Part A: Organization Information
Breaking the Ice
Proposed by: California Asian American Supportive Experience (CAASE)
Organization members:
Vinona Tang- Mental Health
Kangshueh “Kim” Thao- Gender Equality
Heng Li- Stereotypes & Model Minority
Alaina Fong- Mixed Races & Identity
Benz Dauz- Media
Gagan- Mental Health- Focus on Health Awareness
Thao Hoang- Discrimination & Stereotypes
Contact Information:
Thao Hoang: 916-671-9148 [email protected]
Gagan Bhullar: 707-344-7827 [email protected]
Vinona Tang: 916-398-7152 [email protected]
Kangshueh Kim Thao: 916-764-7769 [email protected]
Heng Li: 408-420-3087 [email protected]
Alaina Fong: 916-718-5123 [email protected]
Benz Dauz: 916-300-5389 [email protected]
Proposed by: California Asian American Supportive Experience (CAASE)
Organization members:
Vinona Tang- Mental Health
Kangshueh “Kim” Thao- Gender Equality
Heng Li- Stereotypes & Model Minority
Alaina Fong- Mixed Races & Identity
Benz Dauz- Media
Gagan- Mental Health- Focus on Health Awareness
Thao Hoang- Discrimination & Stereotypes
Contact Information:
Thao Hoang: 916-671-9148 [email protected]
Gagan Bhullar: 707-344-7827 [email protected]
Vinona Tang: 916-398-7152 [email protected]
Kangshueh Kim Thao: 916-764-7769 [email protected]
Heng Li: 408-420-3087 [email protected]
Alaina Fong: 916-718-5123 [email protected]
Benz Dauz: 916-300-5389 [email protected]
Part B: Description of the Problem and Theory of Change
Target: The youth, parents, community, and college students
Our group has a wide variety of community issues of concern. We have discussed many topics like issues in mental health awareness, gender equality, education, mixed-race identities, and also discrimination and stereotyping. One foundational problem that is seen in all of the above issues is that of the Model Minority.
The model minority problem is both an external and internal issue. Externally, it is an issue that encourages other groups to establish stereotypes and judgments regarding the API community. Internally, it is the groundwork behind problems that continually get passed down through generations. This is seen with the lack of awareness and acceptance of mental health awareness, gender equality, and education.
The idea behind the internal struggle of Model Minority motivates parents to set up a certain lifestyle for their child to follow. The myth establishes that certain “members of certain minority group have a pre-determined idea of success which covers income, education, and family stability”. Anything that strays away from this lifestyle tends to get discouraged. This is seen with depression and mental illness. These medical conditions become a burden to parents since it does not follow the ideal path that they had set out for their child. Many parental figures and guardians of the API community wish for their child to succeed in life and enjoy an occupation where they can establish a well-being. Unfortunately, certain medical conditions prevent this. Those with mental health issues and depression tend to not get treated because it is believed that they can recover by themselves. Unfortunately, as a result “Asian American women aged 15-24 have the highest suicide rates across racial/ethnic groups” (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). Since treatment isn’t readily available for those suffering from mental health issues, they find themselves in very difficult and unfortunate positions. Treatment for anxiety, depression, and any other mental illness can and will save lives.
Another internal issue is with gender equality. In some areas of the API community, there is a certain disparity between men and women with the opportunities presented to them. It is believed that men further their education with higher learning, find a career, and provide for their family, while women must get married and then stay home to be homemakers. This is seen in the Hmong community with the act of the “Burial of the Placenta”. This practice involves burying the placenta of the baby in different locations based on gender. If the baby is a boy, then the placenta is buried by the house’s central post to symbolize support for the family’s lineage. If the baby is a girl, then the placenta is buried beneath the parent’s bed to represent the girl’s future duties for reproduction and domestic chores. This idea is usually ingrained in previous generations who motivate future generations to continue on that path. This reduces the potential of many women who could pursue occupations that can contribute to their community and environment.
The solution that we propose is a simple concept but difficult to enact. Our goal is to educate members of the community about the flaws in these topics. Educating them through public institutions will lead to awareness and an understanding of the problem. We hope to communicate to the public through schools, religious establishments, and public events. Targeting the youth will be important, but the older generations are great perpetrators of these issues.
