CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Declaration Concerning The 2000 Presidential Election by The 80-20
Initiative
"With liberty and justice for all." Thus ends our pledge of allegiance
to the flag with a ringing commitment to all citizens.
Unfortunately, liberty and justice remain an unrealized dream for Asian
Americans. A low glass-ceiling hangs instead over our heads, denying us
the opportunity to rise to the top of our professions, just as it hung
over women and blacks until recently.
Statistical evidence, mostly gathered by government sponsored studies,
shows a dismal picture: Asian Americans have only one-third the opportunity
of all other Americans to "rise to the top," in the academic world, in
corporations, or even in federal government.
To illustrate, Asian Americans represent 3.5% of the population of this
nation. However, of the 875 active federal judges, only 7 are Asian
Americans; of the 250 plus cabinet and sub-cabinet positions in President
Clinton's Administration in 1998, only two were held by Asian Americans.
The situation is no better in universities, the so-called bastion of idealism
in our society. University administrators are recruited almost exclusively
from the ranks of faculty and professionals already employed in universities.
Hence the ratio of [administrators / (faculty + professionals)], broken down
to races, is a measure of the opportunity enjoyed by American citizens of
different races. Nationwide, that ratio for blacks (non-Hispanic) is 0.21.
That is, for every 100 black faculty and professionals there are 21 black
administrators. The ratio for Native American is 0.20; for white (non-
Hispanic) is 0.16; and for Hispanic is 0.15. However, it is only 0.06 for
Asian American.
The picture that emerges from the supposedly "enlightened" academic world
and federal government is one of inequality and injustice for Asian Americans.
The situation in the corporate world is worse, much worse. All Asian American
CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, with one recent exception, started the
companies themselves.
Therefore, we, the Asian American citizens, declare that the time has come for
all presidential candidates to commit themselves to the following to realize
the ideal of equal opportunity for all Americans:
1. If elected, will direct his/her cabinet officers to work with Congress
in holding public hearings regarding the validity of the huge amount of
statistical data strongly suggesting discriminatory practices against Asian
Americans in workplaces today,
2. If the data were shown valid, will issue a public statement to reaffirm
your Administration's intention to vigorously prosecute all cases of racial
discrimination against Asian Americans in the workplace,
3. If the data were shown valid, will work to induce the lifting of the
glass-ceilings so that Asian Americans will be well on our way to equal
opportunity to "rise to the top" within the first term, and
4. If elected, will give due recognition to the services and talents of
Asian Americans by appointing qualified persons to policy-making positions
in the Judicial and Executive branches of the federal government, possibly
including a historic first cabinet position. The number of appointments
will represent a significant improvement upon the current drastic
under-utilization of Asian Americans.
Asian Americans have contributed with distinction to the well being of the
nation. We work hard at our jobs, we help to run business, we serve in
governments, and we are well educated, with bachelor degrees per thousand
persons twice that of the nation. It is time we are finally given equal
opportunity for professional advancement, and to serve in the federal
government in positions we deserve.
We ask fellow Asian Americans to join us in our declaration to WITHHOLD
financial and other forms of support to any presidential PRIMARY candidates
who fail to pledge his/her commitment to our request for equal justice in
the workplace.
During the GENERAL presidential election, a different approach is taken.
To be effective, we shall form a block-vote in favor of the presidential
candidate of that political party that will have helped Asian Americans
the most in achieving equal opportunity, between now and August 2000.
Our cause is just. Our requests are fair. As individuals our voices may be
weak; TOGETHER WE SHALL OVERCOME.
Simultaneous Press Conference to Announce "Declaration to
Presidential Candidates" from 80-20
We need your help in an exciting project.
80-20 has organized a 7-city simultaneous press conference to
announce our "Declaration to Presidential Candidates." The chosen states are
CA, NY and NJ.
The "Declaration" has style and substance. A number of presidential
candidates are already considering jumping in early and supporting our
Declaration in writing. At least one is a big-name candidate.
About 100 volunteers have been working feverishly to get
ready -- press releases, banner for photo opportunity, dry run for
questions & answers, handout, ...,etc. Will you do your part for our
children's future?
GIVE MORAL SUPPORT TO THESE VOLUNTEERS, many of whom
have never partaken in a press conference before, by being present
at the press conference. E-mail the contact person of YOUR press
conference that you can attend and say: "I'LL BE THERE."
If you've always hoped that our community will unite, this is the
time to step up and say: "COUNT ME IN !"
See location and time below. Thank you.
1. Chinatown, NY
Location & Time: Holiday Inn downtown, at 3:30 PM 6/11 (Friday)
138 Lafayette Street,
[(212)966-8898, 2 blocks north of Canal].
Contact person: Leo Lee, 212-312-8301W 212 619-4113-fax
212-619-4112H
2. Flushing, NY
Location & Time: 3 p.m., 6/ 11 (Friday)
Sheraton La Guardia East Hotel
(135-20 39th Ave., Flushing ; 718-460-6666)
Contact person: Ellen Yang (718 565-8218) and Inan Feng,
3. Los Angeles, CA
Location & Time: 1 p.m., 6/11 (Friday)
Brugger Meyer Memorial Library
318 South Ramona, Monterey Park (626 307 1333)
Contact person: Charlie Woo, 213 617-1353, 213 687-9951-fax,
megatoys@aol.com>
4. Oakland,. CA
Location & Time: 4 p.m., 6/11 (Friday)
Community Room, City Center Plaza,
801 Franklin St, Oakland, 94607
(510-594-6178)
Contact person: Tim Chen, , 925-676-7610
or Pager 925-942-2123,925-682-2964-fax
5. South Bay, CA
Location & Time: 2 p.m., 6/11 (Friday)
Ming Villa Restaurant, Palo Alto,
Embacardero off Highway 101
Contact person: Kenneth Fong, ,
650-424-8222 ext 1117, 650 424-8419 - fax
6. Chinatown, SF, CA
Location & Time: 11 a.m., June 11 (Friday)
Victory Hall, 827 Stockton St., SF 94108
Contact person: Albert Wong, ;
Dennis C. L. Wong, 415 989-8224
7. Morristown, NJ
Location & Time: 1 to 3 p.m., 6/13 (Note unusual date)
123 Mendham Rd. East, Mendham, NJ (a mansion)
Contact person: Stephen Ko,
Official White House Statement on "Spy" via B. Richardson
Do you have concerns about the alleged "spy" case? Could improper
handling by officials and media adversely affect all Chinese Americans?
Here's your chance to hear the "official White House position."
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson will be a speaker at the annual
board meeting of The Committee of 100. His statements will represent
the official White house position.
TIME: 3:30 p.m., April 30th (Friday)
LOCATION: Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 50th & Park, NY, NY
COST: None. Please e-mail
to get a seat number on a first come first serve
basis.
Many Steering Committee members of the 80-20 Initiative will be
attending the C-100 Annual Conference including Anna Chennault, Ming Hsu,
Henry Tang, Chang-Lin Tien, and S. B. Woo.
The Honorable Richardson was invited to address the serious
concerns of Asian Americans evolving from the alleged "spy" case. Many
Americans of Chinese and Asian heritage, serving as scientists and
technical personnel, have been subject to humiliation, ridicule and had
their loyalties questioned. There are also concerns that "due process"
and "presumption of innocence" must be accorded to all American citizens
regardless of their national origin.
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