Third Thursdays

October 18th
7-10pm
Locus
1640 Post
San Francisco

In the wake of the Sept 11th attacks, Asian Americans are feeling a rush of patriotism. Ethnic organizations are raising donations and holding vigils, individuals are giving blood and money, and many recent immigrants have clipped printed flags from Asian language papers to post in their windows. But many Asian Americans are being labeled foreign terrorists and verbally and physically assaulted. The mainstream media was quick to describe the plane crashes as “the new Pearl Harbor”, raising the spectre of internment camps for several Asian American groups who objected. Observers have also criticized the name of the new cabinet position “Homeland Security” for rhetorically excluding immigrants who were not born in the U.S.

As a community whose loyalty has been repeatedly called into question (especially during WWII, the Wen Ho Lee case, and now), Asian Americans are confronted with the dilemma of being patriots in a society that often doubts their loyalties. This month’s Third Thursdays examines patriotism — what is patriotism and how does the practice and meaning of it differ within Asian American communities?

Panelists include:

• Dina Shek
  Organizer
  The Nosei Network.
  
• Timothy Chen
  Special Assistant
  The 80/20 Initiative