Photo by Joe Nguyen/AsiaXpress.com

From left, Nestor Mercado, Ding-Wen Hsu and Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif. talk Nov. 2 at the Denver Buddhist Temple.

Leaders concerned about younger participation

Congressman's visit presented an opportunity for Asian Americans to speak with national figures

By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com

Nov. 16, 2007

DENVER – Asian-American leaders expressed concern over the lack of younger participation during a visit with Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif. Nov. 2 at the Denver Buddhist Temple.

The evening was an opportunity for young members of the Asian-American community to meet with national political figures such as Honda and Democratic National Committee APIA Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, as well as many local community leaders. There was one person less than the age of 30 in attendance.

“The focus really was how we get the younger generation involved with the emerging leaders,” said D.J. Ida, organizer of the evening's meeting. “Really using the (Democratic National Convention) as sort of a catalyst, as a concrete piece to get involved with the community on a larger basis.

Ding-Wen Hsu, co-founder of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, said that there appears to be a disconnection between the older and younger Asian-American generations. She said when the festival was started, one of the goals was to use it as a vehicle to train young leaders.

“We have very few young people involved,” she said. “Is it because they're not interested, or is it because we didn't invite them?”

Karen Nakandakare, a member of the CDBF committee, said that the lack of participation is because many in the younger generation are in a different phase of their lives.

“They're establishing their careers, they're trying to raise their families, they're in relationships,” she said. “ ... They're not in a place to give of the time that's needed. It seems like we're expecting people to play at a certain level they cannot play with.”

Other reasons brought up included apathy toward causes in the community and trying to find a balanced identity in being both Asian and American. Honda said it's a skill to find that balance in today's society.

“Sometimes we portray that kind of behavior as negative rather than as something that's positive and strengthening,” he said. “It's just that we have to come to a point where we expect to understand that ... 'I'm global.' But no one ever says that.”

He said that some people reach a certain point when they feel compelled to participate.

“They're like a reservoir – they're filling up,” he said. “They reach a level at the top of the dam where things start spilling out. Then expression will start to come.”

He added that Asian Americans are still considered “perpetual foreigners” in the U.S. and that they all have a story about being discriminated against.

“Everybody has a story like that,” Honda said. “Whether it's at a conscious level or not, but if you poke it, it's like, 'Oh yeah, I remember when ... '

“And then that experience – not to be angry, but to be conscious – would be the segue for all kinds of things they could be involved in.”

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief of AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be reached at joe@asiaxpress.com.