile of Chinese Americans' socio-economic standing, educational achievements, higher education college selections, employment, civic engagement, and more. Join the masterminds behind this research in a deeper look into "A Portrait of Chinese Americans."

Eroticism and Intellect: Child Psychology, Child Prostitution, and the Japanese Concept of Amae
Facilitated by Yunbai Shen - Rutgers Organization of Nippon Students
This workshop attempts to shed light on "amae" and other general Japanese cultural/psychological concepts, while tying them specifically to Japanese sexual psychology. The discussion will also cover the history of prostitution in Japan and other historical trends that may have influenced "enjo kosai" (compensated dating). With this general overview, we will delve into the gender role establishments in Japan and whether or not enjo kosai empowers or undermines girls. Other major points of discussion include the "kogal" (high school girls) psychology and culture, their impact on Japanese society, and reasons for enjo kosai perhaps in the context of economics, family, and the society overall. Can we relate it back to earlier forms of prostitution and sexual culture in Japan? How does enjo kosai differ from western forms of prostitution? Can enjo kosai even be considered prostitution?

Destination: Taiwan
Facilitated by Taiwanese American Student Association - Rutgers University
Come embark on a journey to Taiwan with the Taiwanese American Student Association at Rutgers! Have you ever wondered what it is like to take a vacation to Taiwan just to check out what all the hype is about? The TASA e-board will take you on a trip to all the hot spots, historical locations, tourist attractions, night markets, and shopping districts. Ever worried about how to get around? How is the nightlife in Taiwan? We can answer all of those questions. From bustling night markets to the all-inclusive seven elevens, Taiwan offers a variety of amazing food that will have your mouths watering. If you have never been to Taiwan, this is the perfect chance as we take a trip to... Destination: Taiwan!

Kung Fu 101
Facilitated by Minh Trinh
This workshop will be an introduction to Hung Ga Kung Fu, a style from southern China which can trace its lineage some 400 years back to the Shaolin temple, embodying a five animal, five element philosophy. Basic stances, philosophy, and techniques will be covered. Please dress comfortably and be prepared to sweat.

Health Care is a Human Right: Fight for Sight
Facilitated by Sankara Eye Foundation - Sejal Dave, Krupa Gajera, Swati Patel, Riti Patel, Swati Shah, Prerana Katti
As student leaders, it is important to become knowledgeable about issues that are affecting the world we live in. The topic of this workshop is: The Global Need For Eye Care: A Case Study of India. Global blindness and visual impairment is a grave problem in the world we live in. Its effects are not just the physical, but also the financial and psycho-social. Using the care study of India, this workshop will explore this global problem and also learn and discuss sustainable solutions. One such solution is currently being enabled and supported by the Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF), USA. SEF builds hospitals for the blind in India by making quality eye care available at the doorsteps of rural India. This workshop is ideal for students interested in health care, policy, international law, economics, non-profits, leadership, management, gender rights, and human rights.

The Game of Go: A Modern Adaptation
Facilitated by Rutgers Go Club - John Erdogan
Go is a game that originated 4,000 years ago in ancient China and has risen in popularity in modern society. The game can be found in anime like Hikaru no Go, and the movies "Pi" and "A Beautiful Mind." It has even been seen in a Domino's Pizza commercial! Join the Rutgers Go Club as we teach you the basic rules of Go, like capturing stones and surrounding territory, and provide further conceptual insights. Do you have what it takes to dominate?

Asian American Political Identity
Facilitated by Dr. Jane Junn - Rutgers University
Do Asian Americans have a distinct political identity? What are the ways in which Asian Americans are distinctive, and what things do we share in common? This workshop explores the contours, depth, and contextual specificity of Asian American political identity.

Asian Americans in the 21st Century
Facilitated by Dr. Joann Lee - William Patterson University
This workshop will consist of reading and discussion on a range of Asian American experiences. Joann Faung Jean Lee, Ph.D. is author of Asian American Experiences in the 21st Century (New Press, 2008). She is also author of Asian American Actors (McFarland, 2000), and Asian Americans (New Press, 1992), and has written and lectured extensively on the Asian American experience and Asians and media.

Asian Americans in the Media Arts: How to Break in, How to Survive, and How to Find Yourself
Facilitated by hereandnow
Workshop participants will be taken through a series of exercises and theatre games to discover how to work within the theatre, film, T.V., and media arts industry, as well as exploring their own self expression.

Asian Pride!
Facilitated by Ryan Takemiya
It starts as a fad in middle school and quickly turns into a passing memory later in life, but is the idea of "Asian Pride" more than just sketches on a middle school notebook? No one knows because few people ever utter the phrase and even fewer people discuss it out in the open. This workshop will reveal what's behind peoples' closeted feelings of ethnic pride and the real economic and political possibilities of being proud to be who you are. What would it mean for Asian Americans to be proud of their community? What would "Asian Pride" look like? Is 'pride' a good thing or a bad thing? We will discuss how Asian Pride can be peaceful and can be used effectively by leaders who wish to organize and mobilize Asian Americans for progressive purposes. Most importantly, you will learn why it's okay to be proud of yourself.

