Asian Wisconzine January 2008: WOAA & Asian Americans in media

WI Organization for Asian Americans (WOAA) Fall Potluck
Asian Americans in local media

By Heidi M. Pascual

   One of the most gratifying benefits of being a member of the WOAA
(Wisconsin Organization for Asian Americans-Madison) is learning about
current social and political issues, policies and programs being implemented
by public figures occupying certain level of authority, meeting knowledgeable
and experienced personalities, and of course, developing
personal/professional bonds or gaining new friends. WOAA has been moving
beyond the “learning” process for many years, as manifested by actively taking
a stand on certain issues (such as the marriage amendment) through
resolutions; bringing Asian American concerns and advocating for more
representation of Asian Americans in the City of Madison, through quarterly
meetings with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, and participating with MATC Asian
Council and Council of Color, among others.
   Its current chairpersons, Sharyl Kato and Lakshmi Sridharan, have been
leading the group toward meaningful accomplishments the past two years.
They   challenge WOAA members to be politically engaged and socially
active. Many of them are already “out there making a difference” but WOAA
hopes to get ALL members truly visible.
   WOAA conducts regular quarterly discussions on various issues. The recent
Fall Potluck focused on the topic of Asian Americans in the media. It was held
at the home of Gina and Bob Cowell on November 13. Andy Choi, reporter and
weekend anchor at WISC-TV3 (representing TV) and this writer (representing
print media) introduced themselves, and reflected on the challenges of their
profession. Katy Sai (Internet-based storybridge.tv) stopped by briefly to
socialize with the group, but left early due to a family commitment.
Andy Choi
   Andy Choi was born in South Korea but grew up outside Chicago. “It’s a
Korean household,” Choi said, “but also a bilingual world. I had a Midwest
Asian American upbringing.”
Because he liked writing and telling stories, he took up journalism and got his
degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and got his feet wet as Rock
County reporter for one-and-a-half years.
Choi admitted that while he’s aware of his cultural identity, he chose to follow
the mainstream track. “In order for me to compete, I have to leave everything
at the door,” he reflected. “I never think of myself as an ‘Asian reporter.’ But it’s
a blessing and a curse because it’s sucking into my identity.”
He stressed that it’s just a matter of embracing it and being comfortable with
himself. “Just being myself in the best way posibble,” he smiled, “hopefully
people would understand the image I’m trying to portray.
Heidi M. Pascual
   This writer, being a WOAA member and known to everyone in the room
except Andy Choi, offered a brief description of herself and why and how she
started Asian Wisconzine. Unlike Choi who’s in the mainstream media, Heidi’s
target audience is the Asian communities in Wisconsin Her challenges have
been, she said, to get more article submissions, especially from WOAA
members, subscriptions and advertising to be able to continue publishing the
now glossy magazine. (Visit www.asianwisconzine.com and click on “About Us”)
   There was a lively Q&A afterward which focused on the “qualities” and
“capabilities” of one working in the media. WOAA members were all excited to
learn about Andy Choi’s newsroom experiences, particularly as they relate to
his being “Asian American,” or person of color. It was great to know that Choi
recognizes that “others” also see him as “different,” but he doesn’t make a big
thing out of it. He just proves he does his job very well every day.