Year in Review - 2002 (Feature) No Exit: Another Act in American Immigration Policy, Post-Sept. 11 (in National News) Upcoming Welfare Cut to Hurt APA Families (in Bay Area News) Ultimate Diversions: 2002 Gamer's Gift Guide (11/29/02) (in Consumer) APA Community Should Tell Shaquille O’Neal to ‘Come down to Chinatown.’ (in Sports) Hot ‘n’ Sour: Primal Scream (in A&E) INS Roundups Put Nation’s Growing Ethnic Media in Bind (in Opinion)

Powdered Dove Droppings

According to leading phobia psychologist and folklore historian Dr. Donald Dossey, old-time sorcerers had a plethora of ways to ensure a successful new year: clink glasses loudly for the New Year’s toast, wear a red garter, eat turnip greens and sauerkraut and sprinkle yourself lightly with powdered dove droppings. Ancient Romans used to celebrate by giving gifts of sacred branches or coins with Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings. They say that the American colonists celebrating by firing guns into the air and shouting. Well, it seems like some things haven’t changed.

2002 was certainly a time of change for America, with the nation adjusting to our new vulnerable position and the government overcompensating with a full-blown “War on Terrorism.” For Asian Pacific Americans, this adjustment left us in a quandary. Where do we stand in a nation where our home countries are often at the top of the list as “most dangerous nations”?

Organizing efforts on all sides have made it impossible to be apathetic any more, and maybe that’s a good thing. While the Republicans celebrate their victory in the last election, the ACLU is also boasting more members than ever before. One independent publisher put it best when he said recently: “When I used to go to parties a few years ago, no one talked about politics. But now, even the most milquetoast housewife is adamant. And more often than not, you’ll learn something from her.”

But really, apathy is not a choice for most of us. Even during the holidays, APA and Arab American groups around the nation have been organizing rallies in front of INS offices to protest the roundup procedures that are landing hundreds of men in detention. It seems as though our work for the new year is already cut out for us.

So, of course, all this introspection about the year leads one to make resolutions. The most common ones in America are to exercise more and to quit smoking. Here at AsianWeek, we figured George W. might be a little busy, so we wanted to offer some suggestions for him: think before you speak, meditate every day, spend a little time each day on domestic issues and chew your pretzels.

Happy New Year!