Asian Pacific American Caucus

The APAC would like to invite you to submit a paper proposal to the 2007 American Political Science Association Meeting, 8/30-9/2, Chicago.  [Please note that even if people missed the Nov. 15 deadline, they can still submit a paper to APAC].  

For 2007, the annual meeting program “aims to embrace the extraordinary potential of linking political scientists with researchers, teachers, and scholars from other disciplines” and participants are asked “to think across disciplinary boundaries in organizing panels and in contributing to the program”.  We believe the theme of “Political Science and Beyond” is integral to the missions of the APAC and would like you to consider submitting a paper proposal that addresses this theme in the studying of APA politics.

Please send in a proposal of 150-200 words by December 31, 2006 to Pei-te Lien <peite.lien@gmail.com> and Okiyoshi Takeda <otakeda@sipeb.aoyama.ac.jp>.  Please indicate if the same proposal has been submitted for consideration at the APSA sections and which one(s).  In addition, please contact us if you would not mind being called to serve as chair or discussant for the APAC panel(s) at the 2007 meeting.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Pei-te Lien
Oki Takeda
2006-7 APAC co-chairs

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APSA Minority Fellows Program

APAs are now eligible for the APSA Minority Fellows Program. The Minority Program Review Committee of the APSA found big gaps between APAs who get Ph.D.s in political science and those in faculty positions:

APAs as a percentage of all:
- political science doctorates, 1993-2002    4.40%
- political science faculty                            2.68%
- full-time political science faculty              2.91%
- full-time tenure-track faculty*                  2.26%
- the U.S. population                                  4.32%
   
*Data available for 1999-2000 only. 

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Status Committee

In April 2003, the APSA Council approved the creation of the Status committee for Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Political Science!  Thanks to the work of Jane Junn, Oki Takeda and Valeria Martinez-Ebers, and the continuing work of the APAC executive committee.

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Encourage your students and colleagues to join APAC!

Post this flyer in relevant departments and conferences.

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The APAC agreed to the following
statement in Fall 2001

STATEMENT ON THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

The members of the Asian Pacific American Caucus of the American Political Science Association are deeply saddened by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We strongly condemn these acts of violence, and extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this tragedy.

Our nation has reacted to this event with remarkable strength and unity. Unfortunately, some in our midst have taken this opportunity to target and victimize members of minority communities, including Asian Americans, Muslim Americans, and Arab Americans. Hate crimes ranging from verbal abuse and harassment to violent assault and murder have been reported in the aftermath of this tragedy, from all parts of the country. We remind our fellow citizens that Asian Americans, Muslim Americans, and Arab Americans are part of the fabric of society. Members of these communities were also victims of this horrible tragedy, and are now part of the rescue effort.

 Our shared American heritage is littered with historical moments when the politically powerless are forced to play the role of convenient scapegoats. APAC and the Japanese American community remember well the abuse and loss of rights inflicted upon that community during World War II. Rather than finding solace for our grief and satisfaction for our outrage on the backs of innocent victims--both here and abroad--we should explore the complex causes of these violent acts.

Our country is very diverse, with people from all sorts of socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. While we may have differences, our common belief in a free and open society must remain strong. In this time of crisis, we must come together as a community and refrain from blaming anyone because they might be from a different culture or have different religious or political beliefs than ours.

We call upon our fellow political scientists and the larger community to educate themselves about racism and discrimination, so that one of the darkest hours for our country does not become one of its ugliest for more innocent victims. Moreover, we urge our fellow scholars who have spent their lives becoming experts in international relations and U.S. foreign policy to speak out and shift the dialogue away from simple explanations to more rigorous and complex analyses. Please visit the APAC website for more information, at http://www.apa-politics.org