Racism Against Asian Ams in the US Army

Danny Chen was American by birth AND by choice. He defied his parents' objection to join the Army. But he was racially brutalized to committing suicide by his fellow American soldiers who were his superiors. Even worse, the military system chose to condone the outrageous evil against Danny Chen. See below.    The trial against the first of the 8 culprits was over. Sergeant Holcomb was sentenced to a reduction in rank, a fine of $1181.55, and 30 days in jail. The other seven will likely get even less, because they had less charges against them than Holcomb.  Do you know enough about the Danny Chen tragedy? If not, read the following quotes from an editorial and articles of NY Times, and other reputable prints. Otherwise skip all the quotes and get to the central message near the bottom. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  o   "He was dragged out of bed, pelted with rocks and racial taunts and forced to crawl along the ground and do pull-ups without swallowing or spitting out a mouthful of water — all apparently because he forgot to turn off the water heater after taking a shower. Private Chen was the son of Chinese immigrants in Manhattan, and he had written to his parents about being the butt of racial jokes." EDITORIAL, New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/23/opinion/a-soldiers-death.html   o   Fellow soldiers used racial slurs against Private Danny Chen, including: "chink," "gook," "dragon lady," "slants," egg roll," "Jackie Chen," "Chen Chen," and "Ling Ling."  o   Others (at the trial) said Holcomb uttered some slurs over the radio, where they were heard by the entire platoon, adding to Chen's humiliation. LA Times; http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-danny-chen-suicide-trial-20120725,0,1215214.story  o   "In a journal he kept while in basic training and in letters, Private Chen mentioned that other soldiers teased him because of his ethnicity. "Everyone here jokingly makes fun of me for being Asian," . . . Chen had complained in a Feb. 27 letter sent while he was at basic training in Georgia . . . "They ask if I'm from China like a few times a day. . . . . People crack jokes about Chinese people all the time. I'm running out of jokes to comeback (sic) at them." NY Times ; http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/us/8-charged-in-death-of-fellow-soldier-us-army-says.html?pagewanted=all  o   "According to an investigation by the Regional Command South of Kandaha, Afghanistan . . . Private Chen was ordered to complete excessive exercises almost immediately upon arriving in Afghanistan last August. Although he had successfully completed both basic and advanced training in the US before deployment, members of his platoon claimed he was not physically fit. Pvt. Chen, the only Chinese-American in his platoon, was required to run excessive sprints, carry sandbags, subjected to barrages of rocks (supposedly to simulate artillery) and was assigned extra duties." The New York Observer, http://observer.com/2012/01/grim-details-emerge-in-case-of-private-danny-chens-death/  o   Such punishments resemble the "smokings" that drill sergeants mete out at basic training to correct mistakes. But, in Chen's case, it wasn't long before this campaign of "corrective training" escalated into sheer brutality. NY Magazine; http://nymag.com/news/features/danny-chen-2012-1/index3.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    Since Danny was given extra duty and punishment almost from day one, we suspect the following:    We suspect that Danny Chen's superiors didn't trust the loyalty of a Chinese-American -- based on racism -- from day one, and therefore for their own security worries, wanted to drive him off the unit.    Anyone can be driven to mental and physical exhaustion and begin to fall down on his/her job. Once the signs of a "weak" soldier appear, then his superiors are justified to apply even more brutal abuse. This methodology can be applied against any Asian American with impunity in the current US Army, be they American soldiers of Chinese, Pakistan, Korean or Iranian origin.    We urge all good people to help dig into this matter to either prove or refute our suspicion. If indeed that is the case, and the Army condones it, is this what America is all about?  Help us. We look for "A Few Good Men" in the Army's legal system, and in this great land.    We need to mobilize our entire Asian Am. community to become a "David" to face a giant -- those who condone racism in the US Army.    If you are an individual, donate at http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/donate/donate.asp It's tax deductible. Or email me to volunteer via sbw@udel.edu. If you are the head of an organization, get your group to join the "Danny Chen Coalition." Sign up at http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/projects/danny-chen-coalition-form.asp Sincerely, S.B., a volunteer President, 80-20 National Asian American Educational Foundation Forward tis e-newsletter to your friends! Post your comments at http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .

CALL TO ACTION -- Vincent Chin II unfolding!

               CALL TO ACTION -- Unite To Overcome A Crisis

   "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their..." -- Thomas Paine

   80-20 is forming a loose coalition of organizations, the "Danny Chen Coalition," to secure JUSTICE for Danny Chen in the remaining 7 trials. He was a Chinese Am. soldier who committed suicide after weeks of racial hazing against him by his superiors in an Afghanistan base. 8 soldiers were charged by the US.
   The first trial was over. The guilty only got 30 days in prison, reduction of one rank, to specialist, and a fine of $1,181.55. Does anyone think such a person deserves to remain in our force?      Outrageous!
   The other seven will likely get even less, since the first had more charges against him. Sad!
   All orgs, large or small, are welcome! No dues. We'll be equals. We just need a huge common effort to jointly pushing info relating to Danny Chen's case out to our community. Sign in at  http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/projects/danny-chen-coalition-form.asp

           Vincent Chin II is unfolding right before our eyes.

   Both deaths occurred owing to racial hatred against an Asian American. The culprits in both case received shockingly light sentences.
   80-20 is "RAISING THE FLAG" -- to tell you right away that we are here to fight with you and for you. 80-20 will not quit.
   We are considering many concrete steps, including possibly buying full-page ads in mainstream and ethnic papers asking Asian Am. youth to boycott our Armed Forces, at least until Justice is achieved for Danny Chen, his family and the ENTIRE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
   Danny Chen's death was caused by racial hatred against Asian Americans. If such a situation is not dealt with seriously, there could be implications in our lives in the future. Asian Am lives seem worthless, at least in the US Army.

                            Caution! Don't Be Naïve.

   Take any defense statement in a military trial with a huge dose of salt. Remember Pat Tillman's case? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman Even our generals were caught lying and deeply engaged in cover-ups.
   View a movie entitled "A Few Good Men" starring Tom Cruise. It'll give you a sense of how military court is sooooo different from a civilian court and that office have huge privileges, possibly encouraging cover-ups and lying.
   Our community has our summer soldiers too. Now that bad news has arrived, they may be asking for face-saving training programs to stop future hazing again. 80-20 insists on "Justice First."
   Don't be naïve. No amount of training to stop hazing will be effective, if the guilty ones of today are NOT justly punished.

                        Row Together or Sink One by One

   Our entire community, Indians, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, must be mobilized. Vincent Chin was a Chinese Am. But he was killed with a baseball bat, because the killers took him to be a Japanese American. So whatever your ethnicity we are in the same boat. Let's row together!  Join the Danny Chen Coalition Now! You can email me at sbw@udel.edu, if you like.

Sincerely,
S.B., a volunteer President, 80-20 National Asian American Educational Foundation

PS: If YOU envision yourself as a person who has the guts to fight for your racial equality, justice, and your children, then be ready to fight. The fight will be long and hard. Post your comments at: 
 http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .

Easy to do and Great for our children - stay UNDECIDED

  Every presidential election is a golden opportunity for us & our children to get a step closer to becoming equal citizens of the USA.

   How? Induce or squeeze each presidential candidate to help us achieve that goal in exchange for our support. :-)

   Pls. Explain! Stay "UNDECIDED" until we know which presidential candidate will help us more. We'll help that candidate back with our BLOC vote. The closer the election, the more they'll value our BLOC vote.

   An Example? In 2008, candidate Obama answered in writing with 6 "yeses" to 80-20's 6 questions, and signed the questionnaire. Pls. see his 2008 answer to S. B. Woo:

  

   Were the promises of candidate Obama fulfilled? Mostly!

