Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 256

within their community. How can they connect, help, and work with undocumented workers and
students? How can American-born Koreans connect with the older generation? As the Korean
American population continues to grow, the struggle becomes about how to function, fit in, and
live within America’s multiethnic communities.
The answers lie within the 1.5 and the second generation of Korean Americans whose efforts –
like the CKA – to raise the voice and identity of their community is the hope for the future. The
1.5 and the second generation have the advantage of being fluent in English and Korean. They
can help bridge the gap between the generations, articulate the needs of the Korean American
community, and teach their children about Korean American history and the journey, struggles,
and successes of their ancestors so they can forge onward and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
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Arirang is a two part documentary on Korean American history created by filmmaker Tom
Coffman. Each documentary is one hour. The second part includes a very important and
powerful section on the L.A. Riots and its impact on the Korean American community. One may
order Arirang for $25 (includes mailing). Send a check to Tom Coffman for $25 at Arirang
Project, 44-114 Bayview Haven Place, Kane’ohe, HI 96744. (For High School and College)
Arirang: An Interactive Classroom DVD on Korean American history is accessible for teachers
and their students at http://arirangeducation.com/main/. The DVD includes soundtrack of
Korea’s most famous folk song, Arirang, photographs, text, and lessons for teachers and
students. Upper elementary and middle school.
You Tube includes many videos of the L.A. Riots. Some are excellent.
For more information on Korean American history: KoreanAmericanStory.org (The mission of
Korean American Story is to create and preserve the stories of the Korean American
Experience).
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