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
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Asian American Voter Access in L.A. County In-Language Ballot Use, Voter Experiences and Effectiveness of Voter Outreach
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Asian American, Latino, Black and White Voters in Los Angeles City Elections Racial Diversity and Representation in 2020 and 2022
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A translation of WWII-era Japanese concentration camp poetry, recovers the lost voices of Japanese immigrants
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Korean & Asian American Journalists Writing Truth to Power
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October 15, 2024
Book Talk - Carceral Entanglements: Gendered Public Memories of Japanese American World War II Incarceration
UCLA Rolfe Hall, Room 2125
This talk with Author Wendi Yamashita will focus on the first chapter of the book to examine how antiblackness operates within Japanese American memorial practices and how that has shifted and been challenged after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Seats are very limited.
Tuesday, October 15, 12:00-1:30pm
October 15, 2024
Book Talk - At the Edge of Empire: A Family's Reckoning with China
UCLA School of Law, Room 1457
Author Ed Wong tells a moving chronicle of a family and a nation that spans decades of momentous change and gives profound insight into a new authoritarian age transforming the world. A groundbreaking book, At the Edge of Empire is the essential work for understanding China today.
Tuesday, October 15, 12:15pm
October 22, 2024
Institute of American Cultures Fall Forum
Zoom Webinar
You are invited to the UCLA Institute of American Cultures (IAC) annual Fall Forum, featuring four of the 2024-25 Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellows at UCLA's ethnic studies centers. Featured speakers will be interviewed by UCLA faculty experts, followed by a live Q&A.
Tuesday, October 22, 3:00-4:00pm
October 30, 2024
Book Talk - Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family with Author Oiyan A. Poon
UCLA James West Alumni Center - Founders Room
Conversation moderated by Anthony Ocampo. Books on sale by ASUCLA Bookzone with author signing. Light refreshments will be offered. Join us for the Book Talk in-person at UCLA, or attend virtually on Zoom!
Wednesday, October 30, 6:15-8:00pm
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!
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A Message from Director Karen Umemoto
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