Non-Conventional: The New Conventional
Facilitated by Tirusha Dave
From Grammy nominated singer M.I.A. to actor Kal Penn, South Asians are breaking away from careers in the I.T. & Science fields, and entering into what have become the "go-to" career fields: music, media, and entertainment. These new career paths have truly become the new conventional and are slowly being accepted and recognized on an international level. While highlighting some notable South Asians who have taken these careers to new levels, we hope to encourage you to follow your passion and dreams as well.

Breaking down the Barrier: Stomping out Stigma about Mental Health in the Asian American Community
Facilitated by National Alliance on Mental Illness - Smruti Patel, Krishna Patel
Mental health issues affect college students nationwide. This workshop serves as a forum in which attendees can express their views on how mental health and illness are perceived in the Asian American community and what can be done to reduce the stigma that is attached to these issues. NAMI works to educate, spread awareness, and change the conversation about mental health in not only the Asian community, but in our communities in general. For those who are interested, we can provide you with the resources to join the movement and help tackle a major health issue in the Asian American community.

Building a Movement
Facilitated by Rutgers University Asian American Cultural Center Leadership Cabinet - Han Fang, Tim Chen, Chad Kim, Farhad Ahmed
In 1968, a 5-month student strike was organized at San Francisco State University. The students demanded ethnic studies and social justice. More than 40 years later, campuses around the nation have organized and are organizing for Asian American studies. Rutgers is in the midst of an Asian American studies campaign led by the AALC. Whether you want to start your own movement, offer some advice, or just cure a curious mind, join the AALC in the fight for Asian American studies!

FOBs, ABCs, and Everything in Between: Inner Discrimination in Chinese American Culture
Facilitated by Rutgers Cantonese Club - Alison Lee, Ming Ho Chan, Alex Chan, Jon Li
With labels like ABC’s and FOBs, its no wonder that the definitive gap between the two groups of Chinese Americans stands more prevalent than any other ethnicity. With such discriminatory labels, we beg the question: why IS there such a distinctive gap between the subcultures and what can we do to bridge that gap? new levels, we hope to encourage you to follow your passion and dreams as well.

Native What???
Facilitated by Native Tongue - Mi Hyun Yoon, Yongjie Chen, David Hur, Michele Lam, Julie Park, Albert Lin Come join Native Tongue, an Asian American newspaper and activist group, in its fight for Asian American rights in the U.S. starting at Rutgers. You will learn the secret behind how you can start such an organization at your school by checking out Native Tongue’s experiences. That’s right, Native Tongue is giving away its long-held trade secrets for free! You will learn how to start, maintain, and even expand such an organization. There will even be a raffle at the end for a very special prize. Everyone will come out ahead, guaranteed.

The Model Minority Myth - What’s The Big Deal?
Facilitated by Amanda Yu & Christopher Ming Lee
A reevaluation of the model minority myth and actions we can take to counteract its negative effects.

Hip Hop Dance Theory
Facilitated by Team Technique
Team Technique, affiliated with Rutgers Korean Student Association, was established in 1998. The team is a small, tightly knit group who works with friends and supporters to teach hip hop dance. Have you ever wanted to dance like your favorite stars? Team Technique is here to get you started! We’ll be discussing what we do as a dance team and breaking down simple hip hop dance steps for you to learn. Our mission is to reach out to those with a love of dance and bring them to a stage they never knew existed. Modern or old school, everyone knows the line, Don’t Sweat the Technique!

Resume Building
Facilitated by Ayesha Rodriguez - Rutgers Career Services
Your resume is a marketing tool representing a very special product: you! It is a succinct outline of your knowledge, skills, abilities, experience and accomplishments relevant to your employment goals. Rutgers University’s Career Services will be presenting effective resume building skills to help you get the job your desire.

Shmoozin’ & Boozin’ - A Workshop on Etiquette
Facilitated by Calvin Sun- ECAASU National, MTV, Columbia University
Know how the perfect handshake can make or break that interview? Where to put your hands when receiving honored guests? How to open a bottle of wine? Time and time again we’ve all screwed up one way or another. Don’t let that next time be you. This workshop will assess your skills and confidence in the professional world, especially the differences between Western and Eastern forms of courtesy. We’ll even shatter some stereotypes and do some mythbusting along the way. It’s guaranteed that after this workshop, you’ll finally know the difference between business casual and business professional, wine and champagne, black and white tie affairs.

