A Cross-Country Celebration

To welcome the Year of the Wild Boar, Korean American communities celebrated with the traditional Lunar New Year Festival, Jishin Balpgi.  Korean American drumming troupes visited businesses, churches and schools, performing for community members and wishing them good fortune and blessings.

YKASEC-Empowering the Korean American Community, BINARI, NYURI from New York University, Ho-Heup from Columbia University, KAPA and the Rainbow Center celebrated together in Flushing, NY, and in Manhattan’s Koreatown on February 24. In Illinois, KRCC’s famous traditional Korean drumming troupe, Il Kwa Nori (Work & Play) coordinated its 12th Jishin Balpgi Festival throughout greater Chicago’s Koreatown on February 19.  

Despite the long history of Korean immigration to Hawaii, it was the first time in recent memory for Jishin Balpgi to be seen on the island of Oahu. On February 24, drummers wound their way through the Honolulu Ke’eaomoku (Koreamoku) business district, beginning at the Hawaii United Korean Association offices and ending near Pawa’a Park, which commemorates the centennial of Korean immigration to Hawaii. With the support of the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles and help from community members and friends, Tuh-Ool-Lim, the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s samulnori (cultural music) group, was able to successfully bring together Brigham Young University, BuhSumSae, Halla Huhm Dance Studio and Hawaii Han-In Nong-Ak Dan for a festive celebration. 

DREAM 2007

With the start of the new congress, the hopes of immigrant students were restored. On March 1 and 6, the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act was introduced in the House and Senate. H.R. 1275 and S. 774 are urgently-needed federal legislation that would grant access to higher education and a pathway to legal status for undocumented students. This year, dedicated Korean American youth are taking the lead in educating and organizing the community to pass the DREAM Act.

KRCC’s youth group, FYSH (Fighting Youth Shouting out for Humanity) members held a workshop on Feb. 28 where 25 high school students came together to learn more about the DREAM Act. FYSH is also working on developing a college and scholarship library for the community.

To announce the eminent introduction of the bill, KRC’s youth group ORAnGE (Organize, Rise Up, Act n’ Get Empowered) held a press conference in conjunction with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Wise UP! youth on Feb. 28.

Mobilizing For Change

The New York Immigration Coalition held its annual Albany Immigrant’s Day, where immigrants and advocates travel to the State Capitol to voice their concerns and advance immigrant services and rights. This year, YKASEC, Korean Community Services (KCS), the YWCA of Queens, Won Kwang Community Service Center, Korean American Association of Greater New York, Rainbow Center and the Korean Senior Advisory Council held a press conference to urge the community to participate and to discuss relevant issues, including driver licenses, public health and funding for English language courses.