On Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, the University of Colorado Campus Press posted the article, “If it’s war the Asians want, it’s war they’ll get,” that outraged and upset students and community members from different backgrounds across the nation. The consensus was, “enough is enough”. As incidents similar to this one continue to arise each month and each year, our reason for this campaign is to put an end to the cultural misunderstanding and make a statement: we are unified in our mission to spread not only cultural awareness but respect.
“Next Generation Voices” was established in response to this incident, We are spearheading the “In Solidarity” campaign. Our reason (our mission) is to:
- Educate and work for the accurate inclusion of APA culture, history, and issues into society’s cultural conscience.
- Program events to give mainstream society a more complete picture of the world outside of Western models.
- Bridge the schisms found among the various cultures we represent as Asian Pacific Americans in order to work more effectively towards establishing a true community.
- Be a voice for human rights and social justice. As the “next generation” of young leaders, it is our responsibility and honor to lead our community!
Please visit OurSTORY to learn more about Asian-American history and why “herding Asians” is not humorous, as there are examples in our history in which this has happened. OurSTORY is OurREASON.
The Asian and Asian American community alongside many supporters were quick to mobilize and alert the media and community of this offensive article. Community members also sent requests for an apology from the University of Colorado administration. Hundreds of e-mails and letters flooded the Campus Press and administration. Below is a timeline of events that followed:
Timeline of Events:
Monday, February 18, 2008: University of Colorado at Boulder Campus Press
publishes “If
it’s war the Asians want... it’s war they’ll get.”
Wednesday, February 20, 2008: Statement
by University of Colorado Chancellor G.P. “Bud” Peterson
Friday, February 22, 2008: Asian
American Diversity Discussion Forum
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008: Students
rally at CU-Boulder campus
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008: Students
meet with administration, Campus Press in open forum
Friday, May 2, 2008: “In Solidarity” Day
Please order your “In Solidarity” t-shirts now! Unite with
us to spread awareness! Join the movement!
As we receive more responses and actions from the university administration
and community members, we will keep this timeline of events current. Please
continue to check back. Thank you.