When The Pain Is Silent: Helping Asian Americans with Mental Health Problems
Facilitated by Grace Yan & Diana Ong - Rutgers Counseling and Psychological Services
Everyone experiences problems in life. From sadness to anxiety, from academic problems to communicating with significant others and parents, people can find it hard to live a happy life. But among Asian Americans, there is often a fear of asking for help. What are some of the obstacles Asian Americans face when it comes to this issue, and what are some of the societal and cultural factors at play? In this workshop, we will investigate some of the reasons and also offer some tips to raise awareness about mental health issues and how to help out family members, friends or co-workers who are suffering “in silence” in the community.

WORKSHOPS - Session #2 (Saturday, February 28th, 9:00AM - 10:00AM)

Dragonboat: Fitness, Competition, Teamwork
Facilitated by New Jersey Team Dragons
What is Dragonboat??? It doesn’t matter... JUST GET IN THE BOAT! Try something you’ve never tried, become stronger than you’ve ever been, and learn that limitations are only a state of mind. We, Team Dragons, welcome you to join us at this Dragonboat workshop where you will experience the rush of racing and the strength of teamwork. Come and check us out!

More Than Magic: Shamanism vs. Western Medicine
Facilitated by Chengyeng Lor
Shamanism is an integral part of the Hmong community. It is the way in which Hmong travel to the “other side” and negotiate with the spirits to help cure illnesses. At times, it can conflict with Western medicine and beliefs, which often leads to a cultural misunderstanding between health care professionals and the Hmong community. Should one force the Hmong to take medications or allow a shaman to perform a ceremony instead? Come explore this Hmong tradition and build a cultural bridge between western medicine and shamanism.

Club, Campus, Community through Lion Dance: Outreach, Fundraising and Coalition Building through Traditional Performance
Facilitated by Patricia Nguyen - University of Vermont
The art of Chinese Lion Dance dates back for generations, and have survived generations upon generations in Asian America, in our community centers, churches, temples, and college campuses. Mostly seen as vehicle to learn and retain Chinese heritage, Chinese Lion Dance groups at universities have discovered even more benefits and potential through performance included community service and outreach, fundraising, professional development, and social networking. Come learn about its history and its potential to be a positive addition to your campus through a brief historical overview and case studies at two predominantly white campuses!

Health Care is a Human Right: Fight for Sight
Facilitated by Sankara Eye Foundation - Sejal Dave, Krupa Gajera, Swati Patel, Riti Patel, Swati Shah, Prerana Katti
As student leaders, it is important to become knowledgeable about issues that are affecting the world we live in. The topic of this workshop is: The Global Need For Eye Care: A Case Study of India. Global blindness and visual impairment is a grave problem in the world we live in. Its effects are not just the physical, but also the financial and psycho-social. Using the case study of India, this workshop will explore this global problem and also learn and discuss sustainable solutions. One such solution is currently being enabled and supported by the Sankara Eye Foundation(SEF), USA. SEF builds hospitals for the blind in India by making quality eye care available at the doorsteps of rural India. This workshop is ideal for students interested in health care, policy, international law, economics, non-profits, leadership, management, gender rights, and human rights.

You’re not Asian if/since/because: an interactive discussion regarding Asian American identity, issues, and empowerment.
Facilitated by Peter Nguyen - Psi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity, Inc
How can you or I tell somebody what it means to be Asian? You have heard it many times before. In fact, you may have caught yourself saying it as well, but what exactly does it mean to be Asian? This workshop will focus on developing an Asian American identity, discussing what current issues concern us as a group, and the importance of framing “our struggle” to include others in order to facilitate change and growth.

The Game of Go: a Modern Adaptation
Facilitated by Rutgers Go Club - John Erdogan
Go is a game that originated 4,000 years ago in ancient China and has risen in popularity in modern society. The game can be found in anime like Hikaru no Go, and the movies “Pi” and “A Beautiful Mind.” Its even been seen in a Domino’s Pizza commercial! Join the Rutgers Go Club, as we teach you the basic rules of Go, like capturing stones and surrounding territory, and provide further conceptual insights. Do you have what it takes to dominate?

The Universality of Bharatanatyam: Classical Indian Dance
Facilitated by Preethi Ramaprasad - Rutgers University Natya
Bharatanatyam is an ancient dance form that mythologically is said to have been invented by the Hindu God Shiva himself. Legend has it that when Shiva stops dancing, then time itself will cease to exist. But Bharatanatyam also has modern relevance, with the use to the its theatrical side. The dancer can relate to the audience using universal emotions. The workshop will detail the historical aspects of Bharatanatyam, as well as its many nuances, and finally people will get to try the art form.

Sex Olympics
Facilitated by Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. - Sarah Tsang
The goal of this workshop is to provide awareness on safe-sex practices and demystify sex, condoms and dental dams. Through fun games and activities, come learn about the importance of safe-sex.

