Asian American Awareness Month 2007 @ UIC

University of Illinois at Chicago

Asian American Awareness Month 2007

A Celebration of Culture and Consciousness

Asian American Awareness Month this year will start at the end of springbreak with Filipinos in Alliance's Uproot show on Saturday, March 31st. Spotlight events of the month include a talk by actor George Takei from Star Trek and Heroes (April 4) and a performance from rapper Jin (April 9). The ASAM Expo expands this year to present a full day of activities relating to Asian American Studies at UIC on April 13th. Closing the month, April 27, will be author, Anita Desai, giving a keynote address at the Kriti Festivalon South Asian Literature. Read on for details on these and other eventsthat fill the month.

Printed calendar/posters will be available at AARCC on Friday, March 23. A full-color PDF poster version of this calendar is available online at http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/AARCC/documents/UICAAAM2007.pdf. Events added since include the April 16 event about Hepatitis B in Chicago's Chinatown (details below).

-----

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center online at http://aarcc.vcaa.uic.edu/ or call (312) 413-9569. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in an event, please call (312) 413-9569 and every effort will be made to provide an accommodation.

The list of events is available after the jump.

Saturday, March 31

UPROOT: A Cultural Showcase Of Our Generation

Filipinos in Alliance proudly presents the sixth annual UPROOT, an evening of performances meant to convey the Filipino American experience. From
traditional and modern dances to spoken word, these performances challenge
any narrow definition of who we are as Filipinos in America. As FIA celebrates its 10th anniversary, this year's UPROOT serves as a "Reunion" of
past and present ventures, experiences, and accomplishments. For more info
go to http://fia.pages.uic.edu. Organized by Filipinos in Alliance.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

$5



Wednesday, April 4

George Takei: From Star Trek to Heroes

Best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, but now finding a new
audience with The Howard Stern Show and Heroes, George Takei shares his
uniquely American story. After a childhood in U.S. internment camps, George
embarked on an extraordinary career as a pioneering Japanese American actor
who began in the business when Asian faces were rarely onscreen.


He chronicles the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans and shares his optimistic message that the future as embodied in "Star Trek" -- a world where people from all backgrounds work together to overcome problems -- is going to happen. A member of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political organization, George talks about his life as a gay Japanese American and how Star Trek's cornerstone philosophy embodied in the show's acronym "IDIC" - "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" -- remains relevant in today's world. Organized by the Asian American Awareness Month Planning Committee.


Co-sponsored by Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns; Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans AND Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues, Japanese American Citizens League Chicago Chapter, Student Activities Funding Committee, Undergraduate Student Government. To learn more about George Takei, visit www.georgetakei.com.

4:00 p.m.

Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

Entertainment provided by Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko Group



Also join us for a week of fun Star Trek activities, April 2-6, in The Rainbow Resource, 181 BSB, from 12-1:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Download a detailed schedule, e-mail Liz Thomson, mailto:lthomson@uic.eduor visit http://www.glbc.uic.edu.



Friday, April 6

ASAM Expo Workshops

Students from Introduction to Asian American Studies 125 run interactive

workshops focusing on a broad range of topics related to Asian American

issues and Asian American Studies. For more workshops to be offered and

additional Expo events, see April 13th. Organized by Asian American Resource

and Cultural Center and the ASAM 125 class. ASAM Expo Schedule.

Two workshop sessions run from 2:00-3:00 and 3:00-4:00

Rooms 121, 300, 301, 320, Taft Hall



Monday, April 9

Jin Concert

Rapper extraordinaire, freestyle champion and former Ruff Ryders artist, Jin
is a certified household name within the Hip-hop community. Best-known for
his winning battles on "Fight Klub" and BET's "106 and Park," this

groundbreaking Chinese American artist broke stereotypes of Asian Americans
in the entertainment industry. Jin integrates his Chinese heritage and love
of hip-hop culture with his music, particularly his recent release ABC-
which stands for "American Born Chinese," a musical biography rapped
exclusively in Cantonese (view the ABC Press Release). Organized by the Asian American Awareness Month
Planning Committee.

6:00 p.m.

Inner Circle, UIC Student Center East

Valid i-card required for admission



Wednesday, April 11

Another Kind of Family: Asian American Adoptees and Birth Mother Speak Out

"It's so cute, what is it?" "Will it speak English?" "Are you going to tell

her she's adopted?" These and other comments will be shared and discussed in

order to examine the complex space adoptees regularly negotiate.

Additionally, hear a rare personal account from a birth mother and get an

update on current adoption issues from an international adoption agency

representative. For more info, contact organizer, Liz Thomson at

lthomson@uic.edu.

4:00 - 5:00 pm

Room 183, Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB)



Friday, April 13

2nd Annual ASAM Expo: Asian Americans in Education

Dr. Peter Kiang from University of Massachusetts, Boston delivers the
keynote address on developing Asian American Studies in an urban university setting. A panel of visiting scholars from the field of education discusses
research on Asian American in higher education. Students from ASAM courses exhibit research projects and run interactive workshops. Come learn about
issues related to Asian Americans in higher education and Asian American
Studies. All are welcome. Organized by Asian American Resource and Cultural
Center and the ASAM 125 class. ASAM Expo Schedule.

Research exhibit 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.; keynote address and panel discussion 12:00 - 1:45 p.m.; two workshop sessions from 2:00-3:00 and 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Exhibit, keynote, and panel: Room B & C, Student Service Building

Workshops: Rooms 121, 300, 301, 320, Taft Hall



Monday, April 16

Chinese Culture Festival

The Festival will be a combination of exhibits of artifacts and artwork,
cultural performances, and presentations about China and the Chinese
culture. Talks will be given about traditional Chinese medicine, traditional
Chinese music, and the urban development of China. Visit http://cssa.pages.uic.edu for more information. Organized by Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association.

