Past Community Events     Left: Panelists (left to right) UC Davis Professor Bill Ong Hing, Nunu Kidane of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration and Priority Africa Network, and Chuck Striplen of the San Francisco Estuary Institute. Above: Community partners (left to right) Leonard Shek of the Chinese Historical Society of America, Catherine King of the San Francisco Public Library, Harriet Ishimoto of the Office of Nancy Pelosi, Celine Kennelly of the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center, and Erika Gee and Daphne Kwok of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. Photo credit: KQED Free Community Event Bay Area Immigration: What's happened in the past, and who are all these people? You might often wonder this with many communities growing so quickly. But the Bay Area has always had large immigrant populations — Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and Latino to name a few. On Wednesday, December 13, 2007, we screened new KQED public media programs, offered refreshments and short cultural performances, and had a facilitated community conversation on how the history of immigration affects who we are today and what this means for the richly ethnically diverse receiving community. The event was held at the San Francisco Main Library's Koret Auditorium in San Francisco. Panelists included Prof. Bill Ong Hing, and Nu Nu Kidane of Black Alliance for Just Immigration. Spanish translation was provided. Presented by KQED Education Network, in partnership with Angel Island Immigration station Foundation, San Francisco Public Library, Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Chinese Historical Society of America, National Japanese American Historical society and the Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition Related Broadcast Immigrant Voices: American Stories Immigrants from diverse backgrounds share their personal experiences of civic participation. Watch online here!  Stream Video (requires RealPlayer Need help?) back to top "Common Grounds: The Costs of Assimilation" Free public forum about the effects of immigrant assimilation on Bay Area communities Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 7pm in San Francisco KQED and the Crossroads Irish-American Festival presented a free public forum, "Common Grounds: The Costs of Assimilation," on Wednesday, March 14 at 7pm to 9pm at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco. It was an engaging dialogue about the effects of assimilation on immigrant, Native American and African American communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Panelists, together with the public, will discuss the cultural, historical, and spiritual aspects of assimilation, as well as the commonalities among groups whose experiences are not usually included in conversations about immigration. PANELISTS: • Isabel Barraza, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts • Daniel Cassidy, Irish Studies Program at New College of California • Linda James Myers, Ph.D., Graduate School of Psychology New College of California • Bill Simmons, International Indian Treaty Council CO-SPONSORS: • Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts • International Indian Treaty Council FOR INFO: (415) 437- 3427 http://www.newcollege.edu/irishstudies/events_irishstudies.cfm back to top KQED Proudly Sponsors NEW YEAR BABY At the 25th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Featuring a Q&A with Director Socheata Poeuv Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 5pm at AMC Van Ness Theatres KQED proudly sponsored the Bay Area premiere of the award-winning documentary NEW YEAR BABY by Socheata Poeuv at the 25th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival on Sunday, March 18 at 5pm at the AMC Van Ness Theatres in San Francisco. NEW YEAR BABY is a personal documentary about the filmmaker's search for the truth about her family. As a child growing up in the United States, Poeuv knew that her parents had survived brutal oppression and genocide under the Khmer Rouge, but they never spoke of it. After her parents make a startling revelation, she travels to Cambodia to unravel the mystery surrounding her family's survival and eventual escape. Winner of the Amnesty International's 'Movies That Matter' Human Rights Award at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in December 2006, NEW YEAR BABY will premiere on PBS on "Independent Lens" in 2008. "I remember watching A.K.A. DON BONUS on PBS as a teenager. It was a documentary about a Cambodian American teenager in the San Francisco area," said Poeuv. "It was the first time I'd ever seen a depiction of a young Cambodian American on television. In that moment I realized that there was a way for someone like me to have their voice heard in this country." Through film festival sponsorship opportunities, KQED celebrates and honors the independent filmmaking community in the Bay Area and the documentary art form. NEW YEAR BABY is a contender in the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival's Documentary Competition, which offers a first look at new non-fiction feature films that explore the dynamic and complex terrain of Asian America. "We're pleased to present NEW YEAR BABY with our longtime partner KQED," said Festival Director Chi-hui Yang, "and we're thrilled with the high caliber of this year's documentaries that offer a glimpse into stories that are rarely brought to the screen." There was a special question and answer session following the film with director Socheata Poeuv. About NEW YEAR BABY Broken English Productions' NEW YEAR BABY (http://www.newyearbaby.net) by Socheata Poeuv is a window into the lives of six Cambodians who escape the Khmer Rouge genocide and become Americans. The film won the highest human rights cinema award, the Amnesty International 'Movies That Matter' Award, at its premiere at the 2006 International Documentary Festival Amsterdam. Hold Your Breath Can cultural and religious beliefs co-exist with contemporary medical technology? Free screening and discussion on Saturday, March 31 at 3pm in Fremont KQED, in partnership with the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, presented a free public screening of HOLD YOUR BREATH, a documentary by Maren Grainger-Monson, on Saturday, March 31 at 3pm at the Cinema Park Theater in Fremont. The film will be broadcast in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, April 8 at 5pm on KQED Public Television 9. Get an e-mail reminder. HOLD YOUR BREATH is the poignant story of an Afghani immigrant's disturbing experience