Beyond Bullying: Stepping Up to Bias & Hate Crimes Against the API Community
Facilitated by South Asian Americans Leading Together - Qudsia Raja
This workshop will explore the intertwining nature of stereotypes, discrimination, racial profiling, and bias/hate crimes by examining the history of racially charged violence targeted towards the South Asian community in the US. Participants will watch segments of a documentary (“Raising Our Voices: South Asian Americans Address Hate”), which focuses on the history of bias/hate crimes targeted towards the South Asian community in New Jersey, followed by a facilitated discussion on the film segment. While this workshop focuses particularly on the South Asian community in the US, participants are encouraged to think beyond the framework of race/gender/religious affiliation/sexual orientation and begin to dissect bias/hate crimes through a social justice framework.

Empower Me: Affirming Asian American Identity
Facilitated by Jacqueline Mac - Japanese American Citizens League
Leadership requires confidence and a strong sense of self. This workshop is designed to establish a strong personal and collective foundation for participants to become future community leaders by affirming Asian American identities among youth participants. Participants will be educated on relevant issues, empowered with available resources, and engaged in discussions surrounding their Asian Pacific American identities.

The Model Minority Myth - What’s The Big Deal?
Facilitated by Amanda Yu & Christopher Ming Lee
A reevaluation of the model minority myth and actions we can take to counteract its negative effects.

Asian American Communities: Submerged Beneath the Water
Facilitated by Maxine Chang & Alice Vuong - Asian Americans United
As Asian Americans representing the future of our cultural heritage, it is in our best interest to preserve the “American dream” that our immigrant ancestors have struggled to build in the depths of our great cities. During times of financial instability, there is a growing dependence on the assumed economic wealth gained by the gambling industries of America. However, how do casinos hurt our communities, our families, and ultimately our way of life? We will examine the detrimental effects of a proposed casino near one of our country’s most historical immigrant neighborhoods. This workshop will exhibit the process in which the Students Against the Gallery Casino have campaigned against the proposed Foxwoods casino near Philadelphia’s Chinatown and demonstrate ways in which all young Asian Americans can protect and fight for their cultural significance.

Asian Americans in the Media Arts: How to Break in, How to Survive and How to Find Yourself
Facilitated by hereandnow
Workshop participants will be taken through a series of exercises and theatre games to discover how to work within the theatre, film, T.V. and media arts industry as well as exploring their own self expression.

Asians and the Silent Epidemic
Facilitated by Larry Tantay - Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS
As of 2007, 33 million people around the world are living with HIV and AIDS. 14% of all those infections are in Asia, and the numbers are increasing every day. Asian countries have been ravaged by HIV for years, but only now are many of them dealing with the growing epidemic. Why has the epidemic among Asians and Pacific Islanders been ignored for so long, around the world and here in the U.S.? What can we do to fight HIV in our communities? Find out more about how APICHA - the Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS - is battling the growing rates of infection within our communities. And discuss ways that we can all come together to defeat HIV!

Fantasy and Reality: The Power of American Pop Culture and how it Perpetuates Racism
Facilitated by Ryan Takemiya
The socio-political landscape of the US is built on illusion. We are living in an age where people are mobilized to fight real wars against invisible things like “terror”, and where corporations have convinced us that we cannot do without products like iPods and cell phones. More than ever, people are looking to fantasy to fulfill their personal, societal, and even political/economic aspirations, and increasingly, reality is being defined by what we fantasize about in popular culture. Pop Culture is power. Those who create it have the power to shape our views on race and frequently do so in a negative way, playing on our worst stereotypes of each other for the purpose of profit. This lecture will delve deep into the history of racism in Pop Culture, how it manifests itself today, and what we can do to begin changing it.

Human Trafficking and Sweatshops
Facilitated by Lindsey Nguyen -Vietnamese Student Association
Did you know that slavery still exists today? Looking beneath the surface, human trafficking is modern-day slavery. All over Asia, people are being trafficked for sex and labor. Victims are promised false opportunities and some are physically forced into the industry. What can we do to help stop this?

Introduction to Organizing: Strategies for Creating Positive Social Change
Facilitated by Mark Liu
Organizing has been a tool to empower people from the bottom up to create positive change in their lives. For Asian Americans, this has meant better working conditions, more social services, and hopefully less discrimination. Come and learn more about the effects of organizing and discuss together different strategies for creating change.

On The Other Side of Freedom: Spoken Word for Your Life
Facilitated by Kelly Tsai & Bao Phi
Join Brooklyn-based HBO Def Poet Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (www.yellowgurl.com) in an interactive spoken word and hip hop theater performance workshop exploring how to use word, voice, body, and movement towards personal and community change. Exercises will spark the creation of solo and collective spoken word pieces and focus on exploring Asian Pacific Islander American issues and identity. Come ready to write, move, and speak your truth!

Who’s Here?
Facilitated by Philip Poczik - Union College
“Who’s Here?” is about recognizing and celebrating the diverse identities within a group of people. It is an interactive diversity activity designed to leave participants with a greater sense of pride in their own identities, and with a greater appreciation of the identities possessed by others. This workshop will allow participants to share their “Distinct Worlds,” while seeing how they contribute to “One Vision.”

