For those of you living in a cave the last few years, one of the fastest growing sports in America is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). This combat sport is most well-known by its largest promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is the undisputed “big leagues.” This past Saturday, Chan Sung Jung (aka “Korean Zombie”) fought for the UFC featherweight title, sadly losing after a mid-fight shoulder injury. Later this month UFC lightweight champ Ben Henderson, a proud Korean-American, will defend his title in Milwaukee. For me, it’s thrilling to see fighters of Asian descent not just competing in the UFC, but actually excelling and serving as headline attractions. Based on my rough calculations, around 6% of all UFC fighters are of Asian descent. Given that Asian Americans constitute about 5.8% of the U.S. population; this clearly signals that Asian Americans have arrived in the UFC. For comparison, the percentage of Asian Americans elected to Congress is a little over 2%. Now, this healthy representation in the UFC ranks is partly due to the recent inclusion of lighter weight classes, but the opportunity still had to be seized by Asian fighters showing up and performing consistently. Asian Americans are a rapidly growing population, but it takes more than numbers to achieve the full measure of representation. (more…)
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News
07.24.2013
What defines you?
What defines you? (my dreams; my passion; my music; my past and present; my future; my experiences.) — Impact Fellows, writing about Kinetic.
This summer, five of our Impact Fellows began the work of building an infrastructure for a high school youth program at two local community-based organizations (CBOs), based on our Kinetic program. While the project has been challenging, it feels particularly critical. CBOs have long proven to be important places for young folks to engage in community building and identity development, and part of our mission at Advancing Justice—Chicago is to support capacity- building and leadership development within these organizations. (more…)
Read More07.19.2013
Flooded Basements and Naturalization
A guest post from a 2013 Impact Fellow
Thursday night my tita’s (aunt’s) basement flooded due to the neighbors kid leaving the garden hose on. Intentional or unintentional is unclear, but that is besides the point. While helping my tita salvage items from the basement, I found a bag that had my late lolo’s (grandpa’s) naturalization certificate, which I have never seen before. Funny how Vi found hers a week earlier also. My lolo has had LPR status since the late 70’s, but his date of naturalization was not until July of 1993. What I’m wondering is, why it took so long? I’m still trying to gather information my family. I will keep all of you up to date on this story if possible. (more…)
Read More07.15.2013
Advancing Justice | Chicago Concerned by Verdict in Zimmerman Trial
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago is deeply saddened and concerned by the verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman, who stalked, shot, and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year old African American teen. On Saturday, July 13, 2013, a jury acquitted George Zimmerman of any wrongdoing. Our hearts go out to the family and community of Trayvon Martin who have suffered through this unspeakable tragedy, and we support the call by the NAACP for a federal investigation into whether civil rights or other federal laws were violated in this case. (more…)
Read More07.10.2013
Fright 214-Intentionality?
A guest post from one of our 2013 Impact Fellows:
This past July 4th weekend, there was a horrible plane crash in San Francisco that frightened many. As many people tuned glued to the news to find out more, the focus changed from the victims and families to the inevitable racism that, for some odd reason, seems to always follow. (more…)
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