A-VOYCE’s new project

This is MeiHua and Karen presenting you the most exciting project of the summer, Digital Media Learning (DML)! There are many descriptions of DML. In a nutshell, it is a virtual world where anyone can participate and communicate without having to physically be there. The goal of this project is to give people an opportunity to view Chinatown differently.

During the past two weeks, we worked with Victor and Lisbeth. Photos of Chinatown were taken and used for the 3D models in Google Sketch-Up. Labels of specific were also put on the Chinatown model.

Karen and I worked on the avatar development. We took photos of people in Chinatown, and came up with descriptions for each character. A street vendor yelled at us on the first day. However, this didn’t deter us from taking more photos. Karen fell in love with the people in Nam Boc Hong, a Chinese herb store next to Bao Bao Bakery. They are the coolest people on earth. They were very generous in giving us permission to take photos of them!

Currently, we are creating interview questions. We can’t wait see to the finished product. Stay tuned for our next post!

- MeiHua & Karen

The Topic of Prejudice Yet Again

“One [of a series of studies], from the University of California at Los Angeles, generally found decreased prejudice among students with different-race roommates — but those who roomed with Asian-Americans, the group that scored the highest on measures of prejudice, became more prejudiced themselves.”

- New York Times, Interracial Roomates Can Reduce Prejudice

This article targeted more of the racial issues with African Americans and Caucasians, but the minute statement above is disappointing yet true. Most believe it is right to treat everyone equally, but actions may not follow what one thinks.

One reason for the high prejudice Asians have, but which can be debated, is the very few generations that the Asian community has in America. When the first significantly large group of Asians came over permenantly for the gold rush, they were looked down upon by others, and therefore were forced to form their own community. As time passed, the community shut themselves off from interacting with other ethnicities, creating a social barrier.

First impressions became lasting impressions as some Asians passed down the stories and opinions of how other Americans treated them. Today the extremity of this isolation evolved into a passive notion. Asian clubs exist in my school, and though I and many other Asians have a diverse social web, others choose to stick to other Asians, creating the big Asian clique every grade has in my school.

In my opinion, the two ways the world can become socially colorblind is through prohibiting influence and reaching out to everyone. Without influence, the only impression one can put on a race is through the people, not other’s opinions. And by socializing with everyone, diversity will be expected, not shunned.

Anthony Cheung, Oak Terrace Youth

Don’t Forget About Us!

“If a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible.” -Michael Steele, the first black chair of the Republican National Committee.

Steele, as the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee, is an important role model for African Americans. This quote should be highlighted because of the impact it has on African Americans, and minorities in general. The Republican party is often viewed as the party of wealth, and minorities are often viewed as low-income. Since Steele, an African American, has become the chairman of a Republican committee, this shows that anything is possible.

This also links to another historic event concerning Sonia Sotomayor. Sotomayor was nominated by President Barack Obama for the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, she would be the Court’s 111th justice, its first Hispanic justice, and its third female justice.

Now,  I see hopes for me, as an Asian American. I see opportunities for everyone, among every race. That we can, and we will, have our voices to be heard. Not only among our community, but also this country.

Tong Chen, Oak Terrace Youth.

Summer Youth 2009

Summer is the season for relaxing, reflecting, and for us A-VOYCE youth, volunteering and working! A-VOYCE doesn’t just end when the school year ends, it continues to commit to the community, to develop youth’s leadership skills, and to face the issues in Chinatown.

A-VOYCE this summer has a team of both new and old. We have four new A-VOYCE youth, Helen, Jamie, Kevin, and Gerry! For the youth working on special projects this summer include: Anthony, Tong, Carro, Karen, Mei Hua, and Diane. This summer’s project include a variety of projects both new and traditional.

Summer A-VOYCE Projects 2009: (We’ll be in the office most of everyday! Youth, come in and say hi or help out!)

Radio Youth
Digital Media Learning (DML)
Films at the Gate
Walking Tours
Interns: Lisa and Adam (Helping out with the youth)

We’ll be pretty busy this summer but we’ll also be having a blast learning and working with people in ACDC. Don’t worry we’ll be blogging as well so keep checking back!

Congratulations Class of 2009!

A-VOYCE’s Class of 2009 include Seniors from:

Boston Latin School
Boston Latin Academy
North Quincy High School
Newton North High School
Westwood High School

Congratulations Seniors make us proud!

Breaking the Barriers Picasa Photos

Breaking the Barriers/Opportunity to Serve

A-VOYCE YouTube Channel

Please check out our YouTube Channel . There are some videos from the performances at Breaking the Barriers 2009. Photos and additional videos will soon be available!

A-VOYCE Media Webpage

A-VOYCE media can easily be accessed by visiting the A-VOYCE Media Webpage.

More Inspiration!

I’ve always believed that violence is never the solution to any problems in our world, a world filled with lies, deceit, greed, and power. It is not to say that I believe that all men, women, animals, plants, and organisms alike are evil and destructive creatures existing only to destroy the precious Earth that we inhabit. It is to say that I believe that the system in which we live by, that we mindlessly obey, guides our actions through the strings of the media, government, the military, politics, and money. Many people throughout history allowed me open my eyes and see through the lies that the media and government want me to see and see what’s really going on. I thank Dr. Martin Luther King Junior and his non-violent, activist ways, leading an assembly of people to a better future, one that promised freedom from segregation. I thank the many philosophers throughout history. Even if their theories might not be correct, but the theories themselves allows me to raise questions that help me better understand the universe, that help me better understand myself.

Eric Tao, A-VOYCE Youth

Inspire Me Campaign!

This is my story of inspiration.

Prior to sophomore year in high school, I thought that I wanted to go into business because I wanted to be a CEO. The impulse of a dream to become more than what others can imagine I can be, inspired me. I wanted to be a CEO of a big company because I wanted to be an Asian American that can break through that glass ceiling and climb up on that corporate ladder. I wanted to be wealthy and I thought I would be happy that way.

However, that was three years ago and many things have changed since then. I am no longer interested in being a business entrepreneur but inspired and motivated to become a social entrepreneur. It is all thanks to all of the community leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, activists, volunteers, teachers and youth workers. These people are the most underrated and underpaid people who dedicate their lives to give back to the community, to help change the world for the better and to educate young people to become future leaders to carry on their legacy. In my heart, they deserve to be on the front page of every magazine instead of silly celebrities and they deserved to be respected by people who undermine their work and think it is an easy job when it is not.

It is because of the work that these people do that has helped me to come to a very important epiphany. My heart does not belong in the comfort of a cubicle or on a nice leather seat in a corporate office but it belongs to the idea of grassroots democracy, on the streets of Chinatown and struggling communities, at the poorly-funded public schools, at the much needed youth programs, and many more. Amy Cheung once told me that business entrepreneurship is not the only solution to a successful career, but social entrepreneurship can be one too.

To me, I know that once I am able to touch the hearts and change the lives of people for the better, I will be wealthy of happiness from my triumphs. I know that I can climb up on that ladder to grab the stars of hope for the young, the poor and for those who dream of equality everyday here in America. I am just an Asian American girl from Boston who dreams of becoming a successful social entrepreneur one day. It is a dream that is inspired by people who are making social changes everyday at their community organizations, classrooms, town hall meetings, etc. I thank you all for the work that you do and you all are my inspiration.

Carro Hua, A-VOYCE Chair