Forum: Ancestors in the Americas

Responses:

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Subject: Indentity Crisis
From: Sat
Date: 03 Mar 2001 10:58 PM

The Asian show was excellent and brings to light many aspects of unknown American history. However, it does not address the problem at the core of the race issue. That is this. From the perspective of reality as spoken in Bhagavad Gita, the essential self or soul is an eternal unit of individual consciousness. It is unborn, it has no death. Only the temporary body dies. Thus, it is illusion for the soul to identify with the body. Based on this wholesale ignorance, we call ourselves black, white, male, female, tall, short, etc.. In a condition of ignorance one cannot attain the eternal happines we aspire for. The soul is sat, cit, ananda. Eternal, in full knowledge, and blissful. In order to realize our potential, we must free ourselve from the shackles of ignorance. There are many spiritual paths which lead us to this noble end. It is said in the Upanisads: athato brahma jijnaso. The soul has transmigrated from the lower forms of bodies up to the human form, now in human form one has the potential to attain their sat cit ananda nature - its actual true quality. Just as a diamond may not be recognizable when covered with dirt and mud, but when it is cleaned, and cut, it is beautiful. Likewise, by spritual practice the soul can remove the ignorance of maya, or misidentification with matter and regain it natural state. This is the real and comprehensive answer to the race issue, that will bring about peace and harmony.

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Subject: Race: Pros and Cons
From: American Ronin
Date: 05 May 2001 11:20 PM

Race offers for the human race many pros and cons, and it certainly seems there are more cons than pros according to the new system of political correctness.But race, as seen in the program offers something great, which is pride, strength, honor, and courage. It offers a heritage and power that allows a person to draw will from.But the negative side of this is of course, racism-the cause of all wars and hate to follow.

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Subject: I want to buy video Ancestors in the Americas
From: Professor Chuck Ambers
Date: 04 Apr 2001 10:40 PM

I want to buy, wholesale the video series Ancestors in the Americas,or I would like to buy a copy for our museum.

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Subject: hmmm.....
From: American Ronin
Date: 05 May 2001 11:24 PM

I think PBS has a credit card system of purchasing video tapes. But they can certainly accomadate you at a lower price because you are a public organization. Just email the person who works for PBS. There is a feedback section, I believe.

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Subject: I am a Chinese School Board Member and want to buy this series for students
From: Andre Torng
Date: 05 May 2001 2:10 AM

I find this series contains very valuable info for Chinese American students to learn about the history of other Chinese here and how to help each other out and live a better life

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Subject: More installments to this series?
From: Khoiviet Hathuc
Date: 04 Apr 2001 8:40 PM

I am sorry if my post is not more focused but I wish to speak about several things.First off, I found these documentaries very informative and enjoyable. I would wish to purchase them so that friends and family may also learn about the history of asians in america. If you could give me some information, I would greatly appreciate itSecondly, I was wondering if the producers of the pieces were thinking about following asian history to the present day. I think that there are more stories to tell. Being a child of vietnamese refugees, I have always wanted to see and hear the stories of refugees to this country from the refugee prospective. Too often I am forced to listen to the history and plight of the asian refugees from the prospective of the Americans. I think it would be incredible if you could tell the story of an asian refugee, from their childhood in their homeland to their adjustment to their new home and finally to their present day struggles with their asian-american identities, both their own and that of their childrens'. Anyhow, Thankyou for telling these stories.

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Subject: I agree.
From: American Asian Ronin
Date: 05 May 2001 11:27 PM

I also think the program was great because it gave the unbiased persepective of those who were there in the midst of history. It is very inspirational for those Asians who feel they have no roots of heritage in America.There are some programs about the plight of the Vietnamese refugees in America, I believe. I would love to see some if they did come out.

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Subject: A successful show
From: Danny Tsui
Date: 05 May 2001 11:33 PM

I want to congratulate your station effort in bringing the hiding stories of the Asian American to the general public. We as Asian American were often viewed as parasite to the American society. Thank you for telling the truth about our ancestor's contribution to the building of this great country. I felt so proud to be an Asian American after viewing the show. Keep up the good work!

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Subject: Ancestors in the Americas
From: Taino Almestica
Date: 05 May 2001 11:49 PM

Exceptionally done, brilliant!

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Subject: Ancestors in the Americas
From: Jim Ciha
Date: 05 May 2001 6:18 AM

I enjoyed your series and hope the entire series will be broadcast again. After adopting a child from China we have tried to tell her adoption story to her by teaching her Mandarin, Chinese music and culture. This series helps me understand that immigration not only from China but other countries to the US has been going on for centuries. Keep up the great work and would appreciate more immigration series to help educate all citizens of the US.

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Subject: Ancestors in Americas
From: Susan Lo
Date: 05 May 2001 7:13 PM

I am sorry that I missed the first part of the two parts, but I have learnt more through your story telling than the classroom can provide. This has given me a good understanding on how the Asians are willing to go to all lengths to make an honest living and sacrificing a lot in the process. Very informational indeed. I would very much like to purchase a video/book on the Chinese ancestors of Americas if available. I would like to see more history on the Chinese in other parts of the world. Thanks.

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Subject: Ancestors in the Americas
From: E. Huang
Date: 05 May 2001 9:48 PM

Appreciated the extensive research presented about Chinese immigration to the Americas prior to the mid-1800's. Would like to purchase a video tape for family use. My family is a 4th generation legacy of the "gold rush" immigration period. Thank you!

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Subject: vidio
From: Gene Liao
Date: 06 Jun 2001 4:20 PM

After review the PBS of ancestore in American, I am impress how much Chinese had done to American much more than I ever though. These contribution of the hardship wwere not less than any of Western form Europe, but may be more. I am appreciation that PBS could have more of this programs. I am the first immiration to US since 1983. I would like to have my children to know, like all the other American, How Chinese had immirated to US and what they had contributed to this socilty just like any other races in US.I would like to purchase the viedo to show the children of the part of history of US that rearly has been touch in the school system, since they are not able to stay late to watch the program of PBS.I will appricate the reply.Thank you Gene Liao

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Subject: Check this website for Video Info
From: Iris
Date: 06 Jun 2001 5:02 PM

I went to the NAATA website and found the following web page asking people to broadcast "Ancestors in America" to your local communities. The organization will provide VHS tape for screening at community center etc.Hope this info helps.http://www.naatanet.org/community/action_alerts/index.html