Contact: EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703
Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773-588-9158
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

NAKASEC Statement on the Nomination of Dr. Robert Groves as Census Director

(Los Angeles, CA)  The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates – the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles – express their firm and unqualified support for the nomination of Dr. Robert M. Groves as Director of the Census Bureau.

“As director of the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, and associate director of the Census Bureau from 1990 – 1992, Dr. Groves has the knowledge  and experience to guide the 2010 Census campaign to great success,” said Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC.

The Korean American community has seen tremendous growth since the last Census; since 2000, the community has grown 20% to 1,344,171 according to the 2007 American Community Survey. Over half of the foreign-born in the Korean American community arrived after 1990 and 57% of adult Korean Americans are limited English proficient.

“As a largely immigrant community, Korean Americans face barriers to accessing information regarding the Census. And in-language community outreach is fundamental to having every Korean American is counted. Community education paired with methods like statistical sampling is key in making an accurate count and ensuring that minority communities are not undercounted,” said EunSook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC.

“Dr. Groves has shown a dedication to the counting of communities traditionally overlooked by the Census, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander and Korean American communities, and brings an expertise in survey methodology and statistics that will be critical in ensuring that all residents of the United States are counted,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC.

Founded in 1994, NAKASEC is a multi-issue civil and human rights organization that is based within the Korean American community. We promote equitable changes to the political and legislative systems through a combination of education and policy advocacy with grassroots organizing and community mobilization.

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문의: 이은숙, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703
베키 벨코어, 한인교육문화마당집, 773-588-9158
윤대중, 민족학교, 323-937-3718

영어로 운전면허 시험을 의무화하는 조지아 주 법안은 잘못된 차별 정책입니다.

미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)와 가입단체-시카고 한인교육문화마당집, 로스 앤젤레스 민족학교-는 조지아 주민의 안전과 권리 보장을 위해 영어 운전면허 시험 의무화 법안 (English Only Driver’s Exam bill-이하 SB67)을 반대합니다.

미교협의 이은숙 사무국장은 “SB67은 영어 사용이 불편한 이민자들이 운전면허을 취득하는데 불필요한 장애물로 작용할 것이며, 한인사회를 비롯 이민자 커뮤니티에 악영향을 가져올 차별적 문제 법안입니다. 미주 한인 성인 중 75%가 영어 사용에 불편함을 느끼고 있는 현실을 고려하면, 이 법안이 한인 커뮤니티에 악영향을 가져 오리라는 것 불을 보듯 뻔한 현실입니다. 특히 조지아 주는 최근 들어 한인 인구가 급속하게 증가하고 있는 주들 중의 하나입니다. 지난 2000년부터 2007년 사이, 조지아 주의 한인 인구는 28,745명에서 42,760명으로, 49%나 증가했습니다. 미교협은 한인을 포함한 이민자들의 운전면허 취득을 어렵게 만들 SB 67안에 반대하며, 이 법안에 반대하고 있는 지역 커뮤니티 단체들과 조지아 주민들을 지지합니다.”라고 입장을 밝혔습니다.

한인교육문화마당집의 베키 벨코어 사무국장은 “SB67는 이 나라의 경제에 기여하는 이민자들이 운전 면허를 취득하는 것을 어렵게 만들 것입니다. 이민자들이 운전 면허를 취득할 수 있도록 하는 것은, 이들이 합법적으로 자동차 등록을 하고 안전하게 자동차를 운행하도록 하여, 결과적으로 모든 조지아 주민들에게 이득이 될것입니다. 그러므로 우리는 조지아 주 의원들과 퍼듀 주지사가 이 법안에 반대할 것을 촉구합니다.”라며 법안에 대한 반대의사를 밝혔다.

민족학교의 윤대중 사무국장은 “지금과 같은 경제 불황기에 이 나라가 필요한 것은 경제를 활성화하는 정책이며, 미국의 발전을 위한 정책입니다. 불행히도, SB67은 조지아에 투자하고자 하는 모든 개인과 기업들에게 환영하지 않는다는 메시지를 전달하고 있습니다.”며 법안의 문제점을 지적했습니다.

1994년에 설립된 미교협은 다양한 민권 및 인권 관련 이슈에 대해 활동하는 단체로, 한인 커뮤니티에 그 기반을 두고 있습니다. 미교협은 교육 및 정책 옹호, 풀뿌리 조직 및 커뮤니티 결집을 결합하여 정치 시스템 상의 공정한 변화를 위해 활동하고 있습니다.

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Contact: Eun Sook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703
Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773-588-9158
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

Georgia Bill for English-Only Driver’s Exam is Misguided and Discriminatory

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates – the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles – reject SB67 due to grave concerns for the safety and rights of all Georgians.

“SB67 is a discriminatory and divisive legislation that will adversely impact immigrant communities like the Korean American community by creating unnecessary barriers for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals from securing driver’s licenses. 75% of adult Korean Americans are LEP and Georgia is home to one of the fastest growing Korean American populations. Between 2000 and 2007, the Korean American population increased from 28,745 to 42,760, representing a significant 49% increase. That is why we support prominent local community based organizations and citizens of Georgia in opposing the passage of SB67,” said Eun Sook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC.

“SB67 targets immigrants who contribute to the economic engine of this country and hinders their ability to obtain Driver’s License. The ability for immigrants to possess driver’s licenses would allow for motor vehicles to be properly registered and operated in a safe manner, which benefit all Georgians. We urge Georgia state legislators and Governor Perdue to reject this ill-conceived bill,” said Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC.

“What our country needs during this period of great economic crisis are business initiatives that stimulate the economy and which are in the best interest of our country. Unfortunately, SB67 sends an unwelcoming message to all individuals and corporations that are willing to invest in Georgia,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC.

