Young OCA-GS Members Play Key Role in WSU Harassment Story
by Bettie Luke, April 2005
Two young members of OCA-GS, James Kuo and Phillip Sit, are key players in launching state-wide efforts to have WSU address the harassment of three Asian American young women on campus this past quarter. This is a prime example of the value of inter-generational representation on our organization's Board.
James Kuo, the college representative on the OCA-GS Board, forwarded a plea from WSU campus organizers who were protesting weak administrative response to four white males - including two basketball players, who harassed the APA women on a regular basis over several months.
The OCA-GS Board picked up James's inquiry for action and President Doug Chin met with Karen Yoshitomi, JACL Regional Director. Together, they drafted a letter to WSU President Lane Rawlins, pointing out that behavior such as pulling eyes into a slant and saying "I hate Asians" did indeed amount to racial harassment.
The OCA/JACL letter was endorsed and signed by six other APA leaders and their organizations, including Nadine Shiroma, Eastside Asian Pacific Americans, Shari Song, Korean American Voters Alliance, Diane Narasaki, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition (APIC) King County, Lua Pritchard, APIC Pierce County, Vang Xion, APIC Spokane County and Joy Shigaki, JACL Seattle.
Meanwhile, Phillip Sit, Student Intern at the OCA-GS office, was able to contact Nina Kim, the main student subjected to the harassment. Through Phil, a meeting was arranged and held on Friday, 3/18/05. Nina participated in the meeting, via a conference call, and was able to learn of the wide community concern and support for her case. Also at the meeting were other APA leaders in addition to a number of the letter signers. These included James Arima, Eastside JACL and Ellen Abellera, Director of the State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Representatives from three APA newspapers attended - North American Post, International District Examiner, and the Korean Times.
The case is still pending with additional APA organizations writing letters and expressing concern. Several legislators, including Sen. Bob Hasegawa, have also voiced concern. OCA extends its thanks to James Kuo and Phillip Sit for their decisive leadership towards social justice at WSU.
© 2005 OCA-Greater Seattle
OCA - GREATER SEATTLE CHAPTER