AN OPEN LETTER TO DR. SAMUEL STANLEY
\nREGARDING THE FATE OF STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY’S
\nASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN PROGRAMS AT THE CHARLES B. WANG CENTER<\/p>\n
February 26, 2013<\/p>\n
Dear Dr. Samuel L. Stanley,<\/p>\n
We are scholars, artists, writers, activists and students who have fought for diversity and equality in our campuses. We have rallied for the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff of color. We have advocated for inclusive courses and curricula that explore and pursue knowledge that is not limited to Western culture. We have done so because we believe that a legitimate American university, especially one that aspires to be a world-class research institution, must have a curriculum that studies the important endeavors of all humanity in race, class, sexuality, gender, nationality and religion\u2014areas where advances in knowledge have produced real enlightenment and change, and where even more progress is needed.<\/p>\n
This is why we are troubled by recent developments related to Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center for Asian and Asian American Culture.<\/p>\n
\u2022 We are disturbed by the news that your University is planning to defund the office of Asian and Asian American Programs, reduce the number of Asian and Asian American programs, and downgrade the Wang Center to an ordinary convention center.<\/p>\n
\u2022 We are equally disturbed that your office has dissolved the directorship of the internationally respected cultural organizer-artist Dr. Sunita S. Mukhi after 10 years of service.<\/p>\n
\u2022 We view Dr. Mukhi’s non-renewal of contract as a case of racial and age discrimination. Dr. Mukhi is the only administrator at the Wang Center who is of Asian descent (born and raised in the Philippines) and is over fifty years of age.<\/p>\n
These actions come at a delicate time, on the tenth anniversary of the Charles B. Wang Center.
\nYour plan raises several questions:<\/p>\n
1. Is Stony Brook University against Asian and Asian American cultural programs?<\/p>\n
2. Is the study of race, immigration, diversity, and Asian and Asian American history and culture not important to Stony Brook University?<\/p>\n
3. Given that Asians and Asian Americans make up more than a quarter (27%) of Stony Brook’s student population, do they not matter to the University?<\/p>\n
4. And given that the Wang Center is a unique and proven resource for Asian and Asian American culture, does its ten years of distinguished success matter less to the university than the commercial interests of a new hotel on its campus?<\/p>\n
We urge you to reconsider your plans to defund and dissolve Asian and Asian American cultural programming at the Wang Center. Let the Wang Center remain a cultural resource and learning laboratory for Stony Brook University students and the communities of Long Island. In this critical global moment, when an emergent Asia is encountering a rise in anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S., the Wang Center still has so much more work to do. And with your support, it can be a space for learning about important issues regarding race, class, immigration and the arts.<\/p>\n
Let your legacy during your term as university president be as an ally of the arts and a champion of diversity and Asian and Asian American culture.<\/p>\n
Save the Wang Center for all students, all art lovers and all the communities of Long Island and reinstate Dr. Sunita Mukhi. We look forward to having a dialogue or hearing from you about these matters.<\/p>\n
With respect,<\/p>\n
SCHOLARS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
\nFOR THE WANG CENTER’S ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN PROGRAMS<\/p>\n