   What did Obama do regarding 80-20's questions 4 to 6? The number of federal life-tenured Asian Am. judges more than doubled since Pres. Obama took office, with two in the higher Appeals Courts, as compared with none, before Pres. Obama came in. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/news/preselect2008_record_b.asp

   What did Obama do regarding 80-20's questions 1 to 3? The US Labor Department promised in writing to enforce a workplace protection law (Exec. Order 11246) for Asian Ams together with all other minorities. In comparison, the Bush Administration under then Labor Sec. Elaine Chao, refused to do so. 80-20 has begun to see positive results in the enforcement of EO11246. However, we didn't get the meeting with Pres. Obama to review results, as promised.

   What shall I do to be a part of this great strategy? Remain or become UNDECIDED until 80-20 PAC has endorsed a candidate after negotiating with both campaigns. This is where 80-20 PAC shines -- getting the UNEQUIVOCAL promise from a candidate & supporting him greatly in the battleground states! [Note: 80-20 EF doesn't endorse. It only provides political education.]

  Please forward this email to ALL your Asian Am friends. Urge them to become UNDECIDED, especially when polled. Tell all AsAms that sweet words mean nothing after a candidate becomes the President! The promises have to be unequivocal, in writing, and signed. Even then Pres. Obama didn't fulfill all of his written explicit promises. A lesson for ALL!

   Will 80-20 be able to get our children a step closer to becoming equal citizens in 2012? That depends on YOU! Your support is what counts. 80-20 is YOUR effective instrument. YOU need to use it.

  Becoming UNDECIDED is easy to do, and it will yield huge benefits for our children!!!

   Reply to me with "I so pledge!" if you like. Many thanks.

Your Devoted Servant,

S.B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation
http://www.80-20EF.org
 

PS: 80-20 gratefully acknowledges the generous contribution of
Mitchell & Priscilla Lou Charitable Fund, PA: $2,000

4 Reasons 80-20 EF Is Against Race-conscious Admission

   80-20 EF has 4 MAJOR REASONS to OPPOSE race-conscious college admission. The reasons are all objective, factual and revealed AFTER the Supreme Court's last decision on college admission.

   You need to know these reasons to decide whether you want to act strongly to persuade those Asian Am orgs. which SUPPORT race-conscious admission. Unless you do more, they will file to support such admission claiming to represent the Asian Am community, thereby weakening 80-20's amicus brief. Our children may not win equal opportunity for another decade & more owing to the negative power of these orgs.

   80-20's 4 reasons are:


(1) Race Conscious Admission Is "Counterproductive"
   A 2005 report by a UCLA law professor revealed "Academic Mismatch." A subsequent 2011 statistical study by two Duke Univ. profs & a graduate student suggests that the result of such admission "is counterproductive" to black and HIspanics students In STEM fields and law schools. http://www.weeklystandard.com/author/heather-mac-donald
   Reason? Professors teach to the medium level students. When students admitted under strong racial preference can't keep up in tough courses, they switch out of their chosen majors by a hugely disproportional %.


(2) Race Conscious Admission Discriminates Against AsAms
   A 2009 statistical study by Princeton sociologist Thoma Espenshade finds:
      "Asian Americans need to score 140 points more than whites,
      270 more than Hispanics and 450 more than African Ams
      on the math and reading sections of the SAT to be equally
      competitive in private college admissions."
   Why? Why are Asian Americans required to score higher than whites in an affirmative action program? Asian Ams have been on the receiving end of "historic wrongs," probably more so than the Hispanics!


(3) The New Supreme Court May Knock Down Race Conscious Admission
   A 5 to 4 vote decided the Michigan case, with O'Connor voting for the race-conscious admission. O'Connor has been replaced by Alito who is against a race-conscious admission.


(4) 98% of the Asian Ams Support a Race NEUTRAL Policy
   An open and neutral survey earlier this year, participated by 47,000+ Asian Ams, showed an overwhelming desire of our community to stop this outrageous discrimination against us.

   The two major AsAm orgs. which support race conscious admission are:
1) AALDEF, whose Exec. Director is Margarent Fung (mfung@aaldef.org ), &
2) APACL, whose president is Stewart Kwoh (skwoh@apalc.org 5355 ).

   NOT MUCH TIME LEFT! Seize the moment or WAIT another decade or more.

   Post your comments on http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .

Sincerely,
S.B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation
http://www.80-20EF.org

Is AALDEF a responsible organization?

            Diametrically Opposite Claims Made by 2 AsAm Orgs.

   On 6/26/2012, AALDEF, whose Exec. Director is Margaret Fung (info@aaldef.org ), issued a press release*. Its title is "The Majority of Asian Americans Support Race-Conscious Admissions Policies." Wow, what a claim! AALDEF also claimed that 80-20's survey was flawed.

   A few Months ago, 80-20 EF, whose President is S. B. Woo, did an open and neutral survey. It found that for every 1 AsAm who chose to OPPOSE, 52 AsAms chose to be FOR a race-neutral college admission policy.

            You be the judge: Which Organization Is Wrong or Lying!

   80-20 kept a record of the 57,000+ survey participants. The records below show their names/cities/states/zip codes and their respective choices -- "for" or "Against" a race neutral admission policy. See below:

Last Name Starting From A to G:
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/pdf/college-survey-results-a-g.pdf
H to L:
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/pdf/college-survey-results-h-l.pdf
M to W:
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/pdf/college-survey-results-m-w.pdf
X to Z:
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/pdf/college-survey-results-x-z.pdf

   AALDEF backed its claim by citing two exit polls with unknown participants. Their sample sizes are estimated by 80-20 to be less than 250 each. It falsely claimed that support for affirmative action is equivalent to support for race-conscious admission, which is actually an ANTI-affirmative Act. Race-conscious admission has resulted in requiring AsAm students to score 140 SAT pts. higher than white students in order to have equal chance to enter elite colleges.

   Margaret Fung has the right to say that she supports such a policy. However, does she have the right to claim that a majority of our community agrees with her?

   This Dispute, Affecting Fate of AsAm Students, Can Be EASILY Settled!

   80-20 CHALLENGES AALDEF to do a survey of all Asian Americans together.

     We'll each pay half the cost for an AsAm survey specifically on college admissions. The survey will be designed by mutually agreed upon professionals, monitored by neutral third parties, and open to all AsAms.

   As of today, AALDEF has NOT responded!

   Is AALDEF a responsible organization? Since it claims it speaks for Asian Ams, it has the responsibility to verify its claim in order not to wrong AsAm college students.
   What if AALDEF's major funding sources find out that it makes IRRESPONSIBLE claims and accusations? Will they continue to fund AALDEF?

Sincerely,
S. B. Woo, a volunteer
80-20 national Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.

*To see AALDEF's press release whose title is "The Majority of Asian Americans Support Race-Conscious Admissions Policies." Click on http://aaldef.org/press-releases/press-release/the-majority-of-asian-americans-support-race-conscious-admissions-policies.html

 

Money Talks. Donate or "Be 2nd Class Citizens"!

                                     Money talks

   If Asian Am. organizations derive their principal income from NON-Asian Am. sources do you think their loyalty will be with us IF there is a conflict of interest between us and their major funding sources?

   Is that a question that our community should ask itself?

   Try to think from the point of view of the staffs of these "AsAm" organizations, from staff to Executive Directors, whose salaries and pension funds depend on such funding. What if they advocate the "wrong" rights for Asian Ams which displeases their funding sources? Will their jobs and pensions still be secure?

   If YOU were one of the Executive Directors of these AsAm orgs, would you worry, not just for self-interest but the interest of rest of the staff?

   Is that a fair question that our community should ask itself?

                      Will such a conflict of interest occur?

   It has already occurred. Admission to elite colleges is a zero-sum game. When more of the qualified Asian Am youngsters get into elite colleges, less of all the rest of youngsters will get in.

                      Funding Source & Decision Making

   80-20 derives 100% of its annual income from the Asian Am community. Want proof? Visit http://www.80-20initiative.net; pull down "About us"; click on "Meeting documents"; click on "Physical Meeting Docket"; go to "Report by the treasurer". More more details click on http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00346015/, which is 80-20's report to the federal government.

