Droppin some knowledge

This is merely an observation, but I've given this much thought. I was thinking about the ethnic makeup of the United States and how some ethnicities tend to hold significant opinion on the matters of our country. I feel on the subject of national politics and the impending presidential election of 2008, minorities have great power to swing the vote in a certain direction. However, not all minorities have equal power to accomplish this. For example, African-American voters influence the ballot significantly in the southern states. On the other hand, the Asian-American population tends to be overlooked. "Asian" is inherently a pretty broad term. Middle Easterners, East Asians, West Asians, Pacific Islanders...put them all together and we get "Asians." I come here to express my opinion and my opinion right now is that Asians are not unified to achieve common goals. It is obvious with the Middle East conflict right now, the Indian border, even Taiwan-China relations. I will not offer a solution to any of these world affairs, but I humbly point this out: The lack of unity in Asian-Americans contributes to our lack of significant "say" in our US/international policy. It is rather naive to believe that all Asians country will stick together and figure something out anytime soon. It hasn't happened in the last thousands of years and surely it won't happen tomorrow. So, let's start small. My challenge to all of you is to unite Taiwanese-Americans, first and foremost to achieve a common goal. Call out your Taiwanese-American friends and family that stand ignorant to current affairs. Educate and enlighten. Persuade and take action. Identify yourselves right now and contribute to the cause that you stand for. All Asian-Americans share common characteristics and values that deserve to be noticed. Someday, the American politician will treat the Asian American vote with respect and strong consideration. Until then, we start small by making sure the Taiwanese-American community speaks with one voice to get what we want. Justin likes to pretend he is Martin Luther King Jr. when nobody is watching. He plans to attend the Taiwanese American Foundation conference in August and wants you to join him.

Summer Humility

Every summer, it seems that the hordes find their way to Taiwan. The airlines obviously recognize it: flights between Taiwan and the U.S.A. double in cost at this time. They must realize that during the presumably course free time, students will want to visit grandparents, take immersion courses, and teach English in Taiwan. Being almost halfway through my summer vacation, now becomes a time to reflect on how unproductive my summer has been. I haven't bought the books for my summer English assignment, or found the long since mislaid Spanish assignment. I haven't slept for twenty four hours straight (as some people will probably reminisce about come December) and I don't make $90 a week sitting at the edge of a pool watching other people swim (as some darkly tanned people will boast come the dinner bill). What I have done though is comb through the presents my dad brought home from Taiwan a week ago, IM a friend currently in Taiwan, and express disappointment that other friends are missing TAF because of trips to Taiwan instead. That’s my summer so far. Watching other people enjoy their summer Taiwan experience. I, on the other hand, have never remembered being in Taiwan during the summer. But with the whole of July just waiting for me almost entirely unscheduled, I'll have much time for reading and relaxing. I'll probably stretch out in the outdoor shade, basking in the humidity (about 55%-80% daily) and 95 F (give or give more than ten degrees) summer climate of mine. Even though the weather will sound familiar to some, I'll actually still be in St. Louis, firmly lodged in the middle of America. There won’t be any stray dogs rambling around in packs or motorcycles roaring down the street or cheap little drink shops left and right. No looking forward to cheap new clothes or cheap delicious food every day. What I do get to look forward to is a whole week in August spent with fellow Taiwanese Americans. We’ll dance, play games, chat, discuss, and basically just bond. It’s what I look forward at the end of every summer. Between the weeks spent loafing and the beginning of the school year, it is the perfect transition into thinking and early morning function. Despite having to miss a week of preseason (highly regrettable), I find TAF well worth the sacrifice. Within a week, I connect with similarly aged people of the same ethnic background from all over the country and I truly enjoy myself. And even though the environment is bizarre (cornfields in Indiana the past seven years), there’s always a feeling of being home. Jessica avoiding paying late fees for late registration for TAF by postmarking her form by July 3. She hopes to see lots of people - old friends and potential new friends - the first full week in August. Go to the TAF website: http://www.tafworld.org/ for more information and a registration form!