Yo Asian-Americans!

Last Thursday, we attended a fundraiser/roast for the New York Asian Women's Center in honor of Kyung Yoon, TV journalist. My lovely wife sang with Juan Pineda, roasting Kyung Yoon, while artists, Heather Greer, Liubo Borisov, and Woody Pak presented their installation, LivingPortrait. Pretty amazing stuff. Many of the Asians in journalism in New York were there as well: Cindy Hsu, Ti-Hua Chang, Juju Chang, David Ng, and as MC, the one and only, Connie Chung.

No matter what has transpired in the past year, replayed on the entertainment shows and YouTube, and with the controversy regarding Newt Gingrich's mother, causing her departure from CBS news, Connie Chung is a pioneer, not just for women, but for Asian-Americans in general.


I didn't like what happened, and was slightly disgusted because as a viewer, I want to hold our news professionals to a higher standard. But despite that, I used to watch Connie Chung all the time growing up, and especially with my mom, being the Asian of the family. It was like one of our own was out there, and as I look back, I feel proud that Connie Chung broke the barrier down for all the Asian-American journalists that pepper local and national news. In all markets, serious journalism tends to have an Asian-American on their TV screens, like the ones noted above, including others like Liz Cho and Nina Pineda in New York City. There are others, but I don't have the names.

I am by no means a new correspondent or journalist, but I appreciate the placement of these people in the public eye. It reaffirms the changing face of America, and I am fine with that. America's face has always changed, but all the uproar surrounding immigration and closing our borders in the wake of 9/11 makes me sicker than Kathryn Gingrich's interview. The GOP is wants to keep out the Latins, the Asians, and any other race that doesn't blend nicely with their own pale complexion.

So, I say, hooray for Connie Chung and for what she has acheived, and despite the efforts of the right to keep ethinic diversity out of America, a more colorful representation will continue to grow and prosper here in this land. If it doesn't, another country will take over as a rich melting pot of cultures.

I have more to say, but I have to get ready for work.

I've been working my second job, nights. Coming home at 3am, keeping me away from my wife, although I love the job, and it's only been my first full day after completing the training. I like it there, but maybe I can change the schedule a bit. It'd be different if my wife worked nights too, but the opposite schedules will keep us apart three days of the week. It's only temporary. It's all temporary.

I'm watching FC Chelsea vs. FC Barcelona in a Champion's League match as I write. How will it end? So far, 0-0 at the half.