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Karen Umemoto, Ph.D.

Dear AASC friends, colleagues, and supporters:

 

We are deeply troubled by the violence that has unfolded in Israel and Palestine, the suffering and mounting loss of life, and the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Here at home, we raise concern over rising Islamophobia and antisemitism surrounding the conflict that threaten the safety and liberty of Muslims and Jews alike, as we believe that all life is precious.


While antisemitism is inexcusable, charges of antisemitism are unfortunately being leveled at educators and educational institutions, effectively muffling open political discourse and expression. Combined with recent movements to ban books and speech concerning issues of race and gender identity, the rights of academic freedom and freedom of speech hang in the balance. It is of utmost importance to preserve the rights to academic freedom, freedom of speech and due process in order to preserve basic democratic rights more broadly.

 

These rights are critical for educators and students striving to heal a divided society with greater understanding of who we are in all our many hues and histories. Our two focal initiatives—to increase the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in policy making and to include our histories and experiences in K-12 and college curricula—are key to shaping new narratives that are inclusive and justice minded. Alongside the other Ethnic Studies centers under the Institute of American Cultures, we continue to work together towards these and other shared aims.

 

We hope you will join us on this important journey.


With gratitude,

Karen Umemoto, Ph.D.
Helen and Morgan Chu Chair and Director

 


All Rights Reserved. © UCLA Asian American Studies Center, Los Angeles, California



Remembering Alan Nishio (1945-2023)

Alan Nishio was an exemplar of activism and service who profoundly influenced generations of students, community organizations and educational institutions.

Alan was interviewed as part of the UCLA Collective Memories project. To learn more about him, please view his oral history interview conducted on October 30, 2018.



Project Spotlights


  Reports and Publications

Asian American, Latino, Black and White Voters in Los Angeles City Elections

Racial Diversity and Representation in 2020 and 2022
Natalie Masuoka & Nathan Chan







SA I GU

Korean & Asian American Journalists Writing Truth to Power
Edited by Russell C. Leong, Karen Umemoto, & Soo Mee Kim, with Vince Leus






  Events

Racializing Reproduction: Maternal Mortality, Asian American Women, COVID19
Lalaie Ameeriar

IAC AASC Visiting Scholar Presentation

 

Co-sponsors: UCLA Asian American Studies Center & Department, UCLA Department of Anthropology, UCLA Department of Global Studies


Monday, February 26, 2024, 1:00 - 3:00pm, UCLA Rolfe Hall 2125

 

Intimate Strangers: Shin Issei Women and Contemporary Japanese American Community, 1980-2020

Tritia Toyota Book Talk

 

Co-sponsors: UCLA Asian American Studies Center, Japanese Institute of Sawtelle, Sawtelle Japantown Association, West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple, West Los Angeles United Methodist Church


Sunday, March 3, 2024 2:00 - 4:00pm, West LA Buddhist Temple, 2003 Corinth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025

 

AAPI Policy Summit 2024

 

2024 Asian American & Pacific Islander Policy Summit
"Moving from Collective Knowledge to Action"


DATE: Friday, March 8, 2024


UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center
425 Westwood Plaza | Los Angeles, CA 90095

 

Registration is required. Please register here.

 

View the 2024 AAPI Policy Summit Program, Schedule, and more information here.

 

 

The "2024 AAPI Policy Summit: Moving from Collective Knowledge to Action," builds upon the 2023 Summit that focused on reimagining California by developing solutions that establish more equitable institutions, policies, and systems that work toward social justice for all. In particular, a future inclusive of Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander communities. We invite you to join us as we continue to weave together our collective knowledge and build a future where action, power, representation and care lead to enduring impact.

 

The Summit is made possible in part by the Asian and Pacific Islander Equity Budget, which was a result of a statewide coalition of 116 community-based organizations and the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus who advocated for these funds to support the critical work in developing equity, safety, and unity for California's diverse AAPI communities.

 

This event is co-organized by UCLA Asian American Studies Center, CA AAPI Legislative Caucus, and Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs.

 

 

View the Policy Summit from February 10, 2023 here!

 

 

 

  What's News

Alumni Helen and Morgan Chu pledge $10 million to benefit UCLA Institute of American Cultures

 




Assistant Professor Thuy Vo Dang Awarded 2022-2023 C. Doris and Toshio Hoshide Distinguished Teaching Prize in Asian American Studies at UCLA

 





UCLA Professor Kyeyoung Park Appointed to Korea Times-Hankook Ilbo Endowed Chair in Korean American Studies

Please join us at a special reception honoring Kyeyoung Park on Tuesday, May 30, 6-8pm PST, UCLA James West Alumni Center, Founders Room





Announcing Amy Uyematsu Papers at UCLA

The UCLA Asian American Studies Center is proud to announce the recent donation of papers from UCLA alumnus, math teacher, and American poet Amy Uyematsu.




Asian American Studies Center to create free resource for high school teachers







Housing Insecurity Persists for Renters of Color amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened California's chronic economic and housing inequalities for low-income and people-of-color households. This research brief uses data from the US Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey (HPS) and California's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to analyze the experience of renters and their participation in critical emergency rental-assistance programs.


Contemporary Asian American Activism: Building Movements for Liberation







Asian American Studies Center
Statement on Recent Hate Incident





Asian American Businesses: The Impacts of Anti-Asian Racism, 2021











Asian American Businesses: Identifying Gaps and Supporting Recovery 2021










Potential Differential Undercount in 2020 Census Redistricting Data: Los Angeles County, California 2021






1871 Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre, 150th Year Commemoration

Watch the commemorative performance, program, and panel discussion.


Vanessa Unmuted tackles Anti-Asian Hate

The Center released a new online "Storybook" as part of its ongoing efforts to provide educational and interactive learning materials about the history and experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islanders.


Congratulations to Professor Renee Tajima-Pena and the team of PBS' Asian Americans series on their Peabody Win in the Documentary Category!