Asian Festival '95 Wants to Expand Perceptions of Asian Culture By Ken Keatley "Asian America" is the theme of Asian Festival 1995, a weeklong series of events (see below) designed to generate an awareness and appreciation of Asian culture at Hopkins. According to junior Jerry Tsai, who coordinated the festival as chairman of the university's Inter-Asian Council, the event is part of an ongoing effort by the IAC to address a variety of issues, especially those involving Asian American politics, civil rights and culture. "We're trying to focus a lot of events on the myths and misconceptions people have about Asian Americans," said Tsai, a Boston native whose mother is Taiwanese and father is Japanese. Tsai is especially concerned with the so-called "model minority" myth that seemingly idolizes Asian Americans while ignoring the problems--from immigrant poverty to racism--that affect many members of the Asian American community. "We want to show the community that there is no one Asian culture. It is such a broad expanse," explained Tsai. That fact is reflected in the diversity of the IAC, an umbrella group that coordinates and facilitates the activities of the 10 Asian student groups (representing students of Bengali, Chinese, Filipino, Hong Kong, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Singapore/Malaysian, Taiwanese and Vietnamese descent) on the Homewood campus. "In the broadest sense, we hope the festival will get people to consider the issues affecting Asian American culture today," Tsai said. "I think we have a good variety of events." ----------------------------------------------------------------- All events are free, except Saturday's dance. The general public is welcome to all events. Tuesday, March 7 8 p.m., AMR1, Multipurpose Room "Asian Americans and the Model Minority Myth" Lecture by Bonnie Oh, professor of Korean history at Georgetown University. Wednesday, March 8 6 to 9 p.m., AMR Common Kitchen Asian cooking lessons, featuring cuisine from four Asian cultures. Thursday, March 9 7 p.m., Eisenhower Library, Garrett Room "Justice Triumphant: Asian Americans in the Military" Lecture by Washington, D.C., attorney and Marine Corps Reserves Capt. Bruce Yamashita. He will recount his experiences in the military, including an ongoing lawsuit alleging racial harassment and discrimination that led to his reinstatement and promotion after initially being dismissed from Officer Candidate School. Friday, March 10 6 p.m. to midnight, AMR1 TV Room Asian Film Festival: The Wedding Banquet, Dragon Inn and Salaam Bombay Friday, March 10 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Glass Pavilion Asian Bazaar: food, crafts and cultural demonstrations provided by the IAC and its member groups. Highlights will include demonstrations by Hopkins martial arts clubs, Korean fan dancers and an exhibit of the works of traditional Chinese painters C. Day Yu and Heshi Yu, who will be in attendance. Saturday, March 11 6 p.m. to midnight, AMR1 TV Room Asian Film Festival: The Story of Qiu Ju, Hard Boiled and Ugetsu Saturday, March 11 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., E-Level/Great Hall Dance: Admission is $2 for Hopkins students; $3 for others. For more information, call the IAC office at 516-4244. -----------------------------------------------------------------