You’re Running for What? For Newbies or Pros
Facilitated by Bonnie Duen, Ronald T. Kim & Sharon Lee
Improve your understanding of what you can do with various levels of government, different campaign tactics for policy differences, and ways to continue to build on the successes. Former and current staff members working closely with New York City’s Council Member John Liu, the first and only Asian American member of the New York City Council. Come here to take part in discussing the various experiences, efforts and opportunities to increase political participation and empowerment in APA/I communities.

Breakdancing 101 - Dance Floor Optional
Facilitated by Calvin Sun- ECAASU National, MTV, Columbia University, and a duende for le dance.
Want to learn some basic moves of breakin’? Are you a future b-boy or b-girl? We all dance for different reasons; some of us love the dance for what it is, others find it as a form of expressing their individualities. But now breakdancing has slowly becoming the new face of Asian American dance from the West to East Coast, as an increasing number of our demographic are taking up this 30-year old hip hop dance style by storm. So is breakdancing now an Asian American stereotype, or our means to break the model minority stereotype? If you’ve always been curious to find out if breakdancing is something you want to do, or if you just need an excuse to get down, come by for some exercise and come the food for thought!

Blondie LOVES Brownie - From Painting to Product
Facilitated by Meera Lee Patel - www.blondielovesbrownie.com
Pursuing a career in the arts can be difficult—the most daunting aspect of being an artist or writer is figuring out how to survive by doing what you love most. See how a young artist, Meera Lee Patel, transformed her passion for painting into a successful online business, blondieLOVESbrownie.com. blondieLOVESbrownie.com is a virtual gallery where Patel sells customized paintings along with her own original artwork. This workshop will focus on helping young individuals harness the strength and motivation they need to launch their own creative entrepreneurial endeavors. On display will be several of Patel’s customized paintings—participants will learn how they became the key driving force behind her success, as well as the backbone of blondieLOVESbrownie.com. Discussion topics will include creating a target market, developing a marketing strategy, and utilizing the internet to ensure your company skyrockets towards success.

Does that Job Require a Clearance?
Facilitated by Craig P - Central Intelligence Agency
Ever wonder what’s involved in earning a “Top Secret” security clearance? Does it hurt? Will your family ever know and, if they do, will they ever speak to you again? Sit back, relax, and hear the not-so-sordid truth about how government agencies typically peer into your life and review whether or not you can be trusted to play well in a classified environment.

How to Sabotage Your Career Without Really Trying
Facilitated by Lt Antonio Donis, U.S. Coast Guard Human Resources Directorate
This workshop is designed for the entry level employee. It is filled with great tips on how to make impeccable impressions and also addresses the pitfalls of unprofessional behaviors. Give yourself an edge by learning the dos and don’ts of networking and interviewing from a seasoned professional.

WORKSHOPS - Session #3 (Saturday, February 28th, 3:30PM - 4:30PM)

Brown Like Dat: South Asians and Hip Hop
Facilitated by Raeshem Nijhon - LotusFire Productions
Brown Like Dat is a workshop that engages students in lively discussion around issues of race, identity, gender/ sexuality, cultural appropriation, pop culture, and more. The workshop is a conversation using short documentary video segments to kick off and reinforce themes. With hip-hop as its lens, this documentary is a colorful portrait of the rainbow of political ideals, social messages and experiences that is in part young South Asian Americans today, revealing an emerging layer of this second generation community. Through their music and their lives these artists speak on everything from racial profiling post 9/11 to identity in second-generation immigrant communities, forcing us to question ‘traditional’ South Asian existence in America in fresh new ways.

Bye Bye Pearl of the Orient: A Screenplay Reading Workshop
Facilitated by Mozell Miley-Bailey
Writer/director Mozell Miley-Bailey presents a reading workshop of her feature length screenplay about a Filipino beauty pageant gone awry. Set in Queens , NY , the annual Miss Philippines Tri-State County beauty pageant is underway but this year it’s unlike any other when two of its veteran rival beauty contestants run away. A colorful array of stage mothers, power hungry pageant officials, an alcoholic host and competitive beauty pageant contestants round out the cast of characters in this passion fueled, poignant, drama/comedy punctuated by dance and a musical number or two. Actors will read select scenes only then entertain a Q&A and feedback from the audience.

Dragonboat: Fitness, Competition, Teamwork
Facilitated by New Jersey Team Dragons
What is Dragonboat??? It doesn’t matter... JUST GET IN THE BOAT! Try something you’ve never tried, become stronger than you’ve ever been, and learn that limitations are only a state of mind. We, Team Dragons, welcome you to join us at this Dragonboat workshop where you will experience the rush of racing and the strength of teamwork. Come and check us out!

