In previous ITASA conferences, the general trend has been a push to discover new and unique qualities of the Taiwanese American identity. However, the 2007 West Coast Conference team identifies a more critical agenda in reviving the spirit of the Taiwanese American community. We want to "Rekindle the Flame."
Taiwanese Americans are generally very proud of their heritage and culture, but the depth of that sentiment varies substantially across different regions. On the East Coast and in the Midwest, where Taiwanese American populations are smaller, this minority status seems to encourage more awareness, more pride, and more involvement with the Taiwanese community. For example, TASAs (Taiwanese American Student Associations) in East Coast universities were incepted much earlier than similar collegiate organizations on the West Coast, despite more Asian-American representation in many West Coast schools. Although by no means are Taiwanese Americans a majority on the West Coast, relatively denser population concentrations appear to have dulled enthusiasm about their culture and community.
The goal of the 2007 West Coast Conference is to draw out the fire from within. Our workshops will seek to highlight the richness of Taiwanese culture and the success of Taiwanese Americans in today's world, while helping conference attendees to craft a stronger sense of their own identity. The large number of Taiwanese Americans on the West Coast is an untapped resource. It is time to "Rekindle the Flame."
ITASA
The Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA) was established by a group of students in the East Coast and Midwest who wanted to see the Taiwanese American college community grow. These individuals realized that college students have different needs from Taiwanese Americans of other age groups, and no one could understand these needs better than college students themselves.
Today, ITASA is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization staffed by students and recent graduates to serve their peers and their respective campuses. Over the years, ITASA has reached campuses from coast to coast and has brought thousands of students together to learn about and to address Taiwanese American issues. ITASA provides the space for community-building, leadership training, and identity-forging that are critical to the future of the Taiwanese Americans in the modern world.
Regional ConferencesThere is traditionally one conference in each region - East Coast, Midwest, West Coast - per year, and the location of these conferences rotates to different schools.
The purpose of the regional conferences is to provide a unique learning opportunity through lectures, workshops, forums and cultural performances; focus on retaining Taiwanese identity while living in the United States; encourage student activism on campuses, as well as in the greater Taiwanese American and Asian American arenas; and promote life-long friendships and a strong Taiwanese American network. Typical events include traditional Taiwanese Night Markets, variety shows and a party to celebrate the end of the conference.
TCS
Taiwanese Cultural Society (TCS) is Stanford's TASA. It is dedicated to promoting the awareness and preservation of Taiwanese culture, and it seeks to explore issues related to the island and Taiwanese Americans from the perspective of a group comprised mostly of second generation Taiwanese Americans.
Stanford TCS will be working closely with the 2007 West Coast Conference team to make the conference a success.