2009 National Ethnic Media Awards Winners

Commentary/Editorial (English)

Winner

"LPGA: Does This Stand For ’Lees, Parks Go Away’?"
Phillip Lee, Korean Quarterly

Runner Up

"A Twice-Told Tale of Black, Brown & LAPD Blue"
Jerry Sullivan, Los Angeles Garment & Citizen

Commentary/Editorial (English)

Winner: Phillip Lee, "LPGA: Does This Stand For 'Lees, Parks Go Away'? " Korean Quarterly (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota)

He is not a journalist. He is not a social activist. He is not a hater of golf. He is not against immigrants becoming proficient in English. He is not a writer.

Phillip Lee is someone who was so moved by the Ladies Professional Golf Association's (LPGA) senseless policy that targeted non-English speaking golfers that he decided to write an essay highlighting the irony and lambasting the potentially illegal decisions that were made by the LPGA. In 2008, there were 45 Korean players on the LPGA tour. So the policy obviously had an anti-Korean bias, says Lee.

This was the first essay he has ever written.

"If we were talking about a speech contest that required a mastery of the English language, it would be appropriate to value the contestant's English skills. However when we're talking about golf, where speech has nothing to do with one's ability to perform on the course, using language to restrict certain players from competition seems blatantly discriminatory," says Lee. "While this particular issue revolved around Korean women, it had the potential to set a precedence which could lead to the discrimination of other 'groups' of people whom the LPGA may not want to succeed due to their own promotional agenda."

Lee understands the impact of language having immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. His grade school principal gave him his name when he enrolled in his first day in America. The principal was concerned that other kids would make fun of his Korean name.

Though Lee is not a writer, he is board chair for Korean Quarterly Newspaper, a volunteer-based, nonprofit publication that promotes Korean American issues and culture.

Lee, who lives in a suburb of Minneapolis, is married to Andrea Lee and has two children. He works as an executive for a national retailer.


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Testimonials

About NAM's First National Ethic Media Awards
Washington, D.C., 2006

Hillary Rodham Clinton

I want to congratulate the honorees who are receiving the equivalent of the “Pulitzer Prize.” Every generation brings so many voices to the debate. Ethnic media represent the way the new Washington needs to connect to the new America.

Len Downie, Executive Editor, Washington Post

I was very pleased that I could be at the awards ceremony. New America Media is a very significant journalistic organization and you are doing important work.

Michael Jack, VP of Diversity, NBC Network

Congratulations for pulling off such a successful event. It is not easy to do anything for the first time, but you managed to do just that. The well deserving recipients truly appreciated the acknowledgement.

Brant Houston, Executive Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.

Thanks for including us in this great project.

Lorena Hernandez, Bay Area Director of Communications, Comcast

Congratulations on the successful National Ethnic Media Events in DC!

Juliet K. Choi, National Partnership Development Senior Associate, American Red Cross

Congratulations on a beautiful inaugural Ethnic Media Awards – and kudos for getting Senator Clinton to show!

Julie H. Sun, Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach Manager, Freddie Mac

We were very happy to be engaged.

Pat Lawson Muse, Anchor, NBC4

Congratulations for pulling off such a successful event. Many of the stories that generated awards were so moving. The well de- serving recipients truly appreciated the acknowledgement.

Anna Lefer, U.S. Programs Program Officer, Open Society Institute

Congratulations on a hugely successful awards ceremony. After scanning the crowd of journalists and executives from ethnic and mainstream media, elected officials, international dignitaries and diplomats, and DC insiders, it is quite clear that NAM is a part of the political fabric down in DC.

Pam Larson, Executive Vice President, National Academy of Social Insurance

Being part of NAM’s gathering and associated events was a true honor and thrill for us! . . . You’ve got a real eye for the future -- and for making a better “present” for many people, too!

Ellen Hume, Senior Research Fellow, UMASS Boston

Congratulations to everyone. Our delegation just met here at UMASS Boston to recount how inspiring the NAM awards and work- shops were. Everyone is glowing.

Jon Funabiki, former deputy director of the Media, Arts and Culture with Ford Foundation

New America Media truly has changed the nation by bringing the power of ethnic news media into focus and making people take notice. NAM has changed the course of history.