Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| Heartwarming feedback |
After reading my editorial last month, titled “Until March 2010,” some concerned readers of Asian
Wisconzine sent me emails which basically encouraged me to stay, be patient a little bit, and
continue Asian Wisconzine’s print edition, regardless of whether it will have less pages and printed
on non-glossy paper. Someone even asked me to revert to newsprint to weather this economic storm
and just “hang in there.” These readers saw the need for Asian Wisconzine, its positive role in
putting together various Asian cultures dispersed throughout the state of Wisconsin through
individual or group stories, and the fact that it is the only magazine that truly educates others about
Asian American experience in this state. Several librarians called me up and asked me, “What are
we going to offer our Asian American population here now?” Someone even challenged me by saying
that “Wisconsin’s 2006 Journalist of the Year is getting weakened by a temporary souring of the
economy.” I almost felt guilty just reading these feedbacks.
I think I should explain more thoroughly why I have finally decided to leave Wisconsin at this
time. Initially, I planned to “suspend” the printed version of AWiz while waiting for the economy to get
better and meanwhile land a job that will suit my qualifications. I do not live for myself alone; some
immediate family members and relatives in the Philippines, including my elderly father and a disabled
aunt (who took care of my younger siblings when my late mother left for the U.S.A. in 1968) are
dependent on me, as well.
Wisconzine sent me emails which basically encouraged me to stay, be patient a little bit, and
continue Asian Wisconzine’s print edition, regardless of whether it will have less pages and printed
on non-glossy paper. Someone even asked me to revert to newsprint to weather this economic storm
and just “hang in there.” These readers saw the need for Asian Wisconzine, its positive role in
putting together various Asian cultures dispersed throughout the state of Wisconsin through
individual or group stories, and the fact that it is the only magazine that truly educates others about
Asian American experience in this state. Several librarians called me up and asked me, “What are
we going to offer our Asian American population here now?” Someone even challenged me by saying
that “Wisconsin’s 2006 Journalist of the Year is getting weakened by a temporary souring of the
economy.” I almost felt guilty just reading these feedbacks.
I think I should explain more thoroughly why I have finally decided to leave Wisconsin at this
time. Initially, I planned to “suspend” the printed version of AWiz while waiting for the economy to get
better and meanwhile land a job that will suit my qualifications. I do not live for myself alone; some
immediate family members and relatives in the Philippines, including my elderly father and a disabled
aunt (who took care of my younger siblings when my late mother left for the U.S.A. in 1968) are
dependent on me, as well.
Truth is, I have been applying for communication-related jobs in Wisconsin for quite awhile. But jobs at my level are difficult
to find, it seems. I’ve been unlucky. An African American friend tried to soothe my hurt feelings when he said, “Who will hire a
star that shines so bright?” Well, I don’t buy that crap. I’ve been humbled by this society many times over, but I consider every
instance part of the challenges that make my life’s journey very interesting and worth writing about. One thing I know of myself is,
throw me anywhere and I will survive or shine even brighter, do good things, help others and make lots of friends.
These times are incredibly tough for workers — professionals, skilled and others — many of whom have already lost their jobs. I’
m creating a space for them, though, because I am fortunate to have another home to go back to. I’m treating this period as an
R&R for now.
******************************
At the 30th annual State of Wisconsin tribute honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at the Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 18, two of the MLK
Heritage awardees expressed their thanks to me: Sharyl Kato (for creating a voice for yellow voices) and Jon Gramling (for
sticking it out with him all these years [working together in two publications]). I’m grateful to both of them for specifically
mentioning my name. To me, it meant I was someone who touched their lives as they continue to serve this community in
different ways but along the same values and dedication to service that Martin Luther King Jr. had asked of Americans. I truly felt
honored by their sweet gesture. I want them to know that it has been such a wonderful experience having worked with them in
this community to put forward the voices of people of color through Asian Wisconzine, The Capital City Hues, the Wis. Women of
Color Network, and the Wis. Organization for Asian Americans. They occupy a special place in my heart.
to find, it seems. I’ve been unlucky. An African American friend tried to soothe my hurt feelings when he said, “Who will hire a
star that shines so bright?” Well, I don’t buy that crap. I’ve been humbled by this society many times over, but I consider every
instance part of the challenges that make my life’s journey very interesting and worth writing about. One thing I know of myself is,
throw me anywhere and I will survive or shine even brighter, do good things, help others and make lots of friends.
These times are incredibly tough for workers — professionals, skilled and others — many of whom have already lost their jobs. I’
m creating a space for them, though, because I am fortunate to have another home to go back to. I’m treating this period as an
R&R for now.
******************************
At the 30th annual State of Wisconsin tribute honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at the Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 18, two of the MLK
Heritage awardees expressed their thanks to me: Sharyl Kato (for creating a voice for yellow voices) and Jon Gramling (for
sticking it out with him all these years [working together in two publications]). I’m grateful to both of them for specifically
mentioning my name. To me, it meant I was someone who touched their lives as they continue to serve this community in
different ways but along the same values and dedication to service that Martin Luther King Jr. had asked of Americans. I truly felt
honored by their sweet gesture. I want them to know that it has been such a wonderful experience having worked with them in
this community to put forward the voices of people of color through Asian Wisconzine, The Capital City Hues, the Wis. Women of
Color Network, and the Wis. Organization for Asian Americans. They occupy a special place in my heart.