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Room 302, UIC Student Center East

Monday, April 16 (NEWLY ADDED)

Asian American Health Disparities: A Natural History of Hepatitis B in Chicago Chinatown

Clinical research faculty discusses Asian American health disparities, including the relative risk of Asians & Asian Americans for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) disease and outcomes. The event includes a presentation of research and students' experiences working in underrepresented populations. Refreshments served. For more info contact Greg Calip, gcalip1@uic.edu. Organized by the Asian Pharmacists Association.

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Room 134, College of Pharmacy

Tuesday, April 17

"Sentenced Home" Documentary Screening

"Sentenced Home" follows three Cambodian American men from Seattle who broke
the law in their late teens, served time in prison, and thought they were
getting on with their lives - until they received letters from the
government informing them that, because of their criminal records, and in
spite of time served, they would soon be deported back to Cambodia. There
will be a Q&A session after the screening with David Grabias, one of the

directors, and Many Uch, one of the deportees. For more info contact Joyce Yin at jyin4@uic.edu. Organized by the Asian American Coalition Committee.

4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Lecture Center A-6



Saturday, April 21

India Night 2007

This is a showcase of various talents, which include dancing, singing, and

acting, that combines traditional Indian culture with contemporary

influences. Please join us to celebrate an unforgettable evening with

sensational performances! For details and tickets contact uic.isa@gmail.com.

Organized by the Indian Students Association.

6:00 p.m.

Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora

$15 advance tickets



Wednesday, April 25

AASIA Cook Off

Asian American Students in Alliance present their first cooking challenge. Watch as different UIC organizations sweat it out in a tournament style
culinary battle for the grand prize. Held at Tatami, the new sushi restaurant in Student Center
West, this is an opportunity to try foods from all over the world. Contact
Joan Mercado for more info at jmerca4@uic.edu.

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Centennial Room, UIC Student Center West



Thursday, April 26

Mr. Asian Sens-Asian

Mr. Asian Sens-Asian is a male talent competition that serves as a vehicle
to break Asian American male stereotypes, as well as to raise awareness of
issues that affect the Asian American student population. Organized by
Korean Americans United Serving Equality, alpha Kappa Delta Phi, and Chi
Sigma Tau.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., Show 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Chicago Room, UIC Student Center West



Friday, April 27

Kriti Festival Keynote: Anita Desai

Award-winning author Anita Desai will discuss South Asian literature. Desai
is the noted Indian author of Fire on the Mountain (1977), which won the
Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. Her novels Clear Light of Day (1980), In
Custody (1984) and Fasting, Feasting (1999) were shortlisted for the Booker

Prize. The Village by the Sea (1982), a children's book, won the Guardian
Children's Fiction Award. The Kriti Festival is a four-day event celebrating
South Asian and diaspora literature, with panel discussions, performances,
readings, music and song, storytelling for kids, and much more!

5:00 p.m. reception, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. talk

Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

Advance registration (free) required. The entire Kriti Festival, including the keynote, is free for UIC students, staff, and faculty. To register and

see the four-day conference schedule, go to: http://www.desilit.org/kriti.html

Friday, April 27 (NEWLY ADDED)

Voices of Resistance

Voices of Resistance (VOR) is an annual exploration and affirmation of South Asian Diasporic identity through art. VOR's 2007 theme is Chai Tea Latte: An Exploration of Truth and Illusions , featuring art that explores both the realities of being a part the South Asian Diaspora as well as the myths that surround our identities. Our theme speaks to both recent events such as Hurricane Katrina and the national discussion on poverty in America and around the world, and to past events such as Partition and the identities

that were created as a result. Other topics may include the realities of globalization, the effects of the Model Minority myth, the Iraq war, and generational connections. For more information, go online to the South Asian Progressive Action Collective's website.

7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

-----

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.



For more information, visit the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center in Taft Hall (Room 101) or call (312) 413-9569.



If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate

in an event, please call (312) 413-9569 and every effort will be made to

provide an accommodation.

-----

LOCATIONS

Behavioral Sciences Building

1007 West Harrison Street

College of Pharmacy

833 South Wood Street

Lecture Center A

805 South Halsted Street



Paramount Arts Centre

23 East Galena Boulevard

Aurora, Illinois



Student Services Building

1200 West Harrison Street



Taft Hall

826 South Halsted Street



UIC Student Center East

750 South Halsted Street



UIC Student Center West

828 South Wolcott Avenue

PLANNING COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONS

alpha Kappa Delta Phi

Asian American Coalition Committee

Asian American Resource and Cultural Center

Asian American Students in Alliance

Asian Pacific American Graduate Students Organization

Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans

Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association

Chi Sigma Tau

Filipinos in Alliance

Korean Americans United Serving Equality

Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual , and Transgender Concerns

SPONSORS:

Asian American Resource and Cultural Center

Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans

Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and

Transgender Issues

College of Education

College of Engineering

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

Department of Communication

Department of English

Department of Psychology

Department of Sociology

Graduate College

Honors College

Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy

Jane Addams College of Social Work

Japanese American Citizens League - Chicago Chapter

Kamal Kishore Kapur Memorial Fund

Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns

Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

School of Public Health

Student Activities Funding Committee

Undergraduate Student Government

University of Illinois Alumni Association