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Journey to Cuba: An Alum’s Cultural Exchange Experience by Amanda Wake I journeyed to Cuba in search of fellow Nikkei (Japanese of the diaspora). Due to different circumstances in history, found their way not to the United States, but to Cuba - like my great grandparents. I traveled with the Bay Area based group called Tsukimi Kai to the home of five generations of Japanese Cubans. They currently make up only 0.01% of the Cuban population, about 1,300 people. Despite their small numbers they are an influential part of Cuba’s history during their WWII incarceration under Bautista’s dictatorship, the fight for the revolution, the building of the socialist country and its current struggle to thrive against the hostility of the most powerful country in the world. Japanese Cubans have their own WWII experience, fueled by the same systems of oppression that put my grandparents and great grandparents into internment camps for 4 years. Fathers separated from their families; wives and mothers left to make ends meet on their own; fathers came home as strangers to their own children. Men of Japanese descent were put two to a cell with a toilet and two beds between walls that are closer together than the length of my arms. Only being able to speak to their loved ones once every 2 months (if at all and only in Spanish), which forced silent, longing stares. Bautista’s hand, guided by US racist policy, picked up Japanese Men who were “stealing jobs” and placed them in cells to break their spirits and seize their property. These families suffered greatly but persevered resiliently and continue to make Cuba what it is today. Most would say that they are Cubano first; there is no hyphen necessary in Cuba because everyone is Cuban. People of color in the Spring 2007 US (whether to separate from or enter into US national identity) put their color first and “American” second. “Cuba is an inclusive society and the US is an exclusive society,” said an insightful Cu- “Cuba is an inclusive society and the U.S. is an exclusive society.” bano. T h e U.S. blockade has isolated Cuba and has actuallyprotected it from US materialism, racism and dangerous arrogance that has destroyed other third world countries. However, it has also hurt Cuba by refusing to exchange any kind of wealth with them and allowing people to die in the process. They have to get their medical medications all the way from China, which costs money to ship over a long trip instead of getting in from right across the Caribbean Sea. Despite this, Cuban people have managed to pick the country up together; get through the Special Period and all the while provide free health care; free education (including higher education); and provide everyone with a home. They have survived hurricanes much stronger than Katrina and actually offered medical and disaster support to New Orleans but the US refused. And how is Cuba able to do this? By putting the health of the people first before 10 military strength; corporate interests; material wealth; pop culture frenzies; extravagant extras; and personal arrogance. With the strong ideals of Fidel, the inspiration of Che, the guiding words of Jose Marti, the unified strength of the Cuban people and a love for their country - something that I have never felt and probably will never feel for the United States. This is a place you have to see to believe. The Revolution has not ended in Cuba and they don’t ever want it to. The Revolution is a process guided by socialism, it is never stagnant, always being pushed, pulled and molded by the new generations of leaders. It is the people’s responsibility to protect, defend, preserve and create the Revolution. Amanda Wake graduated from UCSC in 2006. AA/PI Seniors! Sign up for the... Asian American/Pacific Islander Year End Ceremony Register online at http://www2.ucsc.edu/aapirc/ Come graduate with your friends and members from the community! SNAP!
Staff Spotlight continued from page 8 and professional experience in working with the students while bridging the gap between the administration and the student body. Although Ashish experienced many struggles and challenges in making his way to where he is now, he held strongly to his values and the lessons learned from each season of his life. Stemming from those experiences, were strong roots and a foundation of culture and ethnic identity, including the desire to succeed despite those challenges along the way. “I came on board [to UCSC] in June 2006 and so far it has been an enjoyable experience. I fi nd the work gratifying and am noticing how signifi cantly different the communities [at UCSC] are from other campuses.” Ashish explains the importance of unity Spring 2007 and how that should be a fundamental goal in defi ning a sense of belonging for students, because of the direct impact it could have on “university business.” One of the ways that Ashish sees to this goal is by chairing a Campus Welfare Committee, in which the members seek to support public demonstrations and make efforts to provide positive ways of engaging the students with university relations. Ashish openly shares how students can best be involved in their campus community. He says, “once students fi nd out what they’re passionate about [diversity issues, social justice, etc], they should be assertive, but demonstrate peacefully, whether that be through committees, open forums, public meetings, etc.” Speaking from an administrative voice, Ashish knew exactly how to relate to undergraduate students, 11 knowing very well what was effective and what was not, because not so long ago, Ashish Sahni was a student himself, trying to get his voice heard and his opinions across. Assistant Chancellor Sahni mades it very clear during the interview that he has high hopes for UC Santa Cruz, “the university climate has changed signifi cantly, as students converse as a group, build unity, and defi ne a sense of belonging [on the college campus].” As the discussion comes to a close, Ashish again asserted, as a student of color, addressing these issues is especially diffi - cult and often challenging, but nonetheless “doable.” And it is safe to say that Ashish Sahni is a living example of that creed. SNAP!
Page 1 and 2: Vol. 8, No. 3 by Tran Nguyen Few pe
Page 3 and 4: UCSC Hmong Student Association: Rep
Page 5 and 6: Update on Asian American Studies at
Page 7: Reflection on Mental Health Series

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