Posted by drd on October 04, 2001 at 15:00:21:
"Communication is power." That point was vividly made by
80-20's last e-mail, entitled "Heroism & Fear Related to 9/11." Besides
sending the message to you, 80-20 also sent it to 50 prominent mainstream
reporters -- a rare 80-20 practice. 80-20's purposes were:
(1) To spread words about Zhe Zeng's heroic act to the community
at large. Up till that time, the mainstream media has NOT reported
on how heroically Zeng has volunteered his service to his new found
nation, and
(2) To remind the mainstream media that not only Arab Ams. but
also Asian Ams. live under the FEAR of unjustified internment, as
befell Japanese Ams.
Both aims were achieved. 80-20 is proud to report to you below, how
it went to bat for you and your children and made things happen.
(A) On Zhe Zeng's heroic and selfless act:
Yesterday, Jane Leung Larson who saw 80-20's e-mail to reporters,
e-mailed 80-20: "... I talked to Zeng's manager at the bank who said
that several mainstream journalists had contacted her recently. ...
Maybe thanks to you, we'll see the story in more media."
Today (10/3), NY Times covered Mr. Zeng's heroic act, with a
picture of him:
"ZHE ZENG
Completely Selfless Person'
Zhe Zeng was safe. The first plane struck the north tower as he was
leaving the Brooklyn Bridge subway stop, and he could have stayed in
his Barclay Street office, blocks away from the carnage, at the Bank of
New York, where he was project manager for American depositary
receipts.
But Mr. Zeng, 29, who was known as Zack, was also a certified
emergency medical technician, and after stopping by his office for some
supplies, he plunged into the maelstrom of dust and ash. A news video
broadcast later that day showed him working, still in his business suit,
over a prostrate form. But he has not been seen since.
"It didn't surprise anybody who knew him," said Peggy Farrell, his
supervisor. "He was a completely selfless person. He was just someone
who would automatically volunteer his assistance. To me it was a truly
heroic display.""
What a moving story to illustrate APA patriotism! We trust a
few more, maybe many more, mainstream media will use the story.
Some 80-20 supporters, moved by Mr. Zeng's sacrifice, e-mailed 80-
20 asking how to send money to his mother. If you want to make a
contribution, please e-mail us for her address.
(B) On Preventing Future Internment:
80-20's e-mail to journalists asked reporters to research the
Korematsu Decision of the Supreme Court upholding the
constitutionality of interning Japanese Americans purely on
account of their race. That Decision has never been reversed and
provides a precedent for the future internment of other politically
weak minorities such as Arab Ams. and APAs, not to mention
permanent residents, immigrants and tourists.
Many articles has since appeared in the mainstream press. Almost
all criticized the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII and
mentioned explicitly the Korematsu Decision, either coincidentally
or owing to 80-20's suggestion.
80-20 is exploring the possibility of spending its political capital
to get either the Executive or the Legislative or the Judiciary branch, or
combinations of the above, to take an action whereupon no ethnic
group of US citizens may ever again be placed in internment as a
group. Individuals who are proven disloyal to the US may of course be
interned. If you are a legal or political expert and know what kind of
action is needed, please e-mail sbw@udel.edu. Thank you.