Korea: From Armistice to Peace
Facilitated by Hyun Lee - Nodutdol
Axis of evil, human rights, nuclear missiles, terrorist state...these are what define Korea according to the mass media. Want to learn about Korea’s modern history beyond simple media caricatures? Come and learn about the history of war and division on the Korean peninsula, as well as the history of the Korean people’s movement for peace and the right to define their own future. Reflect on the history of the Korean Diaspora, talk about the impact of continued division and military conflict on Koreans everywhere, and learn about the national Peace Treaty campaign and what you can do to take action!

More Than Magic: Shamanism vs. Western Medicine
Facilitated by Chengyeng Lor
Shamanism is an integral part of the Hmong community. It is the way in which Hmong travel to the “other side” and negotiate with the spirits to help cure illnesses. At times, it can conflict with Western medicine and beliefs, which often leads to a cultural misunderstanding between health care professionals and the Hmong community. Should one force the Hmong to take medications or allow a shaman to perform a ceremony instead? Come explore this Hmong tradition and build a cultural bridge between western medicine and shamanism.

Learn the Traditional Dance of Raas and Garba
Facilitated by Rutgers University Raas and Garba Association: Raj Balsara, Nadia Jaggesar, and Meshva Patel
Learn how to twirl dandiyas (sticks) as you move to the sounds of Gujarati music. R.A.G.A is the first and only competing Raas and Garba collegiate dance team in New Jersey. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to do the traditional dance of Gujarat, India.

2nd Annual Queer Asian/Asian American Youth East Coast Townhall
Facilitated by Gay Asian & Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY) - Liman Cheng, Dennis Chin, Terrence Gong, Lakshman Kalasapudi, Larry Tantay
This workshop presents a rare opportunity for queer Asian and Asian American youth to share experiences and perspectives with peers from all over the East Coast in a safe space. Through a roundtable discussion in which all queer conference attendees can participate, we seek to identify issues facing Queer Asians in their gay, straight, and Asian communities, solicit possible solutions, explore ways for attendees to be active within their respective communities, and engage the issues confronting their lives. NOTE: This workshop is intended for queer and questioning Asian conference attendees; allies who choose to attend are asked to respect the space and take note of the discussion goals.

Asian American Male Sexuality, a workshop primarily geared for women
Facilitated by William Lee - www.BetterAsianMan.com
Why can’t you say “sexual” and “Asian Man” in the same sentence? Why aren’t Asian American Guys allowed to date white women? Why do so many Asian American women prefer white guys? In the realm of romance, the Asian American Male can almost be thought of as being in a world that is separate and distinct from that of the Asian American Female. The former-- often portrayed as nerdy, socially inept, lacking in sexual prowess, and no woman’s preferred choice. The latter-- often portrayed as socially valued, sexually active, and available to every man. Distinct worlds indeed. In this workshop (primarily geared towards a female audience, but open to everyone), no topic will be off limits in this open dialogue about the Asian man’s place in America’s sexual food chain.

Asian Americans: Sex and Sexuality
Facilitated by Calvin Sun - ECAASU National, MTV, Columbia University
Human beings are driven by three things in life: food, water, and sex. Yes, Asian Americans have sex too. So how do Asian Americans view sex and sexuality? How does this generation reconcile our definition of sex with that of the old and new cultural interpretations of Asia? From the Kama Sutra to the asexual model minority to the imbalance of Asian Americans women and men in pornography, we’re raising the bar and asking you to analyze that very carefully guarded core of our existences: SEX.

Asian-American Fraternity and Sorority Life
Facilitated by Pi Delta Psi Fraternity - Joshua Casingal
In Today’s world we live in many stereotypes. Which description fits the average Asian-American? Some people find their place among family and friends, but upon entering college, they lose connection with that former network. Some people find a new place in Greek life. Asian-American Greek life opens up a whole new world but even this world is susceptible to stereotypes. “Oh? You’re a frat boy? What do you drink and party all day?” or “I’ve seen what Greek life is on television, its just not for me”. This workshop will emphasize three main points: First, we will educate non-Greeks on what Greek life really is, and shatter the media’s depiction of Greek life by showcasing what Asian-American Greeks do for their campuses. Next, you will hear from current Greeks on how their experiences have changed their lives. Finally, students that are already involved with Greek life will learn ways to help their RUSH find new potential brothers and sisters.

Asians In Entertainment
Facilitated by Danny Cho
Asian/American entertainers face many struggles in the entertainment industry. Join Danny in his stories and discussion on Asian Americans in the industry and what needs to be done!

Envisioneering: The Art Of Life
Facilitated by Rich Kiamco - www.RichKiamco.com
Ask yourself “Who am I dying to be and how will I change the world?” Through visualization, writing, art, and role-playing, prepare to playfully challenge yourselves and each other into deeper levels of awareness and commitment to personal excellence. Focus is both on a greater personal vision of life along with practical, simple daily steps. Leave the workshop armed with a new vision map, personal tools, and hope.