   Indeed, all 80-20's decision makers are volunteers & self-sufficient. S. B. Woo, for instance, declared years ago that, for the rest of his life, he'd not run for a political office nor accept any federal government appointment.

   How about the AsAm organizations that are fighting with 80-20 on the college admission issues? What % of their revenues come from NON-AsAm funding sources? 51%? 61%? 71%? 81%? More than 81%? Answer: More than 81%. Beware, the salary and pension of their decision-makers come from such revenue sources.

                   Not Accusing them but Appealing to us

   We are NOT doubting the integrity of leaders of these Asian Am. civil rights orgs., nor the motives of their NON-Asian Am funding sources. We simply want to appeal to OUR OWN community to donate generously to our own civil rights organizations because that is the only automatic way to ensure that OUR OWN organizations will serve OUR OWN interest.

  Otherwise, we may be "penny wise" but "pound (our rights) foolish"!

  Let's wait till this "college admission" fight is over. Then please dig deeply into your pockets to create strong AsAm civil rights orgs whose principal source of income DOES COME from OUR OWN community! The Jewish Am. community made sure that the PRINCIPAL income of their KEY organizations come from the Jewish community. Money talks!!!

                                   Not Much Time Left!

   The following Asian Am orgs support the "race conscious" college admission which resulted in asking AsAm students to score 140 pts better than whites to secure equal chance to enter elite colleges. They will file with the Supreme Court on Aug. 13 or earlier.

   Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) 

No Response to 80-20's Challenge to Survey AsAm's views together yet
                    Margaret Fung ( info@aaldef.org ), 


                  Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) 

                      (Stewart Kwoh, skwoh@apalc.org ) 


   Their amicus brief will mislead the Supreme Court into thinking that our community is badly split. Actually, our community oppose "race conscious" college college admission by 52 to 1. Protect our children's rights!

   FORWARD this e-newsletter to your Asian Am friends. Post your comments on http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .
Please offer views about how to effectively persuade the above 2 orgs. to unite with our community for our children's sake. Thank you.

Sincerely,

S.B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 Asian Am. National Educational Foundation, Inc.
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org

"Race-conscious" admission is ANTI-Affirmative Action

[A] "Race-conscious" admission is ANTI-Affirmative Action

  o Purpose of Affirmative Action (AA) is to help minorities for the historic wrongs against them.

  o Asian Americans have historically been on the receiving end of discrimination. Examples: Chinese Exclusion Act and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

  o "Race-conscious" college admission PENALIZES Asian Ams. who apply to elite colleges in favor of the whites by 140 SAT points (out of 1600).

  o Isn't that ANTI-Affirmative Action? YOU be the judge pls. :)

  o Why are Asian Am. organizations like

            Asian American Legal Defense & Eduction Fund (AALDEF)
              Margaret Fung ( info@aaldef.org )
            Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)
              (Stewart Kwoh, info@aaldef.org )
            Asian American Justice Center (AAJC),
     supporting ANTI-Affirmative Action? Are they ANTI-Asian American?

  o We challenge these organizations to explain it to us. Why are they supporting a part of AA that is actually ANTI-affirmative action?

[B] A CHALLENGE to AALDEF

   AALDEF sent a press release casting doubts on 80-20's recent survey in which 47,000+ AsAms participated and chose a "race-neutral" college admission policy by a 52 to 1 ratio.

   In response, 80-20 EF challenges AALDEF to do another survey together, each putting up half the cost. We'll hire an expert to design a neutral survey on a website, lasting one month, and monitored by a neutral group. The survey asks Asian Am survey takers to choose a "race-conscious" or "race-neutral" college admission policy.

   If AALDEF dares not accept this challenge, then the public will know which organization has NO RESPECT for our community's view. The above Asian Am orgs. will file an amicus brief for a "race conscious" college admission by Aug. 13, UNLESS YOU convince them to stop. There is not much time!

   AALDEF: Dare you accept this challenge?

   FORWARD this e-newsletter to your Asian Am friends. Post your comments on http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/ 18e politicaledu/posterboard.asp.


Thank you.

Sincerely,

S.B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 Asian Am. National Educational Foundation, Inc.
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org