PanAsia 2002 Presents a Week of Stimulating Events

THE THIRD ANNUAL CELEBRATION/ EXAMINATION/ EDUCATION/ EXPLORATION OF ASIA AND ASIAN AMERICA AWAKENS CHICAGO ON APRIL 15TH

Chicago, IL- PanAsia 2002, an annual series of events, will last this year from April 15th to April 24th and feature 20 events that explore the cultural, socioeconomic, and political elements influencing the current circumstances of Asia and Asian America. PanAsia will cover an array of topics focused on:

1. Examining Asian America by expressing what is at its cultural core through music, photography, film, cuisine, and literary media.
2. Presenting issues that evince the political, social, and cultural mindset of countries in Asia and their diasporic communities within the U.S. through forums, discussions, lectures, and educational presentations.
3. Exploring the past, present, and future of the Asian American presence within society and deconstructing the "model minority" myth.
4. Distinguishing and solidifying the importance of each ethnic and cultural background that creates the Asian American population in the U.S.

This year PanAsia brings an exciting compilation of events to the University of Chicago campus that ranges from a month-long exhibition and presentation by renowned photographer Corky Lee to the first Chicago performance of the South Asian Disha Theatre Group. PanAsia includes a gamut of events from the creative expressions of films to the examination of critical social issues through Korean poetry and Filipino American theatre. Furthermore, several events will also explore a serious spectrum of issues such as the political culture of Singapore and the future of post-genocidal Cambodia. A few events, such as a workshop and discussion featuring renowned author Vijay Prashad, will focus on the critical issues of cross-minority understanding and the use of the "model minority" stereotype to pit Asian Americans against other minorities in the U.S. In addition, Lambda Phi Epsilon will sponsor a minority bone marrow drive to expand the pool of much needed donors and bring a true sense of positive action to PanAsia.

PanAsia founder Jay Monteverde believed that "One of the greatest concepts behind PanAsia is unity. As individual organizers, and as individual ethnicities, we can only do so much. But with PanAsia, and with a Pan Asian identity, we can shout together in a unified voice that people of Asian descents are three-dimensional human beings, with stories and histories that reflect the full range of human experience. We will celebrate, learn, and teach about our lives, our experiences; we will not be relegated to two-dimensional stereotypes; nor will we remain the invisible, nameless 'other' any longer."

Mr. Monteverde's reflective statement of the importance of unity brings to light the importance of also distinguishing what individuals contribute to create the greater whole. Together, as a political entity, Asian Americans have the potential to build a presence that can no longer be pushed aside; yet, in building that political solidarity, it is equally vital that the category not be used to replace the various ethnicities which are encompassed because each ethnic background is very unique, with different histories, current circumstances, and struggles. This year in PanAsia, we approach the issues and presentations with the knowledge that only through an understanding and recognition of each part of the whole will the sense of unity be complete. We hope that all who participate in this year's series of events will take this knowledge with them as well as an enjoyment of cultural events and the intrigue of educational forums.

History of PanAsia
PanAsia was founded three years go by Jay Monteverde, who is currently the Program Coordinator at the University of Chicago's Office of the Reynolds Club and Student Activities. The previous two series presented a total of 38 events with topics ranging from ethnic violence to music and poetry. Some events were attended by as many as 500 people who came to participate in a collective expression of emotion and learn about Asian American issues. This year, we hope that the events will stir the same spirit, as well as spawn a new dialogue.

For complete information and a list of events, please visit the PanAsia 2002 Website: http://panasia.uchicago.edu or contact Kinh Ngo at (773) 718-1987.