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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a blog post about how to prepare for an attack of zombies. Tongue firmly in cheek, the CDC is trying to attract the attention of the general public regarding preparations for a real emergency. Apparently, they are succeeding. This particular blog post was so popular it crashed their server. I guess the public has an appetite for news about the undead, and, I guess the normally staid scientists at the CDC actually do have a sense of humor.The Asian Pacific Community in Action is taking a more traditional approach to emergency preparedness. Through the leadership of APCA Special Projects Coordinator, Ms. Yen Nguyen, we have recently organized a coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander community members around emergency preparedness. This coalition will work to better prepare the AAPI community for emergencies of all kinds (e.g., biological terrorism and natural disasters) in a manner that is culturally responsive. However, it should be noted that we make no promises about preparations for attacks of zombies. You’ll have to contact the CDC about that. To find out more about our emergency preparedness initiative, contact Ms. Yen Nguyen at (480) 626-3065 or at yen@apcaaz.org
-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
An article recently published in New York magazine is all the rage among Asian Americans on the Internet. The article, “Paper Tigers: What happens to all the Asian-American overachievers when the test taking ends?”, offers insight into being a member of the “model minority”. The author, Wesley Yang, examines life’s options for high performing Asian American students, and he doesn’t necessarily paint a pretty picture. He cites the racial bias that makes it more difficult for Asians to be admitted into Ivy League schools, and he references the “bamboo ceiling” that keeps Asian Americans from rising to corporate upper management because while technically skilled, they are often perceived as lacking the charisma and networking skills associated with leadership positions. He provides the data below:
“According to a recent study, Asian-Americans represent roughly 5 percent of the population but only 0.3 percent of corporate officers, less than 1 percent of corporate board members, and around 2 percent of college presidents.”
While I find the content of the article interesting, I think it is perhaps more significant that the piece made it as the cover story of New York magazine. I would suspect that Amy Chua, the Tiger Mom (Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother), has much to do with this, since Yang’s article is also a rebuttal to the extreme work ethic espoused by Chua.
If nothing else, this article has stimulated discussion within the Asian American community and perhaps will provide a point of reference for mainstream Americans in viewing Asian Americans as individuals with needs that sound startlingly American – upward mobility at work, social lives, and an ability to feel comfortable in your own skin.
-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
Our annual fundraising dinner, “A Taste of Asia”, has come and gone. Held this past Saturday at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, the dinner was successful on multiple fronts. The Asian appetizer reception was quite lively and included the successful sale of almost all 60 or so silent auction packages. The dinner program went smoothly. As usual, our hosts, Ethel Luzario and Ted Namba, did a wonderful job keeping the program moving along. I think our honorees – Steve Sanghi, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Yee, and Asian American WWII veterans – felt good about their portion of the program. Each had a nice digital video segment and a chance to say a few words. Our major sponsors – Wells Fargo, APS, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Gilead Sciences – seemed pleased. Lastly, the talent competition was engaging and had quite a diverse group of participants. In the end, our “face changing” participant triumphed ahead of a number of surprisingly talented participants. All in all, it was indeed an affair to remember.
-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
My friend and colleague Mr. Fred Taylor invited me to be on his radio show, Men’s Health, yesterday. I was happy to speak about health issues in the local Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and did my best to share what I knew about our mission and related activities towards improving the health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. However, I guess you never know what to expect on live radio. Fred’s co-host, Dr. Bob Gear (pictured on right), had some interesting questions for me about sanitation practices in local Chinese restaurants and also related to illegal immigration among Asians in Arizona. I think my responses to these questions were politic. In any case, I’m hoping I won’t be getting any phone calls from Sheriff Joe Arpiao or the Chinese Restaurant Association any time soon.
-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
This past Friday, a group of about 20 community and academic leaders met to discuss how to best address the many disparities related to cancer here in Arizona. The meeting, held at the Talking Stick Resort, included a lively discussion about the need for enhanced collaboration, advocacy and education. Dr. Tim Flood (pictured with Justin Tai, APCA Public Ally) provided profiles of cancer disparities by racial/ethnic group as a lead-in to the facilitated discussion. The Cancer Health Disparities group is a subcommittee of the Arizona Cancer Control Coalition, led by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
The Asian Pacific Community in Action recently held a birthday party for the Affordable Care Act, which was passed on March 23, 2010. That same day, we stopped by Congressman Ed Pastor’s office to drop off a small birthday cake and express our community’s support of the ACA.
Both of these activities were atypical for us, as we are often focused on directly providing health education and clinical services to our populations of interest. However, this recent advocacy work is a taste of things to come. In the coming months, we will be exercising our right and obligation to speak up for the rights and interests of our communities. If we don’t, who will?
“In Germany they first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me – and by that time, no one was left to speak up.”
--Pastor Martin Niemoller
- Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
It’s official. Asians and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial groups in Arizona. New 2010 Census data indicates that those of only Asian race increased by 91.6% between 2000 and 2010. Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders increased by 87.9% for the same period.
In comparison, the White population increased by 20.5%, the Black population by 63%, and the American Indian/Alaska Native population by 15.9%. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin increased by 46.3%.
As additional 2010 Census data becomes available, I will provide updates.
-Doug Hirano, MPH, APCA Executive Director
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