[ladygreek]

Minnesota has one of the largest SE Asian populations. At first they were considered the "model minority." The media constantly reported about their academic prowess, work ethic, etc. But now it is changing. Asian gangs have grown tremendously within the last 10 years, and the violence associated with the gangs has, too.

The family structure has also suffered, because while the parents are immigrants and follow the homeland culture, the kids are "westernized" and rebel against the old customs.

Then there is the issue of spousal mistreatment that has hit the papers because of the rise of domestic abuse and murder. Added to that is the tension among the various clans such that Asian service organizations have a hard time co-existing.

So it seems a whole new stereotype is being developed by the media. And that is a shame. Because as usual with communities of color, the negative is always highlighted while the positives are ignored.

And yes, it still bothers me to see an Asian couplewalk down the street and the woman maintains a certain distance behind the man.

So I said all of this to say, I am glad to see the growth of AGLOs, because I see them playing a powerful role in the Asian communites the same as BGLOs do in the Black communities.