with the American healthcare system. After fleeing Afghanistan in 1979, Mohammad Kochi settled in Fremont, California, to raise his family, but just as life seems to be getting easier, he is diagnosed with an aggressive, life-threatening cancer. Despite the good intentions of his medical practitioners, the interactions between them and Mr. Kochi and his family are fraught with misunderstandings about language, religion and customs, ultimately leading to his premature death. Through intimate moments of anguish and hope, HOLD YOUR BREATH illustrates the importance of communication and sensitivity in medical decision-making. After the screening join filmmaker Maren Grainger-Monsen for a discussion about the urgent need for cultural competence in healthcare professions. Translation services will be provided. FOR MORE INFO: http://medethicsfilms.stanford.edu/holdyourbreath/index.html http://www.kqed.org/immigrationinfocus HOLD YOUR BREATH is presented by American Public Television (APT), a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations, and KQED Presents, a division of KQED. The film is funded in part by the California Endowment, the Commonwealth Fund, the Greenwall Foundation, & the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. SENTENCED HOME - San Francisco Tuesday | April 10 | 2007 San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium ITVS Community Cinema, KQED Community Engagement, Access SF, Hands on Bay Area and the San Francisco Public Library present: Raised as Americans in inner-city projects near Seattle, three young Cambodian refugees each made a rash decision as a teenager that irrevocably shaped their destiny. Now facing deportation back to Cambodia years later, they find themselves caught between a tragic past and an uncertain future by a system that doesn't offer any second chances. Panel discussion following the film: •Nicole Newnham, Co-Producer/Director •Angie Junck, Staff Attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Member, Immigrant Justice Network Partner Organizations: Cambodian Community Development Inc., AYPAL (Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership), Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, Immigrant Justice Network, World Savvy, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach ITVS Community Cinema, KQED Community Engagement's Immigration in Focus, The Oakland Film Office, The City of Oakland, Hands on Bay Area and The Oakland Asian Cultural Center present: SENTENCED HOME - Oakland Wednesday | April 11 | 2007 The Oakland Asian Cultural Center Free and open to the public Pre-feature short film | "Manifesting Our Destiny" by Claudia Gomez-Arteaga Panel discussion featuring: •Nicole Newnham, Co-Producer/Director •Angie Junck, Staff Attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center •Keo Chea Shartsis Friese, Public Interest Law Fellow, East Bay Community Law Center •Joren Lyons, Staff Attorney, Asian Law Caucus' Immigrant Rights Project •Wayie Ly, Host/producer, Apex Express Partner Organizations: Cambodian Community Development Inc., AYPAL (Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership), Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, Immigrant Justice Network, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Asian Law Caucus, APEX EXPRESS, and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach For more information on ITVS Community Cinema or how to get involved visit http://itvs.org/outreach/sentencedhome/ or email moriah_kinberg@itvs.org Breaking Down the Borders: Immigration in San Francisco Free panel discussion on Monday, April 16, 2007, 6 - 8pm at the University of San Francisco In collaboration with the The Religion and Immigration Project (TRIP) at the University of San Francisco, KQED presents a free public forum, "Breaking Down the Borders: Immigration in San Francisco," on Monday, April 16 from 6pm to 8pm at USF. The evening will include a screening of clips from KQED's original production "Immigrant Voices--American Stories" and an interactive community dialogue with immigrant leaders profiled in the documentary and USF research analysts. Learn about TRIP's two-year study with five Bay Area immigrant communities and hear their findings on various issues including how the acculturation process for new migrants differs from their children, how immigrant communities organize themselves, and how religious groups strive to help meet their needs. WHAT: "Breaking Down the Borders: Immigration in San Francisco" (Featuring a panel discussion, media presentation, and group dialogue) WHEN: Monday, April 16, 2007 from 6-8pm WHERE: University of San Francisco Maraschi Room, Fromm Hall 2130 Fulton Street San Francisco, CA 94117-1080 USF PANELISTS: •Luis Enrique Bazan, "How Religious Groups Meet Pressing Migrant Needs" •Kevin Chun, "Children and Acculturation Processes for New Migrants" •Jay Gonzalez, "Community Organizing and Religious Groups" FEATURED GUESTS FROM "IMMIGRANT VOICES--AMERICAN STORIES": •Manuel Espinosa, Yucatan community •Vince Gutierrez, Unite Families •Jade Wu (and interpreter Tan Chow), Chinatown Community Development Center Chinese Stereotypes and Diversity: What's the Real China? Free panel discussion and photo exhibition Wednesday, May 2 at 5pm - 7:30pm at the San Francisco Main Library KQED, the Chinese Culture Center, the Chinese Historical Society of America, and the Chinese Center of the San Francisco Public Library present the public forum, Chinese Stereotypes and Diversity: What's the Real China? on Wednesday, May 2 from 5pm to 7:30 pm in celebration of the opening of the photo exhibit, Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change. The program included a community forum exploring the Chinese diaspora and how the long and complex history of economic development and immigration in the United States has affected the diversity within the immigrant Chinese community. The discussion included clips from two documentaries: China from the Inside, Jonathan Lewis' award-winning film co-produced by KQED and Granada Television, and My Name is Belle by Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen which debuts on KQED Public Television in May 2007. On display at the San Francisco Main Library from April 28 - June 24, Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change explores social change in the world's most populous nation. The dramatic works of photographers Liu Xiaodi, Jiang Jian, Zhang Xinmin, Luo Yongjin, Zhou Hai, Lu Yuanmin and Zhou Ming illustrate China's internal struggle between modern industrialism and the traditional, agrarian past