1. Jessica Hagedorn
\nWriter & University Professor of Creative Writing
\nMFA Program
\nLong Island University, Brooklyn<\/p>\n
2. Ralph B. Pe\u00f1a
\nArtistic Director
\nMa-Yi Theater Company
\nNew York City<\/p>\n
3. R. Zamora Linmark, author
\nManila and Hawa’i<\/p>\n
4. Lisa Diedrich, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies
\nDepartment of Cultural Analysis and Theory
\nStony Brook University<\/p>\n
5. Shirley Jennifer Lim, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, Department of History
\nStony Brook University<\/p>\n
6. Allan Punzalan Isaac, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor of American Studies and English
\nChair, American Studies
\nRutgers, The State University of New Jersey<\/p>\n
7. Theodore S. Gonzalves, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor and Chair
\nDepartment of American Studies
\nUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County<\/p>\n
8. Elaine Kim, Ph.D.
\nProfessor, Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies, Comparative Ethnic Studies
\nUniversity of California, Berkeley<\/p>\n
9. Ricco Villanueva Siasoco
\nDirector of Undergraduate Affairs
\nPrep for Prep, New York<\/p>\n
10. Mauro F. Tumbocon
\nFilm Festival Director
\nFACINE\/ Filipino Arts and Cinema International Film Festival
\nSan Francisco, CA<\/p>\n
11. John D. Blanco, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nDepartment of Literature, 0410
\nUniversity of California, San Diego<\/p>\n
12. Kathleen S. Yep, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nPitzer College, CA<\/p>\n
13. Robert Diaz, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nWomen and Gender Studies Program
\nWilfrid Laurier University
\nCanada<\/p>\n
14. Fidelito C. Cortes, writer
\nLong Island, New York<\/p>\n
15. Gina Apostol, novelist
\nNew York City<\/p>\n
16. Lara Stapleton
\nLecturer and writer
\nEnglish Department
\nBorough of Manhattan Community College of City University of New York<\/p>\n
17. Joseph Legaspi, writer
\nNew York City<\/p>\n
18. Hossannah Asuncion
\nKundiman Fellow
\nEducation Coordinator, Institute of Culinary Education<\/p>\n
19. Vernadette Vicuna Gonzalez, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nAmerican Studies
\nUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa<\/p>\n
20. Cathy J. Schlund-Vials, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, English and Asian American Studies
\nDirector, Asian American Studies Institute
\nFaculty Director, Humanities House
\nDepartment of English
\nUniversity of Connecticut<\/p>\n
21. Sarah Gambito
\nAssistant Professor\/Director of Creative Writing
\nFordham University, New York<\/p>\n
22. Isagani Cruz, Ph.D.
\nProfessor Emeritus
\nDepartment of Literature
\nDe La Salle University, Philippines<\/p>\n
23. Richard T. Chu, Ph.D.
\nFive College Associate Professor of History
\nUMass Amherst<\/p>\n
24. Katherine Sugg, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nCentral Connecticut State University
\nStony Brook University Humanities Institute affiliate<\/p>\n
25. Joey Tabaco
\nFilipino American National Historical Society Metro NY Chapter Board Member
\nFilipino American Human Services Inc Board Member
\nRonkonkoma, NY<\/p>\n
26. Paula Chakravartty, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nDepartment of Communication
\nUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst<\/p>\n
27. Maria Josephine Barrios-Leblanc, Ph.D.
\nLecturer, Department of South and Southeast Asia; Department of
\nAsian American and Asian Diaspora Studies
\nUniversity of California, Berkeley<\/p>\n
28. Theresa Runstedtler, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nAmerican Studies
\nUniversity at Buffalo (SUNY)<\/p>\n
29. L.M.S.P. Burns, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, Asian American Studies Department
\nUniversity of California Los Angeles<\/p>\n
30. Martin F. Manalansan IV, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies
\nDepartment of Anthropology
\nUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign<\/p>\n
31. Sarita Echavez See, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nDepartment of Asian American Studies
\nUniversity of California, Davis<\/p>\n
32. Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nDepartment of Sociology
\nBrown University<\/p>\n
33. Joanne L. Rondilla, Ph.D.
\nLecturer, Asian Pacific American Studies
\nArizona State University<\/p>\n
34. Christine Bacareza Balance, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nDepartment of Asian American Studies
