2009 National Ethnic Media Awards Winners

International Affairs (In-Language)

Winner

"Dragon Children Return"
Rong Xiaoqing, Sing Tao Daily

Runner Up

"Civil War Looms in Lebanon"
Thaer Abbas, Aramica

Honorable Mention

"Foreign Students: The Neglected Group"
Yuting Zhou, World Journal

International Affairs (In-Language)

Winner: Rong Xiaoqing, "Dragon Children Return," Sing Tao Daily, (New York, New York)

The story of Americans adopting Chinese children has been well reported. But Sing Tao staff writer Rong Xiaoqing says the focus is usually on how the children fit into their new American lives. She saw little that talked about how their roots in China affected their American lives.

Though fewer Chinese children are coming to the United States these days because of stricter adoption policies in China, more than 60,000 are already here. And they are growing up. Some of them are starting to visit their birth country - there are tours like the Families with Children from China Heritage Tour that specialize in this. "The relationship between China and the United States has become the most important bilateral relationship in the world," says Rong. "So the children's searching for their own identity is more than a personal journey. They could help build a unique bridge between the two countries."

The heart-to-heart relationship between the children and their American parents impressed Rong while she was doing the story. "Most of the adoptive parents have never tried to hide the fact from their children, even Asian American parents who have similar physical features as their kids," says Rong. "They believe an open adoption is better for the children even though it could incur thorny questions from the kids about their biological parents."

Growing together with their children, many adoptive parents who knew nothing about Chinese culture before the adoption try to learn everything about it now. "They attend Chinese classes and visit China with their kids and become part of the cultural bridge themselves," says Rong. Many of them helped raised money by selling t-shirts after the earthquake in Sichuan in 2008.

Rong has worked previously for City Limits, a grassroots English-language magazine. Before coming to the United States for a master's degree in business journalism, she worked as a reporter and radio presenter in China.


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    Cindy Yip & Otis Fang, Sing Tao Radio

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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.