Although
Asian-Americans, a minority that includes 2 million ethnic Koreans,
have been part of America's melting pot for decades now, they
still need to do more to further integrate themselves into American
society, says a Korean-American businessman who is actively
engaged in U.S. politics and community activities.
For instance, Sunny K. Park says ethnic Koreans in the United
States should not support some South Koreans' campaign against
the United States.
"This
could isolate the Korean community in the United States,"
says Park, who headed the California-based National Association
of Korean Americans in the early 1990s. He is now deputy chairman
of the America-Korea Friendship Society based in Atlanta and
chairman of the Finance Committee of the National Asian-American
Republican Party.
Park,
59, says that having lived in the United States for more than
three decades, he felt the need to improve the image of ethnic
Koreans and other Asian-Americans.
He
founded the Good Neighboring Campaign in 1996.
The movement is built on 13 action programs that call on Asian-Americans
to think and pray for America first, sing "The Star-Spangled
Banner, obey American laws and local regulations and become
involved in community affairs.
The action programs even advise Asian-Americans to maintain
a "good appearance" and control "ethnic odors,"
such as the smell of kimchi.
"The most important point is that the Asian-Americans should
have true affection for the country they live in," said
Park, who also serves as an adviser to the Bush administration
on Asian-American affairs.
Park says that the campaign targets recent Asian immigrants
to the United States, particularly Koreans, Chinese, Taiwanese
and Vietnamese.
"Because America is more European-oriented, Asians require
more time and must make more of an effort to adjust than people
from European backgrounds," he says.
Park emphasized, however, that his campaign by no means encourages
Asian-Americans to ignore their national heritage.
"I believe Asians have many precious heritages, such as
diligence," Park said.
In fact, the Good Neighboring Campaign includes action programs
urging ethnic Asians "to be proud to be an ethical American
citizen and utilize their ethnic heritage for America's betterment."
Park says during his first years as an immigrant in the United
States, American workers appeared to be lazy.
"But now, Americans have become much more diligent and
pay more attention to time management," Park says.
"I believe this change was possible partly because Americans
took lessons from hard-working Koreans and Chinese, many of
whom achieved success."