Palling Around With Terrorists: Asian Americans in Defense Careers and the Federal Government
Facilitated by Ying W. - Department of Defense, Washington D.C.
Asians Americans are becoming increasingly diverse in their career pursuits. Today’s Asian Americans are no longer limited to the constricting roles filled by previous generations. Traditional professions such as engineers, doctors, professors, and researchers have given way to new generations of Asians pursuing new fields as business executives, performers, journalists, artists, and entrepreneurs. However, Asian Americans are still missing in critical positions with direct access to decisions and leadership roles that shape our country. This workshop is for those who wish to find meaningful careers in the fields of national defense and the American federal government in general. Learn about the requirements, lifestyle, and process of federal employment.

Secret Identities: Asian Americans & Superheroes
Facilitated by Jeff Yang, Parry Shen, Jerry Ma, & Keith Chow
It seems as if Asians and Asian Americans have always been a significant part of comics. However, Asians—and by extension, Asian Americans—have not always been positively portrayed in the four-color world of comics. Too often, Asians were reduced to the easy stereotypes of the “yellow peril,” “mystical martial artist,” “female seductress,” or “comic relief.” Secret Identities’ is the first-ever graphic novel collection of original stories exploring the universe of masked marvels and caped crusaders from the perspective of the nation’s fastest-growing and most dynamic emerging community. Come dive into the adventure with the creators!

SHADES OF GRAY: Writing About Race
Facilitated by Pooja Makhijani
How old were you when you became conscious of the color of your skin? What was the first racial epithet you ever heard? Was your house vandalized because you were the only different kid in school? Were you ever made fun on in the girls’ bathroom because your name wasn’t easy to pronounce? When did you first witness racism? What were those experiences that hurt you or made you think or made you reevaluate your history, the history of your community, or the history of your country? This reading and writing workshop brings the not-often-discussed issue of race onto the page. We will discuss writing as a vehicle for discussing and deconstructing race and a bridge to understand and overcome our differences.

What does Gran Torino mean for Asian Americans?
Facilitated by Dr. Louisa Schein - Rutgers University
Topping the box office on its opening weekend, Clint Eastwood’s film Gran Torino has the potential to be a huge phenomenon in American popular culture. But mainstream reactions have paid little attention to the images of Asians in the film, and particularly to the fact that they are the little-known Hmong people from Laos. From her firsthand work with the Hmong actors in the film, Schein will relate some of the behind-the-scenes experiences of the Hmong actors in making the film, then we will turn to discussion of the portrayals of Asian immigrants and what it means for American popular culture and for Asian American politics. We will consider masculinity, model minority, violence, ethnic conflict and other themes. Audience reactions will be elicited. It is not necessary to have seen the film, but be prepared to have the plot spoiled if you haven’t yet!

Who’s Here?
Facilitated by Philip Poczik - Union College
“Who’s Here?” is about recognizing and celebrating the diverse identities within a group of people. It is an interactive diversity activity designed to leave participants with a greater sense of pride in their own identities, and with a greater appreciation of the identities possessed by others. This workshop will allow participants to share their “Distinct Worlds,” while seeing how they contribute to “One Vision.”

Yellow Light: Proceed with Caution
Facilitated by Peter Nguyen, Shane Mahabir & Zain Patrawala - Psi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity, Inc
Don’t be fooled. Modern day slavery exists. People are bought and sold at staggering numbers. This interactive workshop will examine global human rights concerns of the 21st century, and how we can get involved to help end human trafficking.

Living and Laughing by The Chopsticks-Fork Principle
Facilitated by Cathy Bao Bean- author of The Chopsticks-Fork Principle, A Memoir and Manual
It takes a sense of humor to seriously consider what Edward Hall writes in The Silent Language—“Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.” With delight and good humor, this workshop takes multiculturalism seriously and encourage people to analyze and enjoy how we are all at least bi-cultural (by ethnicity, gender, generation, etc.) in a way that shatters stereotypes but explains the generalizations. This is done by practicing The Chopsticks-Fork Principle, that is, by using personal stories about ordinary events – dining, first day at school, birthdays - which raise extraordinary cultural questions. By learning how to switch from one cultural perspective to another, we become more proficient and, therefore, more comfortable with our own as well as others’ diversity.

Angry Asian America
Facilitated by Phil Yu - www.angryasianman.com
You’ve seen the website - now meet the voice behind it. Phil Yu wanted a place on the web to write down a few thoughts. So he started a blog. What he got was a following. AngryAsianMan.com has somehow become a leading destination on the world wide web for news and views of what’s going on in Asian America. One man, one website, and a healthy dose of anger. Join this discussion-based workshop as Phil shares his perspective and answers questions on creating the site, being angry, and promoting future web-based activism.