that has sustained the country for thousands of years. WHAT: "Chinese Stereotypes and Diversity: What's the Real China" • Panel discussion • Clips from documentaries "China From the Inside" and "My Name is Belle" • Photo Exhibit: "Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change" PANELISTS: • Diana Pei-Wu, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights • Russell Jeung, Asian American Studies Department, San Francisco State University • Fei Yi Chen, Chinese Progressive Association • Belle Yang, painter and author, Baba and Hannah Is My Name Documenting China is organized by Bates College Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. This exhibition has been made possible though the generous support of Crystal Cruises. Local funding is provided by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. Presented by the San Francisco Public Library's Chinese Center. KQED's Immigration in Focus (www.kqed.org/immigrationinfocus) is a collection of thought-provoking programs, special reports and events about the complex issues surrounding immigration. With California at the center of the immigration debate, KQED recognizes the need for accurate, balanced information and provides a platform for productive and inclusive dialogue from all perspectives. Remembering 1882: Fighting for Civil Rights in the Shadow of the Chinese Exclusion Act In 1882 Congress passed the nation's first immigration legislation--a law to prevent people of Chinese descent from entering the United States. The law would tear apart families and cut the nation's Chinese American population in half while removing their right to become US citizens. Remembering 1882 commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Exclusion Act by exploring the historical debate from its origins through its full repeal in 1968, the civil rights struggle of Chinese Americans and their allies, and the historic importance of habeas corpus in the Chinese American community. The Chinese Historical Society of America and the Historical Society for the Northern District of California held this event explorating of the impacts and legacies of Exclusion: Remembering 1882 PANEL & RECEPTION May 9, 4:30 - 6pm 450 Golden Gate, San Francisco. Featuring Justice Harry Low, Attorney Michael Lee, Law Professor Bill Ong Hing, Immigration Attorney Donald Ungar, and Historian Connie Young Yu. The panel kicked off with a specially crafted Museum Theater performance: A Statement for Non-Exclusion featuring Dr. Ng Poon Chew (1866 ø 1931), the legendary crusading newspaper editor and leader in the fight against Exclusion. Remembering 1882 TRAVELING EXHIBIT May 1 - 11 Phillip Burton Federal Building, Northern California District Court, 450 Golden Gate, 19th Floor, San Francisco May 14 - 31 James R. Browning Courthouse, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 95 Seventh Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco "It is impossible to preserve the integrity of a government like ours if we deny any class in our community the equal protection of the laws." --Ng Poon Chew and Patrick Healy, 1905 "Mirror on the Wall: A Conversation Between American-Born and Chinese Immigrants" Free panel discussion with translation services in Cantonese and English provided Friday, May 11 at 6-8pm at the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco KQED and the Chinese Culture Center presented "Mirror on the Wall: A Conversation Between American-Born and Chinese Immigrants," a free public forum, to discuss the issues surrounding and dividing the Bay Area's Chinese American community, including immigration status, language access, and acculturation issues. "Different generations of immigrants have vastly different perspectives and concerns, yet we all call ourselves Chinese," said Chinese Culture Center Executive Director Sabina Chen. "As a large extended family, how do we communicate across generations and reach some common ground as a community? How do we address varying, sometimes conflicting interests with respect and understanding?" The discussion incorporated clips from two KQED-produced documentaries about the local Chinese American community and will be simultaneously translated in Cantonese and English. WHAT: "Mirror on the Wall: A Conversation Between American-Born and Chinese Immigrants" •Clips from KQED-produced documentaries "Immigrant Voices-American Stories" and "The Hidden Cities of San Francisco Series: Chinatown" •Facilitated community discussion with simultaneous Cantonese and English translation PANELISTS: •Abby Chen, Program Director, Chinese Culture Center •Terrence Chuck, Counselor, City College of San Francisco •Christina Wong, Director of Community Initiatives, Chinese for Affirmative Action •Wang Danxiong, Photographer (also Community Liaison for Chinese Artist Network and Online Interactive Host, Chinese Photographers Network) •Moderator: Darlene Chiu, News Manager, PG&E (also Former Liaison to the Chinese Community at the San Francisco Mayor's Office) back to top "Building Inclusive Communities" Faith and Immigrant Leaders Discuss Immigration Free conference on Tuesday, May 15 at 9am - noon in Berkeley KQED and The San Francisco Foundation's FAITHS Program presented "Building Inclusive Communities" on May 15. Faith and immigrant leaders were invited to discuss the current challenges to civil and immigrant rights, including the ICE raids and the latest federal and state legislation. Attendees received a free DVD of the KQED documentary "Immigrant Voices-American Stories" to build awareness within their organizations around issues of immigration. The half-day program was free of charge. Boxed lunches were provided. WHAT: "Building Inclusive Communities: A Bay Area Immigrant and Faith Leadership Convening" •Presentations on the current challenges to civil and immigrant rights •Media resources and training for congregational education WHERE: Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Center, 2140 Durant, Berkeley, CA TRANSLATION SERVICES: To reserve Spanish translation services, call (415) 553-2284 CO-SPONSORS: •Black Alliance for Just Immigration •Catholic Charities CYO •Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization •East Bay Sanctuary Covenant •Good Samaritans of the East Bay •Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights •Lutheran Social Services of Northern California •Multicultural Institute, Priority Africa Network •PANA Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific Asian North American Religion •Progressive Jewish Alliance •San Francisco Presbytery Justice, Advocacy and Caring Committee