Our group has a wide variety of community issues of concern. We have discussed many topics like issues in mental health awareness, gender equality, education, mixed-race identities, and also discrimination and stereotyping. One foundational problem that is seen in all of the above issues is that of the Model Minority.
The model minority problem is both an external and internal issue. Externally, it is an issue that encourages other groups to establish stereotypes and judgments regarding the API community. Internally, it is the groundwork behind problems that continually get passed down through generations. This is seen with the lack of awareness and acceptance of mental health awareness, gender equality, and education.
The idea behind the internal struggle of Model Minority motivates parents to set up a certain lifestyle for their child to follow. The myth establishes that certain “members of certain minority group have a pre-determined idea of success which covers income, education, and family stability”. Anything that strays away from this lifestyle tends to get discouraged. This is seen with depression and mental illness. These medical conditions become a burden to parents since it does not follow the ideal path that they had set out for their child. Many parental figures and guardians of the API community wish for their child to succeed in life and enjoy an occupation where they can establish a well-being. Unfortunately, certain medical conditions prevent this. Those with mental health issues and depression tend to not get treated because it is believed that they can recover by themselves. Unfortunately, as a result “Asian American women aged 15-24 have the highest suicide rates across racial/ethnic groups” (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). Since treatment isn’t readily available for those suffering from mental health issues, they find themselves in very difficult and unfortunate positions. Treatment for anxiety, depression, and any other mental illness can and will save lives.
Another internal issue is with gender equality. In some areas of the API community, there is a certain disparity between men and women with the opportunities presented to them. It is believed that men further their education with higher learning, find a career, and provide for their family, while women must get married and then stay home to be homemakers. This is seen in the Hmong community with the act of the “Burial of the Placenta”. This practice involves burying the placenta of the baby in different locations based on gender. If the baby is a boy, then the placenta is buried by the house’s central post to symbolize support for the family’s lineage. If the baby is a girl, then the placenta is buried beneath the parent’s bed to represent the girl’s future duties for reproduction and domestic chores. This idea is usually ingrained in previous generations who motivate future generations to continue on that path. This reduces the potential of many women who could pursue occupations that can contribute to their community and environment.
The solution that we propose is a simple concept but difficult to enact. Our goal is to educate members of the community about the flaws in these topics. Educating them through public institutions will lead to awareness and an understanding of the problem. We hope to communicate to the public through schools, religious establishments, and public events. Targeting the youth will be important, but the older generations are great perpetrators of these issues.
Part C: Models of Success and Community Partners
Collective Resources:
Dismantling Model Minority Myth Should Be Everybody’s Project: http://nationalcapacd.org/in-the-news/news-dismantling-model-minority-myth-should-be-everybody%E2%80%99s-project
Tragedy of ‘golden’ daughter’s fall resonates with Asian immigrant children: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/27/tragedy-of-golden-daughters-murder-plot-against-parents-resonates-with-asian-immigrant-children/
Jeremy Lin: http://sociologyinfocus.com/2012/02/linsanity-jeremy-lin-dispelling-the-model-minority-myth/
Social Media and Asian Stereotypes: TV Shows- Fresh off the boat, YouTubers, Miss Japan 2014, Miss America 2014, Yellow Fever
RE-MIX: RETHINKING THE USE OF ‘HAPA’ IN MIXEDRACE ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: https://research.libraries.wsu.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/12/13%20Angel%20Taniguchi.pdf?sequence=1
How the Mental Health Myths Harm APIs
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/04/mental-health-myths-aapi/
Graph: Center for Collegiate Mental Health, PennState, Annual Report 2014
Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation (SASF): http://www.sasfquest.org/ - This is an Asian American sports organization that provides opportunities for Asian Americans to join sport teams and events that help build up the Asian American community in Sacramento.
