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***Admin*** · 04-29-07, 08:39 PM

Dear Students, Staff & Faculty:

The turn of recent events on the Virginia Tech campus have left many saddened and devastated. As we mourn the loss of lives and pay tribute to them, I also want to take a moment to open up space for dialogue around the way in which the media has reported the events.

Some students, staff and faculty who are of Asian descent may find themselves concerned with how the accused killer is being portrayed as a "South Korean immigrant." In addition to the devastation and grief folks might be experiencing in response to the killings, a few questions might come to mind:

Why is it important for the news to report the racial/ethnic background of the accused?

What does his status as an immigrant have to do with the crime?

Are there any stereotypes that the media is utilizing about Asians and Asian Americans?

Is there backlash against the Asian and Asian American communities?

Have you as person of Asian descent experienced comments, jokes or even been verbally or physically hurt by individuals in response to this event?

If you are of Asian descent and have experienced bias, fear of bias or want to discuss the impact of the media's reporting of the accused killer, join us for "Virginia Tech, the Media & Ethnicity: An Asian American Community Forum" on Thursday, April 26, 2007 from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center (Building 95, between the Career Center and the University Library). We invite students, staff and faculty of Asian descent to talk about their feelings and thoughts in a safe space and to engage in a discussion that supports the community and begins to address the potential stigma. There are two forums the Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers along with many cross-campus partners are working to organize. This is one of them.

For more information, please contact Jih-Fei Cheng, Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center at (909) 869-5025 or email at jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu.

Sincerely,

* * * * * * * * * *
Jih-Fei Cheng, M.A.
Coordinator
Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 W. Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
T: 909.869.5025
F: 909.869.6827
jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu
www.dsa.csupomona.ed u/apisc/

04-29-07, 08:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Admin* Think About It Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,945	Invitation to Virginia Tech, the Media & Ethnicity:An Asian American Community Forum Dear Students, Staff & Faculty: The turn of recent events on the Virginia Tech campus have left many saddened and devastated. As we mourn the loss of lives and pay tribute to them, I also want to take a moment to open up space for dialogue around the way in which the media has reported the events. Some students, staff and faculty who are of Asian descent may find themselves concerned with how the accused killer is being portrayed as a "South Korean immigrant." In addition to the devastation and grief folks might be experiencing in response to the killings, a few questions might come to mind: Why is it important for the news to report the racial/ethnic background of the accused? What does his status as an immigrant have to do with the crime? Are there any stereotypes that the media is utilizing about Asians and Asian Americans? Is there backlash against the Asian and Asian American communities? Have you as person of Asian descent experienced comments, jokes or even been verbally or physically hurt by individuals in response to this event? If you are of Asian descent and have experienced bias, fear of bias or want to discuss the impact of the media's reporting of the accused killer, join us for "Virginia Tech, the Media & Ethnicity: An Asian American Community Forum" on Thursday, April 26, 2007 from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center (Building 95, between the Career Center and the University Library). We invite students, staff and faculty of Asian descent to talk about their feelings and thoughts in a safe space and to engage in a discussion that supports the community and begins to address the potential stigma. There are two forums the Office of Student Life & Cultural Centers along with many cross-campus partners are working to organize. This is one of them. For more information, please contact Jih-Fei Cheng, Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center at (909) 869-5025 or email at jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu. Sincerely, * * * * * * * * * * Jih-Fei Cheng, M.A. Coordinator Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 3801 W. Temple Ave. Pomona, CA 91768 T: 909.869.5025 F: 909.869.6827 jihfeicheng@csupomon a.edu www.dsa.csupomona.ed u/apisc/