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City Hall Celebrates Asian Americans | Political Potstickers

City Hall to Celebrate Asian Americans
After 20 years, S.F. to mark APA Heritage Month
By Perla Ni

San Francisco City Hall is gearing up for its first official celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month with "Made in San Francisco"–a weekend of events that pay tribute to its 1 in 3 residents of Asian descent.

"Asians are a critical part of the city, yet the city has never given the Asian community official recognition and appreciation by putting on anything official," said Supervisor Mabel Teng, who led the campaign to organize the events. "This is the first time we have an official city celebration."

KGO-TV newscaster Heather Ishimaru is set to preside over Friday’s festivities, including Chinese lion dance performances by Kei Lun Martial Arts and music from Pinay, a Filipina American vocal group. KRON-TV’s Christine Nubla takes over as M.C. on Saturday afternoon, when Korean drumming by the Korean Youth Cultural Center and performances by the California Chinese Symphony and the Asian American Jazz Orchestra are scheduled.

"The notion of API heritage month is particularly instructive for the young people of our community," said Supervisor Leland Yee. "For those children who are not API, it’s important to learn about the cultures of other groups. For API youngsters, it’s always important to reaffirm their culture."

Supervisor Michael Yaki stressed that the celebration will be "more than just a party."

"For the first time ... we are close to parity in population and representation with three Asian Americans on the Board of Supervisors," he said. So the city’s recognition "is particularly appropriate."

Teng said the month of May provides occasion for Asian Americans and others to reflect on past lessons, while drawing the community together to work toward the future. "It’s a celebration as well as community building. Our issues have not been put in the forefront–[issues] of racial violence, prejudice, equal benefit in terms of contracting which have been far from reaching parity–these are constant reminders of the long ways to go," Teng said.

"It’s nothing to rest on our laurels on," Yaki said. "We as a community must continue to work on the issues that affect us uniquely as Asian Americans, whether it’s the census, affirmative action in employment, glass ceilings...just to ensure that as community we understand that we have to continue working to make America the kind of inclusive society that it is destined to be."

Yee said the occasion prompts reflections on the challenges facing Asian American children.

"I am continually troubled by how difficult young people feel about growing up here in America. The lack of connection between what goes on between their family and outside is particularly troubling with nobody helping them understand the relationship between family culture and outside culture. My agenda for the budget and for the rest of the year is to focus on the young people and resolve those conflicts."

Teng said she hopes to see the diversity of San Francisco at the celebration, including Latinos, African Americans, gays and lesbians, and disabled people. "We will be there for them as well to recognize their culture, heritage, political and community issues."