Asian Pacific Community Counseling: http://apccounseling.org/ -
Nicholas Hartlep (TED Speaker):
Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations at Illinois State University
author of The Model Minority Stereotype: Demystifying Asian American Success
Media Action Network for Asian Americans: http://manaa.org/ -
Hmong Women Heritage Association (HWHA) - Providing services for citizenship assistance, benefits acquisition, senior supportive services, youth development, and research
Steve Magagnini
Professor at UC Davis from the English Department
experience in international journalism
Dismantling Model Minority Myth Should Be Everybody’s Project: http://nationalcapacd.org/in-the-news/news-dismantling-model-minority-myth-should-be-everybody%E2%80%99s-project
Tragedy of ‘golden’ daughter’s fall resonates with Asian immigrant children: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/27/tragedy-of-golden-daughters-murder-plot-against-parents-resonates-with-asian-immigrant-children/
Jeremy Lin: http://sociologyinfocus.com/2012/02/linsanity-jeremy-lin-dispelling-the-model-minority-myth/
Social Media and Asian Stereotypes: TV Shows- Fresh off the boat, YouTubers, Miss Japan 2014, Miss America 2014, Yellow Fever
RE-MIX: RETHINKING THE USE OF ‘HAPA’ IN MIXEDRACE ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: https://research.libraries.wsu.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/12/13%20Angel%20Taniguchi.pdf?sequence=1
How the Mental Health Myths Harm APIs
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/04/mental-health-myths-aapi/
Graph: Center for Collegiate Mental Health, PennState, Annual Report 2014
Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation (SASF): http://www.sasfquest.org/ - This is an Asian American sports organization that provides opportunities for Asian Americans to join sport teams and events that help build up the Asian American community in Sacramento.
Asian Pacific Community Counseling: http://apccounseling.org/ -
Nicholas Hartlep (TED Speaker):
Assistant Professor of Educational Foundations at Illinois State University
author of The Model Minority Stereotype: Demystifying Asian American Success
Media Action Network for Asian Americans: http://manaa.org/ -
Hmong Women Heritage Association (HWHA) - Providing services for citizenship assistance, benefits acquisition, senior supportive services, youth development, and research
Steve Magagnini
Professor at UC Davis from the English Department
experience in international journalism
Part D: Project Synopsis
Issue: The model minority myth and how it creates a fixed identity for the newer generation
Goals: Raise awareness of the minority stereotypes in Sacramento, CA
Service: individual counseling
Education: Educating youth, parents, and community
Organization Description:
Sacramento Asian American Community Experience is a non-profit organization that focuses on the issue of the model minority and ethnic stereotypes. Our goal is to "break the ice" and start the conversation. We hope this will eventually break all stereotypes and leave societies' expectations of certain minorities behind. To start the conversation we plan to mainly target the youth and students. This will lead to discussions with parents and possibly the older generation. By talking to the youth, we hope to break any stereotypes that are beginning to start in school. By bringing the awareness early, we hope to show the youth that they are not required to only strive for what society has expected them to. This will lead to a possible discussion with parents, and bring awareness that letting the youth have goals for more than just expected jobs can build up their confidence and lead them on a path towards success without the added pressure. This discussion will also hopefully help parents and others in the community to better understand and empathize with how their children are affected by the model minority myth.
Not only are we planning on going to schools in the community, we also plan to provide individual counseling services for people who wish to talk to someone about the issues they are personally having. We also plan to help provide the youth and individuals with access to activities outside of school if they wish.
Goals: Raise awareness of the minority stereotypes in Sacramento, CA
Service: individual counseling
Education: Educating youth, parents, and community
Organization Description:
Sacramento Asian American Community Experience is a non-profit organization that focuses on the issue of the model minority and ethnic stereotypes. Our goal is to "break the ice" and start the conversation. We hope this will eventually break all stereotypes and leave societies' expectations of certain minorities behind. To start the conversation we plan to mainly target the youth and students. This will lead to discussions with parents and possibly the older generation. By talking to the youth, we hope to break any stereotypes that are beginning to start in school. By bringing the awareness early, we hope to show the youth that they are not required to only strive for what society has expected them to. This will lead to a possible discussion with parents, and bring awareness that letting the youth have goals for more than just expected jobs can build up their confidence and lead them on a path towards success without the added pressure. This discussion will also hopefully help parents and others in the community to better understand and empathize with how their children are affected by the model minority myth.
Not only are we planning on going to schools in the community, we also plan to provide individual counseling services for people who wish to talk to someone about the issues they are personally having. We also plan to help provide the youth and individuals with access to activities outside of school if they wish.
Part E: Proposed Budget
TOTAL AMOUNT: $750,000
Estimated Yearly Cost: $375,000 per year
Extra money: $160,000
Estimated Yearly Cost: $375,000 per year
- Transportation, Office Expenses
- Reservations (school places, etc)
- Community Centers
- Guest Speakers
- Food: Volunteers, Guests, events
- Technology (website, electronics, power points)
- Counselors
Extra money: $160,000