PEP, June 2008: Asian Heritage

Members and guests enjoyed Local 2627’s celebration of Asian Heritage May 2 at the union. The event featured a delicious meal, insightful talks about the immigration experience, dance and musical entertainment and a martial arts exhibition. The early waves of Asian immigrants suffered from discrimination and persecution, noted Edward J. Hysyk, president of Electronic Data Processing Employees Local 2627, recalling the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. While perceptions change over the years, the struggle for full equality continues, he said.

Local 2627 members Mohamed Zaman and Susie Yuen hosted the event, and Zaman shared his own experience as an immigrant from Bangladesh. Hearrived with $50 in his pocket but without any family or friends. “A friendly taxi driver told me how to get a flat in Flushing, Queens,” Zaman said, and within two weeks he was driving a cab to make a living. Zaman pulled himself into the middle class by studying and finding a civil service job, a story familiar to many immigrants in New York City.

Maf Misbah Uddin, president of Local 1407 and treasurer of DC 37, who is also from Bangladesh, urged the audience to “dream big. The future is for us to build our community in American society.” Uddin chairs the DC 37 Asian Heritage Committee, which is planning a unionwide celebration on June 6.

Other speakers included Dr. Edward Ma, a psychotherapist and a former city human rights commissioner, and Gilbert K. Hoe, a representative of Ellen Young, the first Asian woman elected to the New York State Assembly, who presented the local with a proclamation.

Local 2627 member Craig Adams helped co-ordinate an exhibition of the Yang Tai Chi style. Adams is an instructor at the Mind, Body and Shen Wholistic Network in Manhattan.

Besides Zaman and Yuen, the Local 2627 Asian Heritage Committee includes Robert Ajaye, Terry Dunne, Gary Goff, Peter Jablin, Gerry Lee, Karlai Lee and Frederic (You-Sun) Liu.