\nAffiliated Faculty, Women’s Studies
\nCore Faculty, Culture & Theory Program
\nUniversity of California, Irvine<\/p>\n
35. Nita Noveno
\nAdjunct Lecturer, English Department
\nLaGuardia Community College
\nLong Island City, NY<\/p>\n
36. Gladys Nubla, Ph.D. candidate
\nDepartment of English
\nUniversity of California, Berkeley<\/p>\n
37. Dean Saranillio, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nDepartment of Social and Cultural Analysis
\nNew York University<\/p>\n
38. Anita Mannur, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nEnglish and Asian\/ Asian American Studies
\nMiami University of Ohio<\/p>\n
39. Amy E. Martin, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, English Department
\nMount Holyoke College
\nSouth Hadley, MA<\/p>\n
40. Clod Marlan Krister V. Yambao
\nAssistant Professor, Department of Art Studies
\nUniversity of the Philippines
\nDiliman, Quezon City Philippines<\/p>\n
41. Dean Rolando B. Tolentino, Ph.D.
\nCollege of Mass Communication
\nUniversity of the Philippines<\/p>\n
42. Isabelle Thuy Pelaud, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, Asian American Studies
\nSan Francisco State University<\/p>\n
43. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon
\nAssociate Professor, History Department
\nSan Francisco State University<\/p>\n
44. Martin Joseph Ponce, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor, English, Ohio State University<\/p>\n
45. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nAsian American Studies
\nSan Francisco State University<\/p>\n
46. Keith L. Camacho, Ph.D.
\nProfessor, Asian American Studies Department
\nUCLA<\/p>\n
47. Angel Velasco Shaw
\nMedia Artist, Cultural Organizer and Adjunct Lecturer; Asian American
\nStudies
\nProgram Hunter College<\/p>\n
48. Eugene Gloria
\nAssociate Professor of English
\nDePauw University
\nArts & Sciences Distinguished Visiting Writer
\nBowling Green State University<\/p>\n
49. Kevin Nadal, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor,
\nJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice-
\nCity University of New York<\/p>\n
50. Filipino American National Historical Society- Metro New York Chapter<\/p>\n
51. Rick Bonus, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Dept. of American Ethnic Studies University of Washington Former president of the Association for Asian American Studies (2008-2010)<\/p>\n
52. Luis H. Francia
\nWriter\/Professor, Asian\/Pacific\/ American Studies Program Dept. of Social and Cultural Analysis
\nNew York University<\/p>\n
53. James Heintz, Ph.D.
\nResearch Professor, Political Economy Research Institute University of Massachusetts<\/p>\n
54. Laura Chen-Schultz
\nDeputy Director
\nAsian\/Pacific\/American Institute, New York University 8 Washington Mews
\nNew York, NY<\/p>\n
55. Robyn Rodriguez, Ph.D.
\nAssociate Professor
\nDepartment of Asian American Studies UC Davis<\/p>\n
56. E.K. Tan, Ph.D.
\nAssistant Professor
\nCultural Analysis and Theory Stony Brook University<\/p>\n
57. Rick H. Lee, Ph.D.
\nInstructor and Coordinator of Asian American Studies Programming Departments of English and American Studies
\nRutgers University<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN OPEN LETTER TO DR. SAMUEL STANLEY REGARDING THE FATE OF STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY’S ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN PROGRAMS AT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":72448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[1008],"tags":[2117],"class_list":["post-20024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sex-in-the-city","tag-sex-in-the-city"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u-113x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","large":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-highlighted-post":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-featured-post-medium":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-featured-post-small":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u-113x90.jpg","colormag-featured-image":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-default-news":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u-113x150.jpg","colormag-featured-image-large":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-elementor-block-extra-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-small-thumbnail":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg","colormag-elementor-grid-medium-large-thumbnail":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"Admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53e6cdc30765aade0129f85e5aeb50124b1d3f5bb9a70373be31e4eb328371e0?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"AN OPEN LETTER TO DR. SAMUEL STANLEY REGARDING THE FATE OF STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY’S ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN PROGRAMS AT","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Sex In The City"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":142,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":8,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg",113,170,false],"medium":["https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u.jpg",113,170,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/u-113x150.jpg",113,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"Admin","author_link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?author=1"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53e6cdc30765aade0129f85e5aeb50124b1d3f5bb9a70373be31e4eb328371e0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"Sex In The City<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20024"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20024\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/72448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}