by Xue Lor

During the day General Vang Pao died, I asked my friends “What did you think about General Vang Pao’s death?”. They responded, “I don’t really care,” “Why should I care? He’s not part of my life,” and “Okay.” I am ashamed to hear that they don’t have any compassion at all for the man that led the Hmong people to help fight with the Americans. From what I see, he is a good leader that has changed your lives forever. During the Vietnam War, the CIA recruited Hmong people from remote village area of Southeast Asia to fight against communist Vietnam. Hmong people wouldn’t be where they where if it is not because of him. How do I know? If you look at his title closer, you will know. He has been through training, working his way up the rankings. Finally, he gain the title “General.” Because he was a general, he found opportunities from the United States to move into their country so our culture would be preserved. He started the non profit Lao Family Community so they could help where your refugee families with translation and problems. Whenever you get the chance, you should really think about General Vang Pao and what he did for us not just you.

By Kemmaris Cheatum

Think House Collective located at 1726 11Th street recently held an awareness event for the  nonprofit organization ,”To Write Love On Her Arm” (TWLOHA). They are dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. The event began at 5pm on February 12th with an art show and around 6:30, they started a Love poem session upstairs. The entire complex was decorated with hearts and other love art. The displayed art was for sell and the profits would go to TWLOHA. The art pieces were very artistic and some of my favorites were “The Untiled Blue”, “Be My Valentine I’m Not Lion’, and a beautiful piece called “Eve”. Even more entertaining than the art walk was the “Valentine Love Poem” session which contained many beautiful and unique poems from local writers. One poem by an older woman kept me smiling and it was titled “To Shop For Love”. Some poems were very detailed and some were simple.
The event overall was very interesting, a little more mature compared to other events I have been to. I was able to leave the event with a portrait called “Love Can” for $5, in support for TWLOHA. I believe this event is important for our communities because TWLOHA provide hope for people that struggle emotionally. I know depression and suicide effects a lot of people in our communities. TWLOHA encourages victims to talk honestly about their issues. I personally feel that TWLOHA is a great and inspiring organization and will create great change in society.

By Amy Luong

For a few years, the social networking scene was all about was Xanga. It was one of the hottest sites for teens out there. People spent hours on their blogs and personalizing their sites. They added music, pictures, and had friends following what they blogged about. While some still had Xanga, some people were converting to Myspace. It was basically for catching up or reuniting with old friends, but at the same time, you were able to fix your profile, meet new people, and add music. Even though Myspace is just a social network, high school students started drama over Myspace. Gossip and trash talk took place online through this free space. While Myspace was a typical high school social network, Facebook was for college students; but even so, social networks always become the new hype for high school student.

While Myspace was for high school student, Facebook was made for college students. Creator Mark Zuckerberg originally created Facebook to share notes with fellow classmate. Then he opened Facebook to other ivy leagues college students to network with peers, and then it opened up for other colleges. They later then allowed high school students to become members because it was the most used social network. Facebook was all about reuniting with old friends, keeping in touch with family or friends, or updating your friends on what you’re doing. It also kept you entertained with games you can play with fellow friends or acquaintances. Now that Facebook is getting more popular, it gets boring and has gotten overrated. People are looking for new social networks.

People are now going to Tumblr, a blogging social network. It has been here for awhile, but people are just getting into it. Tumblr is like a combination of Facebook and Myspace. It lets you design your own background; add music, and blog/vent about your day or any random thing. So now that Facebook is getting old, is the new hype Tumblr?

Personally as a Tumblr user, I think its getting highly overrated. Now that it has became too popular It is turning into Xanga all over again, but it has became more ridiculous. It has meet-ups, where all Tumblr users from a certain area meet up and enjoy themselves. For example, over the summer when the California State Fair was in town, most of northern California Tumblr users had a “Meet up”. There they met some a lot of the people they met online for the first time in person. Also, you can get “Tumblr Famous” with how many followers and reblogs you have. Also, I think it’s uncalled for to have users post half naked or fully naked pictures of them. Tumblr is just another popularity contest to most users. For others, like me, I think it’s just a site to blog and vent. Now that it has gotten over-populated, people have to be careful and cautious about what they write on their sites over wise it will be overrun by the drama and gossip that destroyed Myspace.

You wouldn’t believe the things I hear about south Sac outside of south Sac – most of the uncalled-for commentary are “that place is ghetto/ isn’t it dangerous over there/ I know hella gangs that live there/ wow and you go to Berkeley” and at first, I’d make my inevitable unsuccessful attempt to convince them otherwise. I’d mention the diverse minority immigrant population that lived there. I’d talk about the institutional poverty cycle perpetuated all the inaccessible resources. And I lose my breath in my long winded explanation; I stop and just say “you might think of it that way but to me – its home”. South Sacramento will always be my home no matter all the challenges that we face and I believe participating in the coalition has given me a stronger belief and will-power to create positive change in our communities.
When I was growing up in South Sacramento there were few opportunities to get involved with community and extra circular activities. Many of my friends were involved with gangs and had financial struggles. I was a lucky individual that stayed away from those options and I had a self sacrificing single mother that did any for my educational success no matter the cost.

After being privilege enough to attend UC Berkeley and receiving a degree is Social Welfare and I’ve come back as a Youth counselor with Asian Resources. Being apart of such an incredible coalition has given me faith that our youth can change this community for the better. They are the guiding light for a better future as I see empowering youth stand up for their beliefs even against adults; coordinate incredible programs like third Thursday art walks and candlelight vigils for their friends that have passed due to violence. They’ve provided educational events such as a hate crime forum called “Youth Against the Hate”. I’ve seen young leaders organize themselves in a capacity and effectiveness that most politicians and adults have yet to comprehend.

Its an incredible honor to with such amazing future leaders. They have left scarred sparks of inspiration in me.

When one thinks of December, thoughts of presents, Christmas trees, festive decorations, Santa Claus, and jolly smiles may come to mind. Even though these simple holiday pleasures offer many people a great deal of joy and cheer, not everyone can afford them. For the last 20 years, Asian Resources, Inc. (ARI) has helped bring Christmas to hundreds of low-income families throughout Sacramento County. This year is no different. ARI provided gift cards to purchase groceries and toys for children to 100 low-income families.

Families gathered in front of the Broadway Career Center on December 18, 2011 at 9:00 am. The center was transformed into a whimsical Christmas Candyland theme decorated with candy sparkles, lollipops, Christmas trees and snow flakes. Youth volunteers colorfully dressed as elves sang Christmas carols and assisted children at the various game and craft stations. Families first began their journey on the Christmas Candyland trail by picking up their gift card and toys, then venturing to Santa’s Workshop where festive activities and games were set-up. Adults and kids alike played bingo, participated in a cookie walk and colored holiday pictures. Families also made their own personalized snowman ornaments and reindeer magnets. Once families finished making holiday crafts and playing games, families could sit and enjoy classic Christmas movies such as a Care Bears Christmas and Barbie’s A Christmas Carol. As families ended their exciting journey down the Candyland trail, they were all met at the end by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. In front of a beautiful background of Candy Mountains and lollipop plains, Santa greeted the children with a warm smile and peppermint candy canes. Children glowed in excitement as they took pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. As families slowly left and the event came to a close, ARI and their youth group, YouthRISE, were filled with holiday cheer from seeing parents gleaming eyes and children’s big smiles.

ARI would like to recognize and thank the following organizations for their gracious toy donations: Citibank, California Highway Patrol, Cosumnes River College and the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce.