Four months ago, my older sister Vivika asked me if I wanted to help plan the Asian Lunar New Year Celebration in Chicago. My only knowledge of this event was from Vivika, who attended the new year five years ago. It was part-work and part-community outreach for her in her state government job.
I had never been to a Lunar New Year celebration myself, since I’m Filipina and do not celebrate the Lunar calendar. But when I found out the event actually switches off every year among 16 or so Asian ethnic groups and Filipinos were to host the 2010 dinner and celebration, I looked at it with open eyes. Plus, I had just volunteered with the same organization, Asian American Coalition of Chicago last May. At that time, it hosted the Chicago heritage festival at Daley Plaza, a very fun event.
Still, not knowing exactly what this function was all about – there are so many parts I had a hard time keeping track until it was drilled into my head. There’s a political forum, a silent auction, an awards ceremony, Keynote Speaker Euna Lee, dinner and many of the political figures who hold our state together on a daily basis …. phew…
But in these last two weeks, I finally figured out the point of this event.
It is more than just a Lunar New Year celebration and it is more than just an event that happens every year. It’s an event honoring the efforts, strides and achievements of the Asian community in Chicago and I’m so proud to say I played a little role in it. After months of planning, this celebration, potentially the largest of its kind in the Chicago area with some 900 guests, is finally happening today.
In the past two weeks I have learned:
-Northern Illinois has welcomed Young Kim as its new U.S. Magistrate Judge, and he is the first Korean-American ever to be appointed.
-There are at least five candidates running in the Primary Election of Asian American descent, with races for Attorney General, Illinois Comptroller and several state representative seats.
-Ping Tom was a pioneer for heightening the power and visibility of the Chicago Asian American community since the 1960s. He was the force behind the establishment of Chinatown and is considered Chinatown’s most civic leader. I knew he was a legend, but never heard his story until this past week.
I’ve always known, but never really explored the brevity of this statement– There is so much more to learn and understand about the work being done in the Asian American community. And from what I can tell, it’s endless. I feel clueless and a bit ashamed that I don’t know more about my own culture and coming from me, I think that says a lot.
I’d like to say that I’m already very proud to be Asian and a Filipina American and part of the culture that exists here in Chicago. I shop at local Asian-owned businesses, I go to the Filipino grocery stores and I definitely love authentic Asian restaurants, bakeries and even the one Filipino ice cream shop in the area, Village Creamery. I support the many Filipino artists and musicians here, too. Every now and then, I make my way out to a cultural event, but not to offend, the focus is usually on traditional dancing and singing.
I realize that there’s so much more to be proud of now. I realize that really, my own awareness has been limited, even a bit superficial. And maybe we can all do a little bit more to elevate our community, beyond the food, the dancing and the singing.
I have to admit, there was a ton of planning and time spent by all committee members on this event. I had a lot of late nights. I stayed up until hours I haven’t recognized since college. I got cranky, impatient and frustrated. I’ve been very pre-occupied. But then there’s the big picture I have to look at.
Tonight, I’ll enjoy celebrating the strides of my community, and I’ll only begin to be thankful for all of their efforts. Tonight, I’ll only begin to understand the power, vitality and potential of my community, that so many people have dedicated their lives to for decades.
Posts
5 years ago
