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St. Cloud State University
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A.S.I.A. prevents hate
A.S.I.A. presents several events throughout the week to increase awareness about hate crimes
By Julie Cronk
Published:
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Racism, sexism and other discrimination happen everyday. Unfortunately, there are people in the St. Cloud community that have been emotionally and physically affected by the hatred.
That is why the student organization, Asian Students in Action took charge and created SCSU Hate Crimes Awareness Week.
The event began Monday and continues until Thursday. It was developed by A.S.I.A. response to an incident that happened to an Asian American in Detroit, Mich. Vincent Chin, an Asian American living in Detroit, was allegedly murdered by two Caucasian men. The men were caught but never convicted. This event brought up many discriminating issues for Asian Americans and gave pathway to protest for many Asian Americans across the United States.
The effects of the event still span across the nation to SCSU. It is proper grounds for the organization A.S.I.A. to develop a Hate Awareness Week for SCSU students. This is the first Hate Crimes Week, but A.S.I.A. hopes to have more. The organization mainly wanted to bring up extended awareness to people that did not know that hate crimes happen so often. Even with the murder of Chin, racism is deeply shown everywhere.
"You cannot change the past, but you can change the present and the future," said Saengmany Rats about, co-founder and treasurer of A.S.I.A.
A.S.I.A. is very proud of the work that has been accomplished, but it was not an easy task. The organization had many problems with getting sponsors for the event and has spent much time trying to search for available funding. Thanks to the generous donation from the Otto Bremer Foundation, A.S.I.A. was able to put on the events that fill this week. All of the events that took place were solely organized by less than a dozen A.S.I.A. students.
"I am so impressed at the work of these dedicated students," said Hedy Tripp, adviser to A.S.I.A.
The week entails many different events such as a post 9/11 documentary from the Southern Asian community titled "Raising Our Voices." Other events involved many different speakers from SCSU and the surrounding community.
Tonight there will be an A.S.I.A. community forum in Atwood which involves a discussion on how to prevent and deal with hate, racism and oppression. Also, there will be a video documentary about a hate crime against an African American male and a NOVA community forum with keynote speakers. All are urged to attend and participate.
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