Founded in 1994 NAKASEC is a multi-issue civil and human rights organization that is based within the Korean American community. We promote equitable changes to the political and legislative systems through a combination of education and policy advocacy with grassroots organizing and community mobilization.

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Yongho Kim, Civic Participation Coordinator, Korean Resource Center
(Translation of a Korea Daily column published on 10-14-08)

It’s great to see Korean Americans and the entire American society stirred up by the elections. Every day, dozens of voters call or visit the Korean Resource Center with questions on voter registration or other elections related issues. I almost feel sorry to witness this “expansion in our business” while the U.S. economy is in an unstable state. At the same time, it’s encouraging to note an increased interest from Korean American voters in the ballot initiatives and not just the presidential candidates – indicating a growth in the political maturity of our voters.

In particular, we have seen that many voters have been interested in Proposition 8, which will prohibit same-sex marriage. Well-known issues tend to attract rumors and misinformation; proposition 8 seems to be just that kind of issue. Some voters think that Prop. 8 is an “all-or-nothing” deal where if it were to pass, gays would somehow disappear, and if it failed to pass, everyone in California would become gay. In reality, Proposition 8 is not such a significant piece of legislation. Queer couples are already recognized in California law through domestic partnership, earning benefits comparable to married heterosexual couples.

The only caveat is that same-sex couples are being isolated in a separate realm called “domestic partnership,” even when in every aspect of their relationship and status is equal to that of “marriage.” This is a form of discrimination familiar in our community, called “separate but equal”

Opponents of same-sex marriage claim that acceptance of the queer community is symptomatic of societal moral corruption, but what is even more alarming is the pervasive discourse of hate in our society against them.

All it takes is to hear the comments of voters who have been calling Korean Resource Center in response to our “Vote No on Prop 8″ recommendation. One voter said “homosexuals are worse than animals; you shouldn’t give them any rights.” No matter how much you may disagree with someone, talking of a human being as subhuman is beyond our founding motto of living in harmony.

What worries me is that today’s arguments for discriminating against gays are frighteningly similar to 19th century justifications for racial discrimination and exploitation. Back then, European whites put black slaves and Asians in the same category as cattle; this mode of thinking was the dominant frame of the times when talking about race. Racists used moral arguments to justify their claims. Non-whites, they claimed, were unable to adopt European “culture,” did not wear clothes, displayed lavish behavior, and did not accept Christianity. Therefore, it could not be said that they were humans proper, and should instead be treated as animals. Later in the U.S. South, white supremacists resorted to violence “to prevent dirty and immoral blacks” from sitting in white-only lunch counters. Anti-miscegenation laws were passed that prohibited Asian immigrants from marrying whites.

How far away have we come from these brutal arguments when our community is saying that gays should not be treated as humans? Also, how different is this discrimination from the discrimination being imposed upon undocumented immigrants who help to build America’s economy?

As immigrants and people of color, we Korean Americans ought to look back and learn from our own community’s history of being discriminated against for not being able to speak English well, for the color of our skin, and for our immigration status. I hope that we will be able to open our hearts and start recognizing that basic human and civil rights are protections that every human being deserves.

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703, ext. 206
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

“When two people are in love, the sacred path they take towards commitment should not be blocked by discrimination and ignorance. We applaud the California Supreme Court for their courageous decision,” stated EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC.“

Immigrant communities and communities of color are all too familiar with institutionalized denial of our basic humanity. Presently we are working to ensure that limited English proficient Korean American immigrants have full access to the ballot, healthcare, and schools. It is with pride that we stand up for marriage equality and with LGBTQ communities,” stated Dae Joong Yoon, Executive Director, KRC.

NAKASEC and KRC were two of over 50 Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations that signed onto a marriage equality amicus brief filed in the California Supreme Court. We will continue to support efforts to authorize same-gender marriage in California.

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703, ext. 205
HyunJoo Lee, NAKASEC, 323 -937-3703, ext. 202

Supreme Court Photo ID Ruling A Disgrace to Democracy

NAKASEC and its affiliate centers join fellow civil rights organizations in their deep disappointment and dismay at the U.S. Supreme Court 6-3 ruling to reject a challenge to Indiana’s unfair and discriminatory photo ID law on April 28, 2008. Just one week prior to Indiana’s state primary, the ruling will allow the state to demand photo identification from voters before they cast their vote.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice and New York University School of Law, as many as 11 percent of Americans – more than 21 million U.S. citizens – do not have a current government-issued photo ID. Elderly, poor and minority Americans are more likely to lack government-issued ID. Furthermore, Rock the Vote found in a recent poll that 19% of 18-29 year olds lack a government-issued photo ID and estimates that this ruling will disenfranchise 1 out of 5 youth voters.

“In a year where we have seen record voter turnout across the country from all walks of life, it is a disgrace that the Supreme Court has failed to consider the serious concerns of voter disenfranchisement,” said EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC.

Voter fraud has been stated as the reason for this law; however there has been no evidence that voter fraud is even a prevalent problem in Indiana. The Supreme Court further stated that there was not one instance of voter fraud in Indiana. Photo ID laws claim to address non-existent problems while creating new ones such as creating a barrier to poor voters and voters of color who do not have government-issued photo ID.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a dangerous precedent and has left the door wide open for similar challenges in other states leading up to the November elections. There are currently 24 states that require voters to show some form of identification and seven specify photo ID. Already this year, another 14 states have bills seeking strict voter ID requirements pending before their legislatures, seven of which require individuals to prove their citizenship status at the time they register to vote.

NAKASEC and its affiliates signed onto an amicus brief filed earlier by the Asian American Legal and Defense Fund in the Supreme Court and will continue to oppose restrictive measures that erect barriers to civic engagement, rather than empower communities.

NAKASEC Fact Sheet