Book Explores Asian American History
Miho Shida
May 22, 2000

On May 6, journalist and author Helen Zia read from her recently published book, Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of An American People at the Inverness Hotel and Golf Club in Englewood.

Zia is a second-generation Chinese American and long time social activist. She has had articles published in the New York Times, the Washington Post and many other national publications. A former executive editor for Ms. Magazine, she currently serves as a contributing editor.

Recent incidences involving the treatment of Asian Americans were the impetus for writing her book. Among them was the 1996 Campaign Finance Scandal in which the illegal acts of a few donors caused the media and government to intently investigate and stereotype many Asian American donors. For example, Zia cites a Newsweek article published during that time which talked of the "mysterious Asian Americans".

In her book, she chronicles the many contributions made by Asian Americans, dispelling the myth held by many of Asians being "perpetual foreigners". Zia also points out the weaknesses in "keeping quiet". In the Vincent Chin case, only when Asian Americans organized and enlisted the help of Asian and other organizations did the national media pay attention and a federal civil rights investigation and trial was conducted.

Zia also includes short essays of her personal experiences before each chapter. These poignant essays not only help personalize the many events that are chronicled in this book but makes one realize the impact these events have on our everyday lives as well as how we can also affect events by our actions.

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