“April 30, 1975 - In the early hours of the 30th, the last helicopter to evacuate US officials and some South Vietnamese allies pulled out, and not too longer after, Saigon fell to the Vietcong. So as we remember the US soldiers and the war that the US didn’t win, let’s not forget the Vietnamese refugees, the Hmong who were abandoned despite their assistance to the CIA, the rise of the Khmer Rouge because of the US bombings in Cambodia and its aftermath, etc. The Vietnam War has a huge grip on the American conscience, and what we learn in textbooks that does not do justice to the million of lives who have been impacted by war, both here and abroad.
This picture by Hubert Van Es captures a helicopter on an apartment building rooftop in downtown Saigon where CIA employees were housed. Though the setting has been mistaken to be the US Embassy in South Vietnam, it essentially gives the sense of desperation that was rampant among the South Vietnamese this time 38 years ago.”
Donate to SASC Summer Institute 2013
Please donate to SASC SI here.
The Southeast Asian Student Coalition’s (SASC) mission is:
“To unite Southeast Asian Communities, particularly those bounded by the historical context of the Viet Nam War, and to address the economic inequalities, social injustices, and political under-representation that they face.”
SI is an all-expense paid, five-day educational program hosted at UC Berkeley that connects high school students and community members nationwide. We bring 36 high school students from all over the country to address Southeast Asian underrepresentation in higher education and low recruitment and retention rates.
20% of US population DO NOT have a high school diploma
20% of Asian Americans DO NOT have a high school diploma
Compare this to
38% of Vietnamese Americans, 50% of Laotian Americans,
54% of Cambodian Americans, 60% of Hmong Americans
DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
The US National Average for a Bachelors Degree:28.8%
US National Average for Asian Americans for a Bachelors Degree: 44%
While 7.5% of Hmong Americans and 9.4% of Laotian Americans have a Bachelor’s Degree.
By connecting students to their culture and history, we aim to foster young leaders and empower students to create social change.
Current High School Students grades 9-12,
If you identify as Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian/Khmer, Lu-Mien, Hmong, Hmoob or any other Southeast Asian ethnic, cultural identity, we welcome and encourage you to apply to this 5 day summer program opportunity!
The Southeast Asian Student Coalition Summer Institute (SASC SI) is a five-day program held at UC Berkeley that allows Southeast Asian youth to further learn and explore about their community, culture, people’s history, and self-identity.
You will also get the opportunity to meet other high school students from California and even students from out of state. You will be paired up with college mentors that will offer you guidance and support. Aside from travel-arrangements (which can be worked out), this program is an all-expense paid trip. You’ll get to live in the college dorms with other high school students, you’ll be fed delicious 3 course meals for 5 days, and you’ll get to experience what it’d be like to be a college student in a college atmosphere!
SASC Summer Institute is seeking motivated high school students with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Academic performance is not a factor in the acceptance of participants, thus, all are encouraged to apply.
SASC SI Mentee Applications have been extended and are now due at the end of this weekend Sunday; March 31, 2013!
Access the online Mentee application here: tinyurl.com/si2013app
You can also download the application off our site here.
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The Green Papaya is a community blog and online forum where the Southeast Asian community may share its stories. Its goal is to provide an online space that engages the SEA community, fosters voices within that community, and also raise awareness about that community. If you wish to submit a post,click here.
Current High School Students grades 9-12,
If you identify as Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian/Khmer, Lu-Mien, Hmong, Hmoob or any other Southeast Asian ethnic, cultural identity, we welcome and encourage you to apply to this 5 day summer program opportunity!
The Southeast Asian Student Coalition Summer Institute (SASC SI) is a five-day program held at UC Berkeley that allows Southeast Asian youth to further learn and explore about their community, culture, people’s history, and self-identity.
You will also get the opportunity to meet other high school students from California and even students from out of state. You will be paired up with college mentors that will offer you guidance and support. Aside from travel-arrangements (which can be worked out), this program is an all-expense paid trip. You’ll get to live in the college dorms with other high school students, you’ll be fed delicious 3 course meals for 5 days, and you’ll get to experience what it’d be like to be a college student in a college atmosphere!
SASC Summer Institute is seeking motivated high school students with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Academic performance is not a factor in the acceptance of participants, thus, all are encouraged to apply.
SASC SI Mentee Applications are due next week Friday, March 15th!
Access the online Mentee application here: tinyurl.com/si2013app
You can also download the application off our site here.
___
The Green Papaya is a community blog and online forum where the Southeast Asian community may share its stories. Its goal is to provide an online space that engages the SEA community, fosters voices within that community, and also raise awareness about that community. If you wish to submit a post, click here.
New dictionary preserves fading Mien language, culture
More than 200 Mien refugees from across California poured into south Sacramento on Saturday to hear from the man they hope will save their ancient language.
Herbert Purnell, an American missionary and linguist, spoke of his 26-year journey to compile the comprehensive Mien-English dictionary, an 855-page compendium of more than 5,600 words, 28,000 phrases and 2,100 cultural notes laced with myths, poetry and ceremonies.
Dozens of Mien seemed in awe that the 78-year-old scholar could speak their language. They shelled out $32 apiece for the hard-bound volume and lined up to have him sign it at the Iu-Mien Community Services office in the Lemon Hill neighborhood.
They hope it will become the Bible of a culture they say is fading fast in the United States, where their children and grandchildren are steeped in English and western ways.
“Thank you for devoting your life to the Mien people,” said translator Koy Saephan. “Identity is not stable in the face of assimilation. I don’t think our culture will last beyond this generation.”
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SASC SI Mentee Applications are out & accessible online! Say whatttt?
SASC Summer Institute is a 5 day, all-expense paid summer program that provides a safe and constructive learning environment. Participants will be matched with a college mentor who can offer guidance specific to a student’s needs. This program provides an exciting experience for students who are interested in pursuing higher education as well as exploring their cultural background. SASC Summer Institute is seeking motivated high school students with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Academic performance is not a factor in the acceptance of participants, thus, all are encouraged to apply.
Access the online Mentee application here:
tinyurl.com/si2013app
***Note: You willy have to download the file as a Microsoft Word by clicking on the top left.
First-Time East Coaster!
By Yian Saechao
While I wait anxiously at the Portland airport to attend the 2012 APIASF Higher Education Summit in Washington, DC, I’m in complete disbelief. This all seems like a dream but I am extremely excited. I have been pretty passionate about the education of the AAPI community and in particular the Mien community in the US. I hope to further my knowledge on how to empower and educate my peers because education has become my gateway to success and a better life for my family.
Back to my #Roots #Mien #Dictionary (Taken with instagram)
So my buddy is Mien and I'm Hmong...
- Buddy: what is the base religion for hmong people?
- Me: The base religion? What do you mean?
- Buddy: like the religion hmong people had before immigrating. cause when some people came to america, they became like... christian and stuff
- Me: Shamanism?
- (I used to be a Catholic actually, just for info for others.)
- Me: I'm pretty sure all hill tribes were originally Shamanism.
- Me: .....we should have a Shaman King Tournament...
- Buddy: loool
- Me: Sorry, it was just a random thought...
- I don't know what came over me when that thought went through my head...
Bump the homie MIEN