Snake and Dragon: The Legacy of API Activism
Facilitated by Michael Liu - API Movement Building
Drawing upon the recent history, Snake Dance of Asian American Activism, the work will * Describe the history of activism * Discuss today’s issues * Discuss how students can be active during and after college.

Asian American Renaissance: Possibilities for the New Century
Facilitated by Ryan Takemiya
The Asian American community is small and spread out over a large geographic distance. We are divided by our different ethnicities, our generational differences, class divides, and separate waves of immigration. Throughout all that divides us, however, now would present itself as the perfect time to unite. In this internet age, while household income may differ widely, access to popular media remains available to almost all. As the fastest growing minority group in the United States, and as the minority group that utilizes popular media the most, we now stand on the brink of huge potential. Politically, Asian Americans came together after the landmark Vincent Chin hate crime of 1982, but have never before come together en masse to declare a unique cultural identity for themselves as a community. However, that time has come, in this provocative and electrifying discussion on the possibilities of a new Asian American cultural movement for the 21st Century.

Asian Americans as Subjects of US Empire
Facilitated by Dr. Allan Isaac & Dr. Robyn Rodriguez - Rutgers University
Are all Asian Americans “immigrants” or descended from them? The history and heritage of many Asian Americans, like Vietnamese Americans, Filipino Americans and Korean Americans and many West Asians, do not fit the classic patterns of immigration. They come as refugees or as American colonial subjects because of US wars and intervention across Asia. What are some of the personal and political issues that make these groups distinct? What questions can this history of imperialism raise for Asian America and the US?

Racial Discrimination, Political Disenfranchisement, Asian American Voting Rights and Voting Patterns: Did we get out the Vote in ’08?
Facilitated by Bryan Lee - Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Asian Americans have faced a series of barriers in exercising their right to vote. In past elections, lines were split where all Asian Americans were illegally required to show ID. Votes were literally stolen and legitimate voters were illegally turned away. In addition, candidates and the news media have often overlooked the Asian American vote. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) will open your eyes to how racial discrimination still exists today, the impact of the Asian American voting block, and how our community continues to fight to protect the Asian American Vote!

When Twinkies Meet AzN PRydE: Identity Development Within Our Community
Facilitated by Patricia Nguyen - University of Vermont
Feel like some fellow Asians “get it” and some have “sold out”? Do you feel like the community is fractured and can’t unite? Are you feeling hypervigilent about your race? Wondering what it is exactly your e-board of your Asian-affiliated student organizations is fighting about? College is a pivotal time, and is often the first time one explores the various aspects of one’s identity. Race, being Asian, can be a salient “in your face” identity upon your arrival to the Ivory Towers, and you might or might not find a supportive community. Come explore this dynamic through a theoretical framework looking at various identity development models about pan-Asian and specific ethnic identities to give a different perspective and tools to build community and coalitions.

The Personal is Political: ‘Being’ Asian
Facilitated by South Asian Americans Leading Together - Qudsia Raja & Neha Singhal
This workshop will explore the importance, relevance, and oftentimes, necessity of taking on a political identity from a platform of shared commonalities. The participants will be encouraged to dissect what these shared commonalities are through group exercises to deconstruct the makeup of their identity. Through a focused discussion on race, the participants will be encouraged to discuss why, if at all, they identify with the broader AAPI community; and in what ways it has empowered or disenfranchised them both as individuals, and as a community. Participants will be encouraged to perceive identity through a social justice lens and to discuss the importance of a larger movement beyond the broader AAPI community.

Understanding our Parents, Understanding Ourselves, Learning to Live Together
Facilitated by Dr. Andrew J. Lee - Rutgers University Counseling and Psychological Services
What’s going on in the relationships between parents and college-aged children-in our Asian American families?? What are the Asian cultural values that inform the worldviews of many of our Asian-born parents and how do they differ from the more mainstream American values of 1st and 2nd generation Asian American college students. Is it possible to navigate your way through this gap? Come explore how.

Vincent Who?
Facilitated by Curtis Chin- Asian Pacific Americans for Progress
In 1982, Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments. For the first time, Asian Americans around the country galvanized to form a real community and movement. This documentary, features interviews with the key players at the time, as well as a whole new generation of activists. “Vincent Who?” asks how far Asian Americans have come since then and how far we have yet to go. Join the film’s producer, Curtis Chin, in a screening and discussion.

When Hate Hits You: Responding to Anti-Asian Sentiment
Facilitated by Jacqueline Mac, Bill Yoshino & Patty Wada - Japanese American Citizens League
This workshop will empower participants to respond to hate crimes by learning about the history and causes of anti-Asian sentiment, by recognizing the difference between hate crimes and hate incidents and by participating in real life scenarios that depict anti-Asian sentiment. The workshop content areas include: definitions of hate crimes and hate incidents; history of anti-Asian sentiment; causes of hate crimes; interactive scenarios on hate crimes and hate incidents; responding to hate crimes.