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"The Slanted Screen"
Free Film Screening and Panel Discussion about Asian Men in Film and Television

For Educators and the Non-profit Community
Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, KQED Studios

KQED, in partnership with the Center for Asian American Media, invited teachers and non-profit community advocates to a free public screening of "The Slanted Screen" by Jeff Adachi on May 24. The screening was followed by a panel discussion about how Asian American men are depicted in film and television and how the film can serve as an educational tool.

From silent film star Sessue Hayakawa to "Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle," "The Slanted Screen" (www.slantedscreen.com) explores the portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experiences of actors and filmmakers who have had to struggle against ethnic stereotyping and limiting roles. Panelists include filmmaker Jeff Adachi (currently serving as the Public Defender for the City of County of San Francisco), UC Berkeley professor Elaine Kim, performance artist Sean San José, and comedienne Pearl Wong.

WHAT: "The Slanted Screen" (film screening and panel discussion)

PANELISTS:
•Jeff Adachi, Director, Public Defender of the City and County of San Francisco •Elaine Kim, Professor of Asian American and Comparative Ethnic Studies, UC Berkeley
•Sean San José, Member, Intersection for the Arts & Campo Santo
•Pearl Wong, Member, 18 Might Mountain Warriors (sketch comedy troupe)

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KQED Honors "Celebrate America Creative Writing" and "Coming to California" Contest Winners
Award Ceremonies on Wednesday, May 23 at 5:30pm and Friday, May 25 at 6:30pm

KQED is proud to honor students from Northern California for their creative abilities, demonstrated through essays and digital stories, at awards ceremonies for the "Celebrate America Creative Writing" contest on Wednesday, May 23 at 5:30pm and the KQED Digital Storytellers' "Coming to California" contest on and Friday, May 25 at 6:30pm at KQED.

Wednesday, May 23 at 5:30pm The annual "Celebrate America Creative Writing" contest invites fifth grade students to write an essay about "Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants" to promote positive awareness of diversity. The contest is sponsored by the Northern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association, and their charitable arm, the American Immigration Law Foundation. AILA attorney volunteers visited participating classrooms throughout Northern California to facilitate discussions about immigration.

KQED is joining AILA and AILF in sponsoring the awards ceremony for the writing contest on Wednesday, May 23 at 5:30pm. The 2007 "Celebrate America Creative Writing" contest winners are:

• 1st Place: Charles Herndon, Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, San Francisco
• 2nd Place: Sean Rizzo Cunningham, Bay Farm Elementary School, Alameda
• 3rd Place: Jemeshia Wade, Sheridan Elementary School, San Francisco

Herndon's essay placed third in the AILF national contest.

"We're thrilled with the thoughtfulness and creativity displayed in this year's contest," said Brenda Boudreaux, AILA/AILF's Writing Contest Co-Coordinator. "The entries, by fifth-grade students, demonstrate a depth of understanding about the complex issue of immigration that is striking." She added that a special fundraising campaign by AILF resulted in more than $5,000 that will be awarded to the schools attended by the winners.

Friday, May 25 at 6:30pm KQED's annual "Coming to California" contest invites high school students in the Bay Area to create a digital story about immigrating to the state and being Californian. Through KQED's Digital Storytelling contest, students become producers of media, building an understanding of media literacy through authentic learning. The winning digital stories will be streamed at www.kqed.org/dsi

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Live Discussion on Citizenship
KQED's "Forum" Broadcasts Live from San Francisco City Hall
Thursday, June 28, 2007 from 9-11am

KQED Public Radio 88.5 FM San Francisco and 89.3 FM Sacramento invited the public to participate in a special live two-hour broadcast of Forum with Michael Krasnyabout citizenship and the U.S. Citizenship Test at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, June 28.

Activity: Rewriting the U.S. Citizenship Test: Read comments and suggestions on this discussion board.

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Myths and Realities in a Nation of Immigrants

Free public forum on Monday, July 2 at 6:30pm in Palo Alto

KQED presented a free public forum, "Myths and Realities in a Nation of Immigrants," on Monday, July 2 at 6:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. The forum promoted public understanding of complex immigration issues including immigration reform, the reasons why people migrate to the United States, and family reunification. Join community and faith leaders for an interactive dialogue to raise awareness of immigration issues and dispel common myths about immigrants.

The event also featured a screening of clips from KQED's original production "Immigration Calculations"

PANELISTS
•Cindy Avitia, Office of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA 16th)
•Richard Hobbs, Director of Office of Human Relations
•Sergio Lara
•Craig Wiesner, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice

PARTNERS
•American Muslim Voice
•Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice
•Peninsula Peace and Justice Center

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Immigrants: A Source of Wealth?

Free public forum on Friday, August 31 at 6pm in Santa Cruz

KQED, in partnership with American Muslim Voice and Global Peace Partners, presented a free public forum that promoted understanding of complex immigration issues. Panelists shared their personal stories, discussed why people migrate to other countries, and sorted myths about immigration from reality. Spanish translation was provided.

The event also featured a screening of clips from KQED's original production "Immigration Calculations."

WHAT: Free Public Forum: "Immigrants: A Source of Wealth?"

WHEN: Friday August 31, 2007 Pakistani dinner served at 6pm Program at 7pm

WHERE: First Congregational Church (UCC)
900 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA

PARTNERS: American Muslim Voice (AMV)
Communities Organized for Relational Power and Action (COPA)
First Congregational Church (UCC)
Global Peace Partners (GPP)
Live Oak Family Resource Center
The Santa Cruz County Immigration Project

PANELISTS
•Teresa Castellanos, Facilitator
•Dolores Huerta, The Dolores Huerta Foundation (Invited)
•D. Douglas Keegan, Attorney & Program Director for the Santa Cruz
County Immigration Project
•Oscar Rios, City Council Member, Watsonville
•Joaquin Sanchez - Lead Organizer, COPA-Communities Organized for
Relational Power and Action

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Support for KQED's Immigration in Focus is provided by:

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