Asian Heritage

ACCORDING to the 2000 census, there are more than 11 million Asian Americans in the United States, including 807,335 in New York City — a significant increase over the last decade. The changing demographics were reflected in the faces of the 250 DC 37 members who attended the union’s second annual Asian Heritage program on May 29.

There were members from India, Pakistan, China, Korea, the Philippines and other parts of Asia. They came together to celebrate and share their unique cultures with other members in an evening of dance and song. Administrator Lee Saunders thanked the DC 37 AsianHeritage Committee and its co-chairs, Jon Ng and Sabiha Kahn, for organizing the program. “This city is a vast multicultural community, and so is this union,” he said.

“Unions continue to provide a way into the American dream for those who have come to this country through great courage and at some risk to seek a better life. The emerging Asian population in this country and this city needs unions. And we need their energy, enthusiasm, and dedication in order to continue to build a strong, proactive DC 37.”

Mr. Saunders also noted that many of the members and their families were participating in the evening’s entertainment. Local 2627 member Susan Yuen introduced the Chinese Lion Dance. Viki Heramia of DC 37’s Accounting Dept. sang a song from the Philippine Islands.

Yuet-Ying Chew of the Retirees Association demonstrated tai chi with swords. Sita Dwarika, daughter of Bhagwatie Dwarika of the DC 37 Education Fund, enacted a South Indian Kuchipudi dance.

Other presentations included Xiao Yan and her dance group, a Korean dance performed by Chun Yu Quan, and a vivid demonstration of cultural diffusion by musicians who offered Indo-Caribbean rhythms.

The program reflected the rich variety of cultures and the continuing pull of tradition that is such an important part of Asian life everywhere.